Inside the box lay a silver necklace with a single sparkling diamond. At first I could not speak for shock at the gorgeous necklace. "Taylor," I said finally, "this is beautiful."
"I didn't know exactly what you'd like, so I just went for a simple look."
"Oh Taylor, it's perfect!"
"Let's see how it looks on you, shall we?" He carefully picked up the necklace and clasped it around my neck. As he stepped back briefly to get a closer look, he smiled. "You are so beautiful, you know."
"Thank you, Tay," I whispered, wrapping my arms around him. When I finally released him and began to walk back to the dance floor, where the slow music was still playing, Taylor took my hand and gently pulled me back.
"Wait, Moni," he whispered. "There's something I need to tell you."
Taylor was silent for a minute, as though he was gathering his thoughts. Finally he said simply, "I love you."
I could see his heart in his eyes. I knew he meant what he said. And at the same time I knew that the feeling I had had earlier, worrying about his reaction to my joke, was all wrong. I knew in my heart that nothing would ever go wrong between us. My heart was in my mouth as I replied, "I love you too."
Taylor's arms wrapped around me slowly. He tilted his head down, and our lips met in a kiss more romantic, more amazing, than I had ever dreamed.
After a few seconds, we parted reluctantly. I gazed up at Taylor breathlessly. I knew that what we had said was the absolute truth. He loved me, and I loved him more than anything. I still couldn't believe how lucky I was, to have the love of such a wonderful young man.
Taylor smiled at me. "Would you like to dance now?" he whispered.
"Yes," I replied softly.
We walked back to the dance floor, which was semi-crowded with couples. Taylor put his arms around me, and we started dancing.
After a few songs, I spotted a few of my friends across the room. "Taylor, let's go over there! There's several people over there I'd like you to meet."
"Sure. Let's go!" Taylor replied.
After meeting and talking with several people, Taylor said, "Moni, there's something I need to do. It'll only take a minute."
"Oh, that's fine. Actually, there was someone else I wanted to talk to...someone who, like Phyllis, is a Hanson hater. And this person would probably tell her friends, and they'd tell their friends, until the whole school knows. Not that I'd mind that, but I don't want them to tease you."
"I don't care if they tease me but I wouldn't want them making fun of you."
"My true friends wouldn't do that. All the people who do are not my real friends, and I don't care what they do. I just...I want the world to know about you! I want everyone to know how lucky I am."
"I'm lucky, too," he said softly. "I'll be right back."
As he left, a girl from my English class approached me. I didn't know her very well; I had even forgotten her name. But I did know that she was an absolute Hanson hater.
"Was that your boyfriend?" she asked.
"Yes, it was," I replied proudly.
"Isn't he one of those Hanson freaks?"
Fighting to stay calm, I replied, "He is Taylor Hanson, if that's what you're asking, but he is definitely not a freak."
She burst out laughing, and it was not very nice laughter. "I can't believe you're dating someone like that! I always knew there was something wrong with you, since you had never even had a date at all, and now that you finally do, it's with a freak...and not just any old freak, but a Hanson! I can't wait to tell everybody about this!!" She walked off, still laughing.
I stood there, surprised at what had just happened. Not at the girl's comments; I knew that was going to happen as soon as someone found out who I was dating. The thing that shocked me was my reaction to it. Instead of leaving the prom in tears, I was calm, even content. I was glad the girl would tell everyone. I wanted everyone to know. I knew that from that moment, I would never again be affected by comments about Taylor from anyone. I loved him, and he loved me, and that was all that mattered.
Chapter 44
Love Takes Time
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