A Chance at Life

A Prom to Cry For

The next couple of days school is a blur with students getting ready for prom. Marty really wanted me to go but I didn't really care since Shelby wasn't allowed to. Her dad didn't want her to go unless she had a date and with Andrew out the picture, she didn't have anyone.

I'm sitting in bed when Marty comes bursting through my door. "I just had an idea"
"For?"
"Prom"
"I told you Marty. I don't want to go to sit around sulking, watching couples slow dance to songs that make me want to gauge my eyes out"
"Listen" she sits down and puts her phone face down on my bed. "Marcus is obviously not a student but he's my date for the evening. Marcus can be Shelby's fake date so you can spend your final prom together. He can pick her up and bring her here, for show he can dance with her a couple times so no one questions it"
"I still can't dance with her"
"Not on the dance floor but you'll still be with her"
"I don't have a dress"
"But you have that suit you wore to my dads party"
"The purple one?"
"Yes, come on Toni" she turns her phone around and Marcus is sitting there with his fingers crossed with his eyes closed.
"Has he been here the whole time" he opens them and waves, smiling.
"Come on Toni. It'll be really good"
"Ok ok, fine" they both cheer and Marty jumps on me.
"Marcus will ask her tonight as some big gesture, her dad can't say no to"
"You don't feel weird about this?"
"About what?"
"Marcus asking Shelby to prom"
"You seen how he asked me, nothing could ever top that" 
"It'll be big to a point that her dad will think it's sincere"
"Prom, here we come"

Marcus gave us the confirmation later on that Shelby's dad agreed to her going to prom with him. He said she was super confused about what was happening but during the unplanned dinner they had, he explained the plan. Now all was left was to attend prom.

It was Friday afternoon and me and Marty were driving home from school when my phone starts to ring. "Who is it?"
"Fatin" I pick up and she sounds like she's out of breath.
"Toni?"
"I swear if you've called me during sex, I'll-"
"What? No, I'm running"
"You're running?"
"Yes...why are you shocked"
"I didn't think you even knew what it was"
"Of course I...Anyway Toni listen, I need you to pick up Leah and bring her to me"
"When?"
"Whenever you're free but before 6"
"So as soon as I get home basically?"
"Good idea"
"What no-"
"Thanks Toni" she ends the call and I just look at my phone confused.
"What did she want?"
"For me to pick up Leah"
"Why can't she do it?" I shrug my shoulders as Marty pulls into our street.

I throw my bag on my bed and then get into my car driving to Leah's house. I honk my horn and she comes out with her stuff. "Hey Toni"
"Hello..."
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Because I have no idea why I'm here"
"Oh, Fatin didn't tell you?"
"No, she told me to pick you up and take you to her"
"We're going to a hair and beauty salon"
"And she couldn't get you herself?"
"No, her appointment is at 5:30 and mines at like 6:30"
"You'll have to direct me"
"Sure" I drive us to the salon and we get there at exactly 6 since Leah forgot the way and I had to use Google maps.

We go inside and Fatin is in the middle of getting her hair done. "Hey, I'm like in the middle of this so just hang about"
"Fatin, I have to go get ready myself I have like an hour and a half"
"Oh you're coming?"
"Yes..."
"I didn't think you were since Shelby can't"
"Goodbye Fatin. Bye Leah"

I drive back home and pull up to Mrs B getting out her car. "Hey Mrs B"
"Toni, why are you home so late?"
"Running an errand, can you help me get ready?"
"Absolutely, honey. Whatever you need, give us a shout and I'll help you" I go to my room and start to get ready with Mrs B helping to make my hair look good. She sat down and did a little makeup on me with a natural look since I'm not the biggest fan of it. Marty came in when she was ready and she looked stunning.
"Marty..."
"Martha you look so beautiful" I looked over and Mrs B was crying.
"Mom, why are you crying?"
"Because this is your final prom and you look amazing. I just wish your dad was here" she hugs Marty and holds it for a while. They walk into Marty's room and I put on my suit.