A/N: So there is basically no excuse to why I haven't updated in over a month. Best I can give you is school, school, school. Trouble with parents, and school. I'm sorry, and... please don't kill me. XOX- Stephanie
Chapter 10
By the end of senior year Maureen and I had stayed true to our pact. That isn't to say that we hadn't gone further than just innocent kissing. In common terms, we had gone to second base. And since Collins had gotten into the habit of saying he set us up together, he demanded knowledge of every milestone in our relationship. And of course, Maureen was happy to inform him of every little detail. But amazingly so, in the discussion of us messing around in my basement one Friday night, "little" was not used once. I felt an immense sense of pride after that…
Unfortunately, an issue that we kept having to deal with was the fact that Roger also felt the need to know about our almost-sex lives. And an annoying habit that Roger had was to repeat what we told him loudly and in disbelief (of course). For example, when we told them how we "took our relationship to the next level," Roger proceeded to shout, "YOU SAW MARK'S WANG?!" in the middle of the crowded cafeteria.
Still, I suppose I was happy that I at least had stories of "sexcapades" (as Maureen had dubbed them), and Roger did not. That was a first.
As is tradition in high schools across America, Prom was just around the corner. When I had nonchalantly mentioned it to Maureen while hanging out, she leapt up, shrieking, and proceeded to list off all the things she would have to do to get ready for it.
I guess we were going to prom…
I picked Maureen up at her house, the night of the Prom. To make life easier, I had simply instructed the limo driver to pick us up at the Hawke's residence. I had spent most of my savings that wasn't in my college fund on my tux and the limo and the corsage.
After waiting on the stoop for a few seconds, Mrs. Hawke opened the door and I was ushered into the house. I was told that Maureen would be coming down in a minute.
You know how in a movie, the girl comes down the grand staircase, everything is in slow motion, and the cheesy music begins to play in the background? Well. I was pretty sure everything was at regular pace, since my heart seemed to be going a mile a minute. And the orchestral swell never played. But my mouth did go dry as soon as I saw the silver stiletto descend down the stairs. The shoe was closely followed by a strikingly red ball gown. From the bottom up, I looked at her dress. After the hips, the bodice clung to her body. As my eyes trailed upwards. I saw it was strapless and my breath hitched in my chest. Her hair was piled on top of her head elegantly, held back by a small tiara. A few loose curls hung behind her ears. Glitter sparkled behind her eyes every time she blinked.
What am I supposed to be doing? I thought mindlessly. Oh that's right... breathing.
Maureen stopped at the bottom of the stairs as Mr. Hawke took numerous pictures. Once the blinding flashes had concluded, Maureen walked (though, to me, she glided) over to me and kissed my cheek. My mind didn't seem to be going the same speed as my body. I now could understand how Roger and Collins could deem us the most mismatched couple around. I thought I looked less than handsome in my traditional tux and my hair just being gelled back as always, but Maureen looked like she was prepared to be the Prom's Juliet.
"Hi," I pathetically squeaked out. The hand holding the corsage began to tremble uncontrollably. "You look… amazing."
Maureen blushed, her face becoming the color of her dress. "You really think so?"
I just smiled, taking her hand and holding out my own, revealing the corsage. I watched as her jaw dropped. "I, uh… I got you something. I hope you like it."
"Oh, Mark…" she whispered.
I took the corsage out of its plastic case and slipped it on her wrist. "Perfect."
Mr. Hawke took a few more pictures of us, and with a promise to not say out too late and to be careful, Maureen and I were out of the house and into the limo.
The first thing we did was to meet up with Roger and Collins. Roger's girl-of-the-week was a flash blonde. I'm not sure what her name was… and oddly enough, I don't think Roger did either. Collins had decided to go dateless, which didn't surprise me, honestly. Throughout senior year, I had seen Collins with less and less girls. He still got numerous stares. And he was still getting them at the Prom. He refused offer after offer from girls.
Maureen pulled me on the dance floor, dance after dance after dance. It went to the point that I had to hide in the boy's bathroom to escape from her. It failed, however, when she sent in Roger to make sure I didn't fall in.
"I'm not dancing another dance, so help me God," I told Roger as soon as I saw him open the door.
"Chill out, Mark," Roger help up his hands in defense. "Maureen just wants to let you know that they're doing the Prom King and Queen thing soon."
"Maureen… or Collins?" I raised my eyebrow questioningly. Collins had been hinting to us to make sure we're present for the Prom Queen and King elections. It was highly suspect. Especially coming from someone like Collins.
"Just… call it a mutual feeling to get your ass out of the bathroom."
I sighed, "Okay, alright. I'll go."
I followed Roger out of the bathroom.
"You hid on me!" Maureen immediately accused me as soon as she saw me on Roger's tail.
"Nooo, I didn't," I gave her an innocent smile. "I just made sure I was looking well enough for you."
"No wonder you took so long," Collins jokingly said to me.
Before I could say anything back, the Prom Advisor took the microphone, addressing the party-goers.
"Boys and girls, if I may have your attention…?" It took him a few tries to successfully get us to quiet down. "… Thank you," He pushed his glasses back up his nose. "It is time for the Prom King and Queen announcements! If the nominees for Prom Queen would please come up… Shana Vicly… Angela Farcilli… and Maureen Johnson."
With this, I immediately turned to Maureen, who looked just as confused as I was.
"Since when were you a Prom Queen nominee?" Roger asked. Surprisingly, Collins remained quiet.
I gave Maureen a shrug and she gave an uncertain smile in return. She got up and walked towards the podium, standing in front of the advisor and in the middle of her fellow nominees.
The advisor cleared his throat. "Thank you, ladies. Now for the gentlemen…Daniel Ragusa, Michael McCormack, and Thomas B. Collins."
Now THAT was an even bigger surprise. All eyes were upon Collins.
"What did you do?" I asked. Something about this didn't feel right.
"I didn't do nothing," He smirked. "See you in a bit, boys."
And with that, Collins joined the rest of them on stage. The only people left at the table were me, Roger, and his date.
"Gentlemen, thank you," The announcer spoke again. "And now… the moment arrives. The Prom King and Queen of Scarsdale High School class of 1982 are…" Everyone held their breathes… "Thomas B. Collins and Maureen Johnson!"
"He did something," Roger and I said in almost perfect unison. After the initial shock wore off, Roger and I cheered. Possibly the loudest cheers in the room were coming just from our table.
I watched Maureen intently as her look of utter shock grew to one of utter joy. I always knew Maureen to be someone that always didn't let anyone know if she wanted something superficial, but if she received it, she was always outwardly thrilled.
Collins leaned over to the advisor amongst the cheers. The advisor debated back to him, but once Collins said something in reply, the advisor nodded and spoke into the microphone once more.
"Attention? Attention ladies and gentlemen? Although it isn't a tradition for the King to make a speech, Mr. Collins has asked for a special, yet brief, statement."
More cheers gave way to the Scarsdale High Class of '82's Prom King as Collins took the mic.
"Ladies and Gentlemen… Faculty and Student… Bitches and Brothers," His calm, mellow, and deep tone filled the room. "I'd like to thank y'all first off for electing me as your super-cool and super-sexy Prom King. And I am more than happy to have the beautiful and radiant Maureen Johnson at my side," He waved an arm to the grinning Maureen and I cheered again, along with many of my peers. "But I am afraid that the titles have been messed up."
"What is he getting at?" I muttered out of the side of my mouth.
"No idea…"
"The fact is, ladies and gentlemen, that I'm gay," He yanked hard on Maureen's arm, catching her in his arms. And before I could object, he laid a deep kiss on my girlfriend's lips. I felt my stomach plummet. Before I could question anything, dammit, Collins needed to stop kissing my girlfriend.
When they did finally pull apart, Maureen swayed slightly, putting a trembling hand to her lips. Oh no. I knew that look. But she always wore it with me! That was her "I just had a fucking awesome kiss" look! MY "I just had a fucking awesome kiss" look!
"Well, damn," Maureen finally muttered. If it wasn't for the dead silence of the room, no one would've heard her. She let out a little laugh next. "You're wasting your time on the other team, Collins."
"If I would ever go straight for someone, it would be you, Reenie," Collins replied with his booming laughter.
"Hey man," I felt Roger put his hand on my shoulder. "You look… blue. Breathe."
I realized I have been holding in my breath since the kiss began. I let it out with a shaky exhale.
"Uh… yea. Yea. I'm fine," I replied. I barely realized what I was saying. I slunk back into my seat as cheers erupted and the Queen and King danced.
X-Kate-X- I'm kinda... sporadically skipping time. Like how I just... skipped a year or two. But, its all good. I hope.
jumpOVERtheMOON- Thank you much! Sorry about that... soon business.
theheartyearns- Everyone loves the idea of Markie in his underwear. Hehehehe...
Stephanie Pascal- Ahaha, thank you. I have picture that I don't think I showed you. Stupid me.