Page 116 of The Year I was Almost Prom Queen

I rest my aching feet and watch Austin disappear into the sea of shiny fabrics.

He returns with a smile on his face and a bounce in his step. “Come on,” he says, taking my hand. “Let’s go.”

“What about Dylan and Tessa?”

“Dylan said they can get a ride home with someone else. I just checked.”

Everything looks different on the way out than it did on our way in. The capitol building appears to be glowing against the black night sky. Traffic at this late hour is nonexistent. We make really good time and soon Austin pulls in front of my house. My heart sinks. I would have stayed at the dance if I’d known he was just going to bring me home. Everything is dark. My parents must still be at the dance with Dylan.

“Run in and change into something comfortable. I’ll be back to get you in ten minutes.”

I smile. “Okay. I’ll try and go fast.”

Once I’m in comfortable clothes and kicks, I stand on my front porch. Austin pulls up less than a minute later. He’s back in his old clunker. The time limit must be up on his dad’s convertible. I climb inside and we drive away.

Austin pulls into the parking lot of our old park.

“What are we doing here?” I ask.

“Visiting an old friend.”

We climb Larry in the dark, by the light of Austin’s phone. We laugh several times as we stumble in the darkness. We aren’t racing this time. The climb is slow and careful. We stop when we find a good base of branches to lean against. The lights from the city look incredible from up here. A breeze blows gently through the leaves and it takes my breath away.

Austin and I watch as more stars come out, dotting the night sky. Austin pulls me against him and kisses me softly.

“I love you,” he whispers.

My breath catches and my nerves dance. My face flashes with heat. I stare at Austin. He smiles shyly at me.

“I know we’ve technically only been on a couple dates, but I know it’s true, Em. I’ve been falling in love with you for years. You don’t have to_”

I lean in and cut Austin off with a kiss. My heart is racing against my chest. “I love you, too,” I whisper.

We use Austin’s light to find our initials in the branch of the tree. I take his car keys and carve a heart around them. My mind goes back to the restaurant and my fortune cookie. I can’t help but smile. Falling in love with my best friend is definitely a dream come true.

Tonight has turned out better than I ever could have imagined. This experience will be logged away as a core memory for sure, as the year I wasalmostprom queen.

Jaron

Jaron smiles at me and my stomach flips. I wonder if I’ll always react this strongly to his beautiful grin. He looks fantastic in his dark tux and burgundy vest and tie.

Jaron steps into the entrance. He picks me up and spins me around. I laugh. “Emma, you look incredible,” he whispers against my hair. His minty breath tickles my neck. I blush and he grins.

“You look really nice, too,” I say.

Jaron grabs his lapel on either side and strikes a pose. “I do clean up nicely, don’t I?”

Jaron’s suit shows off his broad shoulders and muscular chest and arms. He has a neatly trimmed bit of scruff framing his chin. He smiles at me and it reaches all the way up to his dark eyes. He knows he looks good.

Jaron hands me a bouquet of dark, red roses. “These are for you,” he says.

“Oh wow, Jaron, you didn’t have to do that.”

I take the flowers from him and hold them under my nose. I inhale deeply. They smell amazing and fresh. “They’re beautiful, thank you.”

Mom comes in with her camera at the ready.

“Look what Jaron brought me, Mom,” I say.

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