The Maroon Dress

Dress

The school's gym was crowded, yet I still feel alone. I'm surrounded by my friends, they're laughter attempts to fill my ears, but it doesn't go through. I look around trying to clear my head, but instead, I see her and her eyes lock with mine. All the air in my body leaves me. It's a typical reaction, her beauty has always left me breathless, and her personality fueled the dwindling fire to become a better person.
No one knows about us. Our moments are our own. I'm out, she's not. The perfect girl with the perfect grades. I always understood why she was scared. It was just plain obvious to me. But the way she smiles makes it all worth it. It makes me feel like she's right by my side, hand in mine.
After looking away, I fix my hair for the umpteenth time today, trying to hide the mark that's yet to go away. If my friends see, they'll get suspicious and interrogate me. The worse part is I might just crack.
We have a few classes together, that's how we got close. It started with English class, then math, next our language. Those were the three times I saw her and it wouldn't be weird. The first time she was over was for a project but it never got done that day. We clicked and our lives changed forever. But now, the silence in the room, the anticipation of what's to come, makes my hands shake. I wish the clock would go faster.
I finally zone out and time goes by just a little bit faster. I don't take notes, I just get them from her later. It's like a trade-off, she does the notes, I do the work. I don't notice the bell, maybe I fell asleep again. I just hear my name and the world falls into a blur except for her. It brings me back to the time I confessed.
" Listen, I know you probably don't feel the same way but I can't just be your best friend anymore. I want to be something more."
In random places are the names of the people most special to me. My friends' names on the closet door, my siblings' names on the door frame. The day she said "I love you" back, was the day I carved her name into my bedpost.
It was almost impossible to keep her from my parents. My mom is always snooping around and my dad is the most observant person you'll ever meet. They make a great pair when looking into their children's lives. They lived in France for a while and brought back some traditions. We're allowed to drink small amounts of wine at dinner, our meals can be hours upon hours long. My parents trusted me too. She was always allowed to stay over when being home was too much.
One night we had too much. We're wasted. We ended up in the bathtub, spilling the bottle of red all over us. She kisses my face like it's the last time she'll ever get to. It's cute. I worry that this is temporary. But if I get burned, if I get hurt, at least it was electrifying.
Prom was the first time we were out as a couple. She was finally ready. She was stunning. She called my name from the top of the stairs and my heart stopped. She was breathtaking. I remember the time we first met. Her short hair, my hair bleached. We proved to each other that even in the worst times, we saw the best in each other. I think about the relationships I went through, the mistakes, the lies I told to hide myself. She saw the truth in me. Thank god I woke up in time.
" My one and only, my lifeline. I woke up just in time. Now, I wake up by your side..."
My hands were shaking. I can't explain it. She says my name and time stops.
" I don't want you like a best friend." We confessed.
" Only bought this dress so you could take it off." The prom was magical.
I wake up every morning, there's an indentation in the shape of her. Our wedding band sits on my finger. It hasn't left it spot in years. She walk in and she's wearing a gorgeous dress.
" I only bought this dress so you could take it off."