I walked through the double metal gates of my high school for the hundredth time for the past year. I was a senior, finally I was ready to start a brand new life out there. I never thought about finishing up college or even attending college. I just thought maybe I’ll find a job and like it. Of course I was naïve then, actually, I was very naïve about everything except for my heart. I knew what I wanted from a boyfriend. It’s a wonder I’ve never had one before. I fell in and out of crushes so fast, you would think I was fickle. But most people would mistaken that if they don’t know me. My name is Nicole, otherwise known as Niki. Only my closest of friends would know that from me.
My day started as it would any other day, boring and the teachers made me fall asleep during their lectures. I wonder why I always get good grades, I barely paid any attention to them when they’re talking. My friends say that I’m very lucky to have such a smart brain. I don’t have to try and I could still pass the class. Maybe they are right? Although I don’t find it being lucky at all because school was never interesting to me. If it wasn’t for the sports and activities, I would have failed easily.
“Nicole…Nicole!”
I quickly snapped back to reality as I spun my head up to the disapproving look of my calculus teacher. His glasses were tipping slowly down his nose as he pulled his head downward to look at me with those beady little eyes. “Yes?” I responded while everyone’s eyes were on me. I could almost feel the blood fill up the veins underneath my face. I was blushing and I couldn’t help it.
“Are you paying attention?” he asked with special annoyance.
“Yes, Sir!” I said like I was in the military. I didn’t mean it to come out that way, but somehow it did making a few people giggle.
“Really?” he eyed me carefully and suddenly that smile came on his face. The same smile that he always had when he was scrutinizing a student for falling asleep in his class. In which he would follow with a tough question that he knew we could not answer, just to embarrass us in front of our peers. “If rational means fraction, what does irrational mean? If you were paying attention, then you would know the answer.”
I know I must have looked like a tomato by then, but I wouldn’t give in to his trick. I wasn’t going to be embarrassed. I sat up and searched my logic brain for an answer. When suddenly it occurred to me “Not a fraction.” I answered. It was more of a question because I wasn’t entirely sure.
His head snapped up in shock as he cleared his throat “That’s correct.” He mumbled as he turned back to the chalkboard and I returned to my daydreaming.
So, that was my morning. At least it didn’t come out that bad. Just a few more hours until lunch time and I could see all my friends. That was my only prize for coming to school. I lived so far that I couldn’t go out with them after school, anyways, my parents would have a heart attack if they new I had ‘guy’ friends. It’s the typical opinion of old fashioned parents that think a male and female cannot stay friends. For goodness sakes, it’s the 20th century! My day traveled on slowly but finally the lunch bell came on as everyone raced to the main corridors leading out to the giant lunch room.
I was the spoiled kid that always had lunch made from mommy. Sometimes I wondered if she knew that I was capable of standing in line and buying lunch. I quickly spotted my best friend Ginny (Athena Chu) sitting at our usual table. She was always the first one there. “Hey girl!” I exclaimed happily.
“Hey. Where’s your lunch?” she noticed my empty hands, just a bookbag with my books crossed over my shoulders by a sling.
I shrugged my shoulders “I forgot it today.”
“You mean you didn’t want to bring it.” She corrected me.
I smiled nonchalantly “Whatever. So how was your Christmas vacation?”
“Got a lot of gifts…nothing new.” She looked a bit unhappy, I could already tell.
“You didn’t get anything you wanted?” I asked.
She smiled “Something like that.” She continued on about what she got and why she didn’t like the gifts but my mind was somewhere else again.
Usually, my full attention would be on my best friend since I pride myself on my great listening skills. But every time he was within eye sight, I seem to have lost it. Who is he? Wow, how do I explain this. He is the guy that every girl had a crush on, the guy every girl would be so giddy around, the same guy that was so perfect in every way that you’d think he was not real. He is also the same guy that I grew up with but never got the chance to know. We’ve gone to the same schools since we were in kindergarten but yet we never had the chance to talk until my senior year when I happened to have him in my Anatomy class. He is Lance Koo, the captain of the football/volleyball/baseball team. Even the name is amazing, Lance…He threw a smile my way and it brought butterflies to my stomach.
I smiled as he came over with a lunch tray in hand and sat down next to me. “Hey.” I said casually.
He opened his wrapped burger hungrily and ate it. “Why aren’t you eating?” He said with a big lump of food on his right cheek.
“Don’t feel like it.” I said without much feeling.
“You’re not on any diet are you?” he asked with a bit of concern, or was I just imagining it?
“No, no…” I said quickly, maybe too quickly, almost defensive actually “I love food too much.”
“Good. I was gonna say, you’re too skinny to be on a diet.” He nudged me teasingly.
I gave him a weak smile as I turned back to my best friend, I knew he didn’t like skinny girls and it was too obvious that he would never like me. He only cared for me like a sister, which explained why he gave me the special treatment. “Are you gonna get food?” I asked Ginny.
“Yeah, I’m waiting for Daniel to get here first.” She looked around and quickly spotted her boyfriend. She smiled giddily as she popped from her seat and ran to him.
Daniel (Aaron Kwok) was Lance’s cousin. It was such a coincidence how those two got together. Daniel had moved here from a different school and met Ginny in one of her classes and they quickly hit it off and within weeks, they were dating. That was when we realized that Lance and Daniel are cousins.
I was alone with him again, it was the usual since everyone tends to come a little later. It wasn’t until a few weeks earlier that I realized I had a crush on Lance, it was intense too. The kind that you have butterflies in your stomach when you see him or when he smiles at you or just because he gave you a hug. When I turned my attention to him, I noticed that he had finished his food “Sheesh, what do you do? Inhale everything you eat?”
He put down the soda can with a look of confusion “I’ve always eaten that fast.”
“I guess.” It was strange, I never had a problem talking to him until my crush for him started. But I didn’t want him to think that I did like him so I had to try to make it casual. But the more I tried, the worse it got. Eventually, I stopped talking to him completely from fear that I would slip something out. Suddenly I had the urge to ask him something “Hey Lance, can I ask you something?”
He smiled through his perfect teeth as he turned his body to face me, we were inches apart and I could feel my face reddening again. I moved myself back to the edge of the bench so I wouldn’t be too close to him. “Sure.” He replied.
“Why don’t you have a girlfriend?” it was something I’ve pondered for years. I’ve never seen him with a girlfriend. And for a guy like him, I knew he must have had plenty of girls going after him.
“I think they are a waste of money.” He said straightforwardly.
“I’m sure not all girls are.” I said with defense more for myself than for the girls that he was generalizing.
He shrugged carelessly “No one likes me anyways.”
My eyes almost popped out of my sockets as I stared at him in awe “What? Lance, are you naïve or just blind? So many girls have had crushes on you, like…Yvonne, remember her? She use to blush every time you even smiled at her! Don’t make me go down the list now.”
He laughed heartedly and it just reminded me more of why I liked him so much. “Really? I never noticed.” He wasn’t lying either “I have too much things going on, I don’t think I can handle a girlfriend right now. They’re so expensive you know?”
I rolled my eyes “Oh please! If you found a girl that you really liked, she wouldn’t mind you not spending money on her. Or vice versa.”
Our conversation quickly stopped when the rest of the gang came over. Tammie (Joyce Tang) the wild girl of the group, Candace (Ada Choi) the mother of the group, Marvin (Wong Hei) the guy that can talk to anyone and Anthony (Julian Cheung) the quiet one.
They quickly took their seats and Tammie was the first to open her mouth, as usual “Hey Lance. I was working on the article for the school newspaper on the athletic heroes and I was wondering if you can do an interview with me.”
He chuckled at the question “Oh man! I’m no hero.” He shook his head modestly.
“Are you kidding?!” Tammie exclaimed “Captain of every sport where guys look good in uniforms? Come on!”
“Hey, you know you can’t turned down Tammie, she’s so persistent.” I added to help out my friend.”
“Okay.” He said reluctantly “Just because Niki said so!” he tried to pull the attention away from himself again. Another reason why I like him so much.
After lunch was over, we all got up to go our separate ways. Out of all my classes, I didn’t get one class with my best friend. It made the year more difficult to go through. I began walking to my next class wondering what was in store for me when I heard footsteps running up next to me. “Hey, wait up!”
It was Lance, I gave him a strange look “Huh? Our class isn’t until another hour. You don’t have History with me.”
“Well, I do have Calculus and its in the same direction. Anyways, I’ve gotta make sure my little Niki gets to her class safe and sound.” He grinned like a little kid making me smile myself.
“That’s very thoughtful of you.” I nodded jokingly “But I’m a big girl.”
“You’ll always be smaller than me.” He teased back.
“Don’t underestimate my petite size, I can probably beat you up!” I said with much confidence that it made him burst into laughter.
“You’re cute, you know that?” he said after wiping his tears of laughter.
I wished that moment would have lasted forever, but unfortunately it didn’t. Eventually, I got to my class as he waved me into the room. I gave him a sheepish smile and reluctantly went inside taking my seat next to a good friend of mine, Minnie (Kenix Kwok). “Are you two dating?” she asked out of the blue throwing me off guard.
“What?” I could already feel my face turning red “Of course not, we’re just friends!” I exclaimed, trying to keep my cool. Lucky for me, she didn’t seem to notice.
“Too bad, you two would look cute together.” She shrugged.
I smiled at her but inside I was giddy as ever. Just to hear it from a friend, it made me tingle inside and the butterflies fluttered uncontrollably. For the fiftieth time that week, I thought about if it was possible that Lance and I would ever date. But I would always talk myself into believing otherwise. I didn’t want to give myself false hope and believed that something could happen when I know that it would never happen. I usually think negative, it was my way of protecting myself.
Nicole aka Niki Leung – Noel Leung
Lance Koo – Louis Koo
Ginny (Athena Chu)
Marvin (Wong Hei)
My class rolled by slower than a feather falling within arm’s length. I couldn’t wait for my next class and it was obvious why although I did a good job about hiding my emotions. When the bell rang for the next class I nearly tripped on the door because I was racing to my Anatomy class. I must have ran too fast because I felt myself running into someone. “Sorry…” I mumbled without looking up due to embarrassment.
“I never knew you liked Anatomy so much.”
I stopped and turn around only to face Lance, I gave him a quick smile “Sorry, I didn’t see you there.”
“That’s okay.” He said happily and took his seat at one of the lab tables in the corner.
I took my seat across the room from him. That was my permanent seat, I cursed the teacher for splitting us up so far to begin with. I sat down with my other lab partners as they giggled and mingled with each other. My head was up in the clouds when the teacher came in. She greeted everyone and announced that we would be starting our big project next, dissecting the cat. I almost winced at the announcement because I was afraid of cats and not to mention I would have to touch a dead one for the next two months. I could feel my stomach turning in circles.
Maybe I was too worried about touching the dead cat that I didn’t hear my teacher saying that she would chose different lab groups for this project. Suddenly, she had my full attention, I hoped that I would get Lance for my group. I silently wished and prayed and when she picked the people at random I was grateful that his name and mine were not called yet, just two groups left. “I’m trying to pick people that have not been in the same group, so if any of you guys see someone in your group that you already worked with, please let me know.”
‘Hurry up and call out the last two groups already’ I silently rushed. My heart stopped when I heard her call my name and Lance’s name together. I didn’t hear anyone else’s name, just mine and his. When she directed everyone to join their groups, I saw Lance at the corner of my eyes, waving to me. He was waving me over to his lab desk, which was shaped like a square with four seats at the desk. I smiled and walked over to his group.
“We get the smart girl in the group!” He exclaimed to everyone else.
I giggled and shook my head “Not really. I don’t think I’ll help that much in this project.”
“That’s right, you’re afraid of cats!” He said with shock. I was even more shocked that he remembered, I told him a while back but never imagined that he would actually remember.
“Well, you can take notes and we’ll do the dirty work.” He offered looking around at the other two group members. They nodded in agreement. I secretly thanked my lucky stars that he was so sweet, I smiled at him and he gave me a quick wink as a welcome.
My class went by too quickly as before I knew it, it was time to go home. I did my usual routine to call my mom to come and pick me up. Unfortunately, no one picked up at my house. I didn’t live that far but my mom always insisted on picking me up from school because she didn’t think a girl should have to take a bus. I walked to where my friends were with an obvious sad look “What’s wrong Niki?” Ginny asked me with pure concern.
“My mom’s not home. I wonder where she is?” I said quietly.
“You need a ride home, Niki?” Lance must have heard me talk.
I looked up and shook my head “It’s okay, I’ll take the bus.” I didn’t want to bother him.
“Don’t be silly, what if something happens to you? No, I won’t hear of it, I’m taking you home!” he insisted.
“It’s okay Lance, I’ll take her home. You live too far from Niki, I live up the street by her.” Marvin offered.
I wanted to smack the guy for offering, but I had to bite my tongue and stay calm. “Yeah, I guess. Wouldn’t want you to go out of your way.” I declined Lance’s offer.
He shrugged “Okay, as long as you get a ride home, it doesn’t matter who takes you home. Anyways, I’m going first. Bye guys.”
“Bye…” everyone said randomly.
“Shall we go, my dear?” Marvin smiled happily as he pointed to the parking lot. I gave him a weak smiled but followed him slowly.
The ride home was a bit awkward for me since it was my first time in a car with a guy alone. “Thanks Marv.” I muttered enough for him to hear it.
“No problem!” He said brightly. When he came to stop light he turned to me with a smile “Hey, can I ask you something?”
I was looking out the window “Sure, anything.”
“Have you ever been to the movies?”
I turned to him with a strange look “Yeah, with my aunt and one time with my family.”
“I meant with a guy, alone.” He said slowly.
“….No….” I said slowly wondering what he was up to.
“Well…I was wondering, if you wanted to go to the movies with me.” He asked straightforwardly.
I didn’t know how to decline him so I thought up an excuse “Uh…I really don’t like going to the movies.”
“Well, how about dinner?” he tried again.
“No…I have to eat at home.” It was lame but I was desperate, I only saw him as a good friend and nothing more. I was bad at rejecting guys since I never had to before. It was the most uncomfortable thing that anyone had to do.
“Can I tell you something?”
This time I turned to him and seeing that he was blushing profusely, I knew I had to put a stop to it “Marv, you know we’re good friends and I like us to stay that way…”
He nodded slowly understanding what I wanted to say “I understand…hey, do you have a date for prom yet?”
I was stumped, I didn’t and there was no reason to lie to him “Not yet.”
“Do you have anyone in mind? I’ll help you out if you want.” He was just the nicest guy. I just rejected him and here he is offering to help me get a date.
“No, no one in mind.” I lied. “I’ll just go dutch if I have to .”
“Well, I’m here if you can’t decide on a date.” He was willing to be my backup.
“That’s very sweet, Marv. Thanks…well, here’s my house.” He pulled up the driveway and I got out. I waved to him as he pulled out. I let out a small sigh and entered the house.
*************
The next month, our lab group worked hard to do the project correctly. It seemed like they were fighting to cut the cat while I stood in the back taking notes glad not to be involved in such a disgusting act. At the end of the second month our teacher gave us a little pop quiz. She dropped by each table and asked us questions about the name of each muscle on the cat’s back. We were the last group that she visited as she thought up a hard question for us “Where is the back muscle that allows a cat to jump?” she looked directly at me. I looked at my group members for help but that was not allowed “You should know this if you took notes Niki.” My teacher said with a touch of annoyance in her voice.
I blinked slowly and tried to remember but my mind was blank. I looked down at the skinned cat and took my pen as I pointed to one of the back muscles. “This one.” I guessed.
I knew I was right when the teacher gave me a big smile and nodded her head approvingly. “Good job, Niki. Now Lance, where on the human’s body is that muscle?”
He smiled brightly at the teacher and I knew that he knew exactly where it was. “Let me borrow your back.” He nodded to me. I turned around as he pulled my hair to one side and directed his pen in a triangle shape on one side of my back.
The teacher smiled with obvious happiness since she was grateful that we learned something in the class “Good job.” She nodded and walked back to the front of the class and proceeded to grade everyone.
I breathed a sigh of relief and turned to Lance who smiled at me “Thanks.”
“No problem.” I pushed my head downward as my eyes wandered around. Suddenly it stopped at his hands, he had a few blisters on the palm of his hands “What happened?” I pointed to his fingers.
He followed my eyes and shrugged carelessly “I was playing basketball and I jumped up to make a slam dunk, I hung onto the rim and it cut my palm. Just a few blisters.”
“Well, put a bandage on it before it gets infected.” I scolded like a mother but it was too late to stop myself.
“I don’t have any.” He said a matter of fact.
I rolled my eyes and pulled out some bandages from my purse “Ever tried asking?” I said with sarcasm. I forgot that the other group members were still there as they stared at me tending to his wounds. After I finished the second bandage I got up to toss the trash away.
“Thanks.” He smiled thankfully as he showed me his bandaged hand.
“Anytime.” I shrugged, making it look almost natural.
One of the girls from our group looked at us with a small smile but she didn’t say anything. I was about to clear the air when our teacher started talking again.
Nicole aka Niki Leung – Noel Leung
Lance Koo – Louis Koo
Ginny (Athena Chu)
Daniel (Aaron Kwok)
Tammie (Joyce Tang)
Candace (Ada Choi)
Anthony (Julian Cheung)
Marvin (Wong Hei)
It was one week until the Senior Prom and yet I still had no date. I wondered if he would even ask me. I figured I would eventually go dutch anyhow. One day after school when my group of friends were deciding on where to go for an after school snack. We decided on McDonalds, as we walked to the fast food place about a block away, everyone was excited and buzzing about the Prom except for yours truly. I wasn’t interested in joining in since I was the only one left without a date, even Marvin had a date! I kept quiet for the whole time and it wasn’t until we were seated and eating our burgers when Ginny brought it up.
“Hey Niki, you’ve been quiet the whole time. Do you have a date for Prom yet?”
Eventhough she was my best friend, she still didn’t know about my mad crush on Lance. I hid it too well. I shook my head “No, I’ll probably go by myself.”
“Aww…that’s not right, I’m sure there is one guy in the whole school that wants to take you out.” Tammie chimed in.
Leave it up to Tammie to make me feel even worse! I threw her a glare to quiet her and she seem to get it as she turned back to her food “Nah, I want to go by myself.”
Candace looked around at the group and asked Lance “Hey, you haven’t mentioned about your date, how about you take Niki?”
I wanted to hug her right then and there for even dare asking. But I was quickly disappointed when I saw that Lance was shaking his head “I would love to but my older sister never got to go to her prom so I agree to take her.”
“Awww….that is sooo sweet!” Tammie gushed. I had a feeling that I wasn’t the only that liked Lance.
“Hey, let’s not talk about prom okay? It’s so depressing.” Everyone gave me a sympathetic look that made me feel so small “I meant that if we talk about Prom it means that our graduation is coming up and I know we’ll all have to go our own ways. I’m just not ready to say goodbye yet.” I felt the need to explain myself.
“We’ll all keep in touch right?” Ginny asked with her puppy eyes.
“Of course!” Daniel exclaimed.
“Easy for you to say, I’m losing my best friend. You’re going with her to California for college!” I was feeling betrayed again. It was strange, I was happy for her when I found out that she was excepted to one of the best schools in America. But jealousy took over when I realized that Daniel was going with her, eventhough they would not be in the same school. It wasn’t fair that I had to lose her and he still got to see her.
“I sense a little jealousy?” Tammie teased.
“Oh, she’s not jealous. She’s just gonna miss me a lot.” Ginny reached over the table and gave my hand a little squeeze. I knew I should be happy but I can’t seem to shake off the feeling that I would be losing my closest friends. “Hey, how about we go shopping for dresses later? We might as well, Prom is next week.” Ginny tried to change the subject.
“I guess.” I agreed quietly. I sighed and looked around at the guys “I suppose you guys don’t want to join us do you?”
They looked at each other and smiled “Actually, we want to join you girls.” Lance said while the rest of the guys agreed.
“Yeah, we have to make sure your dresses are….ahem…not too revealing.” Daniel winked at his girlfriend.
**************
After the late lunch, we headed out to the mall. Within seeing two stores, I was already tired. Shopping was just not for me, I usually don’t stay in a store for more than ten minutes. The other girls were excited as they raced to each store looking at each and every dress. I trailed behind “Niki, come on!” Ginny waved vigorously at me.”
“Coming…” I groaned as I walked into yet another store filled with expensive prom dresses. I stood at the door and looked around. I didn’t see one dress that I actually liked. “Okay, I’m done. I’ll wait for you guys outside.” I announced but no one seemed to notice so I sat myself on one of the benches outside the stores and waited.
“You don’t like shopping do you?” Lance took a seat next to me. He probably felt sorry for me.
I shook my head “Nope, I’m not your typical girl.” I smiled goofily.
“Nope, you’re sure not.” He agreed.
I had that hunch again that he liked me. He was always saying little comments and maybe he was dropping hints but I was too negative to see it? I brushed off the comment and tried to change the subject “So are you ready for college?”
He nodded eagerly “Yup, I can’t wait to start. How about you?”
I shrugged without much feeling “I just hate the thought of leaving school to go to another school to continue learning stuff that I just learned in the past four years. It’s never ending I tell you.” I shook my head.
“Well, don’t think of it that way. You’re starting a new place and it’s a beginning of a new life for you.”
“I don’t like changes.” I said in reply.
“No one does, but it happens everyday of your life.”
I tilted my head to one side, looking at him thoughtfully “I never knew you were so good at making people feel better.”
“Maybe I should be a doctor?”
I smiled “Maybe you should. But you got to cut your hair.” He was letting his hair grow and it was getting to be a big shaggy, none of the less he still looked handsome in my eyes.
“Tammie said I looked good with long hair.”
“Lance, it’s really your hair, you do what you want with it. Don’t listen to us girls.”
“You like it shorter?” he ran his fingers through his hair.
I nodded with a small smile “You look handsome like that.” I whispered.
He smiled in return and nodded. “Oh, I think they’re calling us.” He shook his head towards the loud group leaving the store.
It wasn’t until three hours of mall shopping when we all found our dresses. I was the first to get my dress, it was as simple as can be. Royal blue color dress, two piece; long skirt and a tube top with tiny diamonds embroidered onto the top. It was a bit revealing of the shoulder but it came with a shawl so I wasn’t too afraid of showing too much skin. When I tried it on, it won smiles from Ginny and Candace, although Tammie thought it was too much for Prom. I didn’t really care what anyone said, I was just happy that I finally found a dress I felt comfortable in.
************
Finally, the day that the whole entire Senior class was waiting for had come. Saturday was the busiest day for make up artists, hair stylists and nail stylists. The girls and I must have waited for about two hours just to get our nails done. It was my first time and I felt awkward having someone tend to my plain nails. Our hair were done differently. Ginny had her hair pulled up, Tammie's was curled with sparkled clips around her hair, Candace had her hair twisted into sections into an up do. I chose to do something a bit more plain. My hair was straigtened all the way with a little curl at the ends. The lady took a little beaded diamond necklace and placed bobby pins at the end of each side as she pinned it underneath my hair. When I looked in the mirror, it almost looked like a head band, but it wasn't as bulky. It was a nice touch that made it plain yet classy.
"Oh my gosh, you look so pretty!" Ginny gushed at me over and over.
I blushed as it was the first time I actually felt pretty, eventhough I wasn't in my dress yet. We all headed for our homes to get ready. My friends and I all decided on a long limo, we pitched in to get the car. One by one the limo picked up each and every one of us. In the end we had 11 people in the car.
Marvin was the first to compliment us when everyone was inside the limo "I must say girls, you all look very beautiful tonight."
We giggled amongst ourselves and Candace smiled "You guys don't look too bad yourself."
I was almost like they were wearing magical tuxes. They were complete gentlemens, not like their usual noisy and sometimes obnoxious selves.
I looked outside the window of my seat and saw the many limos travelling to the same destination. Our Prom was located at the most beautiful mansion in the whole city. It was overlooking the city and there were acres and acres of land around. It was owned by the most richest man in Hong Kong. When we arrived to the mansion, our driver opened the door and let all the girls out first. One by one we exited and I knew the place looked magnificent when I heard oohs and aahhs from everyone around me. I looked up and saw the most gorgeous place beyond my imagination. Everyone took their dates by the arm and walked inside. I tried to act normal as I walked inside by myself, but after one look at the place I had forgotten that I was going dutch. After you go through the double doors, there was a huge fish pool at the bottom of your feet. The only way across it was a little bridge that took you to the the buffet that was layed out and ready to be eaten. Tiny bars were set up around the outside of the pool. To the left was the biggest bar room that I had ever imagined. Next to that was a stair well that twisted in circles up to the roof where the dance floor was.
When everyone was in awe with the mansion and we split up to have a better look, I decided to take a tour around the gorgeous living room with a huge round fireplace in the middle of the room. Couches were decorated in cirlces around the fireplace which was burning to keep everyone warm. I walked up another walkway that took me to the dining room where a large oval table stood. I was about to sit down at the most comfortable looking chair ever when I noticed the view of the city through the glass window. That's when I saw the balcony that took you around the whole mansion. It was a bit cold outside but I was eager to see the place. I stepped out into the cool night and took the night scene before me.
I didn't know how long I was standing there but I felt a jacket wrap around my arms. When I turned, I was a bit suprised to see Lance. He looked so handsome with his vest and bow against the white button up shirt. "Thanks." I returned my gaze to the city "It's gorgeous isn't it?"
He nodded "Yes, it sure is." he sighed. "I'm very disappointed in you Niki." he said out of no where.
I looked up at him with a sincere surprised look. "What do you mean?"
"You didn't even noticed my hair."
He was right, I didn't notice. He had cut it short, probably that same day because I remembered it long during the week. "You cut it?!" I exclaimed.
"Nice of you to noticed." he teased. "I trust your opinion. I think it looks better short too."
I laughed "I thougth you didn't care as long as you were comfortable?"
He chuckled lightly "Yeah, well I lied."
I shook my head teasingly "Tsk tsk tsk, didn't your mom ever teach you not to lie?"
We continued chatting on for a while, but it must have been a very long time because Ginny and Daniel finally found us "Where have you two been, we've been looking all over for you two. It's almost our turn for pictures!" Ginny linked her arm through mine as she practically dragged me inside. She was right, there in line was the rest of my group and when we finally got there, the photographer pointed us to the open area where the photos were taken place. The girls all sat down crossing their legs while the guys stood in their back, hands in pockets. That was our group picture.
After that, everyone took couple pictures except for yours truly. I stood by the entrance of the photo room waiting for my friends. Lance and his sister were the first to take pictures. Since they were not a couple, the photographer posed them in a simple position. Lance stood straight while his sister leaned here elbow on his shoudler. I must have been smiling because after he was done, he walked over to me with a scowl "Don't you dare laugh! It's not everyday I have to take pictures with my sister."
I shook my head "No no, I thought you two looked cute."
"Eww!" Lily laughed as she pointed to the buffet area "I'm starved, you guys have fun waiting."
"You don't want to take pictures?" he asked.
I smiled "I don't think I want to remember that I went to Senior Prom alone."
He laughed understanding "Sorry...hey, if you don't mind, I'll take another one with you."
There was no way I was giving up on that offer "Uh...sure! I wouldn't want to turn down such a gracious offer."
He smiled as he opened his linked arm to me and we stood in line. Luckily we were the last of the people to take pictures so the line wasn't very long. When it was finally our turn, I was so nervous that I could feel my hands shaking when the guy told us to hold hands. Lucky for me, Lance mistakened it for me being cold.
The photographer walked over to us as he took my hand and placed it arond Lance's waist. After that, he took Lance's hands and placed it around my waist except that it was a little lower than my waist and I felt a bit uncomfortable. So when the photographer returned to his camera, I quickly moved his hand upward "Ahh...better." I joked.
He looked at me apologetically "Sorry..." it was the first time I saw him blushed.
I smiled, trying to make light of the situation so he wouldn't feel too bad "It's okay, I guess my butt is flat."
Lance shook his head with a laugh "Only you would say something like that to make the situation lighter." We smiled brightly at the camera and the flashed almost blinded me. After that, we headed to the roof where the dance floor was.
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