Axel pulled over and Kender ran towards him.
“Hey,” Axel called as he got out of the car and Kender frowned at him.
“I know I am late. Sorry, I was busy.” He apologized and Kender shrugged.
“Where is your sister?”
“She will be here soon. She is doing her dumb cheerleading stuff.” He replied and Axel hit his forehead slightly.
“Don’t say that.” He warned.
Kendra walked out of the school and they noticed, they waved at her and she ran towards them happily. There were some girls behind her and they also followed her because they saw Axel.
“Girls are coming.” Kender said and hurriedly took off his back bag, he handed it to Axel and ran his hands through his hair. He leaned on the car just like Axel and put on a cool look.
Axel chuckled and shook his head.
“Daddy.” Kendra called happily and hugged him. The girls coming also arrived and Kendra rolled her eyes when she noticed them.
“Hi, Mr. Blackwell, hi Kender.” They chorused happily.
“Hi, ladies.” Kender replied.
“Ugh.” Kendra groaned and rolled her eyes.
“How are you guys doing?” Axel asked and they giggled happily.
“We are fine.” They chorused.
“Well, I have to go now. Bye.” Axel said and Kender waved at them. They all got into the car and the girls waved as Axel drove away.
“That is why I don’t have friends.” Kendra scoffed.
Kender suddenly recalled the lady he met and his face lit up.
“Kendra, I met this lady while I was waiting for you and Dad. She is so pretty and classy, she has blue eyes too.” Kender said and Axel raised his brows as he drove.
“Really? Why didn’t you get her to wait for me?”
“Well, she said she was waiting for someone then she suddenly had to leave. She said she would be attending the first ball though, you will see her then.” He replied with a wide smile.
“Who is this lady and why is she making you smile so much?” Axel asked.
“Because she is so pretty. I don’t know if there are other reasons but I like her. I can’t wait for the ball to come.” Kendra said and his sister looked at him surprised.
“You are suddenly excited about the ball because of a stranger?” Kendra asked.
“Don’t worry. You will understand when you see her.”
“And what is this stranger’s name, Kender?” Axel asked.
“Oh, her name is Nadia.” He replied.
“Nadia? That sounds Russian.” Axel muttered to himself.
“She is coming for the ball right?” Kendra asked.
“Yes, you will see her then.”
“I can’t wait.” She replied happily.
~
THE FIRST BALL OF THE SEASON
Kendra stared at her dress happily in the mirror and turned around. She loved her dress so much.
“You look beautiful ma’am.” The maid helping her get dressed complimented her and she smiled at her.
“Thank you so much and thanks for helping me get dressed too.”
“It’s my duty ma’am.” She replied.
The door to her room opened and Kender walked in.
“Can’t you knock?” Kendra asked and he rolled his eyes. The maid bowed at them before walking out.
Kender stood next to his sister and they stared at their reflection.
“Hmm, I like my tuxedo.” kender said.
“Yeah, you look so cute.”
“Eww, don’t compliment me. You look ugly.” He replied.
“Oh.” Kendra muttered and stared at her feet.
Kender sighed noticing he made her sad, he was just joking. He knew he shouldn’t have said that, he knew how much she loved the ball and always wanted to be complimented.
“I was just kidding. You look pretty.” He said and put his arm over her shoulder.
“Really?” she asked as her face lit up.
“Yeah.”
“Okay.” She giggled and clapped her hands.
“Wait, let’s take a picture together.” Kendra said and walked to the bed, she picked up her phone and walked back to him.
They both took different pictures before heading out of her room. They got to the stairs and walked down. Kender noticed it was a little difficult for his sister because of her heels.
“I will hold your hand.” He said and held her hand.
“Thank you.” She replied with a smile.
They got closer to the living room and Axel noticed them, he smiled and took a picture of them.
They got to him and Kendra turned around in his presence as she waited for his compliment.
“Beautiful as always.” He complimented her and she giggled.
“Come on, let’s go. We are late already.” Kender said and ran out of the house.
“I thought he hates the ball.” Axel said as he held his daughter’s hand and they both headed out.
“He still does. He is just excited he would see that pretty lady. Nadia.” Kendra replied as they walked out.
“I want to see her too.” Kendra added and Axel smiled.
“Same here.”
~
They got to the ball after a few minutes on the road, as usual, it was crowded with reports at the entrance.
“Can we go out now?” Kender asked as the car pulled over.
“Wait for the guards.” Axel replied.,
A few seconds later, the guards showed up and opened the car door, they all walked out and the reporters started taking pictures immediately.
The twins held each other’s hands as they walked elegantly with their father trailing behind them.
They took pictures of them and Kendra made sure she looked good in everyone.
They finally got in and met the rest of the Blackwell family waiting close to the entrance.
“Grandpa!” They called happily and rushed to him. He hugged them happily.
They pulled away from him and rushed to Nora too.
“Oh my God, I missed my babies so much.” She giggled as she kissed their cheeks.
After exchanging greetings, the ball started. The McCalls were also present but they weren’t as relevant as they were years ago.
Kender kept looking around for Nadia but she was nowhere to be found.
“Have you seen her?” Kendra asked him and he shook his head in response.
“Well, all the guests are here already. Maybe she isn’t coming.” Kendra said and he sighed sadly.
“Yeah, maybe.” He muttered.
Out of the blue, they heard gasps and mutters and everyone paid attention to the entrance to see who was coming in.
The twins and the Blackwells paid attention too.
Suddenly she walked in and Kender squealed happily.
“It’s her! It’s her! It’s Nadia.”