The Boy I Fell For, Literally

Chapter 8

When I got home Mom was taking a nap. I slapped a bright, big, blue ribbon on that sucker and slid it in my closet! I was real happy to get over with-now I just needed to give it to Alex on prom.

I heard a knock on the front door. "Uuugh!" I got up and opened the door. It was Alexander. "Oh, hey Alex!...Why the heck are you dressed in a tuxedo?" You got that right. He's not only wearing a tuxedo, he had roses too. "Well, I thought you might like it if we had some nice relaxing time together! You know, to ease the tension between us."

"Dude." I said, "You talk like a poet!" He shrugged, "Yeah, I guess I do don't I?"

"Yep! And I love you for it!" He smiled and I laughed. He handed me the roses and said, " Should we get going now? We're gonna lose our table."

"Wait we're going somewhere?"

"Yeah! Oh here." he took the plastic bag that he had been holding and handed it to me. I looked inside and smiled as I pulled out a silky floor length hot, jet red dress with a red silk flower on the side where the waist should be.

"It's perfect Alexander! I love it!"

"I knew you'd like it!" He flashed a smile,his teeth sparkled, "Oh, but don't forget the gloves."

"What glo-" I said as I looked into the bag and saw the elbow length gloves, the same jet red, "Oh! never mind! I'll go change!" He just smiled. I ran upstairs and changed into the dress and found some of Mom's old shiny white pearl earrings and pearl necklace. Then I put the gloves on.

As I walked down stairs, Alex stood at the bottom of the staircase-looking up at me with sparkling eyes and shiny white teeth. "You look amazing." he told me. I blushed the color of scarlet. "Thanks. You're rather dashing yourself." I got to the bottom of the stairs, he scooped me up and carried me out the door. "Our ride awaits m'lady!" he said as I saw a white limo parked at the curb. I smiled, "Woah! That's so cool!".

"Yep, I'm like that!"

"You're such a weirdo!"

"I am also that!" he replied. I giggled as he set me down to open the door.

I stepped through the doors of the restaurant and admired how luxurious it looked. There was the soft murmur of people chattering, there was a guy proposing to lady, several other people in tuxedos and fancy dresses, but we were the youngest couple in the whole place. My hands got a little clammy as I saw several couples turn around to see who it was, and then their eyes go big as they realized we were just teenagers. A waiter took us to a table that was right smack dab in the middle of the room. We took our seats and picked up the menus. All the names of the food were weird and sounded expensive. This was getting offly weird for me. "Alexander."

"Yes?" he looked up from the menu.

"I-I-Well this all just so grand and wonderful, but-"

"Yes I know it is kinda weird here isn't it?" It sounded more like a statement than a question. "Totally.." I replied, " So..Uh what are you gonna eat?" I asked

"I was thinkin' chicken souffle. You?"

"I kinda' either want alfredo pasta or the special."

"K." Awkward silence...Why out of all the places does it have to get awkward here? Why not at school or something! Anywhere, but here.

Alex ordered his chicken souffle and me, an alfredo pasta. I have to admit, the pasta was very good, but I could hardly enjoy it because of the awkwardness and the elegance-you know, with not being one to know very much about elegance anyway. I started feeling a little light headed. "Ashley? You okay? You look a little pale." Alex said.

"I don't really think so.."

"Maybe we should go outside instead."

"Yes, please!' I was starting to feel dizzy and nauseous. I cautiously stood up as he took my arm with his and felt even worse as I saw the doors getting smaller and bigger over and over again. We walked as swiftly as possible out the door and Alex had me sit down on a nearby bench and take a breather. After a couple of minutes when I had managed to get in control of dizziness and nausea, Alex came and sat down next to me.

"Hey, uh, so. What happened back there?" I looked at him and took a deep breath in, "Ok..It was a really nice thought to bring me here and all, but it's just not my thing. I mean ya I like fancy and stuff, but with all the grownups there and-it was just awkward. I got all dizzy and nauseated and I guess it was just too much for me." he looked down at my hand and took it with his. He looked back up at me, "Ashley, you can tell me anything, anytime- no matter what situation, you got that?" I nodded and he embraced me in a comforting hug. "Thank you." I whispered.