Prom Night!
Bella receives a special surprise...
Chapter 27
I can feel you breathing/ With your hair on my skin/ As we lie here within the night …Grow old with me / Let us share what we see/ And all the best it could be/ Just you and I ―Grow old with me by Tom Odell
Bella's POV
Today is a special day for seniors. It marks the beginning of the end of school year. We are about to be thrown to the world. Some classmates are excited about leaving school, others are sad. I'm in between. Part of me will miss school. Because I met Edward and I'll miss the memories I shared with him, I'll miss my classmates and well I'll miss my so called friends. Another part of me is happy, because I'll be exploring the outside, I feel like I have been in a shell. I need to spread my wings and fly. I'm nervous about the latter. I've seen how time ruins relationships. It seems that expending a lot of time with the same person highlights the worse of them. I don't want that to happen. I know not all couples are like that. The Cullens are an example of that. I don't know Carlisle and Esme that well, but something I'm sure of is that they love each other unconditionally. Their eyes sparkle every time they see each other. I know I'm thinking way ahead of time. Edward wants to marry some years after university and I feel the same way.
I need to clear my head, so I take a shower. While I'm getting ready for my shower, there's a knock on my door. I walk and open the door and see my parents smirking. I move to a side and let them in; they walk and head to my bed where my dress lies along with my heels.
They turn to face me. Dad is the first to speak. "Bella, sweetheart. We're very proud of you. I know we're not the best folks a kid needs, but we love you deeply."
I did not see that coming. Mom is next.
"We've been talking with your dad and we thought you deserve to have your hair done in a beauty salon. We have a gift card for you. So you can choose the style of your choice. We also bought the makeup service, so you'll be shinning on this special day."
I'm speechless. I was going to do my hair and makeup, but this is something special. They are being thoughtful and that's more than I expected from them.
"T-thank you. I wasn't expecting this." I can't hold myself anymore. I run and embrace them in a big hug. Tears running down my face.
"There's no time to waste. Edward will come in a couple of hours." Mom says interrupting the moment and she continues "I'll drive Bella to the salon."
"That's a good idea. I'll wait for my two beautiful ladies." I know dad is pleased he's not going to the salon. It'd be awkward for him to be surrounded by machines and floral scents.
"Alright, I'll just change into something easy to remove so I don't ruin my hair and makeup." They leave my room. I rush and put on a pair of sweatpants and a buttoned shirt. Just then I receive a call from Jessica. I wonder what she wants.
"Bella! Are you getting ready for prom?"
"Yes. In fact I'm heading to the salon to have my hair and makeup done."
"You are? Wow. That's great." I can hear she's not pleased with the news. But honestly, I don't care anymore.
"I have to go now. I'll see you later." I hang up, I can't lose more time in chitchat.
Before I leave my room, I double check Edward's present is in the purse I'm taking to prom. I can't wait to see how he'll react when he sees what I got him. I smile just to think of it.
Dad takes a picture of me walking down the stairs. He takes me by surprise.
"What was that for?" I ask, not sure of his plans.
"It's the before photo. Then we can compare it with the picture I'm planning to take when you're all dressed up."
"Alright, I get it. Just let me know before you take it, ok?"
"Sure." He kisses my forehead.
Mom drives us to the beauty salon. Inside, we're greeted by the receptionist. She directs us toward a small waiting area. She gives me a book with different hairstyles for me to choose one. After looking through some pages I finally found one that will look great with my dress. Mom seems to like it too. Just then, a girl with a bob cut calls me and guides me to a salon chair I show her the picture of the hairstyle and that's the beginning of the excruciating preparation for prom.
While the girl is working on my hair, I realize I forgot my cell phone at home. I just hope to get home soon to check if Edward called me or messaged me. I don't know the time they'll pick me up. The girl turns me around and I can't believe my eyes. My hair has never looked that way before. It shines and falls down in soft waves. It looks really beautiful and that's just the hair, I can't imagine how I'll look when they're done with me.
Mom decided to stay in the waiting room; she wants to see me after the mini make over. Another girl greets me and tells me she'll be doing my makeup. I tell her about the color of my dress and my accessories. She asks me if I had an idea of how I want to look. I tell her I don't want to look like a raccoon and she just giggles and promised me I won't. So I close my eyes and try to imagine how the night will be. I'm not a good dancer and from what I recall, Edward is great. I know he won't force me to dance if I don't want to, but I don't want him to stop doing something he likes just because of me, so I'll dance if he asks me to.
I must have fallen asleep, the girl pats my shoulder and tells me she's almost done. She directs me too look down then up and to not close my eyes. Then, she tells me to open my mouth for the lipstick. She places me in front of the mirror and I feel like crying, but I remind myself not to cry or the makeup will run, though the makeup artist told me it's waterproof.
As expected my voicemail and inbox have new messages. They're mainly from Jessica and Angela, I skipped them and go directly to the one from Edward, he's picking me up in twenty minutes, I need to get dressed quickly.
I call my mom for help; I need someone to pull the zipper up. When she's done, I see some tears in her eyes. I walk to the mirror and I can't believe what I see. It's like looking a twin sister but fancier and prettier. I've never imagined a visit to the beauty salon could result in this. In a way I recognize my normal self, but it's been highlighted in the right spots. The hair falls in a cascade of brown shiny curls a silver brooch holds part of the hair up to a side.
"Sweetheart, you look amazing. I know grandma Swan would be very happy that you're using her hair brooch." My mom says turning me around so we're face to face.
"Mom, you're gonna make me cry." I've been holding my tears since I was in the beauty salon, I doubt I can resist any longer.
"What's taken you so long?" My dad enters unannounced, scaring my mom and I. He seems to realize what's going on, because his face softens as he comes closer to me.
"Is that my mother's brooch on your hair?" I nod and he looks contrite.
"Mom gave it to me in the salon. I can take it off if you want to." I don't want to use it without his permission.
"No, that's fine, keep it. It looks good on you." I know Charlie feels uncomfortable showing any emotion.
"It's almost time, we should go downstairs." My mom signals the clock on my bedside table. Edward will be here in any minute.
"I'll be there in a minute." I need to leave Edward's present ready so I can give it to him after prom.
When I get to the first floor, dad tells me he's going to take a picture of me. I smile and stand still while he takes more than one picture. Just when I thought he was done, he calls my mom so we can have a group photo. We move towards the chimney and he places the camera on top of it and runs to my right. He repeats the process three times, saying the picture can be improved. Finally, on the third try he looks satisfied with the result. The doorbell rings and mom runs to open the door. She squeals from excitement leaving my dad and I stunned.
"Come in. Wow, Edward you're ravishing!" She practically drags him through the door. Charlie walks and stops both of them.
"Son, remember I'm the Chief of Police. Anything you do to my little girl will be use against you in a court of law. You hear me?" He grabs Edward's shoulder and looks him directly in the eyes.
Edward looks overwhelmed and he just nods in response.
"Charlie! You'll scare the poor boy. Leave him alone! He wouldn't try to hurt Bella, would you?" Renee stares at Edward and he seems to have lost the ability to talk.
"I'm just kidding, son. Get next to Bella for a picture. It'll be evidence that you were with her tonight." Renee smacks Charlie on the shoulder. They seem to be having fun scaring Edward for life. I doubt he'll dare taking me to another dance.
Edward does what he's told and walks directly towards me. I can finally see him clearly. Mom was right, he's really ravishing. He looks like a model from a magazine. Black suit, white shirt and a purple tie. The tie matches my dress completely. I bet Alice had something to do with it. He's holding a transparent box.
"Hi." He can barely speak. I think he's still scared from my parents' comments.
"Hi." I reply, unable to speak. My heart is pounding so hard, I'm afraid everyone will hear it beating.
Edward opens the box containing some flowers. A corsage. It has lavender roses blended with sweet pink spray roses and baby breath put together in a lavender satin and sheer organza ribbon. I've never had a corsage before, but I've seen them. This is the most beautiful corsage I've ever seen. It's delicate and elegant.
"Time for a picture. Smile!" My dad says, forcing us out of our bubble. Edward hugs me and I hug him back.
Before my parents can say something else, Edward tells them, he'll bring me back before midnight. To my surprise, my parents don't object and just escort us to the limo.
"You take care, sweetheart." My mom embraces me in a hug. Dad just nods towards Edward and hugs me awkwardly.
This is going to be a great night.
A/N: Thank you for your reviews and your favs, they mean so much. I can't wait to read your thoughts about this chapter.
You can follow me on Twitter MsSadkittycat. I'll post pics about this and other chapters.
Disclaimer: I do not own the lyrics of the song Grow old with me, written by Tom Odell, and produced by Dan Grech-Marguerat. No copyright infringement is intended.