June 16th, 10:00AM
And so it was the day of the dreaded Prom. I woke up at 10:00 AM precisely to the shocking realization, that I, in fact, did not have a dress, or a pair of shoes, nor any accessories for such the event, which was why the first thing I did was call April.
The phone rang a good four times, and then she answered “Hello?” in a very tired and groggy tone of voice.
“April! You know The Prom is tonight, right?” I asked frantically.
“Yes, and what about it?”
“I don’t have a dress, nor a pair of shoes, or any accessory.” I declared.
A series of shouts and complaints came from the other side but I didn’t bother to listen.
“Can you help me find something then?” I inquired.
“Well I could have helped you any other day, but today I need to prepare myself for The Prom.” She declared with heavy sarcasm.
“It takes you the whole day to get ready for The Prom?”
“Damn straight it takes me the whole day to get ready for The Prom, what do you think I’m just going to sit around all the bloody-“ but I didn’t wait for her to finish, I merely hung up, for I needed to get myself over to the mall.
I was still in no condition to drive a car, so I’d have to call for a cab, which was unusual for me because I’d only taken a cab twice before. Considering that my family was very wealthy there was usually no need for a taxi.
I took out the phonebook, and called the agency from which you can call for a cab, and soon enough, there was one on its way to the Skidmore Manor.
Before I knew it I was sitting in the backseat of a yellow, and might I add, funny smelling taxi cab.
“So,” the filthy man in the front seat snorted, “Where’re ya going?”
“To the mall, Bedford Mall.” I replied.
“No problem.”
Then the cab began to move, very slowly, and I could only assume that it was my money on the line, money that I could be using to pay for a beautiful Prom dress, but I was too afraid to ask him to speed up because it might have been offending to him.
Despite the filthy drivers slow driving we arrived at Bedford Mall in less than half an hour, and even though I could have gotten there faster on my crutches with my hands and legs tied behind my back, it was nice to feel like a normal civilian.
“60 dollars.” The man grunted.
“60? What-“I was about to complain, but then realized it would be no use, so I handed him a wad of cash then stepped out of the cab.
By now I knew that as soon as I walked into the north entrance I would be faced with two options: Marc Jacobs and Bloomingdales. Both were great so I decided to go with Bloomingdales.
Once inside I could quickly decide on a dress then some shoes and I’d be out of the mall and back into a taxi and back home before I could even say “Prom Night with Elliot.”
In this particular store the clothes were sorted by color, so I decided on greens. It didn’t take me very long to choose though, since I do well with time limits a lot of the time. The dress that I chose was a lime green knee length dress that was made out of a shinny silk like material; it was strapless and had a very ruffled and puffy bottom.
The next thing on my list was a pair of shoes, that wouldn’t take me long either. So I rushed (as quickly as I could) over to where they kept all the shoes and began scanning the walls, surely enough, in less than a minute I had chosen a pair of black pumps.
I brought my things over to the cash, paid, and was out of Bedford Mall sooner than anyone would have thought, or at least sooner than I would have thought.
The taxi ride home was just as disgusting and awkward as the first, but it got me home in record time, so there was no need to worry about not being ready in time for The Prom, but then again, there was always everything else to worry about when it came to The Prom. So I tried to keep my mind off of these horrible profanities and continued getting ready for the biggest night of my life...Prom Night.
First thing was first, a shower, so I undoubtedly took a shower, and there’s no need for a description, not even a brief one. So as soon as I got out and dried my entire self (including my hair) off, I began to put on my makeup and my outfit and straighten my hair, and in about 40 minutes (which might I add took longer than it took me to actually go out and buy my clothes), I was ready for The Prom, and nervous as hell.
On my way out of the bathroom I caught site of the clock and realized that I still had a good 20 minutes left before Elliot would arrive, so I threw on some jewellery from my jewellery box (a jade necklace and matching bracelet) and then stumbled outside. And of course, since I had a cast on one leg, I could only wear one of my new pumps. So you could have guessed that I looked like a real idiot standing out there, in front of my house, while every passer-by paused to stare at my unholy ensemble of a formal green dress and synthetic fibreglass.
Elliot was five minutes early, and as I watched his now repaired Audi pull up in front of my house, I felt shivers roll up and down my spine, then back up, then back down again.
I hobbled over to the car with my crutch (me using only one today) and then got into the front seat, trying not to make any major eye contact right away.
“Hello June.” He greeted.
“Hello Elliot.” I still wasn’t looking at him.
I put on my seat belt and then he began driving, and I could feel his smile practically warming up the car. I finally couldn’t take it any longer and glanced over at him. Of course he was gorgeous.
He wore a dark grey pin-stripe suit with a black tie and white blouse. I loved it. I couldn’t quite see what kind of shoes he was wearing, but I was pretty sure that they were black leather.
“Are you looking forward to this?” Elliot asked, and there almost seemed to be some uncertainty in his voice.
“Of course, just very, very anxious, that’s all.” I breathed heavily.
“Don’t be. We’re going to have a good time.”
I faked a smile at this and we continued down various winding roads up until Branksome Academy. Elliot parked on the road rather than the parking lot, which was better since there were a lot of cars.
Before I even had a chance of opening the door Elliot was at my side helping me out of the car, and once I was out I realized how many people were there, this made me even more nervous, and being more nervous, probably made me more liable to fall over and embarrass myself. But suddenly Elliot’s long arm was hooked in mine, and I didn’t feel as disoriented.
We walked together through the main entrance, and I must admit there were people staring at me, so of course I was blushing all the way to the dance hall.
Just before the two of us were about to enter the dance hall, a certain two somebody’s sprang up behind us.
“June! Elliot!” They both exclaimed.
“April. Clark.” I replied a little less enthusiastically.
April was wearing her usual lavender, very strappy and short dress with silver rhinestone stilettos, which she had worn the previous year as well; Clark was wearing the very classic black suit, white blouse, black bowtie ensemble, and together, they looked perfect.
“Hi!” Elliot beamed, “How’s it going?”
“Oh, it’s going.” April replied with a laugh.
“Are you two having a great time?” Elliot asked them.
“Oh of course, a wonderful time.” April responded, “And you June, are you having a good time?” she added, eyeing our hooked arms.
“Sure.” Sure was always a good answer.
“Are you sure, sure?” April asked, knowing that I was on my last nerve with her for the night.
“Yes I’m sure, sure.” I growled.
That was when Clark stepped in, took April’s hand and said, “You two have a good time now, we’re off to the dance floor.” Thank god. And then they were gone, and the rest of the night was for Elliot and me.
“So, should we be off too?” Elliot asked me with a smile.
“Yes.” I replied uneasily.
We managed to push our way through a crowd of teenagers and into the hall where people were already dancing to some new pop song, which I’ve obviously haven’t heard of.
I was in no condition to dance, considering one of my legs was broken, as well as an arm.
“Shall we sit next to the snack table?” Elliot asked me.
“Sure.”
The two of us sat down on two plastic chairs, one black, and one white, made to match the hall and the black and white balloons. I could already see April and Clark having the time of their lives out on the dance floor, and I wished that I weren’t in these casts, so that once in my life maybe I could actually have a good time at The Prom.
I took a good look over at Elliot, who was still smiling politely, and I couldn’t help but wonder if he had actually wanted to come to The Prom with me, or if April and Clark had lied and had actually pressured him into it. In all truthfulness it didn’t matter much now, he couldn’t have a good time whether he liked me or not, because we’re stuck here sitting by the snack table.
The two of us sat there for twenty odd minutes and I was fidgeting and sweating and taking deep breaths. I was nervous alright, and then I finally got the nerve to ask him, “Would you want to dance?” but my voice cracked and it came out all wrong.
“But what about your leg?” Elliot asked
“Oh um... I wasn’t um...but we could try.” I stammered hopefully.
“Sure, if you’re up to it.” Elliot smiled.
“I think I am.” I tried to smile back at him, but it was almost impossible.
Elliot took my arm and we (I stumbling and hobbling) made our way over to the dance floor. Once there, I wasn’t really sure where to start but Elliot placed his hands on my waist (one of them with a cast on it, so it was almost uncomfortable to have it on your waist in the first place) and was almost waiting for me to make the first move.
“Um... how are we going to do this?” I looked down at my left leg.
“Just do what feels natural”, that was easy for him to say, he wasn’t the one in a leg cast, “Don’t worry about it.”
By now I couldn’t even hear the music I was so nervous, I couldn’t even tell if I was dancing on the beat or not, but I managed to sort of sway to the right and left and so on, and that was dancing enough. Elliot had taken full advantage of the situation and was completely going along with my ‘sway’, so that it almost looked natural, and even though it was once of the strangest and most awkward dances I’ve ever experienced, it was lovely to me. In fact, it wouldn’t have mattered if it were hailing vicious animals and we were standing barefoot on searing hot coal, I would have still enjoyed it as long as I was with Elliot (even though that might be a bit of an exaggeration).
We swayed for a couple of minutes until Elliot said, “Why don’t we try this?” and he slid his foot under my broken one so that I wouldn’t have to dance on it. The ‘sway’ was still awkward, but it was easier on me and it looked even more natural than before, it was almost like a real dance.
Now Elliot and I were closer than before, and I swear to God that I should have felt nervous, but I wasn’t, and everything just seemed right.
At that moment April and Clark glided over, their dancing positively flawless, whether they were showing off or not I didn’t know, I was in a world of complete and utter pleasure.
“Hey you guys.” April began, “So the casts are working out for you after all?”
“I guess so.” I replied, not nervous anymore.
“Are you having fun?” Clark and April (in unison) asked for what seemed like the thousandth time.
“Of course we are.” Elliot answered for me.
“Absolutely.” I added.
“Great.” Clark replied.
“That’s great.” April chimed in, and the two of them glided away and continued with their dancing and I watched them in envy.
“Do those two pester you like that all the time?” Elliot chuckled.
I nodded.
There was then a series of uncoordinated dance moves before the lights dimmed and the music became softer, that’s when I decided it was time to leave, since I didn’t want anything getting too out of hand.
“Maybe we should leave now then.” I declared, still swaying from side to side.
“Are you sure? We’ve only been here for an hour, hardly an hour.”
“Yes I’m sure. I don’t want to stay here and watch everyone else have a good time. We might as well leave.”
“Oh.” Elliot stood still for a moment, and then you could almost see the light bulb light up over his head. “Then I insist on taking you out.”
“Excuse me?”
“If we can’t have a good time here isn’t there anywhere else you would like to go?” Elliot asked.
“Err...” I hadn’t quite been expecting that, but then again, why wouldn’t I want to go out with Elliot? I’d yearned to be with him for most of my life and now was the perfect opportunity, so I might as well take it. “Anywhere that doesn’t involve a lot of walking, dancing or any other physical activity involving the legs.” I answered.
“Okay then... that still leaves a lot of options. Would you like to go out for supper then?”
I had already ate, and was quite full but, “Of course, supper sounds great.” I gently slipped my cast off of Elliot’s foot and then Elliot hooked arms with me once again.
The two of us pushed through a crowd of dancers and made our way over to the door.
I was now sitting in the front seat of Elliot’s Audi, it was raining now, and pretty hard too, since it had been so humid for the past few days I could have guessed that there was a thunderstorm brewing, and now here it was.
Once again I was too afraid to say anything since it had been dreadfully quiet for the entirety of the ride, the heat was on, and it was basically almost impossible to see though the thick rain on the windshield.
Suddenly, there was a flashing red light, just a subtle one from inside the car, and I looked over to find that it was the ‘check engine’ light.
Elliot gave me an ‘I’m sorry’ look and said, “We might have to pull over soon...” he announced, “But maybe we won’t.” He added hopefully, but of course it wasn’t long (only about 3 minutes) before the engine started spewing black smoke that was even visible through the rain.
“I better go out and take a look at it then.” Elliot declared. I said nothing still.
Elliot stepped out of the car and out into the rain. I couldn’t see what he was doing out there, so I just sat and waited for about 10 minutes. Then Elliot came back in, soaking wet, “Well, I called for a tow truck, they should be here to pick us up any minute, so guess we should forget about supper.”
“Okay then.” I responded. I was kind of looking forward to going out for supper, but a good night’s sleep would probably be the best thing for me anyways.
It was silent for a moment then, “Was the night good for you up until now?”
“Of course.” Any night I had the opportunity to be with Elliot would be amazing.
“Are you sure? You seemed kind of distant to me...”
“Distant?”
“Like you didn’t want to be with me.” That was quite possibly the stupidest thing Elliot’s ever said.
“I want to be with you.” That was quite possibly the stupidest thing I’ve ever said, because I didn’t know how Elliot might interpret it. For one thing, it could have been the ‘You’re a nice person and I like being around you’ kind of ‘I want to be with you’, or it could have been the ‘I want to be with you for the rest of my life, hence I am completely and utterly in love with you’ kind of ‘I want to be with you.’
Elliot smiled, which made me more nervous because I still couldn’t tell which way he had taken my comment.
Before anything had a chance of getting any more awkward there was loud ‘beep’ from behind the car, and we realized that the tow truck was here to pick up the car, as well was us, so then Elliot walked around the car and aided me in stepping out into the pouring rain.
Immediately my hair was drenched and I knew that my mascara was running down my face, but I didn’t want to rush anything, because you never know when I might slip and break another leg.
Elliot then helped me up into the truck, handed me the one crutch that I had brought with me to The Prom and then stepped in after me. Strangely enough the tow truck driver looked an awful lot like the filthy man who drove my taxi cab to the mall.
“Before you drive to the mechanic’s, just drop my date-” Date? Since when was I considered a date? “Off at 86 Elm Street.”
“Can do, but it’ll cost ya.” This again reminded me very much of the cab driver.
“That’s fine.” Elliot replied.
So the tow truck driver got the Audi hitched up to the truck and then according to Elliot’s directions drove to my house, which actually wasn’t that far away from where we were, so it only took us about 5 minutes to get there.
“Here we are, 86 Elm Street.” said the filthy tow truck man.
“Thanks.” I replied, trying not to look too disgusted.
Elliot then stepped out of the truck and helped me out after him, “Will you be okay to walk up to your house?”
“Yes.” I replied simply, if I had made it about school Friday I was defiantly able to walk up the driveway and to my front door.
I tried to hobble off before I was completely soaked but, “Are you sure you’ll be fine?”
“Well, if you’re really that worried about it then I guess you could walk me to the door.” I responded.
“Okay.”
So Elliot took my arm and helped me over to my front door, which I still find was completely unnecessary. We were now standing under the canopy so that we weren’t being drenched in rain. I pulled a key off a hook that was hidden well behind a lilac tree and inserted it into the key hole.
“So I guess I should get back to the tow truck.” Elliot said, and paused as if he was waiting for an angle to descend from the heavens and tell him where to go.
“Um... I had a great time, and um... I’ll see you Monday?” I declared. I desperately wanted to get inside now.
Then Elliot sort of leaned towards me and gave me a light kiss on the cheek, his lips still wet, considering the fact that we had just been assaulted with rain water, and I’m sure I would have fallen over backwards if I weren’t leaning on my crutch.
I stood there, almost dazed and staring at him until he said, “I’ll see you Monday.”
“Okay.”
And then he walked back off to the tow truck and I stood there under the canopy until the truck was completely out of my sight.
I knew what I had to do, I had to call April, but only if she was home from the dance, which I knew wouldn’t be until nearly 11 o’clock.
11:00PM
Well, as you could have guessed, 11 o’clock came, but only after what seemed like days (and if you’re wondering about where my parents were, they were gone, on yet another vacation, which they had invited me to but I had declined, as always.)
After I got back into my room and had taken a nice hot shower and had changed into my purple flannel pyjamas and had taken a seat on the couch, I waited and waited and waited for 11 to come, and when it did you could have guessed that I was dialling numbers so quickly that it took me 4 tries to actually get the phone number right.
The phone rang about 3 times then was picked up. To my dismay, it was Ellen Weller, April’s mother.
“Hello?” she asked in a voice that you could somehow already tell belonged to a very high class woman.
“Hello, its June, is April there?”
“Oh June! How are you? How’s your mother? How are the grades?” That didn’t necessarily answer my question.
“I’m fine, my mother’s fine, and my grades are also fine. Is April there?” I tried to keep patient with her.
“That’s good, that’s good.”
“Is April there?”
“Oh April, yes, yes, she’s just entered the house, would you like to speak to her?”
“Yes!” I exclaimed, losing my patience.
There were some clicking-clacking noises before April finally answered.
“Hello?”
“April!”
And so I explained everything down to the very last detail about what had happened once I had left the dance, which might I add, wasn’t very much.
April was very amused with the night’s events, and after a 5 minute silence she asked, “So, do you think?”
“Do I think what?” April was quite possibly the master of incomprehensible questions.
“Do you think that it could work out between you and Elliot?”
“Well what do you mean exactly when you say: ‘work out’?”
April sighed, “You know what I mean.” And I did.
“Maybe it could. I’m not sure.”
“You’re no fun June, I’m going to call Clark.” April giggled.
“Fine.” I sighed.
“Don’t be that way.” She laughed, and then hung up abruptly.
Now that the whole story was out of my system, I could finally get some shuteye.
