The Whisper Seekers

Homecoming

Hours later, I arrive back home, my hair styled exactly like the Pinterest photo I showed the stylist, maybe even better. It's pulled back in an elegant updo, with soft spiral curls framing my face just right. I ended up skipping the matching headpiece Lily, Harper, and I planned. The stylist offered a delicate rhinestone headband instead, and it suited the look perfectly.

My makeup is simple, understated, but polished. There's a soft shimmer on my cheeks and collarbone that catches the light every time I turn. Even my nails sparkle—freshly manicured, with a sleek nude polish and a thin black stripe across each pinkie. 

After the salon, my mom and I stopped for lunch at this tiny place we always go to. The moment we walked in, I could feel the buzz in the air. Everyone was talking about what happened yesterday. A few people glanced in our direction, not subtle about it. My mom and I stayed quiet. We didn't join the conversation. I already know this won't blow over quickly. 

On the drive home, we swung by a local flower shop, and I picked out a simple rose boutonniere for Liam. When we finally get back, I step through the garage door and head straight to the fridge, carefully tucking the flower box inside.

Buzzing with excitement, I hurry to my room to find the one thing that will tie everything together—my dress. I pull the garment bag from my closet and flop it onto the bed, unzipping it carefully like I'm unwrapping something sacred. I slide the dress out slowly, taking a second to just admire it before slipping it on.

It takes a few minutes of adjusting, zipping, and tugging, but when I'm finally dressed, I step in front of my full-length mirror. The mini dress hugs in all the right places, and the strappy black heels make my legs look impossibly long and tanned. I turn slightly, checking out the back. The glittery fabric clings in a way that's actually flattering, and the crisscrossing straps reveal just enough skin without being too much. The sparkle in the dress mirrors the shimmer in my rhinestone headband perfectly. It's my last homecoming and easily my favorite look yet.

Then the doorbell rings.

I freeze, heart leaping straight into my throat when I hear Liam's voice downstairs. I take one final glance in the mirror, smoothing my dress, adjusting a curl, and then slowly head toward the staircase.

For dramatic effect, I take my time walking down the spiral stairs, letting Liam take it all in. His eyes widen as they move from my heels to my hair, and by the time I reach the last step, we're both wearing wide, giddy grins that reach all the way to our eyes.

He's holding my corsage, but I barely notice at first—I'm too busy drinking him in.

Liam looks breathtaking. His fitted black tux with satin lapels sharpens every edge of him, while the slim-cut pants highlight his long legs. The sleek black bow tie ties the whole look together, and his dark hair freshly cut and slicked neatly to the side makes him look older, sharper, even more gorgeous than I remembered. I stare a little too long, and he blushes.

My mom is just as elated as I am when she runs back in with the box his boutonniere sits in. My dad even comes around the corner and shakes Liam's hand. When my dad's eyes finally fall on me, he smiles and softly says, "You look beautiful, Ellie," before pulling me in for a hug.

My mom starts snapping pictures as Liam pulls out a beautiful corsage made with pink gerbera daisies and tiny roses. After he slides it on my wrist, I can't help but smile, How did you know gerbera daisies were my favorite? He winks at me and I pin his boutonniere to his lapel.

How did you know roses were my favorite? He jokes and I slip him a small eye roll. My mom is in full photographer mode. She doesn't miss a single moment and, of course, insists on staging us on the staircase for some "classic shots." Liam and I oblige, smiling through the awkward poses, until my dad finally intervenes and gently convinces her to put the camera down. We use the opportunity to slip out the front door before she starts again.