Saturday May 9, 1987
5pm
Chevonne sat at Elaine's dressing table as Elaine finished curling her hair. Chevonne had decided to wear her hair over to one side and curled. Judi was there as well, both moms helping her to get dressed for prom. Elaine had also gone to check on Randy several times and helped him tie his bowtie.
"You look just beautiful. Roman is going to be stunned." Elaine said.
"I can't believe how grown up you are. You look wonderful." Judi agreed.
Elaine finished the last curl and stepped away. "There you go. You are all ready for prom."
Chevonne stood up and looked in the full length mirror by the door. Her long white gown with lace sleeves fit her perfectly and she was wearing white heels. Her hair looked beautiful and Elaine had loaned her a pearl necklace to wear.
"Thank you, both my mama's…you both have helped so much with tonight. I really appreciate it." She smiled.
"You're welcome. You just go tonight and have a wonderful time." Judi hugged her.
"And you make sure Roman behaves. I was young once too." Elaine hugged her.
"I should get downstairs; the others will be here soon." Chevonne said.
She walked out of the room and down the stairs. Randy was on the couch next to Bob who was cleaning his guns.
"Papa Orton, what are you doing?" she asked.
"Cleaning my guns. I want Roman to see them and know he better respect you." Bob said.
"I have heard of men doing this, but this is the first time I have actually seen it." Judi laughed.
"Bob, don't you think this is a bit much?" Elaine chuckled.
"Hell no, I have a beautiful daughter and she has a boyfriend and I want him to know I am very protective of her. And I want Randy to see what will happen if he makes me a grandpa before I am old enough to be one." Bob said.
"Hey….Lilian is just my friend." Randy protested.
"What is your point?" Bob looked at him. "I was a teenage boy once and I know how their minds work."
"Papa Orton you have nothing to worry about." Chevonne assured him.
He smiled up at her. "You look beautiful. I have never seen you look so pretty."
"Thank you. I love my dress. I can't thank you enough for it." She smiled.
"Both our kids look great! Randy looks so handsome." Judi smiled.
They heard car doors slamming and realized the others had arrived. Randy got up and hurried to the door with Chevonne. There in the driveway was a gray limo with their friends climbing out of it. Behind the limo were the parents in a few cars as everyone had agreed to meet at the Orton's to take pictures and see the kids off.
The guys were all dressed in their tuxedos with cummerbunds to match their date's gowns. The girls were all dressed up in the gowns they had bought last month with their hair done. Alicia was with Jey, having been picked up earlier. She was wearing a strapless green gown with sequins at the top and satin ruffles from the waist to knees. Lilian was there as well, wearing a short black satin dress.
Chevonne hurried over and hugged Roman. He stood a moment and stared at her.
"You look beautiful…..I mean, I have always thought you were beautiful but…you're breathtaking." He smiled.
"Thank you...I never seen you dressed up before. You're so handsome. You look like some European male model." She smiled.
"Enjoy it now…this bowtie is killing me." He said as she hugged him again.
He handed her a large box. She lifted the lid and saw a bouquet of daisies and a corsage of white roses.
"You didn't have to get me a corsage and a bouquet." She smiled and kissed him.
"I wanted to. And it kept me from arguing with myself over which you would prefer." Roman winked.
"Thank you. They are beautiful." She kissed him again.
He helped her put her corsage on her wrist and she held her bouquet, noticing that Elaine was already snapping pictures of Randy and Lilian. Naomi and Brandi hurried over to them.
"You look gorgeous. I am half-wishing I had bought that dress myself." Naomi hugged Chevonne.
"Oh please, you look too pretty for words in that blue. And I love your hair." Chevonne chuckled. "And Brandi….you will never get Cody to behave all night wearing that."
"Don't I know it. He is already whispering naughty things when no one is listening." Brandi laughed.
"Where is Brett?" Chevonne asked.
"He saw us off earlier. He says he might join us for the after party." Brandi said.
Roman's parents hurried over to the group. They had been taking pictures of the twins and some of the other guys.
"Roman, go on home. I am taking this lovely lady to prom." Sika joked.
Chevonne chuckled. "Thank you. I am so glad you came to see us off."
"You look just stunning. All you girls look terrific." Mrs. Reigns hugged them.
"Come on kids, we want some group pictures." Elaine yelled.
The kids all headed for the house.
"By the way, Papa Orton is cleaning his guns as a warning." Chevonne whispered to Roman.
"Oh great, threatened on prom night." Roman rolled his eyes.
The kids walked into the house and the parents immediately began standing them together for a series of pictures: all the guys together, all the girls together, all the couples together, each couple with parents, each couple etc. Through it all Bob cleaned his guns except when he stood with the kids for a few pictures.
"Are we gonna be like this when we are parents?" Jey asked.
"Oh yes!" Mrs. Uso said. "When you raise children and they make you proud by succeeding, staying out of trouble and finishing high school, you celebrate the big moments and take lots of pictures."
"Makes me feel old, Cody is the baby and he is going off to his senior prom." Dusty said.
"Well I just have Chevonne, but she is such a blessing and I couldn't be prouder." Judi said.
"Let's take one more of all the kids by the limo and let them get started on their big night." Elaine said.
"And Chevonne and Lilian better come home in the morning in the same dress they are wearing now." Bob said.
"Same goes for Naomi and Alicia." Fatu said.
"I second that." Mr. Knight said.
"Brandi too." Dusty said.
"And Kristin too." Ted Sr. said.
"Our parents have so much faith in us." Cody said.
The kids all walked out the door, followed by the parents. They lined up by couple in front of the limo and the parents snapped off several pictures. Finally the parents finished and the limo driver opened the door. The kids all piled into the limo, a tight fit but no one complained.
"Can you believe it? We're off to our senior prom." Ted said as the limo pulled out of the Orton driveway.
"It is gonna be a great night." Randy said.
"Let's have a toast." Jimmy said as he started digging in the fridge. "We got sodas."
"I guess at our age that is all we're allowed….legally." Brandi laughed.
"Especially after that big speech Mr. Flair gave yesterday." Ted chuckled.
They passed cans of soda around until everyone had one. Everyone was smiling as they opened their cans.
"Here is to an awesome senior prom!" Jimmy raised his can.
"To a fun night with the prettiest girls in the school!" Ted raised his can.
"To great friends, wouldn't wanna share tonight with anyone else!" Naomi said.
"To our three prom court ladies, making Miss America look like a bag lady!" Jey said.
"To our handsome dates, despite how much the tuxes annoy them!" Brandi said.
"To friends that are more like family, making the rough times easier and the good times even better!" Chevonne said.
"To my cousins, new friends and girlfriend who made moving here easier." Roman said.
"To finally being seniors and going out in style." Randy said.
They clinked their cans together and took a drink. They chatted and laughed the rest of the ride to the school.
As they pulled up in front of the school, they could hear some music coming out of the gym and saw several students and chaperones standing around outside. The limo stopped and after a few moments the driver opened the limo door. The couples exited the limo with the guys helping the girls and making sure they had their flowers.
"Hey there is Dustin." Cody said.
They looked over and saw Dustin hurrying towards them.
"Glad I caught you kids before you went in." Dustin said. "I didn't get a chance to see you guys at home. I got caught up at work and missed everyone at home and the Orton's."
"Don't worry; everyone took enough pictures that you can see every breath we took." Cody hugged him.
"Wow you kids look so grown up. I can't get over it." Dustin smiled. "I remember when Cody and Teddy were going to see Santa at the mall. And Randy and Chevonne hunting Easter eggs with them in the park."
"I never knew prom made people get so sentimental." Chevonne chuckled.
"I thought it made people horny." Randy said.
"Stick with me Lilian; I'll make sure he behaves." Chevonne laughed.
"You kids better get in there. Have a fun night, but be safe and behave." Dustin said.
"See you tomorrow. Thanks for coming." Chevonne hugged him.
"Don't worry; we'll take care of the girls." Ted assured him.
"Tell you all about it in the morning." Cody said.
"And no making me an uncle!" Dustin said.
The couples turned and headed into the school to the gym. As they neared the gym, they saw Coach Richter at a table outside the gym where the prom court voting was taking place. There were other kids around the table voting. Coach Richter smiled at them as they approached the table.
"You kids look great. Each of you take a ballot and vote for just one of the ladies." Richter said.
"I don't know who to vote for." Brandi said.
"Me either." Cody said.
"Yeah…..I love all three of our girls." Jey said.
"I am gonna flip a coin." Lilian said.
"Everyone just vote for whoever you want and keep it to yourself. That way no one has anything to feel guilty about or get mad about." Naomi said.
"Good idea." Kristin said.
The entire group took a ballot and voted for the prom court. They folded their ballots and put them in the box. As they entered the gym, large glitter letters spelled out 'Take My Breath Away'. Peter Cetera's 'Glory of Love' was playing over the speakers. They walked along a long blue carpet and at the end of the carpet was arch of blue and silver balloons.
They looked around the gym. It was decorated in blue and silver with streamers and balloons, signs and the tables were decorated with table clothes.
"It looks beautiful in here." Chevonne smiled.
"You girls on prom committee was a good thing." Randy said.
"We should get our pictures done and out of the way." Kristin said.
"Good idea." Brandi agreed.
"Come on, they are taking pictures behind the curtain. I see the line." Naomi said.
The couples walked across the gym to where students were lined up for prom pictures. They stood in line behind the others to wait their turn.
"After pictures, can I take off this bowtie? I am going crazy." Randy complained.
"Oh hang in there a little longer." Brandi said.
"Besides, you look very handsome." Chevonne said.
"I hope they play some good music tonight." Cody said.
"Looks like they are getting the buffet set up for dinner." Ted said.
"Seth and Dean called me today." Roman told Chevonne as they waited in line.
"I know you miss them. What did they say?" she smiled.
"They wanted to talk to me before I went to prom. Their prom is next weekend. They said some stuff I won't repeat….typical guys." He said.
"I hope I get to meet them. They sound like wonderful friends." She said.
(7pm)
The prom was underway as most students were seated and enjoying their dinner while a few students were still getting photos taken. Randy was sitting with his friends as they had pushed a few tables together and were all enjoying dinner together.
"I can't believe John Cena came. I thought he would avoid the prom after Nikki was murdered." Kristin whispered to Chevonne.
"Maybe he just wanted to put the whole thing behind him and enjoy the evening." She whispered back.
"Can I have everyone's attention?" Mr. Flair stood at the microphone on the decorated stage. "In just a few minutes we will be starting the dancing. Ms. Richter wants to remind everyone that if you have not yet voted for prom court, please do so now. Just a few more reminders, students remember to keep your dancing appropriate, nothing vulgar or suggestive."
"Does that mean I should cancel the strippers?" Randy chuckled.
"Everyone enjoy the prom, the music will be restarting and you may take to the dance floor." Mr. Flair said.
"I am going to the restroom before the dancing starts." Naomi said.
"I will go with you." Chevonne said.
"Me too." Lilian said.
"I'll go too." Brandi said.
"What do you ladies do in there?" Jimmy asked as the girls stood up.
"Secret things we will never tell you." Kristin laughed.
The guys shook their heads as the ladies headed to the restroom.
"Are they really gonna make us dance?" Roman asked.
"Do like the rest of us, sway and move your feet a bit to make the girls happy." Jey said.
"Besides, Cody is the one that breaks out dancing like he is Kevin Bacon." Ted rolled his eyes.
In the restroom, the ladies were checking their hair and make-up.
"You ready for a romantic night with tall dark and handsome?" Naomi asked.
"I swear if he smiles at me one more time in that tux, I am gonna melt." Chevonne chuckled.
"The guys all look nice tonight. Hard to believe those are the same guys that we see every day." Brandi said.
"Cody behaving?" Kristin asked.
"Of course not. I am about to sign him up for his own 900 number and make a fortune." Brandi said.
"Cody talking dirty…..I have grown up with him so that would kill my libido." Chevonne laughed.
"That is why I trust you around him and nearly scratched that Rosa bitch's eyes out." Brandi said.
"We better get back out there before someone moves in on our men." Lilian said.
"You have nothing to worry about. One thing Randy's dad has taught him well, you leave with the one you brought, treat her like a lady and beat the hell out of any guy that gets fresh with Chevonne." Kristin said.
"Chevonne, I have always wanted to ask….as close as you and Randy are…have you two ever…..done anything?" Alicia asked.
"Oh heavens no. Randy and I are siblings…truly in our hearts we are, we just lack the bloodline." Chevonne said. "I am the first to admit that Randy is very handsome…but it would feel like incest if we ever….I can't even see trying anything."
"Okay ladies, let's get back to our men." Naomi said.
(8pm)
The couples were dancing as the prom was in full swing. Randy kept a close eye on Chevonne even though he trusted Roman. He noticed they were dancing close with her resting her head on his chest. Randy focused back on Lilian who was smiling and talking about the after prom party.
"You know, I am having more fun than I thought I would." Roman said as 'Almost Paradise' by Mike Reno and Ann Wilson played.
"You didn't think you would enjoy prom?" Chevonne looked up at him, eyes full of confusion.
"I thought prom would be fun, but it's better than I thought it would be. The dancing isn't as bad as I thought….it helps having the other guys." He chuckled.
"You dance just fine. And you look so handsome." She kissed him.
"Of course getting to watch you girls dance is a bonus." Roman winked. "You are six gorgeous ladies!"
"How do you always know the right thing to say?" she kissed him.
The music sped up as 'Living in America' began playing. The couples moved apart and more or less formed a big clump; the girls dancing while the guys swayed and watched.
"Great, now I am stuck in a Rocky movie." Randy rolled his eyes.
"I feel like I should go warn Apollo Creed he is about to get killed." Jey chuckled.
"Cody, you are not James Brown." Jimmy laughed at Cody's antics.
"I am so ready for the after party. And I can't wait to get out of this bowtie." Ted said. "I hope Brett decides to come."
"Oh my goodness, girls look at Mr. Hart…..he looks so nice dressed up for prom." Kristin pointed him out where he was talking to Coach Austin.
"I wish he would get out here and dance." Naomi said.
"He is so cute in those jeans and cowboy boots." Chevonne chuckled as they danced.
"You'll have to excuse these girls, Mr. Hart is the school heart throb around here." Jimmy told Roman.
"I have heard the girls talking about him before." Roman laughed.
"Wonder how they would feel if we started fawning over the female teachers?" Jey laughed.
"If you wanna fawn over Ms. Ellison, go right ahead." Alicia joked.
"Isn't she like 70 years old? She needs to retire already." Teddy said.
(9pm)
The music died down as Mr. Flair and Coach Richter walked on the stage in the prom. Some students stayed on the dance floors while others took seats at the tables.
"It is now time to crown our 1987 Prom Queen and Princesses, this is a moment I know many of you have been waiting on." Mr. Flair said.
The girls all huddled together with the guys standing behind them. Brandi, Alicia and Lilian stood with Kristin, Chevonne and Naomi; all of them holding hands for support. The guys were glad that the girls could support each other instead of cat fighting.
"Our first Prom Princess 1987….Miss Kristin Tynes." Mr. Flair announced.
The girls all hugged and congratulated Kristin. Kristin quickly kissed Ted and then walked on the stage. They all cheered as Ms. Richter hugged Kristin, then put her Princess Sash on her and carefully placed a crown on her head and handed her a bouquet of red roses.
"And our next Prom princess 1987….Miss Chevonne Williamson." Mr. Flair announced.
Chevonne was a bit shocked as everyone began hugging her. She quickly kissed Roman and Randy gave her a huge hug. She hurried on stage where Ms. Richter hugged her. She smiled as Ms. Richter put her princess sash on her, then carefully placed her crown on her head and handed her a bunch of red roses. She moved over to stand by Kristin and they hugged and congratulated each other.
"And now…our Prom Queen 1987…..Miss Naomi Knight!" Mr. Flair announced.
Everyone cheered as Naomi quickly hugged everyone, kissed Jimmy and then hurried on stage. Ms. Richter put the queen sash on Naomi and placed the crown on her head and handed her a bunch of white roses. Kristin and Chevonne both hugged Naomi as they stood on the stage. The three ladies stood on stage smiling as the crowd clapped and cheered. Their group of friends were yelling the loudest with Randy and Cody whistling loudly.
"What a beautiful prom court, lovely ladies indeed." Mr. Flair said. "Our prom court will now have the traditional royalty dance with their respective dates."
Kristin, Chevonne and Naomi walked down the stairs as Ted, Jimmy and Roman met them on the dance floor. The prom theme song 'Take My Breath Away' began playing as the couples began dancing.
"Did you ever see three more gorgeous ladies in crowns?" Randy said watching them dance.
"Not in Walkerton." Brandi agreed.
"They all look so happy." Jey said. "I am glad our three girls won."
The couples continued dancing as the photographer took some candid shots of the prom court and their dates dancing.
"You looked so beautiful on that stage. I didn't even notice the other two; you were beaming and look so beautiful."
"This must be a fairy tale. It sounds corny but….I only ran for prom court for something fun with my friends. I never thought I would end up a princess." Chevonne smiled.
"Would it be corny if I called you my princess?" Roman winked.
"A little, but I love it anyway." She kissed him.
Back along the edge of the dance floor, the others were quietly talking as they watched the court dancing.
"Chevonne and Roman been snuggling and kissing a lot tonight." Jey said.
"Well it is prom, what did you expect?" Brandi asked.
"Besides, one look and you can see those are three couples in love." Lilian smiled.
"Just as long as his pants stay zipped." Randy said.
"Randy….you can't keep her a virgin forever." Cody sighed.
"I know." Randy sighed. "And I like Roman. It is just….."
"If he is this way over his sister…imagine what he will be like if he has a daughter." Jey chuckled.
As the song ended, other couples joined the dance floor. Chevonne told Roman she wanted a dance with Randy so Roman politely asked Lilian to dance.
"It just wouldn't be right if I didn't dance with my brother." She said.
"You are beautiful princess. Dad is going to be so proud." Randy told her.
"Chevonne, after this song I need you, Kristin and Naomi to come get your formal prom court pictures taken. The photographer will be waiting for you girls." Ms. Richter said as she walked by.
"So now that you and Kristin are princesses, are you two gonna wear metal bikinis?" Cody danced by with Brandi.
"Yes, I thought I would break mine out at the after party." Chevonne rolled her eyes.
"You look really happy with Roman. I am glad you found such a nice boyfriend." Randy said.
"Me too. This night has turned out to be wonderful." She smiled.
As the song ended, the three ladies made sure they had their roses and went to get their formal pictures done. The three girls walked over to where the formal pictures were being taken.
"I am so happy for you girls." Kristin said.
"It is so nice, all three of us on prom court." Naomi hugged them.
"I wouldn't want it any other way." Chevonne smiled.
"There is the prom court. You ladies look wonderful. Just a few pictures and you can get back to the festivities." The photographer said. "Okay let's get the queen in the middle and one princess on each side of her. We need a few for the yearbook and the local newspaper."
The ladies lined up in front of the props as told.
"Okay, princesses, hold your flowers just a bit more to the side…perfect." The photographer snapped off a few photos.
"I am so proud of you three ladies." Coach Richter walked over to stand near the photographer. "I have watched you girls for the past four years and you have really become wonderful young women."
"I need to adjust the lights for my next shot. It'll just be a second." The photographer said.
The girls stood patiently while the photographer adjusted his lights. He walked to the side of the balloon arch and began moving the lights. As he moved one light something large fell through the curtain. The girls turned and saw it was a bloody body. All three began screaming as the photographer backed away in shock.
"It's Dustin! Oh my god it's Dustin!" Chevonne screamed.
To Be Continued