Courtney's Going To Prom

11~A Night Under The Stars

He stepped toward me and I immediately backed away,  tears forming in my eyes. Of course when I thought I could get away from this mess, presto! The one person I don't want to see appears. We continued this whole thing of me backing away and him stepping forward for a while before my dad grabbed my shoulders and pushed me towards him. I turned around and glared at him with daggers in my eyes, reluctantly stepping forward to the blonde.

"Why are you here?" I asked quietly.

"I'm here to apologize." He replied, taking my hands into his.

"I already said I'm not coming with you." I repeated.

"I know, but I think I know how I can change your mind." Carson smirked.

"You could change your entire mindset." I muttered.

"You know I can't do that. So, I'm doing this instead." He said, pulling out a small plastic box from his inner suit jacket pocket. Inside, laid a fresh red carnation. My favorite flower. "I think I heard you say something about Hadestown being one of your favorite musicals so I looked it up and found this flower on the Playbill. I thought you'd like it."

"How'd you know.." I whispered.

"I have my ways." He grinned "The only way you get it is if you go to prom with me."

"Damn you, Carson. Damn you." I groaned.

"I'll take that as a yes." He said, slipping the flower out of its box and snapping the rubber band around my wrist.

"I gotta go explain to my dad what's happening. I'll be back." I told Carson, spinning around and approaching my dad. "Hey, I'm going to the Elks Lodge with Carson. I'll text you when I'm heading home."

"Hang on, I thought you were pissed at him." Dad said, grabbing my arm as I turned to go back to Carson.

"I'd feel bad if I ditched him. And this gorgeous dress would be put to waste." I replied, motioning to my dress.

"Fine. Be safe." He said, smiling down at me.

"I will," I smirked, speed walking back to my date. "Let's go."

And just like that, we sat in Carson's red jeep, on our way into the main part of Edgewater, a place I've never seen before. We sat in his car and relaxed, listening to songs we both loved when we were kids. I stared aimlessly out the window, taking in the beautiful colors of Indiana. The crystal clear lakes, the towering trees, the bright sky. These are all things you could never see in Manhattan. All I ever see there are towering skyscrapers, stars being drowned out by the lights of the city, busy streets, few trees, loud sirens, rushing people. The list goes on and on. Because of all the flaws of the city, Indiana is like a breath of fresh air. And now that I've found my place here, I finally feel like I belong. While we drove through the streets, I saw a building come into view with cars surrounding it. That must be the lodge. We parked in a parking lot across the street. Carson ran around the car awkwardly and pulled open my door. I stepped out and hugged him. We then headed to a crosswalk and ran across the street, dodging oncoming cars.

When we stepped inside the building, the guilt sunk in. This venue is incredible. LED lights illuminate the room, casting pinks, blues, and reds around the room. Stars hang from the ceiling, creating an effect as if we're out under the stars. Artificial trees covered in fairy lights line the dance floor. Of course, this is what they get and Emma gets sad streamers and balloons. I really wish I convinced Emma to come with me. She would have loved it. Before I could register what was happening, I felt someone pulling me onto the dance floor. I looked to see who it was and I saw exactly who I thought I would see. Carson. He had a wide grin on his face. I mirrored it back at him, a laugh escaping my throat. Once we were on the floor, he pulled me close to him and spun around. He then leaned down and grabbed my hips, careful not to lift my skirt. He lifted me into the air and spun around once again. Unlike the last time we did this, I stuck the landing. Carson laughed as he put me down and pulled me into a tight hug.