Betty, I know where it all went wrong Your favorite song was playing From the far side of the gym I was nowhere to be found I hate the crowds, you know that Plus, I saw you dance with him
I was walking home on broken cobblestones Just thinking of you when she pulled up like A figment of my worst intentions She said "James, get in, let's drive"
- Taylor Swift, Betty
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FOUR YEARS BEFORE
Everything was going to plan. He was at Betty's house, with her familiar white walls and white tiles, standing at the bottom of the grand staircase. Her father, Stephen, was standing next to him, looking proud, and her mother, Dorothea, was ready with a camera, prepared to photograph Betty when she finally appeared.
James was in a sleek, tailored, black three-piece suit, a pink carnation placed in his buttonhole. He was so proud of himself to have made it to the annual school dance while still in a relationship with Betty, as this was his first relationship, and he truly didn't think it would've lasted this long. That was before, of course, Betty came along and proved him wrong.
They had been together since the start of the year, and James was stuck the midst of, as his mother said, a 'lavender haze' since Betty had said yes when he asked her to be his girlfriend. He was so deep in love with her, that even on a normal day, such as when he'd ride past her house on his skateboard, he'd feel like he couldn't breathe.
Because Betty was a beauty. She proved his point ten-thousand-fold as she materialised on the stair landing, looking absolutely breathtaking. James blinked, once, twice, not believing his eyes. Dressed from head to toe in bright pink, Betty was wearing a floor-length Tiffany Designs strapless corset mermaid gown, in sparkly drapes of tulle and gold embroidered patterns all down the length of the dress. Her hair was pulled into a loose bun, with wisps of chocolate brown hair framing her face, perfectly matching her delicate gold jewellery. She was clutching a matching pink purse and smiling a dainty, elegant smile that only just hid her excitement for the night.
As Dorothea snapped away, James stepped forward and held out his arms to embrace his beloved... well, maybe that was too strong of a word, but the kiss Betty gave him was worth it, in front of her parents and all. Before things could get too passionate, James whipped out a shiny gold present from behind his back. It was tied with a pink bow and clearly wrapped with great care.
"For me?" Betty asked, just like in all the movies.
James nodded, still in stunned silence as he passed her the gift. As she unwrapped it, Dorothea still taking pictures rapid-fire, her face alighted when she discovered a perfect white box, and pulling out all the tissue paper, found a knitted cream wool cardigan. It had silver stars on the sleeves and black lining, and James instantly knew from her expression that she loved it. As he knew she would.
