Ch. 6: Prom Night

Chapter Six: Prom Night

"OMG OMG OMG!" Avery is jumping up and down in excitement. 

"Girl, calm yourself or you're going to fall out of your dress." I laugh at my crazy best friend as she attempts to calm down.

"I can't! I just can't. I'm way to excited... and nervous! ADDIE WE'RE ACTUALLY GOING TO PROM WITH CUTE GUYS!" She throws her hands up and her snake armlet slides down her arm. It was a piece of jewelry she got when her family took one of their many trips to China, and she insists on wearing it to prom. 

I laugh again and nod my head even though the same thoughts are running through my mind. "Yeah, I know. If someone told me last year that I'd be going to prom with Tyler Westfield I would  have called them crazy. You think you're nervous!? I'm totally going to make a fool of myself."

Avery rolls her eyes at me. "Addie. Please listen to me very carefully. Tyler likes you." She says dragging out the last three words. "You have absolutely nothing to be nervous about. You both really like each other. Nothing is going to go wrong." She dramatically sighs and then adds, "I on the other hand have no clue how tonight is going to go..."

"It's just Seth. What could possibly go wrong? We've known him since elementary school."

You guys remember Seth? Yep, that's him back there in some fashionably pink sandals... 

"I know but Addie, he's changed so much. Like, he's not the noobie kid from third grade anymore. He's like... hot now!"

I try to cover my laugh with a cough. I still see Seth as that dorky kid. I mean, yeah he's grown up a lot and he's not so bad looking but he's not my type I guess. "Avery, you really like him?"

Avery nods her head as her cheeks flush. "It's crazy I know but I have this major crush on him and now we're going to prom as 'just friends'." she air quotes and grimaces. "I don't know what to do."

"Well, you don't have much time to figure it out." I say as I pull out my phone. "Tyler just texted me that they're here. Just relax and have fun. Let the night take you where it may. I'll be with you the whole time and it's going to be great!" 

I grab her hand and drag her down the stairs with me, a look of excitement plastered on my face. We barely get halfway down the stairs before we're both blinded by flashes. 

"Oh my goodness you two! You look absolutely stunning! Kyler, get the other camera!" 

"Mom! Seriously! Let us at least get down the stairs before you go all crazy."

My mom reluctantly lowers the camera. "Well your dad and I moved the table back so we could get some pictures by the fireplace. And maybe we can get some outside too!" 

"Abri, let the girls say hi to their dates." Dad smiles at Mom and gently pulls her back. 

I can hear Seth and Avery sharing friendly greetings as Tyler steps up to me. He surprises me with a hug and then whispers in my year, "You look beautiful!" 

I instantly start blushing as I mumble a thanks. 

Dad clears his throat and says, "Alright kids let Abrielle take some pictures and then you guys can go have some fun!"

Mom takes a few (hundred) pictures before Tyler finally says, "Well our ride is waiting for us outside so we should get going. But Mrs. Gray, you may want a picture of that."

"Of our ride?" I ask confused. Why would Mom want a picture of us getting into Tyler's Jeep?

Tyler doesn't have time to answer because Dad pulls him aside and lowers his voice, "I know you're a good kid Tyler but I was also your age once. That's my little girl you're taking to prom and I expect you to treat her with the utmost respect. Anything goes wrong and you're in for a world of hurt." 

I try to stifle a laugh. Seeing Dad trying to act tough is quite humorous. Tyler politely nods his head and says he understands and then we all go outside. 

"OH. MY. GOD!" Avery screams as we all take in the sight of a luxurious white limousine. 

"Tyler! Seriously?" Those are the only two words my brain can process right now. 

He smiles at me and then Mom rounds us all up in front of it for a picture. Afterwards, Avery and Seth are the first inside. 

"This is AWESOME!" Avery screams again as Tyler and I pose for one more picture before we drive off to our night that we'll never forget. 

------

The prom theme is a night out in the city. There's skyline cutouts and pictures everywhere. And even a little Statue of Liberty. 

We all get our picture taken by the skyline cutout and backdrop and then spend the rest of the night dancing, laughing, and having an amazing time. It even seemed that Avery lightened up and wasn't as nervous around Seth. 

Finally it was time to crown the Prom King and Queen. Our school does it differently than most. No one has to run or anything, you don't have to campaign like you see in the movies. The students just vote and and whoever has the most votes wins. 

The small ballroom gets eerily quiet as the DJ first announces Prom King. "Tyler Westfield!" I squeeze Tyler's arm and smile as he walks up to grab his crown. 

"Alright Ladies and Gents. Let's make some noise for this year's Prom Queen. The lovely... Adeline Gray!" 

The room erupts with applause as it had for Tyler, but I hear absolutely nothing. Well besides my ridiculously heavy breathing and pounding heartbeat. Seriously? Me? What is this a joke?

"Addie!" Avery shakes me from my thoughts and pushes me towards the front of the dance floor so I can claim my crown.

I'm moving on automatic pilot. "Congrats!" The DJ smiles and hands me the crown.

"Thanks." I manage and my body brings me back to my group of friends.

"Yay yay yay! I knew you'd get it! I'm so happy for you Addie!" Avery is jumping up and down while she attempts to hug me which is just shaking me all over the place.

My face finally remembers how to smile as I ask, "How did you know?"

"The whole school has been talking about your short story Addie. It really made an impression." Tyler reaches for my hand and smiles at me. The music begins to play again and Avery and Seth move away to dance. "This is seriously my favorite song." Tyler grabs me and pulls me close. 

"It's pretty great." I agree.

Tyler pulls back a little and looks at me with more intensity in his eyes than I've ever seen. "You're amazing Addie." He says. My heartbeat quickens as he slowly leans in. And then it happens. My entire world stands still as Tyler Westfield kisses me. 

------

It's around three in the morning and Avery and I are laying in her bed in her very girly and somewhat museum-like room. She's traveled around the world so much and has so many souvenirs and artifacts that it probably could serve as a mini-museum. 

"Seth asked me out on a date. Like, a more-than-friends date." Avery says breaking the silence. 

I turn and look at her with a huge smile on my face. "That's great Ave!" 

"So, when are you going to tell me about that kiss?" She nudges me and I blush.

"Oh my gosh you saw that?!" 

"Yes! So dish!"

I smile and let out a breath. "This is going to sound so cheesy and cliche but it was perfect. Absolutely perfect. And oh my gosh Tyler is amazing." Reading her mind I added, "Yes at kissing, but more than that, he's... I don't even know how to explain it but I really really like him."

"And he really likes you." Avery adds.

I nod, "Yeah I know." I blush even more and then quietly add, "He asked me to be his girlfriend."

"GET OUT!" Avery screams and then remembers her sleeping parents, "Shit, I mean, get out!" she whispers the last two words. 

I laugh and smack her arm. "Yeah, don't make a big deal about it ok! I mean, it is a huge deal, but still." I lay back and smile at the ceiling.

"This was one of the greatest nights ever huh?" Avery says shutting off her beside lamp.

"Definitely." I smile at her before the room is filled with darkness and our greatest night comes to an end.