That Summer | Aaron Carpenter

twenty nine

I stood in front of the mirror, staring at myself. I tilted my head and smiled. I touched the bottom of my dress which fell right above my knees.

"You look amazing." Taylor stated, leaning against the doorway.

"Thanks."

"You're not wearing your charm bracelet." He pointed out.

"I didn't want to wear on a night with Eli." I said.

The doorbell rang, "its prom Hallie, put it on while I get the door."

I nodded as he walked out. I turned and picked the charm bracelet from the nightstand. I held it up in front of my face. I saw all the different charms and smiled, remembering the night Aaron gave it to me.

I put it around my waist and smiled. I looked back in the mirror. I felt like I was missing something. I saw bandannas lying on my desk. I grabbed my navy blue one that matched with my dress perfectly and put it on.

"Hallie." Taylor walked back in. He saw I was putting a bandanna on. "There's the Hallie I know."

I laughed, "Was it Eli?"

"Yeah, he's talking to dad downstairs."

"Oh lord." I shook my head and followed him down the stairs.

"Wow." Eli smiled, and then laughed at my bandanna.

"Pictures." My dad said. "Your mom wants some."

Eli slid my corsage around my wrist, sliding his finger over my charm bracelet. I put the boutonnieres on his tux and smiled. We posed and let my dad take some pictures. I got one with Taylor and then one with my dad.

"We really have to go." I said.

"Have fun." Taylor said.

"I'll be home by one." I said.

"Good." My dad said.

Eli grabbed my hand and we walked out to his car. He helped me into the passenger seat and got in the driver's seat. He pulled out of the driveway and grabbed my hand.

"You look amazing." Eli smiled at me.

I looked over at him and watched his pretty blue eyes as he looked back to the road.

"Tonight is our night." I said and squeezed his hand.

"If I can just ask, why are you wearing the charm bracelet?"

"I really like it." I said. "It reminds me of all my closest friends."

"I understand that, but does it really matter if you don't wear it?"

"It does to me." I said.

"Okay." He said and shut up.

We got to the high school and walked in. We got our picture taken and then walked to the gym. We saw Ashley and her boyfriend, Dylan.

"Hey." I smiled and hugged Ashley.

"You look beautiful!" She said and smiled at me.

"You do too!" I said.

I heard the song change from the usual upbeat pop song to Kid in Love by Shawn. I smiled.

"They play his songs at all the dances." Eli said.

"That's because they're amazing."

"Shawn is amazing." I chuckled, thinking about him.

"I'm going to get drinks." Eli huffed and walked away.