Chapter One – Senior Prom
Senior year has gone by fast for the spies: Homecoming; Thanksgiving and Christmas Break; Valentine's Day Dance; Spring Festival; and now it is one month away from the Senior Prom!
History class is just breaking for the day. Pete and Alex are walking out together.
"Oh, Alex! I want to ask you something! Do you have time?" asks Pete.
"Sure, Pete," says Alex, "what's up?"
Pete is struggling a little with what he has to ask. "Alex, you know I like you a lot!"
"And I like you a lot too, Pete!"
"I wanted to ask if you would go to the Prom with me? You don't have to answer today. You can think about it, if you like."
Alex happily gives Pete a big hug and a quick kiss on the cheek. "I don't have to think about it! I was hoping you'd ask! Yes! Yes I'll go with you!"
"You WILL!?!?" says Pete, a little bewildered. He knows on a scale of 1-10, he is at best a 7 , and only someone as generous as Alex would give him that! She, on the other hand is a 10 in every respect. She is pretty; no question there. She is vivacious, charming, fun, and has a great personality! He can't believe his good fortune. "Thanks! Thanks a lot, Alex!" he gives her a grateful kiss quickly on the cheek. "This month is going to go way too slow for me! Please let me know what color your Prom dress will be, so I can color coordinate my tuxedo with you."
"Well Pete, I can't tell you the style yet, but the color will be white!"
"Should we complement or contrast?"
"Why don't you surprise me?"
"Ok, Alex I will!" And Pete and Alex walk hand in hand down the corridor to meet Clover and Sam..
Clover is just finishing Social Science class, and is walking in the hall to her locker.
"Clover, wait up!" says Clarence.
"Hi Clarence! How was class today?" asks Clover affably. Clarence has really grown on Clover. In the looks department he is a 6-7, but he is way deeper than all of the 10's she has ever dated! He was the only guy who cared enough about her to take her to the dance when she hurt her legs and was wheelchair bound. And he made sure they both had fun together. She realized that she really liked Clarence, and she wanted to talk to him about the Prom.
"Clover, I wanted to ask you something important!" Clarence figured he'd ask Clover to the Prom early enough, so that if she said no, he may still find a date. But he really wanted to go with her. But he also realized he was no stud or hottie, and when you're as pretty as Clover you can get almost any guy to go with you. Steeling himself for a negative response he asks, "Clover , will you go to the Prom with me?"
Clover doesn't say a word. She throws her arms around Clarence's neck, and gives him a quick kiss on the cheek. She has grateful tears in her eyes.
Clarence thinks he knows the answer to the question, but he wants to make sure. "May I take this as a 'yes'?"
Clover pulls back from her embrace and looks Clarence in the eyes, "Yes, you goof! Yes! Yes! Yes!" And she kisses him again quickly on the cheek, as she embraces him again.
Clarence whispers in her ear as he embraces her, "Thank you, Clover! I'm the luckiest guy at Beverly Hills High to have you as my Prom date!" and he quickly kisses Clover on the cheek.
As they break their embrace, Clarence asks, "Do you know what color your Prom dress will be? I'll get my tux the same color!!"
"I really don't know yet, Clarence, but why don't you just rent a traditional black tux? I'll make sure my dress won't clash!"
"Sure, Clover!" and with that, Clover and Clarence walk hand in hand down the corridor to meet Alex and Sam.
Chemistry Lab is just breaking up. Sam and Matt are talking.
"That lab was fun!" says Sam.
"I'll say!" but in a hushed tone, Matt asks, "Sam, I want to ask you something. I don't need an answer today."
"Sure, Matt! What's on your mind?" asks a concerned Sam.
"Will you go to the Prom with me?" Matt is hopeful. Sam is intelligent, fun, charming sweet, and beautiful. He would be very happy to escort her to the Prom. But would she feel the same?
Sam had been thinking about the Prom for a few days. She was hoping Matt would ask her. She had been going to dances with Matt for a while and really likes him. He is not a stud in the looks department, but he is much better than any stud everywhere else. They have a great deal in common. They are both active in the Chess Club, ranked 1-2 in the school. He enjoys a lot of the things she does: dancing; the Modern Art Museum; rollerblading; plays; and movies. People would probably wonder what she sees in him, but she sees a great deal more than most—and she likes what she sees!
She gives Matt a quick kiss on the cheek. "Yes, Matt! I would be very happy to go to the Prom with you!"
Matt says, "Thank you, Sam!" and quickly kisses her on the cheek. "I am one happy guy!
"By the way, do you know the color of your Prom dress? I'll try to match it."
"Well, Matt, I'm leaning toward red, but I think a black tux would look better on you!"
"All right, Sam! A black tux it will be!" And Matt and Sam walk hand-in-hand down the corridor to meet Clover and Alex.
The three couples arrive at just about the same time.
Alex says excitedly, "Pete and I are going to the Prom together!"
"That's great, Alex! Clarence and I are going to the Prom too!" says an equally excited Clover.
"That's fantastic, girls! Matt and I will be going together as well!" says a happy Sam.
The couples congratulate each other.
"Seeing we are all good friends, why don't we share a limousine together? That way if the champagne gets to our heads, no one gets hurt in an auto accident," says Pete.
"That's a great idea! And splitting the cost over three couples would make it pretty reasonable!" adds Clarence.
"What do you girls think?" asks Matt.
"Great idea!" says Sam.
"I like it too!" says Alex.
"I think it's a rad idea!" says Clover.
The month goes faster than any one of the three couples would have guessed. The gals have kept their dress styles a secret. They want to surprise their escorts!
The Prom weekend begins with a dance on Friday, at which our intrepid little group totally enjoy themselves. Saturday morning is the hayride and prom outing. The equally enjoyable outing ends at 11 AM so that the Prom attendees can get ready for the Prom, which is scheduled to start at 8 PM Saturday night at The Gardens, a banquet facility and outdoor garden overlooking a small lake.
The parent's of the three couples were all too happy to spring for a limousine! They are very happy their children thought of it! The parents reflect on how their children have matured!
Pete is the first person picked up. He is wearing a white tuxedo, matching slacks, and shoes, with a white bow tie and a white ruffled shirt. Matching gold filled cuff links complete his outfit. He has purchased a beautiful corsage for Alex. His Mom and Dad take pictures of him before he leaves. "You look so handsome!" says his Mom through her tears. His Dad shakes his hand, "Enjoy the evening, Pete! Alex is a pretty girl! Treat her right!"
"I will, Dad!" says Pete as he goes to the limo. He can't wait to see Alex! She always looks good, but he really wants to see her tonight!
The next pick up is Clarence. Clarence has on a traditional black tux, matching slacks, black cuff links in a gold setting and black shoes. He has on a black bow tie on a plain front white shirt. His parents are also taking pictures. He also has a beautiful corsage for Clover.
"You look so dapper!" says his Mom, as she gives him a quick kiss on the cheek, holding back her tears.
"Son, take care of Clover!" says his Dad, as he shakes his hand.
"Without question, Dad!" says Clarence as he makes his way to the limo. Clover never dropped a hint on the color of her outfit, or the style, so Clarence is anxious to see her.
Matt is the final guy to get picked up. He is wearing a black tux, with matching slacks, gold cuff links, and black shoes. He has on a white bow tie on a front ruffled white shirt. Matt has also got a beautiful corsage for Sam. Again, pictures are in order.
"Matt, you look so handsome!" says his Mom, trying to hide her tears, as she kisses him on the cheek
"I hope Sam thinks so!" replies Matt.
"She will, Matt! This should be a night to remember for your lifetime!" says his Dad as he shakes Matt's hand. Matt makes his way to the limo. He can't wait to see Sam! He hopes she likes his corsage.
Alex will be the first girl picked up. The limo stops and Pete takes his corsage, and a deep breath and walks to the front door. He rings the bell, and Alex's Mom opens the door. Alex's Dad is taking DVD movies.
"Hello, Pete! You look so handsome!" says Alex's Mom, as she gives Pete a quick hug. "I'll let Alex know you are here."
Alex's Mom goes to the staircase to the upstairs bedrooms and calls out, "Alex, dear! Pete is here!"
"Coming Mommy!" says Alex. And Alex starts to descend the stairs. She hopes that Pete likes her dress and her hair! She had her hair put up this afternoon, held by a white large pearl hairpin her mother gave her for this occasion. She is watching Pete for a reaction.
Pete's reaction doesn't take long. His jaw drops almost to the floor. Besides getting her hair put up, Alex is wearing a beautiful white satin strapless, backless evening gown with flowing skirt. She is wearing white elbow length gloves with a white satin shawl. She is wearing a large teardrop pearl pendant on a gold chain, from her Mom. She also is wearing white pearl stud earrings. To complete the ensemble, she is wearing white patent leather open toed high heels. Pete almost drops the corsage, as Alex arrives at the foot of the stairs.
"Well Pete!" says Alex as she pirouettes around once, "What do you think?"
Pete recovers, and says "Alex! You look positively gorgeous! You look like a ray of sunshine, on a rainy day!" He can't take his eyes off Alex!
Alex walks next to Pete, gives him a kiss on the cheek and says, "Thanks Pete! You look very handsome as well!" Alex can't believe how good Pete looks! She'll be happy and proud to go to the Prom with him!
They are about to leave, when Alex's Mom says, "Wait! You're forgetting something!" As Alex and Pete stop, Alex's Mom points to the corsage and to the boutonniere Alex got Pete. Slightly embarrassed, Pete presents the corsage to Alex and a slightly embarrassed Alex presents her boutonniere to Pete.
"Here! I'm an old hand on putting these on!" says Alex's Mom. As she pins the corsage on the left front of Alex's dress. She then pins the boutonniere on Pete's left lapel. "There! Now face the camera and let's see how they look!" Alex's Dad is getting great pictures. Her Mom sees them to the door, "Have a great Prom!"
With that, Alex and Pete stroll arm in arm to the waiting limo.
"Alex, you look great! You two make a great couple!" says Matt, as they get into the back of the limo.
"I'll say, Matt! This portends good things for us to look forward to as well!" says Clarence. After seeing Alex, Matt and Clarence can't wait to pick up Clover and Sam!
Clover is the next on the itinerary. Clarence takes his corsage and heads to the front door. Clover's Mom answer's the door. "Hello, Clarence! My, don't you look dashing tonight!" she says as he enters the front door. Clover's Dad is also taking DVD movies.
"Clover! Clarence is here!" says Clover's Mom, calling to the top of the stairs.
Without a word, Clover starts to descend the stairs. She sees Clarence and pauses. He looks GREAT! She is very happy she agreed to go to the Prom with him! She continues her descent.
Clarence is awestruck, to the point he drops the corsage box. Clover's Mom quickly hands it back to him. He accepts it, but can't take his eyes off Clover. She has her hair up, kept in place by a black pearl hairpin that once belonged to her grandmother. Her Mom had been keeping it for her for this particular occasion, and she gratefully thanked her Mom for the gift.
Clover is wearing a strapless black velvet gown. It has a straight slit skirt. She is wearing elbow length black velvet gloves with a black pearl necklace she got from her Mom, with matching dangling black pearl earrings. To complete the outfit, she is wearing black open toe high heels with ankle straps.
As she reaches the bottom of the stairs, she smiles and says, "Well?"
Clarence recovers and says, "Clover, I will be the proudest guy at the Prom! You look positively beautiful! You look like a dream!" With that, he presents Clover with the corsage.
"Clarence, you look so handsome, and debonair!" says Clover as she gives him his boutonniere, and kisses him on the cheek.
"Here, let me help you with those!" says Clover's Mom, as Clarence and Clover fumble with the corsage and boutonniere. That's because they haven't taken their eyes off of each other. Within a few minutes, Clover's Mom has the flowers attached. Her Dad follows them halfway down the driveway to the limo with the DVD camera. On their entering the limo, he waves goodbye and goes back to the house.
"Clover, you look great! Just like Alex does. You and Clarence make a fantastic couple just like Alex and Pete!" says Matt. After seeing Clover and Alex, Matt is on pins and needles to pick up Sam.
"I second!" says Pete.
"Clover! You look dazzling!" says Alex.
"Thanks, Alex! So do you!" says Clover.
As the limo pulls up to Sam's house, Matt anxiously goes up the driveway to the front door. He rings the bell, and Sam's Mom answers. Dad is on the DVD camera.
"Hello, Matt! My, you look handsome tonight!"
"Thanks Mrs. Simpson!"
"Let me call Sam for you." Sam's Mom calls up stairs, "Sammy! Matt is here!"
"Ok Mom!" comes the response, and Sam starts down the stairs. She catches sight of Matt and breaks into a big smile. He looks GREAT! How lucky she is to be going to the Prom with him, she thinks!
Matt stands unmoving with his eyes transfixed on Sam. Sam is wearing a red crushed velour off the shoulder, backless evening gown, with straight skirt. She decided to wear her long hair down, with a gold half moon tiara. She has matching gold dangling earrings and a gold necklace with a ruby pendant, compliments of her Mom. She also is wearing red elbow length gloves. She tops off the ensemble with red open toed patent leather high heals, and a matching red shawl.
As she reaches the bottom of the stairs, Matt says, "Sam! You are a Greek goddess who has deigned to favor a mere mortal with your presence!"
Sam blushes, and kisses Matt on the cheek. "Thank you, Matt! You are my Adonis!"
It is Matt's turn to blush, but he quickly smiles and gives her the corsage. "Beautiful flowers for the most beautiful girl at the Prom!" Sam deftly attaches her corsage to the left front of her gown.
Sam smiles, "Well, you haven't seen the other girls at the Prom yet, Matt!"
"I don't have to, Sam!", says Matt happily. She kisses his check again, and pins his boutonniere on his lapel.
The two make their way out the front door, not taking their eyes off one another.
Getting into the limo, Clarence says "You two look great together!"
Pete adds, "I'll say! It looks like all of us ended with perfect matches tonight!"
"Sammy! You look great in that red gown!" says Clover.
"And your hair looks fantastic too!" says Alex.
"Thanks gals! You all look great too!" says Sam.
For the rest of the limo trip the couples snuggle with their date, not taking their eyes off of them. All of the guys can't believe that they'll be escorting the most beautiful girl at the Prom, and all three gals can't believe that their escorts look so handsome, suave, and debonair!
They arrive at The Gardens. Matt, Clarence and Pete are walking on air! They are so proud to have Sam, Clover and Alex as their Prom dates! They immediately scout out a table where all six of them can share the evening. Sam, Clover and Alex are riding on a cloud too. The guys look so handsome! No one ever thought of these guys as 'handsome'; were they ever wrong! These guys are gentlemanly, concerned, fun, and considerate! Along with handsome!
They fraternized with their other friends before the meal. The evening is turning out so well!
Soon it is mealtime. The couples can share champagne with their meal, but after trying it, Sam asks, "May I get some water, please?"
"Certainly," says the waitress.
"Make it two!" says Matt.
"Why not bring us all some water? I'd like some too!" says Clarence.
The waitress says quietly, "You know, if you don't like the champagne, I can get you soft drinks or lattes."
The table perks up. "I'll take a latte!" says Clover. Sam and Clarence also ask for lattes; Alex, and Matt get a cola; and Pete a ginger ale. The waitress is happy to comply and brings their drinks quickly.
"You six surprise me!" she says, as she passes out the drinks, "Most students think it's so 'grown up' to drink liquor like champagne, even if they don't like it! You six obviously are smart enough to drink what YOU like, not what other people tell you, you should like!"
The table hears a few snickers from the tables surrounding them, because they aren't drinking the champagne.
"Oh, Clover!" calls Mandy snidely, "Maybe you'd like some milk, in a baby bottle!" Her table laughs.
Clarence responds, "No Mandy! She's smart enough to drink what she likes! Are you?" the laughter quickly dies, and Mandy's table turns away silently back to their meal. Every time they refill their champagne glasses they make a big deal out of it. There are a few tables that follow the lead of the gals and guys. They order soft drinks instead.
After the meal is over along with the dessert, the dance music begins. The table decides to hit the floor!
Sam and Matt are having a blast on the dance floor! So are Clover and Clarence, and Alex and Pete. They are dancing every number. Their only problem is avoiding other students who have had a little too much champagne, and can't seem to balance very well.
After about a half hour of straight dancing, Matt and Sam decide to take a break.
"Sam? What say we take a walk in the garden!"
"All right, Matt!"
And they go into the garden hand-in-hand. The moon is so big and beautiful! It reflects magically off of the lake, as Matt and Sam walk to the border. Finally they stop and turn toward the moon. They embrace one another, and Matt and Sam exchange a romantic kiss. They hold each other close, and rest their heads on each other. They watch the moon, happy in each other's quiet company.
After the next song, Clover and Clarence also decide to take a walk in the garden. Clarence has his arm around Clover and she around him. They walk to a cement bench that overlooks the lake, and sit down. They embrace each other and share a romantic kiss. Clover is very happy she is sharing this moment with Clarence, and he is equally happy. They sit on the bench in each other's embrace watching the moon; enjoying each other's company without saying a word. They kiss again.
Five minutes later, Alex and Pete walk to the garden, hand-in-hand. They stroll past Clarence and Clover, smiling that their two friends are very happy. They also see Sam and Matt standing at the edge of the lake, silhouetted by the moon. They are also enjoying each other's company. Pete takes Alex over to a Maple tree. Alex leans against the tree as Pete puts his arms around her and gives her a romantic kiss. She looks happily into his eyes and kisses him again. Within each other's embrace they lean side-by-side against each other, and stare at the moon. They are also enjoying each other's company.
Maybe it was five minutes or an hour or two hours. They really didn't keep track of time. Sam is starting to get a little chilly and pulls her shawl around her shoulders. Matt and Sam return to the Prom with an arm around each other, smiling happily.
Clover is starting to shiver on the bench. Clarence removes his tuxedo coat and puts it around Clover's shoulders. She smiles at him, and he offers her his hand so they can return to the Prom. Clover and Clarence also return to the Prom with an arm around each other; Clover resting her head on Clarence's shoulder. Both are very happy.
Alex pulls her shawl up around her shoulders, as she gets a little cold. Pete takes her hand and they start to return to the Prom, as they walk down the path with an arm around each other. Alex rests her head on Pete's shoulder, and he rests his on top of hers.
The three couples return to their table. They dance a few more dances, and it is all too soon midnight. The Prom is over; it is time to go home. The limo is ready to pick them up. The driver is pleasantly surprised to see that none of them are drunk from liquor; however, they may be a little light headed from the evening spent together.
"Do you want to go straight home, or would you like me to drive around for a while?" the driver asks.
The couples agree, "Please drive around for about half an hour before you start to take us home!"
"Fine."
The couples enjoy an extra 30 minutes of cuddling and kissing in the comfort of the limo. The driver actually extends it to 45 minutes, then let's them know quietly, "It's 1 AM."
"All right! Thank you! Please take us home!" they say.
The first to return home is Alex. Pete escorts Alex to the front door of her house. They each have an arm around each other.
"Alex! Thank you for an unforgettable evening! I'll never forget this night, or how you looked tonight!" says Pete as he embraces Alex and gives her a long romantic kiss. "Goodnight, my sunshine!" he whispers.
Alex gives Pete another romantic kiss, "Goodnight my handsome Pete! I'll never forget this night either! Thank you!"
With that, Alex and Pete reluctantly release their embrace. Alex walks to the front door and opens it. Just before she closes the door, she kisses her hand and blows the kiss to Pete, who happily catches it and returns one to her. She then waves goodbye and closes the door. Pete returns to the limo, lost in his thoughts of Alex!
The second to return home is Clover. Clarence escorts Clover to the front door; they are walking together in each other's embrace. At the door, Clarence embraces Clover tenderly and gives her a long romantic kiss. "You were my own special flower, Clover! I'll never forget the way you looked tonight or this evening! Thank you!"
Clover also gives Clarence another long romantic kiss, "I'll never forget tonight either, Clarence! You were my knight in shining armor! Goodnight, sweet dashing knight, and thank you for an unforgettable time!"
Clover and Clarence slowly release their embrace. She opens her front door, puckers her lips and sends Clarence an invisible kiss. He does the same, as she slowly closes the door. Clarence is walking on a cloud; Clover is all he can think about!
The last girl to return home is Sam. Matt escorts Sam to her front door, an arm around her midsection, and she with an arm around his. As they get to the door, Matt embraces Sam and gives her a long romantic kiss. "Sam, I'll be thinking of you all the rest of the weekend! Thank you for an unforgettable night! You were the prettiest girl at the Prom, just as I said you would be! Thanks for sharing this with me!" and Matt kisses Sam again.
"Matt, I looked forward to this, and I wasn't disappointed! You were unforgettable yourself! I enjoyed every part of the evening with you! Thank you my handsome prince!" and Sam kisses Matt again.
With that, they slowly break their embrace and Sam opens her front door. Just before she closes the front door, she whispers "thanks", and blows Matt a kiss. He responds with a whispered "You're welcome!" and blows her one. Matt is also walking on a cloud. All he can think about is Sam!
The limo driver smiles. He is glad he knows who goes to what address for these guys. Obviously, they are so high on a cloud, they really wouldn't know what house they were in. He was also pleasantly surprised by these three couples. No fooling around, just hugs and kisses in the back of the limo. Nice kids. He'll make sure the guys get to their proper homes. The parent's tipped him 25% even before the evening – he'll take care of their children.