Chapter VII: Just Desserts (Pre-Prom)
The whole school was buzzing the next week of school. Gaston had been the one calling and threatening the Lagrange household, he confessed when cornered that night. Rumors of what happened flew across the school, even incoming students, still in junior high, had rumors about it. Gaston wasn't in school for a week, they said, and won't be back before graduation. He was serving jail time, the rumor said. Of course I knew differently. Gaston was not serving jail time, but would have to face harassment charges. The sheriff and the Marks kept Gaston in jail one night, you know, to "scare him straight." The school had suspended him for two weeks, and would allow him back to take his final exams. He would not be allowed into the actual testing room, taking his tests in the library. The school was also debating the possibility of attending prom.
Belle couldn't be more happier, but not over Gaston's punishments. She and her father were able to breath calmly now that Gaston was stopped. The worries of just a week before evolved into the joys of prom: planning the pre-and post-prom parties. Girls-and some guys-were giggling over where they were going. Most never really left Enchanted Falls, though the prom was in the city. Sleepovers were the norm, but Belle planned something special for the post-prom party.
Polly was hosting the pre-prom party. She invited the girls going in their limo (hired courtesy of Angel Corporations) to her house to help each other get ready and wait for their dates. At Polly's house they would grab a late lunch/early dinner to hold them over until dinner was served at the party. Then after the prom, the girls would return to Jade's apartment for sleep-over, while the guys would spend the night in the Angel's apartment in the city. The next day, they would leave, along with Jade and Joanne, for a trip to Disney World for a week of magical fun, to initiate a summer of fun!
A month before prom, to get the Gaston thing off her mind, Belle took her Enchanted Falls girlfriends to meet her city girlfriends for some prom shopping and to prepare for the after prom. Polly, Robin, Julie and Belle arrived at Jade's apartment and they immediately went to find their dresses, the shoes, the accessories and of course, talk about boyfriends, college, graduation, and the prom. Earlier, all of Belle's friends from Enchanted Falls went to the city, and the entire group bonded. Joanne and Chris were soon exchanging e-mails and going to each other proms—as platonic dates of course.
The school buzzed with activity, as students in all grade levels prepared for their final exams. Gaston Marks was brought to the library every day and given each of his finals under my careful watch. If he every left the library, it was with a teacher, since many stop by during their free periods to look up information on an upcoming class, but mostly to read the newspaper. During this time, Belle would come into the library occasionally, but never once looked at Gaston. Until the day of the last Senior final, when she walked up to Gaston and looked him straight in the eye, and held her gaze for many seconds. Finally she stuck out her hand and said, "I forgive you. Just don't ever do it again!" Gaston grasped the hand and shook it. Belle turned and walked out of the library.
If only the rest of the school were that forgiving. The football team, who once adoringly followed their beloved leader, now condemned his actions and abandoned him. Only Lefou and Craig stayed behind Gaston's back, protecting his reputation, while admitting their friend was wrong. "He harassed an innocent family, all for his own lust," John Michaels, the team quarterback, said during a very loud hallway discussion. (Then again, which aren't very loud?) "Yes, but we all make mistakes," Lefou replied back. "None that could be considered a felony," John countered. "A misdemeanor, John, a misdemeanor. Besides, we're not pursuing any suits or legal action. I just hope he learns his lesson," Belle stuck in. "How can you forgive him after what he's done?" John shot back. "It was wrong what he did. But it wouldn't do me any good if I just kept that anger inside of me, now would it? After much debating and meditation, I realize it was better to forgive—for his sake and mine." Belle ran down the hall to catch her boyfriend, departing from his locker. "See? Besides, she even forgives him," Lefou said. "He is learning a lesson. Besides, shouldn't we, his friends, stand behind him?" Craig said, finally entering the conversation. "We are not friends with people like him," John said, moving to his next class.
Many of the students shared that feeling. For a week after finals, the seniors come in to make up for the extra, state mandated days needed for a complete school year. The school allowed Gaston to attend these days, these classes. He had to enter into the school under the intense stare of the people who once threw themselves at his feet. The girls, including Janie and Justine, shied away from their four/three year object of lust. Only Jessie stayed by Gaston, suddenly making her the outcast. For the entire year, she had called Belle "odd" and "outcast" and "strange" and "geek." Now all these terms (save the last) were now applied to her. Belle had approached the former school idol, and offered to allow him to be her friend. He politely declined, saying it was too awkward a situation. The same was true with Jessie when Belle, Julie, Polly, Robin, Ashleigh and Francine offered to except her into their little group. Gaston soon learned who was his real friends, when his table shrank to just Lefou, Craig, his neighbor Peter, Peter's girlfriend Courtney and Jessie.
The prom elections had started a month before prom, but with a change. The school ruled that Gaston was unable to become prom king because of the whole "harassing an innocent young woman" incident. That left John Michaels, Lance and the Beast for the title, to be crowned along with one of the prom queen nominees: Janie Olsen, Kelly Nichols, and Belle. Seniors were trailed by members of the student council to vote, one vote per senior. Of course, to be said about the student council members is that they were very hard working, dedicated and determined students. Determined enough to the point of being considered annoying. Especially during finals week when the poor seniors are frazzled enough with their last tests of high school as well as the looming prom. One student could just be standing there, rearranging their locker (it's amazing how neat lockers get around midterm and final weeks) when a member of the student council would pop up and ask if the senior had cast his/her votes yet. Normally, they were asked every day of the week, and it was funny to watch the insults. Polly and Robin were the funniest. "If I have to tell you one more time…" Polly said, " I will NOT be responsible for my actions." Robin whirled around and said, "If there was a category for most annoying, everyone in student council would win!"
Still, the votes were soon taken and counted, with the winners to be announced at the prom the next week. The Friday before prom, all senior lockers were cleared out and cleaned out. Papers were dumped, pictures taken down and books returned or taken home. Hugs were exchanged and teachers were bid farewell to. The hallways seemed emptier without the senior class, but we teachers knew next year they would be filled again with new students, bright and eager.
The next Friday, the entire town was in a rush as the seniors prepared for prom. Hair and nail appointments lasted all day Friday. Last minute arrangements were taken care of, as they headed off to their pre-prom destinations. At Polly's house, the girls were busy helping each other get dressed. Belle was zipping up Joanne's dress, while Robin was zipping up her dress. Polly had made sure there were plenty of snacks, since most of the girls she invited tended to snack when nervous. "Okay, guys, picture time," Julie said, bringing out her camera. "We want to remember these hectic moments forever, to laugh back on when our kids come across our prom pictures."
"Or just to laugh at us when they see our prom pictures," Robin replied. "Nonsense," Julie shot back. "Okay, Francine, smile!" The sophomore blinked twice before exclaiming, "I'm blind! She blinded me!"
The girls thought they were going to be blind as well by the time they got to the prom. Mr. Lagrange, Mrs. Capulet, Mrs. Olsen and Mrs. Ashen were all taking pictures of the girls. When the guys came, the picture frenzy started again. Eventually, the limo pulled up and everyone ran outside, saying good-bye to their parents, most still wielding their cameras. Everyone got into the limo, which was quite spacious for most limos and the number of people sitting in it. "Oh I thought that torture would never end!" Belle said.
"I still can't see!" Francine said, throwing a glare at Julie, who was readying her camera for a batch of "in the limo" photos. The limo sped on towards the city, and to the most magical night these teens had only dreamed about.
A/N: Whew! That took a while, and I'm sorry! So many other things, like January Regents and midterms and track practices and work and so many other things to name here. Thanks for sticking around. And btw, this chapter is dedicated to Luke Parlatore, who died a year ago on January 27th (that was when this chapter was supposed to be out!) as well as to the crew of the Columbia. ~*Mac*~