“I like... that one!” I told the stylist pointing to a picture out of the different looks she had showed me.
“Are you sure this time?”
“Yes... well.. umm..”
“Mandy, what’s wrong?”
“Mom, I just want to look perfect for Nick that’s all.”
“Mandy. He seems to really like you. I’m sure even if you spiked your hair, and died it a bright green, he would still think you looked beautiful.”
“Thanks mom.” I said giving her a hug. I noticed that Tereasa (Katie’s mom-the stylist) was still standing there. “Oh, I’m sorry. But yeah, I want my hair like the one I just showed you.”
“Ok, great. Please go ahead and change, then take a seat in one of these chairs. I’ll be right back.”
“So where are we going?” I asked.
“You like to go boating right?”
“Yeah, actually I love it!”
“Good. I was just making sure you were still into it.”
Okay... how’d he know I liked boating...?
He parked the car by a nearby body of water. “Ok, we’re here. Nick do you like to fish?”
“Sure do.”
“Good, because that’s what I thought we could do for a little while.”
“Works with me!” I replied. I helped get all of his gear out of his truck and we went to what he called the ‘best part of the lake’, on a little raft.
“Here Mandy. I want you to wear this tonight.”
Tereasa handed me a gorgeous sparkly head piece.
(It was more of a clear headband type thing, but the top was covered in silver glittery stuff. She had described it to me earlier, and I had thought it had sounded tacky but it was quite beautiful.)
“Why?” I asked surprised.
“It matches your dress perfectly! And hey, I’ve known you since you were two years old! I trust you with it completely!”
“Wow! Thank you so much!”
“Anytime. Ok, sit back. I want to see how this looks with the style you want.”
“So what do you think?!?” she asked enthusiastically.
“Oh my gosh! I love it! Thank you so much for letting me use this! Oh.. look at my hair! It’s fantastic! You’re fantastic! Thank you so much!”
“No problem! So.. did I put too many curls in your hair?”
“Oh no. Not at all! I like it just the way it is!”
“Good, then hold still while I spray it all down with hairspray!”
I looked at my blonde hair. She had put it up with the headband and a few silver-starred clips. My hair was in a bunch of little curls along with a few strands of hair curled around my face.
It looked great. After all the spraying was done, she started on my make-up. Silver eye shadow and some yummy-tasting- lip gloss is what she started with first. Then the basic- powder, mascara, eye liner, foundation, blush- the whole deal. Then it was time for the nails.
She soaked them in some kind of stuff that was supposed to make them have a softer look to them.
She then painted my toes, and fingernails in a silver color.
She then checked everything to make sure it was all right.
“Okay.. come here.”
She led me to a full- length mirror so I could see what I looked like.
Wow.
“Oh, I love it! I’m so proud! Go show your mom!” she urged me.
I did.
She looked at me and said, “Girl... you are going to leave that guy absolutely speechless!”
“I hope so!” I laughed.
“Oh, you will trust me! Teresa, you did a fantastic job!”
My mom paid her, which she insisted we not, but my mom did anyways, then we left the salon.
“Yes! I got another one!” I shouted. Of course I threw the fish back. Afterall we were just fishing for the fun of it. I looked at my watch. I can’t believe we’ve already been out here for an hour. Mandy’s father had wanted to ‘bond’ and surprisingly enough we did.
“I really need to get back now.”
“Already?”
“Yeah. Mandy and I were going to go to dinner before we went to the prom; so that gives us about 2 hours or so to eat, and to leave.”
“That’s fine. Can you help me take all this stuff back?”
“Oh of course.”
“Nick!”
“Yes sir.”
“Before I forget... where are you and Mandy going to go after the prom?”
“I’m not sure..”
“Well, here.”
He handed me over a key.
“What’s this for?”
“You see that boat over there?”
“Yeah...”
“Well that’s our family boat. Mandy hasn’t been on it forever, and she’s always said that you like to go cruising on the boat you’ve got.. and I just thought it would be a nice little gift.”
“Wow. Well, thanks! But, why?”
“Believe it or not, I actually trust you with my daughter. I never have really liked any of the other guys she’s been with, but you.. I don’t know.. there’s something that says to me you’re different. I hope you are. Nick can you promise me something?”
“I’ll try..” I said, unsure of what it was he was going to make me promise him.
“Please.. Please.. promise me you will take good care of my daughter. And please whatever you do.. don’t hurt her like the others have in the past.”
“Oh I promise. You’ve got my word. I would never do anything to hurt your daughter intentionally.”
“Good, that’s what I want to hear.”
When me and my mom got home the house was totally empty. I wonder where dad and Nick went... I went to my room and put my silver bracelet and anklet on. Mom came in insisting I wear a necklace. None of her stuff looked right with my dress, so I decided to not wear one at all.
10 minutes later the doorbell rang. I was still up in my room, so my mom answered the door.
“Mandy.. someone’s here to see you..” I made my way down the steps. At the door, there stood Nick. He looked at me in a way that made me feel like Cinderella; and like he was my prince charming! I really did feel like a million bucks!
As I reached the last step, Nick burst out, “Mandy... you look...... amazing!... I mean, wow....look at you...” He was searching for words. I guess mom was right. I really did leave him speechless!
“Thank you, Nick ....but you look awfully nice in that tux of yours too.”
“Yeah, but you look....absolutely incredible! Ohh... these are for you..”
He handed me a dozen roses- well.. close enough anyways! There were only eleven. I didn’t ask why.
“Oh, Nick.. they’re beautiful! Thank you.”
“Here. I’ll take care of those.” My dad lifted the flowers out of my hands, and placed them in a vase full of water on the kitchen table.
“Okay you two! Picture time!”
My mom got us in too many pictures to count! As we finished up my dad asked me, “Well, I guess both of our dreams came true huh?”
“What are you talking about dad?”
“Remember that dream I had awhile ago! I was on my way home from work, and I saw a guy standing on the side of the road covered in mud, and it just happened to be Nick!”
“Oh, yeah!” I said laughing.
“What does that have to do with tonight, Chuck?” asked my mom.
“Well, if you’d let me finish....”
“Go ahead. We’re waiting.”
“Ok, so, I stopped and picked you up, and brought you home. It just happened to be the night of the prom, and Mandy had no one to go with. So after you had washed off you went with her! So, it kind of came true! You get to go with Nick, after all.”
“Yeah. Thankfully I do.”
“Hunny, that’s hardly the same thing!” My mom burst out laughing.
“I know, but still..”
“We really need to get going you guys..”
“Oh, ok sweetie. Have fun!”
“I will. You don’t have to worry about that!” I waited for a few seconds for my dad to say something. So did my mom.
“Aren’t you going to give him a time to get me back, or give him a long speech now or something?”
“Nope.”
“Are you feeling all right?” I asked, “You always do! Why not now?!?”
“We already talked. You just go ahead and have fun, ok?”
I looked at my dad stunned. I couldn’t believe he had nothing else to say! But I wasn’t about to question it! “Okay...but-”
“Go on. You’re going to be late for your reservation. I’ll see you two later then..”
“Bye.”
I looked at my mom. She too was still shocked, and as curious as I was. Nick walked me out to the limozine that was parked in the driveway. Being the gentleman he is, he politely opened and shut the door for me. This is going to be like the best night ever!
We entered the fancy resteraunt and the waiter asked if we had a reservation.
“Yes.”
“Name?”
“Carter.”
“Follow me.”
The waiter set us down in a secluded area near the back. The table had 2 candles placed on either side of it, and a rose was sitting in the middle.
“Oh, so there’s the other rose!” I said amused.
“You noticed huh?”
“Yep.”
I barely knew what anything was on the menu, so Nick got me something he thought I’d like. Boy was he right! It was delicious! So there we sat. Just the two of us, in a candlelight dinner, finishing up our meal.
“Nick, thanks for taking me here. And ordering me something! But thank you most of all for coming with me to the prom tonight.”
“No, no. Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For letting me come with you!”
“Of course I’d let you come! But thanks again. It really means a lot to me.”
“Your welcome.”
A few seconds of silence went by. Nick suddenly spoke up and said, “Mandy..” He put my hands in his and continued while looking me straight in the eyes, “This is also for you.” He held out a small black velvet box, and placed it in the palm of my hand.
“Nick..”
“Open it.”
I lifted the small lid. “Nick..” I repeated once more. “It’s beautiful!” I looked at the sterling silver necklace that was in the box. It was on a long silver chain, and on the end of it laid a beautiful heart.
“I’m glad you like it.. but you still haven’t seen the whole thing.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Open the heart and you’ll see what I mean.”
I looked at him curiously, then opened it up like he had told me. “Oh my....” Inside was a picture of us on the tour bus asleep. We both had our heads laying on each other, both sound asleep.
“I.. I know this sounds kind of corny and all.. but I just wanted you to remember the first day we met... it meant so much for me to be with you, and.. well I just wanted you to have this to remind you of the best thing that has happened to me in a long time. Us.”
Tears started to form out of the corner of my eyes. I got up, and went over to Nick’s side of the table. He stood up and I gave him a kiss, which was then followed by a long, tight hug.
“Nick... You are so thoughtful. And the sweetest, most caring guy I’ve ever met! Thank you so much! I love it.” There was a brief pause, “I love you.”
He pulled me close. Then looked down at me and said, “I love you too.” I was now positioned on his lap.
“Now here. Let me see if I got the right size!” I turned around. He held the necklace in his hand, then slowly brought his arms around my neck, and put the clasp together.
“It fits perfect.”
He’s been so incredible! I could never thank him enough for the love, generosity, and caring he has showed me. I love him with all of my heart and soul, and I always will...
