Chapter 3
When we got out of the house, we both sighed in relief. I turned toward his house, heading for his Camaro. Then he grabbed my arm and said, "Hey Jules, where you going?"
I stared at him, confused.
"Your car?"
He smiled and shook his head.
"My car? To the Senior prom? Nah."
He nodded toward the street where I hadn't noticed a black stretch-limo.
"That is what we're taking to the Senior prom. We may not have been each other's first choice for a date, but we can at least have fun."
"Did your mom put you up to this?"
He laughed and said, "No. Why?"
"Cause. It's so . . . sweet."
He looked at his feet shyly.
"Well, we better go pick up Paris and Gaby."
I nodded and we walked to the limo. He opened the door for me and I stepped in. In the few seconds I had to myself, I thought, *Wow. He is so adorable! Can I just, like, hug him? That is so sweet! And so cute!*
Then he opened his door, the noise waking me up. As he got in, I shook my head to get those crazy thoughts out of my mind.
"Snap out of it Jules," I said quietly.
"Snap out of what?" he asked me, trying not to smile.
Apparently I didn't speak quietly enough.
"Huh? Oh, nothing."
He shook his head smiling. I blushed. *Awww . . . *
"Quit it!" I said to myself.
"Quit what?" he asked.
"Huh?"
"You said, 'Quit it.' Quit what?"
"Oh. I said that out loud?"
"Yyyeah . . ."
"Oh. Sorry."
We sat in silence until we got to Gaby's house. Paris had probably been waiting there for a while. We pulled up, and in a few seconds, the couple walked out of the house, hand in hand.
"Awww," I said involuntarily. I didn't even realize I had said that, but I could feel Romeo's eyes on me.
I turned toward him and my smile faded. He looked shocked, happy, and confused all at once.
"What?"
He then looked embarassed.
"It's just . . . You look beautiful tonight Jules."
I felt myself turn red.
"Um . . . Thanks. You don't look so bad yourself Romeo."
There was a few seconds of awkward silence, but then Gaby climbed into the limo, Paris following closely behind.
When we started moving again, Gaby and Paris were still holding hands. They were smiling and whispering, and every once in a while, Gaby would blush and giggle.
I felt my eyes tear up as I unknowingly stared at them longingly.
I then felt Romeo's hand take mine and he whispered, "Hey Jules, you okay?"
I looked over at him. He was being sincere. He looked concerned. Then I realized I was crying. I hastily wiped the tears from my eyes.
"I'm fine."
"Are you sure Jules? You don't seem fine to me."
"No. Yes. No. I, I'm fine. I'll be okay."
However, I didn't really think I would be. Before he got a chance to say anything else, the limo stopped.
Paris got out of the limo, then gave Gaby his hand, helping her step out.
I started to open the door on my side, but Romeo touched my shoulder and said, "Wait Jules. Please?"
I put my arm down and turned toward him. The tears were gone from my eyes, but not from his.
"Romeo? What's wrong?"
"That's kinda what I wanted to ask you. Listen, I know I haven't been the nicest person in the world to you, but I was scared. And I'd really love it if you'd give me the second chance I know I don't deserve from you. Please? Just one more chance and I'll make it up to you. One date. Please?"
He looked so concerned, and his eyes were pleading with me. He seemed so child-like and innocent that I had to smile.
"What do you think this is?"
He smiled sheepishly. Then he suddenly looked surprised.
"So you don't mind being my date?"
"No. Do you mind being mine? Uh, my date, I mean."
It was my turn to smile sheepishly.
"Are you okay now?"
"Yeah, I think I am. Thanks Romeo."
He smiled. Then he stepped out of the limo and closed the door. I decided to check my makeup before I went in, and, by some miracle, it was okay with a few touch-ups. Before I got a chance to put my hand on the door handle, the door opened.
Romeo held out his hand to me and helped me step out of the limo.
