The Boy Next Door *On Hold*

43

Brooklyn POV

"BROOKLYN VAL'S HERE!"

I winced from the loud sudden noise. "COMING!"

I slipped on my shoes and started downstairs. My dad was standing at the bottom taking various pictures. I rolled my eyes at him, but continued to smile.

Sharna finished my hair and makeup around 7:30 and I've been upstairs ever since. I was too worried I would hurt someone to even consider going downstairs.

When I came into Val made an o shape with his mouth. "Wow."

I flashed him a smile.

"Take a picture of them together." Sharna said pointing to us.

Val walked over to me and put the corsage around my wrist. "You look absolutely breathtaking." He whispered into my ear.

"You don't look too bad yourself." I whispered back.

~

"OH MY GOD YOU GUYS LOOK AMAZING! LOOK AT YOU! AND YOU WORE THE SHOES!"

I pulled Witney in a hug. It feels like it's been forever since I last hugged her.

"Oh my god, why are you so cold?"

"I- it's a little chilly out, that's all." Val butted in.

"Well you should've given her your jacket." Witney said glaring at him.

I raised my eyebrows.

"How about we get some punch?" Carson said.

"The punch actually tastes like punch, rather than the crappy excuse of juice they gave us when we were Freshmen." Witney grabbed my hand and dragged me away from Val. I shot him an apologetic look.

*2 HOURS LATER*

After they announced prom king and queen, I decided to sit down for a while.

"You okay?" Val asked sitting across from me.

I nodded. "I'm tired."

"We can leave if you want."

I shook my head. "Why would I leave prom early? This is my High School Musical 3 moment."

Val pinched the bridge of his nose dramatically. "Please don't start with that disgrace of a movie."

"You're not very nice."

"And those movies weren't very good."

I put my hand over my mouth in fake shock. "How dare you!"

Val smirked.

"Alright guys this is the last dance of the night. Grab you date, your friend yourself and get out on this dance floor."

"Can I have this dance?" Val said smirking.

"I don't know, you just trashed my favorite movie."

"Please?"

He stuck his right hand out and I took it. He lead me to the dance floor. I honestly never slow danced with anyone before. Dancing this close to someone, was a completely new concept for me. Val secured his right hand around my waist and I fastened my left hand around his neck. He me closer to him and we began rocking back and forth to the music.

'Loving can hurt,

Loving can hurt sometimes.

But it's the only thing that I know.

And when it gets hard,

You know it can get hard sometimes.

It is the only thing that makes us feel alive.'

I quietly sang along to Photograph. This was one of my favorite songs. Val traced small shapes on my back and I snuggled my head in between his shoulder.

'So you can keep me, inside the pocket of your ripped jeans.

Holding me closer till our eyes meet,

And you won't ever be alone, wait for me to come home.'

"You know, I wasn't gonna come to prom."

"Why?"

"I didn't want to, I didn't think I would enjoy it. But as soon as you walk down those stairs.. I knew this would be a night worth remembering." I smiled. "It's not only that Brooklyn... I think-... I think I'm in love with you."

I looked up at Val. His eyes seemed brighter than they usually do. As if saying this just brought joy into his life.

"I think about you all the time Brooklyn. I know those two days with Bruno were hell for you, but waking up next to you.. words can't even explain what that felt like for me."

'Wait for me to come home.

Oh you can fit me inside the necklace you got when you were sixteen.

Next to your heart beat where I should be.

Keep it deep within your soul.'

I was completely shocked. I had never expected those words to come out of Val's mouth. Especially not to me.

"I-"

Don't know how to respond.

Instead of giving him a verbal answer, which he was probably hoping for, I took his face in my hands and kissed him. I felt him smile against my lips. His smile still remained on his features when I pulled away and we continued to sway back and forth, trapped in our own little world.

"That's a wrap ladies and gentlemen." The DJ blasted another song. I guess the exit music. Val glanced at the clock.

"Come on." My hand slipped into his and he guided me through the crowd.