Chapter 19

May 9, 1975

Cera helps zip up the back of my dress, and when she does I take a step back from the mirror to get a better look at myself.

"Ani, you look like an angel," She sighs.

I glance at my peach colored dress and white strapped heels. I let my fingers run along my mother's favorite diamond necklace, staring at the glittering earrings hanging low from my ears.

As for my hair, a thin braid wrapped around my head while the rest of my locks hung low below my shoulders.

I'd be lying if I didn't say that I feel beautiful.

She grins. "I'm glad that you didn't wear my mom's dress. You would have looked ridiculous."

I perch on my bed next to her, toying with my bracelet in thought.

"You don't think I made the wrong choice, do you?" I ask softly.

Cer furrows her brows. "What choice?"

"You know, going to prom with Collin."

She takes a pause before answering. "There's nothing you can do now. He should be picking you up in like, fifteen minutes."

I sigh. "I know, but..."

"The point is, there's no point in regretting your choice. If you're talking about Michael, according to you, that ship has sailed."

I wince at her words, the pain still feeling fresh. "I don't want to believe it."

She glances at me. "Oh? How long has it been since that phone call?"

"Six months," I close my eyes momentarily, hanging my head.

It's unreal. This is someone who I would spend almost every day with. And now, we've gone a little over six months without any contact whatsoever.

A knock on the door confirmed that Cera was wrong. Collin has arrived even earlier than projected.

I get up and grab my purse from my vanity.

"Wait, Ani."

"What?" I ask as I take one more look in the mirror.

"Try to have fun. Be nice? Collin has liked you for years. He really has. This is probably a dream come true for him. You can help him remember this night for a long time." She pleads.

I twist my lips to the side. "I told him we're going as friends. He shouldn't be expecting much," I reply.

She shrugs. "He still might have a little hope. You can't blame a guy for dreaming."

"God, you're making me feel bad," I groan as the doorbell rings.

"C'mon. You need to go and I need to start getting ready," Cera grabs my wrist and pulls me down the stairs.

"Why do you always have to be fashionably late?"

"I've got to make some sort of entrance, I am in the running for prom queen after all," She says.

"You've got that in the bag, girl," I encourage her.

I stand in front of the door for a moment, collecting myself before pushing it open.

Collin stands there, and when he sees me, his eyes almost pop out of his head.

"Wow. You look great," He breathes.

"You too," I compliment with a small smile.

"Oh! Almost forgot."

Collin takes out a corsage and puts it on my left wrist. I take the white flower and pin it to his suit front.

"Are your parents home?" He asks.

I shake my head.

They had more important things to do than see their daughter off to prom.

"Oh. Well uh, ready to go?"

"Yeah, ready."

I take his offered hand and we walk to his white Corvette, after I say goodbye to Cera.

"I like your car," I say as he helps me inside.

"Thanks." He grins and hops into the driver's seat.

I dread the awkwardness of the car ride and keep twisting the ring on my pinky.

Collin keeps gazing at me through the corner of his eye, but doesn't say anything.

We reach Roosevelt High at seven o'clock sharp.

"We're early," He says, looking around the decorated gym.

"Yeah." I fold my arms.

"I'll go get us some drinks."

With that, he quickly walks toward the punch bowl.

Four more hours to this awkward night.

Michael's POV

"I feel nervous. Are you sure this was a good idea?"

I'm dressed in a classic tuxedo, my Afro combed and rounded. I even polished my favorite pair of loafers.

I chew my bottom lip while clutching a bouquet of Montreux tulips.

Her favorite.

Marlon pats my shoulder.

"It's a great idea. She'll be happy to see you. And how do you think I married Carol? It's all about persistence."

It was true. Marlon and his newlywed married earlier this year.

As for me, I've tried my hardest to bury myself in my music. I finally released my latest solo album, Forever Michael, about five months ago. I wanted to send her a copy, but I decided against it.

Just like I should have decided against coming back here in the first place.

So many things could go wrong. She could slap me, cuss me out, or even throw these flowers on the ground. I might be exaggerating.

I look out of the airplane window.

"Two hundred miles closer to you," I whisper.

-

"May I have this dance?"

It only took two hours, but Collin and I have finally broken the ice completely.

He's got a great sense of humor, something I never realized. It reminds me of... well.

My eyes meet with Cera's, and she winks at me before taking a sip of her punch.

"Yes, you may."

He pulls me closer and I put my arms around his neck, his on my waist.

We gently sway to Joe Cocker's You Are So Beautiful.

"You are."

I look up at Collin, realizing what he just said.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"Listen, I-" We blurt in unison.

"Ladies first." He says with a chuckle.

I shake my head. "No no, go ahead."

"Well, I've liked you for almost five years. I'm sure you can tell, but I think that tonight, I'm slowly falling in love with you."

My heart skips a beat. Regret. The last thing I wanted to do was lead him on like this.

I take a step away from him, letting my arms fall to my sides.

He rubs his face frustratedly. "God, I bet I've ruined the moment, everything. Haven't I?"

"It's was really sweet opening up to me like that. But this... us, it won't go further. Can't we just be friends?"

"You try being friends with someone you're in love with! You're still hung up on him, aren't you?" He retorts.

I know I've hit a weak nerve. "Collin..."

Just then, Cera quickly walks up to me, fret evident on her face.

"What? What is it?" I ask.

"There's been a call in the office for you. From the children's hospital. They said it's an emergency."

I gasp in disbelief.

Sophie.

I grab Collin's wrist. "You need to take me to the children's hospital. Now!"

Without question, he nods and we hurry out of the double doors of the gym to the front of the school.

Michael's POV

"We're here."

There's music on the other side of the doors.

And so is the girl that I can't get over.

Giving myself no time to form a doubted mind, I push open the door with Marlon right behind me.

There are students everywhere. It's going to be much harder finding her than I thought.

After about five minutes of searching, I see Cera making her way to the dance floor.

"Cera!" I call over the music.

She turns around and gives me a confused look.

"Michael? What are you doing here?"

"I came to see Aniko. Do you know where she is?"

She points behind her with her thumb. "She just left with Collin."

I grip the flowers tightly in my hand, my body tingling.

Why can't you move on like she has?

"Oh."

"Do you want me to tell her you came?" Cera glances at me, almost pitifully.

"No. That's alright."

I straighten out my tux and exit the gym, feeling empty.

--

Chapter 19

Vote

Comment

Share

~Joy ✌🏼️