“Really?” She said, fluffing her hair. Randy looked her in the eye, “Yes. You look fantastic.” Rini blushed and looked away.

But Randy spoke with the utmost sincerity. Rini wore a midnight blue dress with a curved neck, decorated with what looked like tiny little diamond stars. Her hair was swept up and she looked much older and sophisticated.

“I’m only fantastic?” Rini teased, laughing. “You look very handsome, Randy.”

“What this old thing?” Randy tugged on his tie. Rini laughed again.

“You two make a cute couple.” One of Rini’s ladies-in-waiting, said, smiling as she passed by.

“What, we’re only cute?” Both Randy and Rini said in unison.

“Why, Rini, Randy, are you still here? Your parents left ages ago! You should get a move on, or you’ll be late!” Rini’s professor ushered them out the door and into the awaiting carriage car.

Once at the ball, Luna and Artemis prepared them for another grand entrance. Having done this already last year, both Randy and Rini felt quit comfortable doing this and walked smoothly to their table. However, Randy could not help but feel that nervous twinge when it was time for them to dance. He tried not to think about it much and he could tell Rini was doing the same thing. He did notice that they danced much closer together than they had ever before.

Once they had both become tired, Rini dragged Randy over to the refreshment table. “Oatmeal raisin cookies!” He yelped. “Oh, I love these, but Mom won’t let me have any!” Randy grabbed one in each hand and ate steadily while Rini delicately sipped sparkling water from a glass goblet.

“Oh, I love this song!” Rini tapped her foot to the beat. “Come on, let’s dance!” Rini grabbed Randy’s hand and dragged him onto the dance floor, despite his complaints that he was too full to dance.

“Isn’t there a rule that you have to wait two hours after eating to dance?” Randy grumbled as he danced awkwardly. He wasn’t about to admit that he couldn’t dance to a fast song like this, that he had only taken lessons for real formal ballroom dances.

“Oh, Randy! It’s not that bad. Come on, have some fun!” Rini pulled him to the center of the dance floor and her smile stretched so wide, Randy couldn’t help but relax and let himself have some fun.

They danced a few more songs before Randy complained that he would twist his ankle if he danced another second and they sat down. While Rini went to freshen up, Randy rested in a chair.

“Prince Randy! Oh, I’ve looked for you everywhere!” A vaguely familiar voice said.

Randy looked up and saw Rachel grinning down at him. “Hello, Lady Rachel. And how are you doing on this lovely evening?” Randy greeted her.

“Very well, thank you. Never better now.” Rachel curtsied.

“Prince Randy, would you care to da-” Rachel was interrupted by Rini’s return.

“All right, I’m back. Oh, and I got you another cookie.” Rini handed him a silver plate with a few cookies piled onto it. “Oh, hello, Lady Rachel.”

Rachel curtsied again. “And hello to you, Princess Rini.” Rachel turned back to Randy. “Prince Randy, would you care to da-” This time, she was cut off by Neo Queen Serenity.

“It is time once more to view the spectacular shooting stars. Ladies and gentleman, will you please follow King Endymion into the balcony. Crown Princes and Princesses, would you please stay back for a moment so I can have a word with you? I hope you enjoy the sky’s gift to us.” Polite applause filled the room.

“I guess I’ll see you later, then, Prince.” Rachel curtsied again and followed the crowd out. The princes and princesses gathered around the Queen, as she made her second announcement.

“I hope that all of you enjoyed tonight’s ball. I just wanted to tell you that if you would like, you may join and mingle with the crowd. All of your parents have already gone to join the crowd. The private balcony is still free for your use, of course, I just thought that you might like to stay with your parents. I also saw a few of you mingling quite well with a few members of the crowd.” Neo Queen Serenity’s eyes lingered on Randy for a few moments and he cringed inwardly, thinking of Rachel. “I’ll leave you now to decided for yourselves. Have fun, my dears.” With that and a final wave, she departed. Amber left practically before Neo Queen Serenity had stopped speaking, in search of a boy she had met. Phillip, Rick, Ryan, and Andrew were bored silly all by themselves on the balcony and left to see if their parents would let them play video games somewhere. Caroline, Violet, and Leanna didn’t want to watch the stars all by themselves and decided to hang out in Rini’s room, with her permission.

“Come on, Rini, if we’re gonna be in your room, you need to be there, too.” Leanna insisted.

Rini shrugged. “I don’t care. I want to see the shooting stars.” The girls departed and Rini turned to Randy. “What are you going to do?”

Randy hadn’t really considered his options. “Uh, if you don’t mind, I’d like to join you to see the shooting stars.”

Rini’s heart skipped a beat, but she tried not to show it. “That’d be fine. But I thought you’d want to go off with Ryan and the other guys.”

“The shooting stars only occur once a year,” Randy said, shrugging. “And if we want to see it, we better go now. Come on!” Randy grabbed Rini’s hand and dragged her over to the balcony.

They went to the same corner they had the year before. Leaning on the railing, Rini sighed. She watched as little balls of fire lit up the sky and shooting stars blazed trails across the sky. “Wow, it’s beautiful. Maybe even more so than last time.”

“Definitely more beautiful than last year.” Randy said. Rini caught Randy looking at her and blushed. Randy’s cheeks burned red as he realized what he had just said.

“Let’s make another wish. Maybe you’ll see your phoenix again.” Rini suggested.

“Okay.” Randy closed his eyes and scoured his mind for what he really wanted. Finally, he wished for courage. He opened his eyes, but he didn’t see the phoenix again. He realized that for what he truly wanted to happen to actually happen, he had to carry it out himself. No phoenix could help him.

“So, Randy,” Rini said, “What did you wish for?”

Randy took a deep breath. “Courage. I wished for courage.”

“Courage?” Rini raised a eyebrow. “What for?”

“Because…Because…I know we used to pretty much hate each other, but now we don’t. You’ve changed. I’ve changed. I’ve gotten to know you so much better, Rini. You’re such a sweet and kind person. I’ve never met anyone like you.” Randy stopped to take a deep breath, for what he would do next would require every ounce of courage he could muster.

“Rini, I wished for courage to do this.” Randy closed his eyes, leaned forward and kissed Misty. It was an innocent, sweet, pure kiss and it made Randy feel warm and happy inside.

When they finally broke apart, Rini began to laugh softly. Randy panicked.

Rini smiled the most beautiful smile Randy had ever seen and said softly, “Well, then I guess both our wishes came true, past and present.”

The End! E-mail Angel Ashley or visit her webpage Moonlit Dreams.