Love Lies

The Winter Formal

     It's the night of the Winter Formal and there are multiple emotions in my body. Anxiety. Hope. Excitement. But the one that stands out most is revenge. Tonight, all bets are off. Tonight, Gia and Chris are going to see a different side of me. The careless side of me.

     At about 7:20, my phone rings and it's a message from Theo. "On my way to pick you up. Can't wait to see you in that dress."

     The message brings a large grin to my face. The night might be about getting Gia and Chris back, but being able to spend it with Theo makes it ten times better.

     I walk to my mirror in my room and add more mascara to my lashes. When I'm done, I step back and really look at myself. In my reflection, I see the same girl that was too shy to talk to Chris, but she look different. More confident and less timid. I see a girl who is ready to let go of her past and break free from everything that's been holding her back.

     Twenty minutes later, I hear the doorbell ring and I see Theo's car outside through the window. My mother opens the door and greets him. She tells him to come in and shouts my name to come down. I take one more look at myself before I go, just to find any flaws. But I find none. For the first time, I believe the words Theo has been complimenting me with. For the time, I feel beautiful and believe I'm beautiful.

     When I'm ready, I walk downstairs. My plan, at first, was to walk down slowly, like in movies when it's the girls first date. But, decide not to since that day went by a long time ago with Chris. I just gracefully walk down while holding my dress so I won't trip on the fabric. That would be embarrassing.

     Halfway down the steps, Theo looks at me and gives me a look I've never seen him have before. He looks mesmerized. He gives me his famous smile and says, " You look...breathtaking. You look beautiful."

     I try to hold back my smile but the way he looks at me when I walk closer to him makes me lose it.

     "Thank you," I say with the widest smile ever.

     "Are you ready to go?" he asks.

     "Yeah, let's go," I reach for his hand and begin to walk towards the door.

     "Wait! Let me take a picture of you two," my mom says eagerly.

     I try to continue walking but Theo pulls me back and wraps his arm around my waist. When my mom gets ready to take the photo, his fingers tighten around my waist, which makes me come closer to him. I rest my head on his shoulder and take in his scent. The sweet smell of his cologne runs wild in my nose and I look up at the camera and smile.

     Once my mother's done taking what feels like a million pictures, Theo and I walk to his car. He opens the door for me, like the true gentlemen he is, and we begin to drive to the school.

     We walk into the room and there is a banner that reads "Welcome to a Winter Wonderland!"

     "This is wicked!" Especially since I get to spend the night with you," says Theo while grabbing my hand.

     I smile at him and lock his fingers with mine. "Me too!"

     I take my gaze off of him and look around the room. When I look to my right, I see Chris walking towards me and Theo. Oh, God. Here we go, I think to myself.

     "What the hell is this? Why is he here and why are you with him?" Chris asks furiously.

     "I'm gonna get us something to drink," Theo says while walking away.

     I nod my head at him and watch him walk away. When he's a fair distance away, I turn to Chris and ask , "Did you want something?"

     "Theo. Why is he with you?" he asks again, this time with more anger.