Forever

X

"You look gorgeous!" Lauren exclaimed after finishing the last touches on Olivia's makeup. She let out a shrug hearing the comment of her friend as Lauren turned her seat around to face the mirror. When Olivia saw her reflection, her eyes widened.

This is not me, she said to herself. She traced her face lightly, careful not to ruin the makeup. She seemed to be a different person, at least for herself, because it seemed like all the residue of the weakness she had been feeling was masked off by the magical skill of Lauren. It seemed like all the tiredness were gone, and she felt new.

She felt... beautiful.

"Did you like it?" Lauren asked, interrupting her trail of thoughts. Olivia blinked her eyes twice, as if waking up from her reverie. She looked at her friend and gave her a reassuring smile.

"You did great, Lauren. I like this so much," she commented, making Lauren smile in gratitude.

"Thanks Olivia," she said. Olivia was about to stand up from her seat when Lauren was reminded of something. "Wait!" She blurted out suddenly, stopping Olivia. "We're not finish yet," she said, making Olivia look at her curiously. Lauren ran towards her dresser, rummaging through her clothes until she took out a hanger with a dress on it.

"What's that?" Olivia asked as Lauren shrugged off the dress on the hanger.

"This... is the dress that would go well with that look," she proclaimed, holding the dress with her both hands to properly show it to Olivia.

"I won't wear that," she said almost immediately. "I don't really wear dress, Lauren. You know that."

Lauren let out an exasperated groan. "Oh please! Just to complete the look. Please, Olivia! I'm going to take a picture of you and send it to my boss and that's it!" She said. "Please Olivia!"

Shrugging, she had no choice but to give in to what her friend was requesting. "Fine," she finally said, making Lauren cheer.

*

Austin's inner monologue as he saw Olivia walking down the stairs of Lauren's house

She's so beautiful. Her being like this seems like she had transformed but at the same time did not. She looks just like she is but right now, she seems to be radiating. I might sound exaggerating but that's how I see her. With her natural look she looks beautiful to me, but tonight she looks not just beautiful but she also looks so... precious.

It's like I'm in a trap and now I have even fallen deeper. She looks so shy, so conscious as she smoothens the fabric of the dress, keeping her head down, far from the Olivia who is loud and energetic. I'm staring at her like she will be the only woman I would've laid my eyes on, and I know I look stupid, but I don't care.

It's like everything I've been feeling is going to burst in my chest, and there's no way I could cage them back. Tonight, I'm going to say everything to her, no matter what happens.

*

Olivia's eyes widened when she saw Austin standing in the living room of Lauren's house, smiling at her, wearing his black tux. She turned her head to look at Lauren who was behind her and flashing a sheepish smile. Olivia didn't know what was going on.

"Olivia, I hope you forgive me," Lauren started. The brown-eyed girl still looked curious; not merely following what was she had been trying to say. "But, enjoy your night!" she added before storming out of the house. Olivia was still rendered speechless as she faced Austin who was shyly smiling at her. Then was when she noticed that he was holding a plastic box that contains what it seemed like a corsage. Austin noticed that she was looking at it so he walked nearer to the girl before opening the box.

"Remember in our senior year when it's prom season?" Austin asked, and Olivia narrowed her eyes at him, trying to understand his trail of thoughts. "It was when you inadvertently rejected me to be your date on the prom night."

March 6, 2013 (Two days before the prom)

Posters of the prom night announcement were scattered all over the school. Austin and Olivia were walking down the hallway towards the exit door of the building, Olivia holding a stack of books by her left arm while her right hand was holding a chicken sandwich, munching into it. Austin was scanning his eyes through the series of posters pasted on the wall, silently stealing glances at Olivia while the girl was just busy munching on her food. They made it outside the building, and Olivia gestured him that they need to sit down for awhile. Austin followed her.

"I need to drink," she said, unzipping her bag to grab her bottle of water. While she was busy chugging the liquid content, Austin tried to open up the topic regarding the prom.

"Uh, Olivia?" he started off, making the girl look at him while she was still drinking her water. Austin met her gaze for a few seconds but then breaking it almost immediately, focusing his sight on the view up their front. "What are you going to do on Friday?" he asked, mentioning the day of the prom.

Olivia removed the bottle on her lips, capping it as she wiped her lips with the back of her hand. "Hmm, what am I going to do?" she mused, pursing her lips as she thought of it. "Nothing, really; I'm just going to sleep the whole day because no classes that day, right? 'Cos of the prom?" she asked him, to which Austin nodded at. He was about to speak to tell what he wanted to ask the girl when she talked once again. "Stupid prom. Because of that classes are on hold so the teachers and students can prepare for a night of dancing with face caked with makeup and glimmering dresses. As if those are much more important than education," she said, taking aback Austin. He didn't know what to say, so he stayed silent for what it seemed like a minute.

Watching Olivia fix her things, he finally found his voice back. "So, you're not going?"

"Absolutely!" She answered almost immediately. "I'd rather sleep or read a book than spend a night wearing dress. And besides, I can't dance," she said, standing up on her seat as she slung the strap of her bag on her shoulder. Austin also stood up and Olivia looked at him. "You, are you going?" She asked as she followed Austin who was walking.

He heaved a deep sigh, running a hand through his hair. "No, there's someone I want to ask but she doesn't want to go," he answered flatly.

"Hmm, that's a shame," she mused, fixing the books she was carrying. "Who is she?" She asked, making Austin sighed disappointedly.

"Never mind," he answered, walking ahead of her.

"T-that was... me?" Olivia asked curiously, disbelief evident in her voice. Austin let out a chuckle, nodding his head. "I'm sorry," Olivia uttered shamefully, what she did long ago finally sinking in her head.

"It's okay," he told her, taking out the corsage from the box and then reached out for Olivia's hand. The girl furrowed her brows at his gesture. "Promise me that by this time, you are never going to reject me," he asked, putting the corsage around her wrist.

"You're taking me to prom?" She asked, making Austin laugh.

"Not really, but sort of something like that," he answered as he fixed the corsage around her wrist. Olivia watched him intently as he did that.

"Why, Austin?" She asked, blinking in confusion. Austin laced their hands comfortably, which earned a more flabbergasted look from Olivia, her eyes widening.

"You'll see," is his only answer, before they walked out of the house.