One Moment

the beginning

     16 year old Elizabeth Schuyler walked down the steps from her bedroom. Hair pulled up in a fancy ponytail and two strands to frame her face down. She wore an elegant baby blue gown, long and sleek with metal birds around the torso. Her father had gotten this dress specially made for her and this special night. Tonight was her sophomore prom. She didn't have a date, and she was more than fine with it. Eliza had other thing a to focus on. Like her school work and her faith and-- who was she kidding. Of course she wanted a date!
     What's she supposed to do? Watch all the couples together being romantic and such. Being all in love. Of course Angie was going with her, and her boyfriend, John Church. Eliza would of preferred to stay home but her father said otherwise. Her translucent blue heels clicked as she made her way down the steps. As soon as she made it far enough down, she saw her mom and dad already taking pictures of Angie and John. She sighed and made he way past them. She walked into the bathroom, grabbed a toothbrush and a bucket and some spray. She stayed down the bathroom counter and and started scrubbing.
     Eliza has extreme OCD so when she's stressed, she kinda starts scrubbing things with electric toothbrushes.
     Peggy, her younger sister by two years, must of heard the whirring of it because she came in. She was in 8th grade, last year of middle school. She would be a freshman next year. Eliza turned to hear the door open and her younger sister with her hand on a sassy hip and a stern look. "Eliza," she said scoldingly. "Put down the toothbrush, now."
    Eliza sighed and did as told. "Yeah, yeah," she mumbled. "I'm sorry."
    Peggy smiled softly. "Stop stressing. You're going to be amazing. Guys are going to be all over you," she laughed, leaning against the door frame.
     Eliza broke into laughter and smiled. "Whatever. I'll miss you tonight," she grinned, walking over and hugging her tightly.
    Peggy smiled and hugged back. "Of course you will, I'm amazing. Who wouldn't?" She teased.
     Eliza rolled her eyes playfully. "Whatever. I gotta go before Mom and Dad go nuts," she snickered, pushing past her sister and into the living room where her sister and parents and of course, John, were taking pictures. "Um, Angie, John? Should we head out?" She asked quietly. Everyone's heads turned towards her and she felt her face turn pink.
     Angie was the first to say something. "Eliza, you look beautiful," she said in her normal, calm voice. Her parents looked about as astonished as she felt embarrassed.
    Her father smiled softly and walked over to her, hugging her tightly. "You look gorgeous. Absolutely stunning," he said carefully. Eliza smiled and looked down, blushing still.
      Eliza's mother soon walked over and kissed her forehead. "You look amazing, dear. You're just, wow. There are no words," she said softly.
     John just kept his mouth shut. Eliza always got the impression he didn't like her, but she remained civil and polite.
     "Well, Mama, Papa, we must be going now," she said quickly, kissing both of their cheeks and scurrying out the door. She was left outside, alone until about five minutes later John and Angelica walked outside as well.
     Angie got in her car, John in the passenger seat, and Eliza sat awkwardly and alone in the back. She sighed and scrolled through her phone until the fatal moment that they all arrived. Eliza got out and sighed, biting her lip. Angelica and John got out too. Eliza huffed and walked in quickly, scurrying to the edge of the room so she wouldn't bump into anyone, or get noticed as easily. 'Just blend in, Eliza,' she told herself.
     And that's when she saw him. And she knew this was the first moment of the rest of her life.