Friday May 8, 1987 2pm
The auditorium was filling up with students and parents coming to the pre-prom assembly. Jimmy, Jey, Randy, Ted, Cody, Roman and Brandi were all seated together. Kristin, Naomi and Chevonne were backstage getting ready for the assembly.
"I can't believe tomorrow is the prom. It is going to be an awesome night." Brandi said.
"How are the girls doing? Are they nervous?" Jimmy asked.
"Kristin and Naomi were fine. Chevonne is still a little nervous. I assured her I would cheer loud enough to drown out any snickering." Brandi said.
"Practically all of our parents are here." Cody turned around. "There are Ted's folks, Kristin's family, Judi is sitting with Elaine, the Uso's are sitting with Roman's family and Naomi's family…hey even my parents are here. Guess they decided to come." Cody was looking over the crowd.
"Looks like we are gonna have a big crowd at prom tomorrow night." Randy said.
Acting Principal Flair walked up to the podium. Several of the staff including Coach Richter was seated behind him on the stage. Everyone finished taking their seats.
"If I could have everyone's attention I would like to get started." Mr. Flair began as the room quieted down. "I would like to welcome everyone to the pre-prom assembly for Carter High School's 1987 senior prom. I am sure everyone is looking forward to a fun and safe evening."
Behind the stage, the prom court was standing together with their fathers. Kristin and Naomi had both elected to wear black dress suits while Chevonne was wearing bone white. They had done their hair and all three looked lovely. All the fathers were dressed in suits, listening as Mr. Flair introduced the staff and thanked them for their help in the prom preparations.
"Part of the purpose of this assembly today is to go over the rules for prom and the consequences for breaking those rules. It is important that both parents and students are aware of the rules and know that they are in place for a reason." Mr. Flair continued.
"Here it comes, no sex, drugs or rock and roll." Randy whispered and rolled his eyes.
"First of all, no one will be admitted to the prom that does not have prom tickets. Chaperones will be posted at all the doors to enforce this. If you show up and have not purchased a ticket you will not be admitted, I don't care how much you spent on your attire." Mr. Flair said. "Second, absolutely no alcohol is permitted at prom. Anyone found with alcohol will immediately be removed from the school campus and will face suspension. Also anyone who arrives at prom intoxicated from pre-prom partying will not be admitted into the dance."
"Wow, this guy is strict." Jey whispered.
"Third, everyone attending the prom must stay in authorized areas….the gym, restrooms and front entrance. No sneaking into other areas of the school. Chaperones will be patrolling to enforce this. And any couples caught sneaking into the restrooms together will immediately be removed from the school campus."
"Are we allowed to slow dance?" Brandi rolled her eyes.
"Prom will be over at 11pm sharp. Everyone is expected to clear the campus no later than midnight." Mr. Flair said. "During the prom, no provocative or inappropriate dancing will be tolerated. And anyone whose attire is revealing or inappropriate will be refused entrance."
"Is there anything left for him to talk about?" Jey sighed.
"And finally, no weapons are permitted on campus." He finished. "I am sure that everyone is going to be well behaved and we will have a wonderful night. I am certainly looking forward to seeing all the students dressed up and celebrating their senior prom."
"We're gonna be announced next…are you ready for this?" Kristin whispered to the other girls.
"I just hope I don't trip on anything." Naomi chuckled.
"And now I am handing things over to Miss Wendi Richter to introduce our prom court candidates." Mr. Flair said.
There was short applause as Coach Richter walked up to the podium. "Good afternoon. This year we have five ladies running for prom queen. As always two runners up will serve as prom princesses. I have the privilege of introducing this year's candidates."
"Finally, they are gonna introduce the ladies." Jimmy said.
"First up we have Miss Natalya Neidhart being escorted by her father Jim Neidhart. Natalya is a member of the honor society….."
Coach Richter read her biography as Natalya walked across the stage with her father. Behind the curtain the other girls watched, waiting their turn. Natalya stood at the end of the stage with her father behind her as Layla was introduced next.
"I'm next." Kristin said.
"Good luck out there." Chevonne hugged her.
"You look great. We all do." Naomi hugged her.
The girls watched as Kristin and her father walked across the stage. They chuckled as their friends cheered and hollered for Kristin.
"You ready?" Bob asked Chevonne as Naomi and her dad walked out.
"Yes, and thank you again for being here today." She said.
"You don't have to thank me. I am honored to escort my adopted daughter." He kissed her cheek. "I am so proud of you, so is Elaine."
She smiled and took his arm as they started across the stage.
"And our final candidate is Miss Chevonne Williamson being escorted by family friend Bob Orton. Chevonne is a member of the honor society and is ranked in the top ten of the senior class. She has been a member of the pep squad during basketball season for four years and has been a member of the school choir for four years as well. She has lettered in volleyball and this year served as the team co-captain. Chevonne has also volunteered with the local food pantry and the animal shelter. After graduation Chevonne plans to attend Georgia State University but has not yet decided on a major."
As the audience clapped, her friends cheered and hollered, while Randy made whistling noises. Bob squeezed her hand and moved to stand behind her. She smiled at Naomi who was standing beside her
"Ladies and Gentlemen I give you the 1987 Carter High Prom Court." Coach Richter said causing applause and cheers to erupt from the audience.
Mr. Flair stepped back up to the podium. "And what a lovely group of ladies. Glad we have their dad's here to help control the boys."
Everyone chuckled at his small joke.
"I'd like to thank everyone for coming this afternoon. See you tomorrow night and let's have a great prom." Mr. Flair dismissed them.
"You girls did great. I will see all of you here tomorrow night." Coach Richter told them as people began milling around and talking as the assembly broke up.
"Well I don't like to brag but I think we have the three prettiest ladies up here." Mr. Knight said.
"I would agree." Mr. Tynes said.
"Thank you. I have to admit I really enjoyed today." Chevonne smiled.
"I knew you would. It turned out great." Kristin smiled.
"Come on, let's go find our families." Naomi took their arms.
Everyone made their way down into the sea of people looking for their friends and families. Finally their friends caught up to them in the crowd.
"Our three queens, you girls looked great up there." Brandi said.
"Yeah, I almost popped a boner." Jey joked.
"They are our girlfriends." Roman smacked the back of his head.
"I am just going to take that as a compliment." Naomi rolled her eyes.
"And see, no one said or did anything to upset you." Randy told Chevonne.
"I am so glad too. This has been such a great day." She hugged him.
"There is our girl! Honey you were just gorgeous up there." Judi rushed over and hugged Chevonne.
"All of you girls were. I can't believe you are all so grown up." Elaine said.
"Come on Chevonne, there are my parents." Roman said. "Excuse us a minute."
"I can't believe the kids are all grown up." Elaine said to Ted, Sr. who had joined them.
"I know seems like just yesterday we were dressing Ted, Randy and Chevonne up for Halloween parades at the elementary school. Now we are dressing them up for prom." Ted, Sr. said.
"Judi, you have really raised a wonderful young lady. You should be very proud." Dusty said as he found the group.
"Thank you. I have had a lot of help from the Orton's. I like to think that God sent her Randy as a childhood friend knowing that Bob and Elaine would be so good to her." Judi said.
Roman and Chevonne walked over to where the Reigns family was waiting for them.
"Chevonne, you look beautiful. I think my wife took a whole roll of film of you and the girls up there." Sika chuckled.
"Thank you. It is a surprise to see you here." She smiled.
"We wouldn't miss such a big event for Roman's girlfriend." Sika told her.
"Here sweetheart. These are for you." Mrs. Reigns handed her a bouquet of flowers.
"Thank you so much." Chevonne hugged her.
"Let me get a few more pictures." Mrs. Reigns said.
"Oh mom." Roman groaned.
"A lot of other moms are taking pictures." Chevonne pointed out. "My mom is gonna take some too."
Roman and Chevonne posed together for a few pictures while Mrs. Reigns snapped off photos. Sika even joined them for one.
"Let's go join the others. I want some pictures of the twins and Naomi." Mrs. Reigns said.
They walked back through the crowd and joined their friends and parents, many of which were also taking pictures.
"Chevonne, there you are. Go stand with the girls. We want some pictures." Elaine said.
"Mom, what are you gonna be like tomorrow when it is actually prom?" Randy asked.
"Hush, we're all proud of our kids." Elaine said as Chevonne joined Naomi and Kristin.
The girls stood while the parents took several pictures. The parents then took several more pictures of the kids with their significant others and parents.
"Why don't we take the kids out to dinner? All of us. That way we can celebrate with them before prom." Bob said.
"Sounds wonderful. We'll join you." Dusty said.
"Us too." Ted, Sr. said.
"We'll all meet at the Bonanza in town." Bob said.
They all started towards the exit of the auditorium. Everyone was leaving as school had dismissed soon after the assembly was over.
"Wait, I forgot my purse in my locker." Chevonne said.
"Everyone go on, I will walk back with her to get her purse and then we'll meet you at the restaurant." Roman said.
"You sure? We don't mind waiting." Randy said.
"No go on; just save us a few seats there." Roman said.
Roman and Chevonne headed back into the school going towards Chevonne's locker.
"You looked beautiful on stage. You were glowing." Roman told her.
"Thank you. It sounds silly but when no one made any rude remarks….I finally felt like I belonged. And you guys were so great about cheering loud for all of us and making all three of us feel supported." She smiled.
She hurried and opened her locker. "Thanks for walking back with me. I put my purse in here before we went to the auditorium."
"I don't mind. I figure everyone is going to have a hard time at the restaurant finding a table for 25 people." Roman laughed.
"Got it, now we can go." She closed her locker.
They started back down the hall and were startled as Bray Wyatt, Erick Rowan and Luke Harper rounded the corner.
"Chevonne, nice to see you. I figured you would've left with everyone else." Bray said.
"I had to come back to get something." She was startled. "See you Monday."
"Good luck tomorrow night. I think you would make a great prom queen." Bray said.
"Thank you. I appreciate that." Chevonne said.
"Your father really should have been here today. He would've been so proud." Bray said.
"Why would you say something like that?" Chevonne glared.
"What are you trying to get at? Her family is none of your business." Roman stepped up to Bray.
Bray stepped back and put up his hands. "I meant no disrespect. I just meant that any dad would be proud and it is too bad hers was not here today."
"Stay away from her." Roman glared. He took Chevonne's hand and they walked around the others in the hall and continued down the hall.
Once they were outside in the student parking lot, Roman stopped to check on Chevonne.
"Are you okay?" Roman asked.
"Yeah….just why would Bray say something like that to me? He has never made remarks about me not having a dad before." She said.
"Forget him. Don't let him spoil such a good day." Roman said.
"You're right. Let's go." She smiled as they walked to Roman's car.
(10pm)
That evening the twins were relaxing at home with Roman who had come to visit them. They were looking forward to prom the next night. They had enjoyed dinner with their friends and family earlier. The local Bonanza restaurant had to push together several tables for the large group.
"Brett doesn't know if he wants to come to our after party tomorrow." Jimmy said as he handed Roman a soda. "Ted mentioned it earlier at dinner."
"I am hoping he does. It is gonna be a great night." Jey said.
"We're all meeting at the Orton's." Roman said.
"Brandi and Naomi are getting their hair done together in the afternoon." Jimmy said.
"Judi and Elaine are doing Chevonne's hair." Roman said.
"I am so glad that all I have to do is get dressed and show up." Jey said.
"How are things with you and Chevonne? You been spending even more time than usual with her lately." Jey asked.
"Everything is great. I have been staying with her while her mom works late. The murder of that girl back in March has her more spooked than she lets on." Roman said.
"Staying late with her?" Jimmy wagged his eyebrows.
"We haven't done anything serious yet. Although waiting is getting tougher. Spending time with her…and she is beautiful." Roman said. "And she is a snuggler."
"She is very pretty. I am sure you're getting antsy." Jey said.
"She is…but it's more than that. You guys are her friend, you know how sweet she is. Look how she babied Jey when his arm got broken." Roman said.
"Damn Rome, you really like her." Jimmy said.
"No shit. But you remember what it was like waiting on Naomi to be ready." Roman said.
"It sucks, I know." Jimmy said.
"Tomorrow is prom…maybe something will happen." Jey said.
"No, I know she isn't ready for anything like that yet." Roman said.
"I don't think she ever had a boyfriend serious enough to have sex with." Jey said. "Despite the rumors spread by the Sluts R Us twins."
"Shouldn't you two be worried about fooling around with your own dates?" Roman rolled his eyes.
"Come on, its prom…it is going to be the perfect atmosphere. Prom is romantic, you'll be dancing together, spending the whole night together." Jimmy said.
"We'll see what happens. But isn't sex on prom night kinda cliché?" Roman chuckled.
"A great cliché." Jimmy smiled.
(10pm)
Chevonne stood in front of her dresser and mirror and brushed out her hair. She was getting ready for bed, wanting to get plenty of sleep before prom. She glanced down at her dresser and saw a picture of her, Judi and the Orton's together the previous Thanksgiving. She picked it up and looked closer at it, Bray's words from earlier on her mind.
She set the picture back on the dresser and walked out of her room and down the hall to her mom's room. Judi was sitting in bed reading.
"Chevonne, you should be getting some sleep. Tomorrow is a big day." Judi looked up at her.
"I am going to bed soon." She said. "Mom…..would my dad have been proud of me?"
"What? Why are you bringing him up?" Judi frowned.
"I just want to know about him. Today after the assembly…one of the other students made a remark that my real dad should have been there, that he would have been proud…and well, I was just wondering if that is true?" she said.
"I don't want to talk about him." Judi became angry.
"Well I do. I am 18 years old and I don't know anything about him. I have never even seen a picture of him…I don't even know his name. Is it so terrible to want to know my roots?" she said.
"After what that man did, the less you know the better." Judi said.
"Mom that is not fair." Chevonne protested.
"Look….I know you have questions, but he told me very little before he disappeared. I was young, naïve and too stupid to realize what a mess I was in until it was too late." Judi said.
"Is there anyone in town he knew? Someone I could talk to about him?" she tried again.
"No, and I won't talk about it anymore." Judi said.
Chevonne sighed, realizing she was getting nowhere and that further discussion would start a huge fight. She turned to walk out of the room.
"I'll go to bed now. Goodnight mom." She says.
"Chevonne…" Judi called after her. "Any man in his right mind would be proud to have a daughter like you."
"Thanks mom. Goodnight." She smiled and walked on back to her room.
Author's Note- Thanks to those that have been reading and reviewing. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it and how much they brighten my day and motivate me to update faster. You guys are awesome.