We made it a few more weeks, but after the basketball team won the championship, the players were all treated like gods at the school. They got praise from the other students, teachers and administrators. They could do no wrong, and Greyson had made me the target of his attention again. I made it to around Spring Break, just a politically correct name for Easter Break, in April without too much worry.
I was glad to get a few days off of school and get away from Greyson. Adam and I planned on going to the poetry reading on the Monday we were off. I got ready reading some more of the poetry from the book he bought me. My father and I spent the Easter holiday inside and eating lots of chocolate and eating pizza. It was a great way to spend the holiday.
"Dad," I said watching our tenth episode of the Walking Dead, "I am going to the poetry reading tomorrow with Adam."
"Alright," he said.
My dad still hadn't met Adam, but I think he had come to terms with the two of us being friends. It had been a few months since we met and I just kept insisting that we were both just friends. But things had changed between us. I could feel it, but I think both of us were too afraid to say anything.
Monday came around and I got ready to go out. I tried to keep it casual, but I felt like I should also be dressing up. I had never worn a dress in front of him, and I wasn't sure I should start now. I just threw on a navy blue long sleeve t-shirt and my jacket, since it was still pretty cold out.
"I'll be back later, dad," I said to him.
"Alright, have fun," he said engrossed in his work.
I started toward the coffee shop. I kept looking around, making sure that Greyson wasn't coming for me. His threat still rang in my mind. I picked up my pace and made it to the coffee shop in record time. I ordered my typically sandwich and hot chocolate and waited for Adam to come. I brought the poetry book with me just in case I beat him here. I was enamored by one of the poems when I saw a plate on the other side of the table.
"Hey," Adam said.
"Hey," I said quickly closing the book. He sat down across from me. I just noticed that he had started growing a beard and mustache. The whiskers covered most of his scar, and I thought that he looked even more handsome. I felt my heart skip a beat, and I suddenly felt underdressed.
"Did you prepare anything for tonight?" he asked.
"No," I chuckled, "What about you."
"Maybe," he said slyly.
"Really," I returned the slyness.
"We will see," he said.
The event was just about to start and we moved our chairs to face the stage.
Person after person got up and said their poetry. I was again impressed by the talent in the town. After about a half an hour Adam got up and walked onto the stage.
"Here is a little work in progress I have," he cleared his throat, obviously nervous.
"Beast," he said, my heart constricted:
Beast
Filled with anger
Beast
Scared and mangled
Beast
Seen on the outside
Beast
Felt on the inside
Beauty
As a rose
Beauty
Seen every day
Beauty
Perfect in every way
Beauty
No place with the Beast
Beast
Fell in love with Beauty
Beauty
Fell in love with Beast
Words I wish to say
Words I wish to hear
It cannot be
No beauty in the beast
No beast with a beauty
It cannot be
I felt tears rise to my eyes. I quickly tried to wipe them away as he walked back to the table.
"That was beautiful," I said.
"Thank you," he replied.
A few more poets presented their work, but I wasn't listening. I was saying Adam's poem over and over again in my head. It was so personal, so raw, so beautiful.
The program ended and we got up to leave. I put my jacket back on and grabbed my book. Adam started walking me to the door.
"Adam," I said gently. What was I going to say to him?
"Yes?" he stopped and looked at me.
"I loved your poem. You were so brave saying something so personal to everyone. I am so impressed."
"Really?" he said, his face twisting into a smile.
"Yes," I said. I didn't know how to bring up the content with him.
"You know Thea, I was thinking," he said running his hand through his hair, I felt my breath hitch in my throat.
"Yes?" I asked breathlessly.
"Maybe, you would like to go to prom with me?" he asked, his blue eyes stared into mine.
"I would love to," I said.
"Great," he said.
"When is prom?" I asked.
"We still have a few weeks," he said, "Typically the end of May."
"I guess I will have to wear a dress, ha?" I asked.
"That is the dress code," he said.
I laughed at his attempted joke.
"Can I walk you home?" he asked.
"That would be great," I smiled.
We talked about the other poets and how we couldn't wait to go back again.
"I hope you write something next time," he said when we reached my house.
"I wouldn't hold your breath," I said back.
He chuckled.
I noticed how close we were and I took a step closer. Our bodies were just about touching.
"Thea," he said quietly. I felt a shiver travel down my spine.
"Yes," I answered, looking up into his blue eyes.
We stood in silence for a moment then he said, "I will see you tomorrow," taking a step back.
"Oh, um yeah, I will see you tomorrow," I replied trying to keep the disappointment out of my voice.
I started walking toward the house. I walked slowly hoping that I would hear him again. I turned to see him turning to walk away. My heart sank a little, I wasn't sure why I was disappointed. He walked me home and that was all.