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Austin sighs. “No, it’s not that. I just have this fear that you’re going to see him or Jaron at the dance and realize you made a mistake.” Austin looks down at his shiny, black shoes.
“Austin,” I say, softly. I reach up and cup his face in my hand. His freshly shaven cheek is warm and smooth beneath my touch. “I chose you because I want to be here with you and only you. I think I got carried away by having other guys pursue me. I’m not used to that. But it’s always been you. Since we were kids, you’ve always been there for me. I can’t imagine my life without you in it, let alone the prom.”
Austin closes the gap between us in one step and takes my face in his hands. He kisses me with eight years of longing. His lips are soft and firm against mine. He caught me off guard, but I quickly melt into his touch. I feel breathless when we part and I’m grateful he moves his hands down to my waist to hold me up.
Austin sighs happily. “I have been wanting to do that for such a long time,” he whispers.
I rest my head on his chest. “I’m really glad you finally did.”
Austin kisses my head. “What would you like to do?” he asks.
A slow song begins to play. “Let’s dance first,” I say. “We can do pictures later.”
Still lightheaded, Austin pulls me out under the dim lights. My emerald green gown sways as he leads me around the dance floor. Neither of us are very good dancers, but we managethe box step. Mostly. Except for the occasional toe being stepped on. But I honestly don’t care. It feels good to be in Austin’s arms. Our box step slowly melds into us swaying. I never want the music to stop.
“I love Pride and Prejudice!” a girl says as she and her date move past us.
“Do you know who that was?” Austin asks.
“No.” I shake my head and we both laugh.
When the music dies down after several songs, everyone quits dancing and looks around. A voice comes through the sound system and we all turn towards the stage. Mrs. Graidy is standing at the microphone.
“It’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for,” she announces, with a flourish of her arms. “Could I please have all my prom queen and king nominees on stage?”
My stomach drops. I swallow a huge lump rising in my throat. This is it. Austin walks up to the stage with me. He squeezes my hand.
Ethan and his group are standing right at the front of the crowd. One of his friends leans over and whispers, “I’m a Ravenclaw, too.”
I look at her and she smiles.
Austin gently pushes me forward. “I’m right here,” he says. “You got this.”
My knees are shaking as I walk up the three steps and onto the platform that has been set up as our stage. I stand beside Tessa, who grabs my hand and gives it a squeeze.
“Good luck,” she whispers.
“You, too,” I whisper back.
Then Adika joins us and we all hold hands in a line as we await our fate.
“First we’ll announce the prom king attendants.” I pull my focus to the vice principal and what she’s saying. I should really probably listen to this. Mrs. Graidy pauses dramatically.
“Your attendants are Dean Payne and Jackson Nichols.”
The crowd cheers loudly and I join in. Another teacher drapes a black sash with the word Attendant written in silver script over each of their shoulders. Jackson smiles and waves, pumping his fist in the air. We all laugh.
“And your prom king is…” Another dramatic pause. “Henry Cho.”
My eyes fall on Henry. He jumps up and down like he just won the state championship. Everyone cheers loudly. Except for Taylor, who seems to be pouting that her date didn’t win. It takes all my self-control not to “accidentally” push her off the stage.
Mrs. Graidy returns to the microphone and my heartbeat quickens. I try and take slow, deep breaths. “Your prom queen attendants are…Tessa Mitchell and Emma Carpenter.”
Tessa and I hug each other, jumping up and down. I can’t believe it! I love that we get to do this together! The crowd goes crazy. Stephanie has two fingers in her mouth, whistling loudly. I can see my parents standing in front. Mom looks like she’s squealing, but it’s too loud in here to tell. Austin beams up at me, clapping enthusiastically. I smile down at them all.
Tessa and I hold hands and step forward to receive our sashes together.
We each bend slightly and the teacher wraps the sashes over our heads and through an arm. They’re silver with the word Attendant in black. I hold it up proudly with my free hand. Then Tessa and I bow together, and we both laugh.
