Prom came quicker then anyone guessed. Jaela picked her dress and she was literally in love with it. It was hanging in her bedroom, and every time she walked in she would smile at the dress and her stomach would flutter with butterflies.
Jaela told her mother about Jem. Because she knew she had to so she could go to prom. Of course, her mother replied with "Do I know him? How old is he?" and when Jaela told Jem this, he thought it'd be a great time to meet her mother. Jaela didn't want to seem rude so she agreed.
That day was the most awkward and worrisome day. She almost felt the need to dress up for her own mother. So when Jem arrived she allowed him to calm her. Just his presence calmed her, so she held onto his hand as if they were telling her mother she was expecting a child. But she still held on, she felt like she had to brace. Maybe that's what her mother saw on her face. What made her say yes. Jaela didn't care as long as the word "yes" came out of her mouth she wasn't going to question it.
So there it was. The day of prom. Her mother was waiting for her to come down with her dress on. Patiently waiting with her camera out. Jaela slipped the dress on. It was a salmon, had sparkles on the top which was just flat across. The dress complimented each and every curve of her body without revealing too much and that's what she was going for. Jem had seen all of her but that does not mean the whole school had to see all of her. Jaela looked in the mirror, herself in this dress was something she never would have expected. A tear streamed down her face. She felt so... so beautiful for the first time in a long time. She slightly brushed her tears so her special prom make up wouldn't be ruined. She smiled she never thought she'd have to worry about that. She stepped out of her room, already in the silver heels that matched the sparkles on her dress.
She walked slowly towards the steps. She hadn't ever worn heels this tall so she had to get used to walking in them. She stumbled over her toes but couldn't do anything but laugh after she caught herself. She realized then that she was genuinely happy. She couldn't wait to make it down those stairs to be greeted with her mothers supportive smile for the first time in what felt like ages. She made her way towards the top of the stairs. With each step she felt more confident walking in the heels and more confident in general.
Right when she made it to the top of the stairs, the front door clicked open. Jem was there. There she stood at the top of the stairs, her eyes shining almost as bright as the sparkles in the light above her. She smiled, and then she saw the flash of the camera and then remembered to pose and smile for her mother. Jem couldn't keep his eyes off of her. He could see the difference in her. It wasn't the make up, the dress, the heels, her hair or anything that superficial. It was something inside and he loved it, he promised himself right then that he would make sure she felt however she was feeling now for the rest of their days together.
It took a while for Jaela to make it down those stairs, that was all the heels' fault. She almost fell twice. Both times Jem rushed forward to catch her only for her to catch herself. So he stood back, braced and waiting for her to come down. Once she was down, she walked to him and hugged him. They were color coordinated. He made sure to buy a salmon bow tie just for the occasion. He smiled down at her and she pressed her lips against his and it took all the strength he had to not take it any further in front of her mother.
"You look great" Jaela's mum said after they're reunion. She had tears in her eyes and was smiling bigger than either of them had ever seen in a really long time.
"Thanks mum! I feel great"
Jem then remembered he has a corsage to give her. A group of daisies and fake pearls on sticks. She took it and clipped it onto her dress.
"You look beautiful, Jaela." Was all he could say with complete sincerity without crying. She was a star, shining relentlessly. She looked up at him and said thank you. She looked down his body.
"You also look beautiful, Jem" she smiled. He smirked and posed for play.
Jem drove them to the venue. A big building with only one floor. Once they parked, Jem came around to open her door and held out his hand. She took it and stepped out into the cool air. But all that didn't bother her, all she could do was look into his blue-green eyes in wonder. She remembered the first time she saw those eyes in the band room, and remembered all the other expressions his eyes had been through. She went on her tip toes and pecked his lips while holding his hand down by their hips. He kissed her back and chuckled.
"Maybe we should go inside?" Jaela nodded, too nervous to argue.
Inside, music was playing, light moving, and bodies dancing. Jaela looked around and immediately felt confined, but all that disappeared when Jem put his hands on her shoulder. She looked back at him and smiled. Leading him into the crowd.
They danced through the night, laughing at Jem's attempts at dancing. Jaela almost fell so many times but Jem was there to catch her.
"You look so lovely, I couldn't find the word to say earlier but you, Jaela, are lovely" he placed his chin on her head. And she blushed red and rested her head on his chest.
