**prom fits pictured**
A/N: this chapter mentions s*xual ass*ult & r*pe. it is not done in grand detail, but may still be triggering to some readers. I will indicate when that scene is about to happen, and when it ends for those who wish to skip it.
THREE WEEKS AGO
"This is way more stressful than it needs to be," Emery remarks as she places yet another dress on the rack.
"That's because you're overthinking it," I say.
"Oh, hush. This is senior prom. Aka our last prom. I'm allowed to want to find the perfect dress."
"True, but we've been here for four hours, and you still haven't found anything," Zoe points out.
Emery narrows her eyes.
"I'm just saying," Zoe raises her hands in surrender.
"How did you guys find your dresses so quickly?" Emery asks.
"We both had a color in mind and happened to look online a bit before we came here," I respond.
"Well, that's not fair. No one told me to do that."
"Not true. We kept telling you but you would just get distracted with texting Adam."
Emery huffs. "I had to make sure he chose the right tie."
"And what did you settle with?" Zoe asks.
"No tie. Easier that way."
"Has he asked you yet?"
"Not necessarily. I mean, we are dating so there's really no need for something formal. He just bought me pink flowers and had a note with them that said 'Prom? Circle one: Of course or Abso-freakin-lutely'. I gave him an enthusiastic 'of course'."
Zoe and I nod.
"What about you two?" Emery questions.
"Nothing to report on my end," I say.
"Same here." Zoe glances at a guy who works at the store. Come to think of it, she's been sneaking glances at him since we got here.
"Alright, who is that?" I look at her.
"Who?" She feigns confusion.
"Zoe Lovell. You know damn well that I'm talking about that guy at the register that you haven't stopped looking at." I say rather loudly.
"Shhh! Okay, fine. That's Ashton. He's here practically all the time and we've talked occasionally, but nothing serious." Zoe admits.
Emery peers over at him. "Oooh, he's cute! Do you like him?"
"I guess," Zoe sighs. "But it doesn't matter. Nothing's going to happen."
"That's what you think," Emery smirks.
Zoe's brows furrow in confusion. "What are you talking about?"
Emery winks and saunters away towards Ashton.
"What the hell is she doing?!" Zoe whisper-yells to me.
I shrug, watching the scene unfold in front of me.
Emery is laughing and leaning towards him to whisper something. He smiles and she points over to where we are. Ashton nods, and the next thing I know, he's right in front of us.
"Zoe, right?" He asks.
Zoe nods. "Hi."
"I heard you've got prom coming up soon."
YOU ARE READING
Beneath the Surface|COMPLETED
Teen FictionAmara Holland is ready to fly by senior year as painlessly as possible. Isaac Coleman is ready to graduate and leave a town that thinks he's someone he's not. They've been at the same school since they can remember and yet have never had a real conv...
