AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Maybe I was just like Dee, a late bloomer taking my time to focus on myself and what I wanted. “Do you feel like you missed out on dating in high school?” I asked her.
My friends were silent, seeming just as interested in her answer as I was.
Dee took a breath, leaning back against my desk as she thought it over. “I used to wish and wish that guys would notice me like they did my friends. I remember going to dances like this and focusing so much on how I looked to the guys there, whether I was holding my chin the right way or if there was enough of a smile on my lips. Now that I am dating, I wish I wouldn’t have spent so much time worrying about things that didn’t matter. I should have been focusing on my friends, on having fun, on figuring out who I really was.” She shrugged. “Boyfriends are great, and I like mine”—she gave a sheepish grin—“but at the same time, it’s not like there’s a checklist for a successful high school experience. You get to decide what it is for you.”
I nodded, feeling relief. She was right. Maybe now was my time for friendship, for self-discovery, for fun with my parents. And yeah, there was plenty of homework to keep me busy too. And now that I knew what it felt like to kiss a girl, I had that much more to look forward to.
We finished applying makeup, and soon it was time to put on our outfits. Shelley had this pretty dark blue dress that had crisscross straps across her back. Ronnie had opted for a suit made of purple velvet with an oversized blazer and a lacy bandeau underneath. Dee got into a pink prom dress she’d worn her senior year, with sheer sleeves and a plunging neckline that showed off all her curves.
And then I got my dress from the hanger.
I pulled the layers of tulle over my head, sliding into my gorgeous lime-green dress. The color contrasted beautifully with my tanned skin, and the sparkles caught the light even in my bedroom. I couldn’t wait to see how it would look under the disco ball we’d set up.
We helped each other with zippers and buttons and ties and hair touch-ups, and soon we were walking down the stairs.
At the sound of our footsteps, Van looked up from the TV, and his lip piercing glinted in the light as he smiled. “Well now I look like a schmuck,” he said, standing to take us in.
“You do not,” Ronnie argued. “You look very handsome.” He’d worn a retro suit himself with a fluffy cummerbund. But now I noticed something in his hands.
“I got this for you,” he said to Ronnie, opening the plastic box. Inside was a corsage with two rainbow roses and beautifully arranged ribbon.
My lips parted in shock as I took in how beautiful it was.
Ronnie smiled wide, holding her hands to her chest. “It’s perfect, Van.”
He grinned, flipping his black hair out of his eyes. “May I?”
She nodded and extended her arm to him. He easily slid the band over her wrist and adjusted the flowers just so. With it on, she bent her elbow, bringing the flowers to her nose and breathing deeply. “Perfect,” she said.
From behind me, Dee said, “Let’s get some pictures before we have to go!”
I nodded. “Let’s do it outside on the steps. It’ll be fun to pose there with all Mom’s decorations.”
Shelley laughed. “They should put the house in the June issue ofBetter Homes and Gardens.”
“Agreed,” Ronnie said, slipping her fingers through Van’s.
My eyes trailed to their linked hands, sadness and envy sweeping over me. Only hours ago, I’d held Kiyana’s hand and felt so much more than I knew I could. I hoped Van and Ronnie didn’t take that simple gesture for granted, not even for a minute.
Ahead of me, Shelley said, “What is this?”
Ronnie squealed. “Oh my gosh! You got us a limo?”
I glanced to Dee and then followed my friends outside to see a white stretch limo parked along the curb, engine running and driver standing by the door.
Dee grinned, saying, “Surprise from Mom and Dad.”
My friends cheered and I hugged Dee, not believing they had gone to all this trouble for me.
“They love you so much,” Dee said.
My eyes stung at the truth in her words. “We’re so lucky to have them.”
She nodded. “You have no idea.”
“Actually, I think I do.” We smiled at each other for a moment, and Dee said, “You four get in front of the limo so I can have a picture of you all!”
We posed in front of the vehicle, taking tons of pictures, while the driver waited. I knew I’d be printing all of them and hanging them in my locker next year. I wanted to remember just how happy and loved I felt in this moment, with or without a date.
