Finally, the day had come, and I couldn't wait. I made appointments for Allison, Kendra, and me to get our hair and makeup done.
"Don't stick that in my eye!" Allison yelled. Oh, how it brought back memories.
"I'm not going to stick anything in your eye. I know what I'm doing. Just relax," the makeup woman told Allison.
I had never seen my little sister look more grown up. I was so proud of her, and I was so happy that she and Brian were doing so well.
"I really like him," she told me.
"Well, good, cause I think he really likes you too,"
"You really think so? He isn't really like any other guy I've dated. He's a bit…" Kendra said trailing off.
"A bit nerdy? Well, maybe you need someone like that. Someone who isn't just like you who can teach you new things and can make you experience the world in a completely different way," I told my sister.
"Like you and John?" she asked.
"John and I are just friends," I said.
Allison was finished with her hair and makeup, and she said, "Yeah, you guys are just friends just like me and sporto are just friends,"
I just looked at her, not really sure what she meant.
"Oh, come on Claire. It's all bull shit. You like him, and he likes you, and it's just like you told Kendra. You make him better, and he makes you less self-centered. Maybe you should just give in, and actually be with him,"
It was getting close to time for the boys to show up, so we had to get going.
They boys arrived together right on time, and everyone complimented each other on how nice everyone looked.
The parents went picture crazy, and after about an hour, I had to step in so we didn't miss our dinner reservations.
The prom theme was "A Chance at Love"
I thought it was corny, but oh well. Prom is supposed to be a little corny.
I once we got there, Kendra grabbed Brian's arm and off they went. Kendra loves to dance, so Brian was in for it all night.
Allison and Andy waited for a slow song, and then he guided her out to the dance floor. Everyone was staring at them, and almost every girl was give Allison a death glare, but Andy didn't even notice.
He was transfixed on Allison, and nothing could take his attention away.
To my surprise, John asked me to dance too. I didn't think he would be able to dance, but he was much better than I expected. He didn't even step on my toes.
John and I didn't see Brian for hours, and eventually I could tell he was getting sick of dancing, so I whispered in his ear that we needed to go for a walk.
The high school was next to the elementary school, so there was a playground on campus.
John and I walked hand in hand over to the swings. I sat down and he started to push me.
"I love the swings. They were always my favorite when I was a little kid. I would swing as high as I could, and nothing could ever touch me," I told him.
"I'll make sure nothing can ever hurt you again," John said sincerely.
"Sit down Bender. We need to talk,"
"Bender? You never call me that," he said, and I could see the panic in his eyes.
"Relax. It doesn't mean anything,"
"So what do you want to talk about?" he asked.
"What are we?"
"What are we? I believe we are people," he replied.
"What do you think of me as?" I asked trying to understand his feelings.
"I think of you as Claire. You're the princess, and I'm the criminal. What are you asking me?"
"I don't know. I just thought maybe you considered me something,"
"I don't consider you," he said.
"Oh," was all I could manage to respond.
"That Saturday, I told you I just considered the girls in my wallet. I would never put you in the same category as those girls. You mean so much more to me than they ever could,"
"But you said I was just the princess,"
"You are. You are the princess who ate lunch with the nerd. You are the princess who bought the limo for all of us. You are the princess who helped Allison with all this prom shit, and you are the princess who gave it all up…for a guy like me,"
I just smiled, and he started to walk over to me. He grabbed my hands, and I stood up.
He kissed me more passionately than anyone else ever had. I didn't want to let go because I didn't want this perfect moment to end.
"Claire Standish, will you be my girlfriend?" he asked.
"Don't you mean one of them? I mean, you don't believe in just one guy one girl," I said.
"I guess I've changed a little bit," he said with a smile.
"In that case, I'll consider it," I said with a laugh, and he grabbed me around the waist and spun me around.
"Oh course I will be your girlfriend, John," I said making sure to emphasize his name.
When we walked back inside, prom was almost over, and Brian, Kendra, Allison, and Andy were waiting for us.
When they saw us walking in, Allison said, "It's about time," and everyone started laughing.
"It looks like we are all going to take a chance at love," Kendra said.
I couldn't agree more.