dark paradise•conrad fisher

eight

ANGELA REMEMBERED THE NIGHT OF HER PROM LIKE IT WAS YESTERDAY. She remembered feeling all giddy and excited.

And she remembered her her heart breaking.

Conrad was so distracted with everything going on with Susannah. It was like he was a different person. He cared about Angela, but his mom would always come first. And Angela didn't see anything wrong with that. She would put her mom first too. But that doesn't mean he should shut the rest of the world out.

And he had to pick that night to give up on her.

Angela remembered taking pictures with Taylor, Belly, Steven, and any of their significant others.

Laurel was taking them while on FaceTime with Susannah.

"What's wrong?" Angela had asked.

Everyone else had their corsages on, prepared to take another picture.

Conrad's face was consumed with guilt. "I-I forgot your corsage. I must have left it in my dorm fridge."

Angela sighed. She was really looking forward to getting one. She had dreamed of Conrad placing it on her wrist and then kissing her. But she understood he had a lot to remember.

"It's okay," she whispered.

Almost as soon as they began to pose for another picture, Taylor decided that they were done. "We need to go."

Laurel nodded. "Beck, we've got to head out. I'll get a couple of last pictures. I'm heading up there tomorrow first thing."

Angela knew something was off with Conrad. He was upset and he was trying to hide it like he always did.

"Are you okay?" she repeated.

"I'm sorry that I forgot. I should have remembered it, Angel."

"Connie, it's just a corsage. All that matters is that you're here."

Angela remembered feeling like she did something wrong all night. Conrad was off, and he was barely speaking.

Everyone else was dancing with their friends or date, and Angela and Conrad were just sitting there. Conrad was in his feelings, and trying to block everybody out.

Angela had finally convinced Conrad to dance. After just minutes, he came to a stop. "Do you want to go somewhere we can talk?"

"Why don't we just dance?"

There was silence aside from the music. "Is it all right if I don't go to the after party? I'll still drop you off."

They were all supposed to stay in a hotel room together. Angela, her friends, and Conrad. "Why don't you want to spend the night?"

"I can't stay any longer, Angel. I'm going to ruin the rest of the night for you." He was talking fast and nervously.

"D-did I do something?"

That's when Angela's heart began to break. She finally had Conrad, and now she was going to loose him again.

"No, you're perfect. I just need to talk with you, baby."

Before she could even say yes, she was following Conrad outside. Out of the corner of her eye, Angela saw Taylor and Belly exchange worried glances.

Even Steven and his girlfriend at the time were confused. Why was Conrad and Angela leaving prom?

The music became softer as they exited the prom. Conrad still held the door for Angela.