Frozen Heart

Chapter 69 ~ "What Did You Think Of It?"

Nik

Alright, so maybe I jumped the gun a bit when I decided that prom was lame. Right now I couldn't be more happy that I decided to go, she was right, this night was so incredibly special and to share it with her was perfect.

Her dress was so amazing it could give me a heart attack. It was perfect on her, sometimes leading up to the day I'd go back and look at the picture she sent of it, just getting excited for prom. But to see her dressed-up with her hair and make-up done was something else. I have the world's most beautiful girlfriend, no contest.

We'd made it to dinner, we were just wrapping up our check before going to prom. The bus we rented was waiting to take us to the high school gym which had been meticulously decorated. So far it was perfect other than this girl Lucas had invited to be his date. She was harmless, but it didn't seem like there was anything between her ears. 

"Do you ever think about how many chickens it must take to make a whole can of chickpeas?" She asks and Lucas laughs, eyes darting back and forth.

"Kaitlyn, sweetie, we've been over this, chickpeas don't come from chickens." He mumbles and I try not to laugh. 

The only reason we were all being on our best behaviour was because our afterparty was at Lucas's house.

"Be nice." Grace says next to me, clearly noticing me trying to hold in my laughter. 

"Oh come on, that's gold!" I insist. "Couldn't make up something that good if I tried." She smiles and presses her lips together, now trying to contain her own smile. "I know you want to laugh too."

"Shhh." She begs with a smile and I wrap my arm around her shoulders with a small chuckle. She leans into my side and I kiss her forehead. This was amazing, I was lucky to have someone in my life that I could laugh with. 

"Alright, we're good to go guys!" Chelsea says and we all start to stand up and get our stuff together. Grace takes my hand and I lead her back to the bus, helping her up the steps. She gives me an appreciative smile and I follow her to the bench. It was hard for her to see her feet in that dress and I didn't want her to trip and fall.

Once we're situated, music starts to play and everyone breaks out into conversations together. "You okay?" Grace asks and I nod.

I'd been a little off since pictures this afternoon, my whole family had come to take them, Sasha, mom and dad. None of my friends had ever met my dad and it really surprised me to see him there. He wouldn't think this was a big enough deal, mom and Sasha must have convinced him. 

And honestly, it just put me on edge. I kept waiting for him to pick a fight with someone or for him and my other friends' parents to get into it. To see everyone's surprise when my father showed up made me really uncomfortable, only Grace knew that story and I could tell everyone was thinking the same thing, 'how come we've never met you before?'."

"Oh yeah." I say and she rests her other hand over our joined ones.

"I always know when something's bothering you." She says quietly. "Is it about your dad coming this afternoon?"

"A little." I admit. "I don't know what I want anymore, you know?" I sigh and she leans in and kisses my cheek. "I always thought I wanted him to be more active in my life and stuff.....but now whenever he does something to try and get more involved I just want him to leave." 

"It's okay to feel that way." She assures me. "No one expects you to be perfect, don't beat yourself up." I nod and she smiles, giving my hand a squeeze. "I'm sorry I brought it up, we're supposed to be having fun."