Page 48 of Forged Forever

“But it’s so far away,” he whines.

“Not really, only two hours. We could visit all the time, and you’d be able to play basketball for a larger university.”

“Shit, Sunshine.” He holds me tighter as we talk about the pros and cons of each, swinging and listening to the background chatter from the beach. I know he’s going to Columbia, but he’ll make that choice when he’s ready. It’ll be hard with him at another school, but we’ll make it work. He'll have to live on campus his first year, as is required of all athletes, but knowing Seb, he'll thrive in that type of environment, and two hours is better than another state.

The guys call from below the house to come down for the bonfire. Seb and I quickly join, grabbing chairs for ourselves as we walk under the house. Alex and Bay are lighting the fire when we arrive, and E has a cooler and roasting sticks. I watch the rest of the sunset by the water’s edge before taking a seat. I just can’t get enough of the brilliant colors turning the water matching hues; it’s mesmerizing. We roast hot dogs and marshmallows as Seb explains his issues with the Charleston coach.

Once it’s completely dark, people stop by to see if we’re partying. Those Alex knows stay to chat, but most keep moving. The guys are usually up for a party, but none of them wants to this weekend, and I’m not complaining. I still don’t like crowds or being touched. It doesn’t send me into an instant panic anymore, but I get uncomfortable.

Monday morning, the guys join me for a run along the wet sand. After we go for a swim, we pack up and drive home. What a wonderful weekend.

Chapter 29

When the signs go up for prom at school, we seniors have to vote for a prom king and queen. The student council put forth three guys and three girls to choose from, and Seb's one of the guys. He has to attend a luncheon and campaign at school. Seb, being Seb, revels in the attention campaigning gives him. We all vote for him, of course. I don’t really know the three girls, but Gabby is friends with one, so I vote for her.

Seb is going with E to prom officially, although he asked both of us to be his date. With Jake mobile now, we agreed I should ask him. Jake and I always assumed we would be each other’s prom dates, so I plan an epic ask.

Two weeks before prom, I show up at the condo with balloons and a box of cupcakes, with the icing asking Jake to be my date. Completely cheesy, which I know he'll love. Seb asks to join me.

Ray is beaming when we enter the condo, ushering us into the living room. I texted him about my surprise last night. Will and Jake are sitting on the sofa, and when Jake sees the balloons, he gets up to hug me. He’s still a little slow standing, but it’s so amazing to see him moving around. “What’s all this, Sum?”

“Well, handsome, prom is coming up,” I reply, opening the cupcake box and tilting it for him to read.

He breaks into a brilliant smile. “So cheesy, I love it. But what about my mobility issues?”

“What about them?” I enquire. “You’re doing amazing, and I would love for you to be my date.”

“I doubt I can bust a move yet, Sum.”

“That’s where having others comes in handy,” Seb interjects. “E, Alex, and I will be there, and we can take her for a spin on the dance floor when she wants.”

Thinking it over for a minute, Jake grabs a cupcake and takes a huge bite. “You’ve got a date, Sum. We’re doing the whole matching tie and corsage, right?”

“Of course. Who could forget your love of 80s and 90s cheese.”

“Classic,” he points at me, “not cheesy.”

Rolling my eyes, I offer Ray and Will a cupcake. I let Jake know I’m dress shopping tomorrow with Holly and Gabby. Seb offers to take Jake to the tailor Finn uses for suits with him and E tomorrow.

I drive Holly and Gabby to a new formalwear store Gabby found in North Charleston. According to her, it has every type of dress you could want, and as a savvy shopper, she texted us when they had their grand opening, so we each have a 20% off coupon to use.

The store is part of a cluster of new retail buildings in the area. I park, and we follow Gabby inside. The store is on the smaller side but has two floors. A sales assistant greets us when we enter and explains the layout to us. The main floor has the newest dresses, with sleek evening gowns near the front and princess styles in the back. Upstairs, they have older stock, returns, and imperfect dresses.

We decide to start upstairs since the girls are excited about a bargain. There are a few teens on the second floor looking through the racks, and we each pick a section and split up to browse. I don’t have anything in particular in mind, so I stroll through the rows to see if anything catches my eye. I find a black lace evening gown with a nude slip underneath in the returns area. The sales rack is next and holds a lot of bright colors. Gabby pulls out an emerald strapless gown she insists I try on. It’s not a dress I would’ve chosen for myself, but I sling it over my arm. I find several dresses in the imperfect section I want to try as well.

Both Gabs and Holly have their arms full, so we trudge back downstairs to the changing rooms. After hanging my gowns up, I close the door and strip. In anticipation, I wore a strapless bra today. I try the black lace and nude dress on first, and it’s very sexy with a low V cut in the front and a slit almost up to my hip. Gabby hollers for us to show her each dress, so I step outside to the mirrors. “Sexy lady,” she comments when she sees me.

Smiling, I look in the full-length mirror. I’d need heels since the dress is a little long. “Too sexy?” I ask. I love it, but it might be more appropriate for me in a few years.

“Wear whatever you want,” Holly says, stepping up beside me. She’s in a strapless blue tulle puff, and she scrunches up her nose at her dress. “Nope, definitely not.”

“I agree, you have no shape,” Gabby tells her as I nod my head in agreement. Holly walks back to try on another dress. “What do you think of mine, Summer?”

“Not as pretty as your birthday dress, Gabs. I’m not a fan of the red on you.”

“Me either. Keep yours in the maybe pile.” She heads for her next choice, as I do the same.

I take a pic in the dressing room mirror before trying on the green strapless Gabby picked out, and it’s actually pretty. The dress drapes nicely over me, not puffy but not fitted. The bottom half is plain, while the bodice is covered in beading and crystals.