Kate twirled in front of the mirror. The ice blue chiffon strapless dress billowed around her as she spun. She stepped closer, inspecting her make-up and tucking a loose strand of hair back in place. Her light brown hair, streaked with blonde highlights from the sun, hung in curls down her back.
“Senior prom,” she said aloud to the empty room. “Who would have thought my date would be someone I met in 1927?”
There had been no tears in weeks. She knew she shouldn’t have kept things to herself, but she wanted the family to think she was okay after what happened at the canyon. At times she had trouble shaking the feeling she didn’t exist. No one would remember a Kate Roberts lived on this earth...because she hadn’t. She told no one about the episodes, deep dark depressions that swept over her. Her heart would pound, and her stomach clenched into a tight ball making it impossible to eat. Dreams sent her back to that time and place more than once. Drew’s cabin at the Grand Canyon. 1927. The last day of the year. The dreaded clock ticking in her head. She’d dream she was in a room, and no one could see her. She’d call out to people. They’d look right through her, as if she didn’t exist. She’d wake, crying and have to convince herself she was safe at home with Drew and her family.
So on this day, Kate finally felt like herself. The last few months at school were so normal she felt like she was in an old-fashioned sitcom. Drew would meet her at her locker. They’d hold hands and go to class. They’d eat lunch in the cafeteria with their friends, and Drew would drive her home. She might as well wear his letter sweater to school every day as the finishing touch.
“Kates? You in there?” A knock at her bedroom door interrupted her thoughts.
“Yep! Come in.” Kate turned from the mirror and saw a vision of pale yellow float into the room. “Lindsey, you look beautiful!” She grabbed her friend and hugged her tightly.
“So do you.” Lindsey spun in place. “Can you believe we graduate in just a few short weeks?”
“Yes...and no.” Kate’s voice dropped to a whisper.
“Why so sad?”
“Things will never be the same again. We’ll all move on. It will be different.”
“I thought you liked different, Mrs. I’m-married-but-I’m-really-not.”
“You know what I mean. Stop teasing.”
“Yeah, I know. I’ll be in Arizona this time next year.” Lindsey clapped her hands. She was accepted at the University of Arizona and would join her cousin Brandon and boyfriend Charlie there.
“Speaking of Arizona, is Charlie downstairs?”
“No, he dropped me off and will come back with Drew. He knew we needed girl time. Jordyn should be here any minute.”
“We hardly see Jordyn anymore. We used to be like the three Musketeers.” Kate bounced onto her bed.
“She really keeps busy. She signed up for prom committee besides everything else she does.”
“Are you guys talking about me?”
The girls giggled and rushed to embrace their friend standing in the doorway. “Jordyn!”
“Pretty in pink,” Lindsey cried.
“Jordyn, your dress is gorgeous.” Kate thought it looked designer and was dying to ask the question like on the red carpets—“So who are you wearing?”—but restrained herself.
“Thanks, the moms splurged a little.”
“Your moms are the best.” Lindsey paused. “I’m going to miss them.”
“Aww, that’s so sweet. You’ll have to tell them. They’re right downstairs.”
The girls looked at each other and said together, “Helicopter parents!”
“Good thing you’re going so far away for college.” Jordyn put her arm around Lindsey. “Mine will probably visit every weekend.”
“Kent State’s a little close.” Kate kept mum on her college plans. She and Drew planned to go to AU with Lindsey, but didn’t want Tyson to know the details. They told everyone they were still deciding.
“At least I’ll have Brian to drag along on all the outings.” Jordyn pulled a brush from her bag and ran it through her long silky, black hair.
“So he finally decided.” Kate was happy for her.
“He got a basketball scholarship. I’m so proud of him.”
“Girls! Are you coming down? We’d like to get some pictures,” a voice called up the stairs.
“That’s my mom.” Kate gathered her things. “Let’s go before they come up.”
When they reached the bottom of the stairs, she saw Tyson and Erin had arrived. Erin, his long-time girlfriend, was breath-taking in a black strapless gown, closely hugging her figure. A large solitary diamond glimmered from the necklace she wore.
“Wow,” Kate pointed to the gem, “Is that real?”
“Of course it is, Katie.” Tyson put his arm around Erin. “Nothing but the best for my girl.”
Erin glowed like a girl in love, and Kate was happy for her. Things had gone so well with Tyson over the past months that they decided to ask him to go to prom with the group. It was their final farewell, and Kate was glad he was included. She crossed her fingers that his stalker days were over.
The doorbell rang. Her father jogged over to answer it. Drew entered with Charlie, and Brian was right behind them.
“Well, the gang’s all here,” Tyson called out.
Kate saw her dad roll his eyes, but was grateful he didn’t say anything. She walked over to Drew and planted a kiss on his cheek. “So glad you’re here.”
“You’re beautiful,” he said as he kissed her back.
* * * *
The prom theme was “Today was a Fairy Tale.” Sparkling silver trees covered with pale blue, lavender and white balloons gave the rental hall a magical feel. A glittering castle shone against a backdrop of a waterfall along the back wall. Large, white puffy clouds and whimsical lanterns hung from the ceiling. Lanterns also dotted the way along silver paths to the photographer and refreshments.
“This is wonderful, Jordyn.” Kate knew she spent hours creating the fairy tale environment.
“I thought of you when we picked the theme. You always loved fairy tales when we were little. I thought you believed they were real.”
If only you knew. Kate could only smile as she remembered thinking her first trip to the Grand Canyon was just a dream, like a fairy tale, but it turned into something real.
The couples found a table and settled in for the evening. The DJ played all the right music and took requests. By the end of the night, everyone was ready for some slow dancing. It was a great ending for the friends.
“I can’t believe Tyson’s behaving himself,” Lindsey said to Kate on the way to the ladies’ room. “He’s danced with Erin most of the night, asking each one of us for one dance. I’m starting to think he’s over you.”
“Please, let’s hope so. How long has it been since I broke things off? Almost two years?” Kate put on some lip gloss and touched up her mascara as they settled in front of a mirror in the restroom. “Hey, you don’t have to wait for me, Linds. Go back to the table.”
“You sure?”
“Yes, I’ll be fine.” Kate dug in her purse for her blush. She looked at all the girls lined up at the mirror, enjoying the scene.
As she came out the door, Kate spotted Tyson in a quiet sitting area to the side of the ladies’ room. “Ty? Are you alright?” He sat with his head in his hands, like he was thinking.
“Katie! Didn’t see you.” He popped up and walked toward her. “Can we talk?”
“Sure.”
He led her back over to the seating area. “I...I...don’t know how to put this.” In an instant, he was passionately kissing her.
Kate’s head spun from the shock of it. She felt Tyson’s arms slip around her, pulling her close. It reminded her of her dream, when he was kissing her. For a second, she kissed him back almost like a reflex. Coming to her senses, like in the dream, Kate pushed him away. He wasn’t Drew. This was Tyson being Tyson.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Tears filled her eyes as she struggled for control.
“Showing how much I love you. I’ll never get another chance before we go our separate ways.” He stepped toward her, and Kate took another step back.
“No! Don’t start this again. I thought we had things settled. We’re friends.”
“Yes, we’re friends.” Ty wrapped her in a bear hug and kissed the top of her head. “Friends...for now. One day, you’ll come to your senses.”
He let her go and headed back to the dance. She stood motionless, trying to regain her composure. The last few months had been just a scam so he could lure her into his trap. Kate hoped she wouldn’t always be that naïve.
As she made her way back to the ballroom, Kate decided she would keep what happened to herself. It would just cause friction in the group, and tonight wasn’t about that. Kate noticed Tyson dancing with Erin when she arrived at the table.
“Good, you’re back.” Drew took her hand. “Dance?”
“I’d like to go home.”
“We still have a half hour. Don’t you want to stay?”
Kate struggled with the answer but knew it would seem odd if they left early. “You’re right. What was I thinking? I’m just a little tired.”
“Then we’ll sit here and enjoy the music.” Drew kissed her hand as his eyes met hers. “Is there something wrong? I see it in your eyes.” Kate shook her head. “Kate.” Drew stood up. “Tyson did something, didn’t he?”
“Tyson always does something, doesn’t he?” She tried to laugh it off like she was making a joke.
“If he did...”
“Drew, no. He didn’t.” Kate turned her head and felt the tears welling in her eyes again. She couldn’t tell him that the real Tyson emerged tonight, and she had no idea what he would do next.