him get ready for Prom. Black suit, white shirt, straight black tie…and a single rose for his date.
The bitch.
Aw, that wasn’t fair.
It was a girl he spoke well of from drama class, with good grades and a clean rep.
He didn’t go last year, calling it “cheesy and too American”, but his mother was on the experience every part of your last year kick, so…Prom.
“It’s too tight.” He tugged on his collar.
I centered the tie again. “It’s fine.”
“Hate these things. Can’t breathe.”
“You look great.” I turned him toward the mirror.
He smirked at his reflection. “I do, don’t I?”
I rolled my eyes. “Don’t let it go to your head.”
The bathroom smelled like Obsession. I needed air before I did something insane like kiss him.
“Jacob, the limo’s here, darling,” Mrs. Lindsey called.
“Time to go, kid.” He left ahead of me. His mother snapped a picture when we reached the foyer. “Mum, a little warning?”
“Smile, kids.”
He draped his arm around my shoulders and mugged for the camera.
My eyes were on the floor, cheeks blushing whenever a flash was pointed my way. He took the rose from my hand, kissed his mother on the cheek, and walked out the door.
Jenny what’s-her-name was a lucky girl.
“Didn’t feel like dancing, dear?”
“Not my scene, Mrs. Lindsey. I work at Sadie Hawkins, but that’s it. You know…the music’s too loud and all sounds the same, the food is terrible and the punch is watered down…”
She nodded. “Of course. Goodnight, Elizabeth.”
“’Night.”
Mom had “sympathy face” when I walked back in the house.
She finally confronted me about my crush a few months ago and knew how hard it was to see him go off with other girls.
“Chocolate Fudge Brownie?” she offered, extending the pint.
I took it and stuck a big spoonful in my mouth. “You’re a lifesaver, Mom.”
Ice cream in hand, I went back to my room to put more photos in my album and try not to cry.