CHAPTER 6

At three o'clock in the afternoon, Mother called my cousin Rexy to our house to apply some make up on my face. They said I should look good at the prom later. I hope it looks really good, I was worried that I might just look gay with the amount of lipstick on my face. Also, I'm not good at applying lipstick, foundation, eye shadow, mascara or anything else. I only use powder and a little lip gloss. By half past four, Brent came to us and picked me up. We said goodbye to my parents and Brent promised to drop me off after the party. When I got on his motorcycle, I had a little trouble because I was already wearing a gown. But still, we arrived at the school safe and sound. I was suddenly nervous as I lined up behind the big balloon arc for our grand entrance. I took a deep breath and drew strength from Brent. I think he was also nervous when he suddenly squeezed my hand. I took a deep breath again when we finally entered the decorated grounds of our school. Actually, it's not the event that makes my heart panic, but the man I'm holding hands with now. Last night I made up my mind. Tonight would be a night to remember! I'm going to give Brent my sweet yes. "Are you nervous too?" He called me. Maybe it noticed that I was uncomfortable in my position. What's the matter, Brent is very proud of his tuxedo. "A little," I told him. "Just relax. Just a few more hours and it will be over. Hmmm any plans for tonight?" He asked me as we walked towards our table. And since our theme this year is "A Night to Remember", all tables are good for two only. There are three Ruby's placed in a vase in the center of the round table. Like a true gentleman, Brent pulled the chair where I would sit. This is too much! After everyone was seated, the invocation followed and then the patriotic song. The flow of the program was very spontaneous. Everything was perfect according to the schedule. But for me, it was more than perfect. Will I ask for anything more if my soul mate is next to me like this? Also, Brent's attention is not on the program. I was busy listening to his corny jokes, even the ones that were obviously scripted, but I still laughed. It was like I was possessed by a spirit of excitement. "What did you say?" He came very close to me and right in my ear asked what I said. Why did I even think of telling him that I was okay with being his boyfriend on the dance floor? "I said, I'm willing to be your girlfriend!" I also raised my voice to make sure he could hear me. I don't know if he really heard or what, but he suddenly reached my waist and hugged me in the middle of the dancing crowd. When the music ended, we returned to our table. But suddenly something changed, the man became silent and did not talk to me. I didn't want to be rude, but my curiosity got the better of me. "Do not you like me anymore?" I asked him. "Nonsense! Why did you think I didn't want you anymore?" "Suddenly you were as quiet as that and I didn't move," I said to him. Brent suddenly stood up and told me that we were leaving. I protested because the program was not over yet and it was still early. Only thirty minutes left and the program will be over. It's also embarrassing to leave right away. "Let's wait for the program to finish," I told him. "Okay," he said and motioned to a waiter. When he approached, the man took a glass of fruit punch. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed at school events. "Have you tried drinking beer?" He asked me when the waiter had gone away. "Nope. That's still forbidden to me. Don't tell me you're already drinking beer?" Even though I already knew the answer, I asked him anyway. "Yeah, when there's an occasion, like this. Also, when the weather is so clear like this, ice-cold beer tastes better." He explained. "Really?" As it is now quite warm even though it is late, I think I want to try the beer. What brand is better? It's just that we are both minors so I don't know if we can buy from the store. "What, let's try later?" he asked me "Alright," I easily agreed with him. "By the way, what you told me earlier, is that really true?" I looked away because I was ashamed to repeat what I confessed earlier. I just noticed that Kevin's table...and Michelle's are right next to each other. "Yes. But you don't seem to want it anymore," I joked. "What don't I want? I'm having so much fun, eh. You know, if it was just the two of us here, I might have kissed you," he threatened. "Asus, your arrogance has prevailed again. Hey man, don't forget that we're still kids. You keep kissing me, later you'll get tired of that easily, eh." The awkward stage has disappeared between the two of us and we are back to being normal joking around, no matter how green the jokes could be. "Promise, I will never tire of you," he promised. "I know," I said and he laughed out loud because of what I did to lift my own bank. While we both laughed, everyone was serious about listening to the inspirational message from our school principal. This is the signal we are waiting for that the program is about to end. Finally! The secret language of my male classmates did not escape me. Just like last year, they will smuggle alcoholic beverages to the party later. After the program, what everyone is waiting for is next. The disco! "Jamie, we'll go home together later." I was surprised when Kevin suddenly approached us and said he wanted us to go home together later. I wanted to block him but Brent got ahead of me. "It's disrespectful, Kevin. But I will deliver Jamie later," Brent said to Kevin. I saw how Kevin's jaw moved when Brent refused what he wanted. It's just me, I don't know how to react. I felt sorry for Kevin because I knew he was embarrassed. As for Brent, my heart is celebrating the way he slapped Kevin. "I hope you make the right decision tonight, Jamie!" I didn't like the tone of Kevin's speech, and neither did Brent because he stood up and followed the man. Oh, I'm sorry. Why is it that Kevin keeps approaching me these last few days? Maybe those two will fight! I quickly stood up and chased after Brent. I screamed when one of Kevin's fists landed on Brent's face. "What?" I looked at Kevin as I got between the two of them. "Kevin, what happened to you? Why are you acting like that?" "I'm still at fault? Jamie, wake up! You should be thanking me, because I'm just protecting you from people like him!" Kevin insisted. My ears perked up when I heard that. "Someone like him? What do you mean?" "Brent is useless, Jamie. You have no future with him, so stop seeing him!" Kevin continued. Sir! I slapped Kevin hard. What right does it have to judge someone? "Listen Kevin! You have no right to judge him. Are you God?" Everyone fell silent when I lectured Kevin about his judgment of others. He was still considered kind in class and God-fearing. "Brent, let's go." I walked ahead, out of the balloon arc, towards the school exit. There's no point in staying inside because everything is ruined, because of Kevin. I just waited at the gate for Brent because he even took the parked motorcycle. And like the theme of our JS Prom, it's a night to remember. "Where do you want to go?" Brent asked me as he started the motorcycle. "Anywhere," I said. "Sure?" "Yeah," I said. "Okay," he replied. The cold air touched my skin as the motorcycle ran. Besides the sleeveless gown I'm wearing, the neckline is plunging. I just tightened my hug to Brent so that I could get a little warmth from his body. Then I noticed that we were going to their house. I was going to ask why, but we arrived in front of their gate. "Are you going to get something inside?" I asked him so it wouldn't be obvious that I was hesitant to enter. "Yes, that's my present for you," he said. "Gift? What for?" I asked him because I didn't prepare a gift for him. "Do all gifts have to have a reason?" He responded with a question. "No, it's just embarrassing for you, because I don't have a present for you, eh." I said. "No need. We didn't exchange gifts, eh. Christmas is still far away," he joked. He opened the gate and we both entered. I don't know but I suddenly got nervous. I know it's just the two of us at home. "I'll just wait outside," I told him when he opened the main door. "Are you afraid of me?" He asked me. "Me? No, ah. I just want to get some air," I lied. "Geez! That's why you hugged me so tightly earlier because you were hot," he teased me. "Alright then," I finally gave in. When he entered, I followed. He turned on the light near the door and the whole house lit up. "Sit down and I'll just get you my present," he informed me. When Brent left, only then did I breathe a sigh of relief. I scolded myself for thinking badly of the man. I think it's just me who seems to want something to happen between the two of us, God is merciful! It only took a few moments for it to return, carrying a wrapped box. "Open it," he told me. I carefully opened his gift because I didn't want to damage the packaging. The packaging is beautiful. "Flare pants?" I couldn't believe it when I saw what was inside the box. How did he know that I really wanted to have flared pants, the trend on the school campus today. "Try it on to see if it fits you, as well as the matching blouse," she said. Yipeey! Finally, I have these pants. I really wanted to try on the new dress but I hesitated. "Alright, measure it. You can use my room to change," he told me.