It's finally time for another chapter! Hope you guys enjoy!

***One Year Later***

"Katy, hurry up! You're going to be late!" my mother yelled up at me from the living room.

"I'm coming, just a second!" I screamed back down at her, maybe a little too harsh.

I checked myself over in the mirror one more time, making sure my sleek red dress, curled hair, and makeup were all in place. I wanted to look perfect. Well, as perfect as someone like me could get, anyway.

I was still the biggest tomboy in the school; there was no doubt about that. But I had improved a little, with my mother's and good friend Mariah's help. Although I still refused to wear makeup at school, they had somehow managed to get me into a few feminine sweaters, blouses, and even sandals occasionally throughout the year. I made a fuss at first, but they had insisted, their excuse being that it was my senior year and I had to "go out with a bang."

Other than my slight change in wardrobe, nothing big had changed in my life. It seemed strange sometimes, because I had been anticipating senior year to be so much more exciting, so fast-paced. I figured it would be full of parties and fun, all leading up to our ever-anticipated, quickly approaching, light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel event: graduation.

But the school year came and went, and somehow, I was left feeling incomplete. I felt like I had missed out on something important, but I had no idea what it was. And now, with only three weeks left before graduation, the feeling was nagging at me constantly.

Finally satisfied with how I looked, I rushed downstairs to my mother.

"Oh, my darling. You look so stunning!" she sighed, always overcome with joy whenever she saw me in a dress.

"Thanks, mom" I said right before my head shot up upon hearing the knocking at the front door.

I hurried over to the door, flung it wide open, and there he was. His smiling face bore down on mine, his eyes immediately shooting down to my dress. Red was his favorite color. Obviously, I was well aware of the fact. Nowadays, I could wear the color several days in a row without even noticing. Once I had even retreated in embarrassment, my face turning as red as the blouse I was wearing when Joe casually mentioned that this past year I had worn more red than I probably had in my entire life. But he insisted he liked it, so I just kept wearing it.

Joe and I remained best friends throughout the year, our platonic relationship as strong as it had ever been. Neither of us dated anyone else, but that was hardly our worry because we had been so immersed in our studies and college applications to even think about anything else.

No one else mattered to me, anyway. I still only had one person on my mind constantly, and no matter what I did, I couldn't seem to get him out. I was so angry with myself for letting my feelings continue this long; they had done nothing but cause me pain. But every glance he sent my way, whatever walls I may have once built always came crashing down, and I wanted nothing more than to gaze into his eyes and drown in his simple perfection forever.

I heard my mother clear her throat, and I suddenly realized Joe and I had been staring at each other for what would be considered an inappropriate amount of time. I silently ushered him inside and we quickly stood side by side for pictures.

After a few minutes, my mother hurried us out the door, and we were on our way to the banquet.

No, we weren't going to prom. By some crazy coincidence, my scholarship banquet and prom just so happened to fall on the exact same day. My mother had been so disappointed because she had been looking forward to my prom practically since the day I was born. But this year I had been fortunate enough to receive a special scholarship, along with about ten others in my class, for having a high grade point average and being one of the highest ranked students in my class.

Attending the banquet was something I really couldn't turn down, so I began to make plans accordingly. We were allowed to bring one guest, and naturally I asked my mother to join me. But she refused, insisting I take Joe instead.

This was the second time now that I had asked Joe to be my date for something, except this time it was about a million times more awkward than before. I had stumbled on my words and refused to meet his eyes the entire time I was asking, but he still happily accepted.

Although I was doubtful, Joe said he wasn't planning on going to prom anyway since there was no one besides me that he would've asked. That earned another deep blush from me while he chuckled to himself lightly. He seemed a little embarrassed by what he said, although there was really no reason for him to be. There were a few girls in particular that I knew would have said yes to him any day-I was just glad that he didn't seem to take notice.

We made the twenty minute drive to the hotel where the banquet was being held. For my seventeenth birthday the previous summer, my family and even Joe had saved up enough money to buy me a car. It was plain and had definitely been used for a few years before, but I loved it simply because of all the wonderful people that it came from.

Finally, I pulled up into a parking space, Joe opened my door for me, and together we walked through the fancy doors of the hotel and into the party that awaited us.

Stay tuned for the banquet which will be uploaded soon!