"I cannot believe your not going to the semi Formal" My best friend Jessica said to me as we sat in her bedroom me looking at a magazine she had laying around and her painting her toenails at her desk. "nope I'm not" I replied flipping the page. "but why not?" she asked, "It won't be the same if your not there". "I'm sure you will have a blast with or without me" I replied. "Taylor" she said. "Jessica" I responded. "Besides I don't have a dress or a date" I added. "but I can solve the dress problem" she said jumping up than walking on her heels so not to mess up her toenails. "I have this black halter dress I wore to my cousins wedding" she said as she pulled a black dress out of her closet that had a baby pink sash under the bosom of the dress. "it's nice" I replied looking up at it, "but still I don't want to go ". "ugh" she said than shoved the dress back into her closet, "how can you not want to go to semi formal it's like our prom!". "that's exactly why not" I told her, "I don't do school functions". "you really suck you know that" She said and walked back to the chair at her desk and sat down. "if I suck so much than find someone else to do your hair huh" I told her with a smirk. "I wish you would have a social life outside of my brother" she said. "yeah well" I replied looking back at the magazine.
Jessica Adams had been my best friend since pre school, we had gone to the same school every years since we were 4yrs old and had been inseperable. we practically lived together, I was either always at her place or she was always at mine.
Jessica was an only child well an only biological child, her parents divorced when she was 13 and her mother remarried when she was 15 and she acquired a stepbrother Josh, whom I had developed a Major crush on the moment we met, he and I hung out a lot the summer that they first were adjusting to becoming a family and we started dating the fall of that same year. He and I had been dating for 2yrs and I was happy, but it sometimes got in the way of my friendship with Jessica, so I had to step back at times.
It was safe to say that Yes I was in love with Josh, but Jessica was more important to me than any guy.
Jessica and I were both in the 12th grade and in our last 2 weeks of high school, Josh was three years older than both of us and had been done school for a few years now. He worked at a music store during most days, but he also had a band that was creating a buzz for themselves, they had one single released and were working on going on a tour, they were usually gone during the weekends, so he was usually MIA a lot of the time. It didn't bother me a lot, we talked everyday but i didn't expect weekend many weekend dates.
"I really just don't feel like going" I told her, "I havnt honestly been feeling well a lot lately". "what do you mean?" she asked looking at me. I shrugged. "I've been so like bitchy" I explained. "yeah i kind of noticed" she replied. I looked at her than bite my tongue. "and I have just been having Major headaches and like just haven't been feeling well at all" I added, "I honestly think it's adjustment to this stupid Pill my mom put me on". "at least she's looking out for you" Jessica said. I nodded. "Yeah I don't think I want to be a mommy at all let alone anytime soon" I told her. "I agree" she replied, "so when do you want to do this?" she pointed at her hair.
"uh probably soon here" I told her, " It takes a good half hour to hour". "okie dokie" she said and got up and began to gather the things we'd need to do her hair. "so is Josh home this weekend or no?" she asked making conversation as she set the station up. "uh not sure" I replied, "I think he's going out of town though". "bummer" she replied. I nodded than closed the magazine and walked over to where she was. "do you have bobby pins?" I asked looking down at the stuff she had put on her desk. "uhh.. bathroom maybe" she replied, "want me to go look?". "I guess I could be nice and go" I replied with a smirk. "your a peach" she said. I shook my head and walked out of her bedroom and across the hall to the bathroom and opened the bathroom medicine cabinet where everything was usually kept, I saw a box at the onto of the cabinet so i stretched up on my tippy toes to grab it but i couldn't quite reach. suddenly I saw a arm reach up and grab the box it scared the crap out of me causing me to jump.
"Settle down" Josh said placing his hand on my waist. I turned to face him. he had a smirk on his face. "sorry" he said and Kissed me quickly, "but you need to grow a few inches". "thanks" I replied and returned his kiss than wrapped my arms around him and held him tightly. "you smell good" I complimented. "really?" he asked in disbelief. "mmhmm " I mumbled, "but you might want to lay off the cologne a bit", "or is it that body spray?". "i'm not even wearing body spray " he replied giving me a weird look as he pulled out of my grasp, "I had a shower this morning". "oh" i said, "hmm.. um I have to go help Jess with her hair". "oh right formals tonight" he said having and aha moment, "what time are you guys going at?". "I'm not" I told him taking the box of bobby pins out of his hand.
"your not going to your sr semi formal?" he said confused, "why not?". "I don't like dances" I told him, "why should I go anyways".
"because you would have the best looking date at the whole thing" he responded smugly. "okay mr vein" I replied and rolled my eyes. "I love you" he said. "love you to" I replied the kissed him again as Jessica came out of her room.
"Taylor" she said than noticed Josh. "oh your home this weekend?". he nodded. "Tell her she should go to formal" she said to Josh. "I tried already" he replied, "she doesn't think so". "I just don't get it" she said, "when we were little kids we always talked about our Prom and stuff and we'd get so excited!". I looked at her than replied, "well in all fairness I've grown up and Prom is not my idea of fun anymore". "it's a right of passage" Josh said, "I went to mine". I nodded. "I don't know" I told them, "I just don't see the point in all the hype honestly". "babe" Josh said taking my hand in his , "just let me take you for an hour, that way you can at least say you went".
I looked at him and bit my tongue slightly irritated, I guess in a way it was sweet he wanted to make sure I had these memories, and an hour would not kill me. I swallowed than nodded. "Really?" Taylor said getting excited. I nodded again than spoke, "One hour though and that is it!". I looked from Josh to Jessica and they both nodded. "Okay let's do this than" I said motioning to Jess to get into her room and start doing her hair.
It took me an hour to get Jessicas hair curled, sprayed and pinned up, but the end result was breath taking!, her dress was a hot pink ball gown type of dress with a corset back, gems on the front. she looked exactly like a princess.
I took the dress she offered from the wedding, and just bumped up my bangs, and straightened out my hair, For a last minute effort I thought I looked decent, not princess like Jessica but I thought it was passable.
"wow look at you to" Jessica's mom Rachel said as we looked ourselves over again in the mirror behind her closet door. "thank you" we both said. "I want Pictures come down into the family room" she urged us. "yay" Jessica said sarcastically. "you wanted this not me" I told her and cupped my arm threw hers. Josh came out of his room as we were walking down the stairs to the family room. "babe" he said with a half grin, "you look amazing". "thank you" Jessica replied with sarcasm. "and you look like nice to Jess" He added. "you clean up pretty nice" I replied. He had put on some black Dress pants and a white button up shirt and a Red Tie. He had just let his blackish brown hair go kinda messy but tame, but i loved his hair that way. "Just something I had laying around" he told me. "so what are we doing?" he asked. "pictures" Jessica told him, "In the family room". "oh Rachel caught you" he observed. We both nodded. "Well than everyone look super happy and let's go" he said with a fake grin making us both laugh.
Rachel and Josh's dad Jackson were standing in the family room when we walked in. "see Jackson I told you they looked stunning" she said touching his chest. He nodded than said to Josh, "your going to a high school dance?". Josh nodded. "Taking Taylor" he told him, "Just for an hour though". Rachel nodded and looked at us. "well you all look great" she said chipperly, "let me get some pictures of you guys".
We posed for nearly a half hour, solo shots, than group shots, than two people shots, she really went camera happy. But at the end of it we were all really happy to be going out the door.
"I have something for you" Josh told me when we were done doing photos and standing off to the side alone. "what is it?" I asked. "well you will have to see when you open it" he replied with a small laugh. I nodded as he handed me a little white box. I opened it slowly than smiled, Inside was a silver thick Tiffany chained bracelet with a heart on it, with an engraving You are the music in me.. one one side than Sept 27th (the day we had started dating) on the back. "this is so pretty" I complimented than threw my arms around him in a hug, "I love it thank you!". "your welcome" he replied and Kissed me. "do you want me to help you put it on?" he asked. I nodded and he took it out of the box quickly and put it onto my wrist. "perfect" he said as I hugged him again.
"what's going on over here?" Jessica asked coming over to us. "Josh got me a present I told her and held up my wrist. "oh wow that's really pretty" she complimented. "it's engraved" I added. she reached over and read the inscription on both sides. "Oh wow" she said, "that sickly sweet". I nodded and grinned from ear to ear. "you guys are so cute it's disgusting" she added. I ignored her comment as the doorbell rang. "that's probably David" she said. "your still seeing him?" I asked in surprise. "off and on " she replied walking quickly to open the door. "hello" Jessica said as she opened the door. "hello hello" David replied than smiled, "you look nice" he observed of her dress. "thank you" she replied, "so do you". David had on a look similar to Josh's not much formality to it but nice enough to pass. "I feel seriously over dressed" Jessica said with a laugh. "you look breathtaking" David told her than kissed her cheek and handed her a single Red rose he has brought for her. "thank you" she replied and smiled.
David and Jessica had Met the past summer working part time at the same place, he was 17 like us but went to the french speaking high school across town, he and Taylor had been dating off and on since they met, and I thought they made an extremely cute couple.
"are we ready to go?" David asked. "yes!" Jessica replied excited. "you promise one hour?" I asked turning to Josh. "yes promise" he replied. "okay" I said. "so we will just take my car?" he suggested. I nodded i agreement than told Jessica we would meet her at formal. She agreed than we went our separate ways to the formal.
"you really need to roll the window down in here" I Told Josh as we pulled out of the driveway. "why?" he asked. "the smell in here is overwhelming" I told him feeling my stomach get queazy. "what smell?" he asked confused. "the air freshener I am assuming" I replied and closed my eyes. "this air freshener" he replied grabbing at the faded green christmas tree looking one hanging from the review mirror, he sniffed it than threw it out the window. "that thing hardly lets a smell off anymore" he added. I looked out the window. "i don't know" I replied, "I just.. ". "are nuts" he provided wit a smile. "I must be" I said than laid my head back against the seat.
"What The fuck is wrong with me?" I wondered in my head
"is there an after prom party?" Josh asked me as we pulled up to the hotel where the formal was being held. "i don't know, Jessica is the one you want to ask about that" I Replied, "don't know why you'd want to go to a high school party". "booze" he replied with a hint of sarcasm in his voice. I shook my head. "we could get a bottle of something and hang out at my place my moms out of town" I told him. "or we could do that" he said and smiled at me. I smiled back my head still laying on the seat. "do you see David or Jessica?" he asked. I sat up and looked around the parking lot. "not yet" I replied, "maybe there inside already?". "so you want to go inside?" he asked. "yeah.. sure" i agreed.
Josh got out and opened the door for me. "thank you" I said as I got out. "let's get a picture for my phone" Josh said stopping me as i tried to walk toward the door. "okay" I replied with a smile. he put his arm around me and leaned in towards me and we both smiled, "looks good" he said and than put the phone in his pocket. "you look amazing" he added taking my hand. "thank you hun" I replied and kissed his cheek. "look who i see" Josh said pointing over at the parking lot. Jessica and David were walking quickly to catch up with us. "hey!" Jessica called and rushed over and hugged me tightly. "this is so exciting!" she added as we started to walk inside. "oh very" I replied smugly. "let's go have fun" David said grabbing Jessica's hand. "yes let's" she agreed with a big goofy grin on her face.
We walked into the hotel and followed the crowd of people walking into the banquet room down the stairs. "this is beautiful" I gushed looking around the room, "wow". "you sound strangely impressed" Jessica said walking beside us. "it's just pretty thats all" I replied. "it is pretty sweet" Josh agreed, "now let's go to the stupid arch and get our picture taken". I nodded and we all went over and got our photo's taken.
"as lame as this is" I said to Josh as we sat at one of the round tables they had formally set up, "I am glad I get to share this with you". "of course babe" He replied and kissed me, "I love you". "i love you" I responded with a big grin. "you look so beautiful when you smile" he added. I kept the smile on my face as a girl wearing a deep blue strapless dress came over to our table, I knew her from a a few of my classes as Cassandra or Cassie as her friends called her. "Hey Josh' she said greeting him. Josh looked up than responded, "hey Cassie". "didn't think I'd see you here" she said. "I'm sorry" I said, "how do you know my boyfriend?". "from around" she replied looking at Josh. "around where?" I asked in replie . "just around" She said, "Um can i steal him for a dance.. Please?". I looked at Cassandra than at Josh than nodded. "go hard" I told them. "thanks" she said and took Josh's hand and lead him onto the dance floor.
I got a jealous feeling watching her cart my boyfriend off like she owned him.
"why does Cassie have Josh on the dance floor?" Jessica asked sitting down beside me at the table. "she asked for a dance" I told her. "and you said yes?" she said, "why would you let her touch him?". I shrugged. "because I don't own him and he is an adult" I said. "i suppose" She agreed not taking her eyes off her brother on the dance floor. He had a smile on his face and he seemed to be enjoying the dance, but every few seconds he'd look over at me reassuringly.
"he loves me" I said watching them dance, "I know he's smart enough to use his head". "she is kinda like the town bike though" Jessica informed me. I felt a sting of panic hearing that. "you don"t think that he.. and she.. " I said trying to say it kindly. "had sex?" she provide. "yeah" I said looking at my hands. "Hard to say" She replied, "but they've defenetly met before". "well this is a small town" I reminded her, "everyone know's everyones business". "yeah.. well watch yourself" she suggested, "and don't say I didn't tell you say if something happens".
I was slightly irritated by her assumptions and so I stood up, "I'm going to get some air" I told her. "Taylor" she called after me but i ignored her and walked across the room passing Josh on my way and slipping out the side door.
I walked out into the little garden area and sat down on a bench that was nearby and looked up at the stars. The music inside seemed so far away, and I felt a lot safer outside alone.
I sat there for what seemed like a very long time than heard the door open again. I looked over at the door and Josh walked out to find me. "there you are" he said walking over to where I sat, "what are you doing out here?". He sat down and pulled me into his arms so my back leaning on his chest and his had his head over my shoulder. "it's so quiet" I told him softly. "yeah" he replied, "I love you so much". "I know" I replied and snuggled myself closer to him, " I love you to". "are you having fun?" he asked. "okay.. not fun but its not bad" I replied. "did you want to get out of here?" he asked. I nodded. "okay" he said, "c'mon". He took my hand and the two of us walked back into the dance.
Jessica and David were dancing when we walked back in, a slow song was playing. "dance one song with me before we leave?" Josh asked. "okay" I agreed, "but just one". He nodded than took my hands in his and we danced slowly to the music. I laid my head on his shoulder as we danced and I felt so safe and so complete i his arms.
"ready to get out of here?" Josh asked when the song ended. I nodded than we walked out of the dance and out to the car