The Spring of Love & Heartbreak

Homecoming Princess

Music List:

We're An American Band - Grand Funk Railroad

Long Cool Woman (In A Black Dress) - The Hollies

Ragdoll - Aerosmith

It's Saturday- the day of homecoming.

The weather is bright, cheery and sunny outside but it's colder than what I was expecting.

A high of 75 and dipping quickly to low 50's by the time Homecoming starts.

And today is also my 18th birthday.

I woke up to my mom screaming happy birthday to me with the biggest cup of coffee in her hand. Steve came down the stairs and patted me on the back, "Happy Birthday sis."

"Thank you?" I return and fidget with the few fruit pieces I have left on my plate.

"Aren't you in the parade today?" Steve asks, adjusting his work vest.

"Yes."

"Good, I'll see you then since I won't be able to see you off." He smiles, "Also I'll give you- your present tomorrow." And he's off to work.

"We will celebrate your birthday tomorrow if that's okay with you sweetie? I know you have to be getting ready for the parade and for homecoming. When is Eddie coming to get you?" Mom asks and my heart clenches.

"He's not coming." I sigh- forgetting I haven't told my mom that we broke up. "We broke up a few weeks ago."

She does that typical hurt mom noise and pulls me into a side hug, "I'm sorry. Well lets not talk about him today." She scrambles to find something to talk about even though I see her itching to ask what happened.

"Did anyone ask you to homecoming then?" She asks, fixing the curler that's snagged in her hair.

I shake my head, "No. But I'm going with my friends."

"As a group?"

"Not quite. Think of me as like the... 10th wheel?" I smile, "But it'll be okay."

"Are there any after parties?" All these questions.

"Probably. I might go to one if that's okay with you?" I ask, holding my breath.

"Of course. Just don't be home too late tonight. Your dad is out of town today and tomorrow." She reminds me with a smile and a pinch on the cheek. Then the water works start, "God, like yesterday you were 5 and now you're going to homecoming."

"Oh Mom," I roll my eyes. "No water works today!"

"You're right." She wipes her eyes with the back of her hand. "Let's start getting you ready."

She sends me upstairs for a shower.

Letting me think for the first time today.

My mind is still in that same maze from the other day.

The hot water rolls down my skin as I think what if's.

What if Billy didn't die, would we still be together?

Would he be the one taking me to homecoming?

Would he of remembered my birthday and woke me up with a smile?

My heart hurts... and so does my head as I turn off the water.

What if I put my morals away and took Eddie back?

Would he pull the same card again?

Making me look like an idiot.

Mom fixes my hair, talking to me about things I just can't quite care about right now.