Prom night... It was every girl's dream. Although Alesia never had high expectations of it, she had fantasized about it now and then. But now her exams were done, Prom was tomorrow and nobody had asked her.
Of course no one had asked her.
She knew they called her scar face behind her back, so who would want to hold her arm on a night like that?
She didn't have a lot of friends anyway. Actually, Esai was the only one. But he became a very close one, she had to admit that. It was just hard to make friends if you were forced to leave two great guys like Angel and Gilly behind, especially when knowing you would have to say goodbye to your new friends by the end of the year anyway. She was often on the phone with Gilly, but Angel had never been the guy who liked to call. However, next week they would come over to Oakland to celebrate their graduation. It made her chest feel a little lighter.
A pebble hit the window. Although she knew who had thrown it, she walked over to the wall and looked outside. Below her, on the street, Esai waved at her, his typical smirk adorning his handsome face.
He could have rang the doorbell too. He could even simply walk in. Yet, he always announced his arrival with this. Whether he was simply fucking lazy or had copied this move from some movie thinking it was cool, she didn't know.
She wasn't the least surprised that he had shown up in front of her house; he always stopped by unannounced, taking her for a walk or to hang out at the clubhouse. Close to her grandmother's house was an enormous oak where they use to sit and talk. It was her most favorite place in Oakland, perhaps because it was the only thing that felt like hers.
"I'm curious as hell to your dress tomorrow," Esai smirked, sitting down in the grass with his back against the tree. He lit a smoke. "Never seen you wear one."
"Well you're neither going to see it tomorrow," she answered, rolling her eyes.
Frowning, he looked aside. "Why not?"
"Because I'm not going."
"Of course you're going!"
A sad sigh rolled over lips. She wrapped her arms around her knees, leaning with her chin on her knees. "No one asked me and I won't go alone."
"Of course no one asked you, the whole school knows you're going to prom with me."
"It's okay, Esai. I don't need pity."
"Pity?" He turned towards her, laying a hand on her knee. She swallowed – getting used to his touches was simply impossible. It made her feel hot all over. For months she was ignoring the effect he had on her mind and body, but the feelings always came back. Hard. "I didn't even think about asking someone else," he said. His eyes met hers, then he suddenly looked away, his cheeks slightly turning red. "I thought it was obvious that we were going together."
Alesia didn't know how to respond. To her, it had been anything but obvious. Esai could get whatever chick he wanted, girls were always giggling and blushing when he walked past them.
"So you better hurry up and get yourself a pretty dress huh," he said, bumping her knee and giving her a cocky grin. His confidence was back.
She smiled softly, glad she wasn't the type of girl that would stress over a piece of clothe.
It was a dark green vintage cocktail dress that she was wearing the next night. Because she wanted to feel pretty for one night, she wore a black and golden Venetian eye mask, made of polyester and lace. Of course everyone knew what scar was underneath it and maybe this would only stress her mutilation, but she wanted to pretend that what had happened almost a year ago wasn't affecting her. Not this night.
Her heart started to flutter when the doorbell rang. It was stupid, she knew that all too well. They were just friends, this wasn't any different from all the other times they used to hang out. Yet, it felt different. She had wanted to look more beautiful than ever, just so he wouldn't have to be ashamed of her, and hell; he even rang the doorbell. As if he was really taking her to a date.
She peeked into the living room and saw that her grandma was already asleep in the chair. Deciding not to wake her up, Alesia picked up her purse and headed to the front door. Once she opened it, she stared in awe at Esai. He was wearing a white button up shirt and a grey waistcoat above a dark jeans. He wore no tie, but it was more fanciful than whatever she had ever seen him wear. And it looked good on him – damn good.
"You look hot," she blurted out. Her cheeks flushed in embarrassment. She had never felt awkward around him before and dreaded the rest of the evening if she was going to behave as stupid as she was doing now.
He smirked, laid an arm around her waist and leaned into her. "You look cute when your cheeks flush," he whispered, his breath hot on her skin.
She shivered.
He kissed her cheek before pulling away from her, giving her a once over. He whistled. "Damn girl. I'm glad you never wore this to school, it would have been torture not to touch you."
Alesia frowned. "Okay now things are getting weird."
He chuckled, holding out his arm. "I better stop talking then."
She climbed on the back of his Harley and wrapped her arms around him tightly. It was only a small distance to the building and she caught herself wishing it had taken a little longer. Once the engine was off, she slid off the bike. Esai gave her a breathtaking smile, then their fingers laced as they walked to the entrance. Before they reached the door, Esai pulled her away from the gathering crowd, laying his large hands on her hips while studying her face in silence. She shifted uncomfortably with her feet, not knowing what the meaning of this was. He lifted his hand, traced the underside of her mask with his thumb.
"You don't have to wear this," he said in a soft voice.
She tried to look away, but he took her chin between his index finger en thumb and forced her to look at him. "You're beautiful, Alesia. And that scar... It's part of who you are. A fighter."
She held her breath when he took the mask between his fingers and pulled it upward. His eyes rested in hers, the kind look in them making her knees feel weak. His thumb traced the scar across her eye. She flinched, squeezing her eye, his touch calling up all kinds of conflicting feelings.
His breathing faltered, then he covered her eyes with the mask again. "Do whatever makes you feel comfortable," he said. "But just now you're beautiful. With and without a mask."
"Thanks," she said softly. "You're a great friend, Esai. I honestly didn't think I would find a real friend after leaving my old friends behind."
He gave her a smile, although she thought to see a hint of disappointment in his eyes. Before she was sure of it, he grabbed her hand and took her to the party area.
Alesia had expected him to stay with her for a couple of songs and then drag her to his friends, but he treated her like a princess, getting her drinks and snacks and not showing the slightest interest in other girls. When a slow song started, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close.
Alesia's heart leaped in her throat while she closed his arms around his neck. Never before she had danced like this with a boy. Feeling him so close to her made her stomach do flip flops and she leaned against him, refusing to look up. His thumbs brushed her lower back, making her wonder how his fingers would feel underneath her dress. The images made her bite her lip.
Slowly he turned her around, swaying her to the music, her head leaning against his shoulder. For a biker kid he knew damn well how to dance... He dipped his head, his lips seemed to touch her hair.
"Why are you hiding your face?" he whispered.
Skittishly she looked up. A blush spread across her cheeks, and the sight of it made him smirk.
"You know damn well why," she muttered.
His hand left her back and cupped her jaw. He bent his head until his forehead was resting against hers. "Are you afraid I will kiss you?"
The look in his blue eyes was intense, making her limbs tremble. Her head was a mess. "Why would you kiss me," she whispered back.
"Because I'm in love with you. Because I can't stop thinking about you since the day we met."
Her hands felt clammy. She knew him well enough to read his expressions and he wasn't lying, nor was he casually flirting. Nervousness swirled through her body, yet the desire to be his was stronger than any other feeling. Her hands slipped away from his shoulders, folding around the sides of her neck. Softly, she pressed her lips against his.
They were warm and soft, and her lips lingered against them for a few seconds before she looked up again. Their was a hint of red on his cheeks too, making her feel dizzy. Could it really be...? This felt like the ultimate teenage girl dream; being kissed by your prince at prom. And yet, it happened.
Esai buried his hand in her hair, his fingertips tickling her scalp. Their lips met again. She opened her mouth, inviting his tongue inside. The music faded, they seemed all alone in their little world where they were exploring each other's mouth, every stroke sending shivers through their whole bodies.
After a long kiss, he captured her in his strong arms, pulling her close. "I'm going to prospect next week," he told her, looking into her eyes. "Be my old lady, Alesia. Be mine and make me the happiest man in the universe."
She smiled up to him, kissing his lips. "I would love to be yours."
They lost themselves in another intimate kiss and gently, Esai led her to the side of the room where it was a little quieter. He took her hands, giving her a happy smile.
She smiled back, feeling like she was somewhere high up in the clouds.
"So uhm... Why now?" she wondered. "Waiting almost a year to make a move isn't exactly your style."
He gave her a smirk. "My dad is awfully protective of you. He warned me you weren't gonna be my new toy and I have moved heaven and earth to prove him I'm serious about you."
"How?" she answered in a light chuckle.
"By not touching any girl since I met you. That's how much I want you, Alesia." He stroked her cheek. "It's strange tho, having to receive the blessing of your own father."
"But he gave it now?"
"Yeah." He leaned into her to kiss her again. "You and me baby. That's all I want for the future."