High School Senior Prom

Woodland Park, Colorado

Tonight was almost perfect.

Short of dismantling the basketball hoops at either end of the high school gym, the prom decorating committee had transformed the area into a glimpse of Hollywood from yesteryear.

Couples swayed to the music coming from the DJ’s tower of speakers in one corner of the room. Strings of twinkling white lights and silver streamers hung from the ceiling. Round tables lined the perimeter of the room and black metal movie cameras were centered on the white tablecloths strewn with glittery gold stars. Faux strips of movie film wound around the camera bases and featured the graduating seniors’ photos in retro black-and-white. HOLLYWOOD was spelled out in iconic large white letters against the back wall next to the photo area with a lush red curtain backdrop. The aroma of buttery popcorn from the old-fashioned electric popper scented the air.

With a soft sigh, Elisabeth snuggled closer to Jamie, his arms tightening around her. Now this . . . this moment couldn’t be any better, even if it was the last dance of their senior prom. Mariah Carey crooned “Don’t Forget About Us,” and Elisabeth closed her eyes, imagining Jamie and she were alone under a star-filled sky.

“Happy?” Jamie’s whisper tickled her ear, the warmth of his breath trailing down her neck.

Elisabeth tilted her head up. Jamie’s dark eyes sparkled in the reflection of the overhead lights. “Yes. This is just about perfect.”

“Just about . . . ?” He shifted, leaning away from her. “What’s wrong?”

“I wish we had the whole summer—” Elisabeth pressed her lips together. She and Bellamy had talked about this earlier while they got ready for prom at Elisabeth’s house. Don’t let Jamie’s leaving later this summer ruin tonight. Have fun. Her best friend was right. Saying her thoughts out loud didn’t change the inevitable, even as Elisabeth’s words shadowed the present.

“Me, too.” Jamie’s steps didn’t falter as he continued to lead her in the dance. “But you know how hard I worked to earn the appointment to the Air Force Academy—”

“I know.” She forced her smile to reappear, hoping it hid any sadness in her eyes. “I’m proud of you, too. I’m going to miss you, that’s all.”

“I’ll miss you, too.” Jamie bent to brush her lips with his, pulling her closer. “And besides, technically I’m not the one leaving the state to go away to college.”

“You could have come with me to Biola.”

“But the whole point is for me to fly jets in the air force. And lots of couples do long-distance relationships. The good thing is, we live in the same hometown, so we’ll see each other for the holidays. And we’ll have fun planning our future after we both graduate college and get married. We’ll travel, and Uncle Sam will foot the bill.” Jamie shook his head, his lazy grin appearing. “Why are we being so serious? Tonight’s prom and we still have a few more weeks before I report to the Academy.”

“You’re right.” Elisabeth turned her head away, blinking back the sudden burn of tears, the cloth of Jamie’s suit jacket soft against her cheek. No tears tonight. She’d save those for when she had to say good-bye to Jamie.

“We’ll spend as much time as we can together until I have to leave.” Jamie sounded so sure of himself. Of them. “And while I’m getting my head shaved and enduring basic training, you’ll be back here, sleeping in late—”

“And thinking about you.” She slipped her fingers through the dark blond hair curling at the nape of his neck. “I hate that all of your hair is going to get cut off.”

“You’ll still love me, though, right?”

She paused, as if considering her answer. And then as the music ended, she gave him a slow kiss. How many more kisses would they share before he left? “Of course I’ll still love you, Jamie Travers. And I’ll write you. Every single day.”