Down End Road

Alexander Griffin

Shuffles and scuffs, squeaked across the dorm halls as everyone got ready for the big ball tonight. I would never understand why the guys took so long to get ready. Unlike the girls, who had to zip up elaborate ball gowns and paste make-up on their faces, all we had to do was make sure we had clean underwear on and then bam, we're done.

Suddenly, music drifted through the halls. Boys stood in front of floor length mirrors, that hung on their walls, their hands twisting everywhere to tie their ties. Most of them can barely tie their shows, let alone a tie. I grumbled to myself.

A sweet boisterous laugh bounced through the halls. I peeked my head out of the open dorm, Maverick right behind me. I could tie a tie, he couldn't. I don't know how he survived these annual functions when he couldn't tie a tie.

A line of eager boys stood behind Myra, who was assiduously creating windsor knots and all sorts of sharp twists. I smiled when I saw her laugh and chat to Ally. The boy's in front of her, face's fell when her attention wasn't solely on them.

Myra, completely unaware of the attention she was getting, only paid mind to them when they asked her a question. She smiled and laughed at something the next in line said, as he stepped forward. I felt a scowl form on my face. I shifted from my position and led Mavy over to the other end of the hall.

"I'm guessing you're the reason for the music." I stated, stealing her attention from the teen in front of her. I desperately suppressed my smirk and focused solely on Myra's joyous blue orbs.

"Guilty, although you have to admit, it is good music." She rebutted with a laugh.

"We need a favour, Mavy can't tie a tie and he decided to wear one. Since he's too proud to run to his mummy for help, he is now stuck with a ribbon around his neck." I explained, slapping Maverick on the back for goodwill.

He glared at me, I smiled at him.

"Well I'm busy, but Ally can tie a tie." She bobbed her head in Ally's direction, who sat on the table, dedicated to putting on her makeup.

"Also busy but whatever," Ally said. Her barely suppressed smile peeked at the corner of her pink lips.

"Hey you refused to help, and I'm busy, and they're our friends." Myra justified.

"I refused to help because I did not want to be on my tip toes for an external half hour, when I'll be doing plenty of that in my heels." Ally justified. She hopped off the table and strutted over to Maverick.

"Don't tell me Alex, you can't tie a tie either," she joked before focusing back on Maverick's loose rusted orange tie. It suited him really.

"No unlike these boys I grew up in England, where a tie was apart of your uniform as soon as you hit the age of eight." I explained.

I saw a smile tip Myra's lips up. "Oh shoot, Myra we gotta' go get you ready." Ally explained. Her eyes widened before she gasped.

"Right boys from here on out, ask Alex!" Myra yelled. She sent me a wink and smirked, I scowled in her direction. She waved us bye before strutting off with a ripple of laughter.

"Come within in two feet of me, and you will get punched in the face." I threatened.

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"Wow," I breathed.