Beauty and the Geek

Chapter 16.

  "Well?!" Will asked eagerly, looping an arm around my shoulder. "How did you do?"
"I don't know," I bit my lip anxiously. "I don't even want to look..."
"C'mon. It's like a band aid - just do it quickly."

He pulled the envelope out of my hands, tearing it open and skimming the page quickly. A small grin crept over his face as he thrust the paper in my face enthusiastically.

"You did it, Em!" His face glowed with pride. "You got an A!"
"I did?" I replied, genuinely confused but still elated.
"You're going to college!"

He hugged me tightly, but my happiness came with a side of uneasiness. I still wasn't sure how I had managed to get an A; it was safe to say that Will and I hadn't did much studying lately with all the events that were going on outside of school. Somehow, I had gone from flunking to straight A's overnight. But I wasn't going to question my sudden peak in intelligence, I just wanted to enjoy it.

"Let's celebrate!" I threw up my hands in disbelief.
"I'm already one step ahead," Will kissed me quickly on the forehead. "I'll see you later."

---

Three hours of indulgence and retail therapy later, I stroked the silky material on the hanger and smiled to myself; I had finally found a prom dress. I couldn't wait to see Will's face when I wore it – it was exactly what I had been looking for. Hearing a flicking sound outside, I bundled the dress quickly into the wardrobe and stuck my head out the window.

Will stood with tiny rocks in hand, throwing them at my window and nearly directly into my eye.

"Jeez, you'll take my eye out!" I ducked quickly.
"Sorry," He shrugged shyly. "I was trying to be romantic..."
"You don't have to try! What are you doing here? My mom's working downstairs –"
"I'm here to celebrate! Don't worry, I can climb in through the window!"
"You're kidding right? You'll hurt yourself –"

It was too late; Will was already struggling to climb up the side of the building like an awkward Spiderman as I stifled a laugh. Eventually, he made it to the top and I embarrassingly had to hoist him inside.

"Well...it wasn't exactly Romeo but I tried," He panted, spreading his arms in welcome towards me.
"Are you trying to do all of the chick flick clichés in one night?" I threw my arms around his waist.
"Is it working...?"

He pulled me close, silencing us both with a kiss that was gave me shivers down my spine and literally took my breath away. Will almost groaned against my lips as I ran my hand gently over the hair at the nape of his neck. It lasted a little too long than was appropriate and I pulled away quickly before things got too heavy.

"So, what's in the bag?" I asked, trying to change subject but feeling Will's eyes focused on my own.
"Ah, yeah...the bag," He replied, waking up from his daze. "I bought you a present – and wine."
"Are you trying to get me drunk and take advantage of me?"
"You foiled my plan," He chuckled. "Now, open your present!"

I unfolded the wrapping paper, neatly wrapped, which was very characteristic of perfectionist Will. Inside was a vintage looking camera and a photo album complete with a photo of Will pulling a funny face on the cover.

"It's for when you go to college," He stuck his hands in his pockets sadly. "So you don't forget about me – and so you can make some memories of your own."
"Yeah...college," I smiled, half heartedly. "I love it – thank you."

An awkward silence hung in the air; we had both avoided the subject of college for a while. We both knew that we would be in opposite ends of the country – it would be hard to see each other. I was pretty sure I wasn't getting into a good school as much as Will wanted me to join him – I didn't have the intelligence that he had. I would probably be stuck at community college. We would have to say goodbye at some point but I wasn't ready just yet. I wanted to cherish these last moments with him more than anything in the world.

"I know," Will said, simply, noticing my expression. "I'll miss you too."

He reached out, stroking my cheek softly and pulled me in for a tight hug; his light kisses sneakily travelling to my neck and making my heart beat so fast I thought I would pass out. This could potentially be one of the last nights we would spend together, I realised. He was there, in all his beauty and glory; he was right in front me and he was real. But somehow, it wasn't enough. It would never be enough. I wanted to be even closer, to take a part of him with me wherever I would go next. I silently locked my bedroom door and turned to face him. Will raised his eyebrows in surprise, as I crossed the distance between us and pulled off his t-shirt.

"A-a-are you sure?" He stuttered, bare chested and self-conscious before me.
"I've never been more sure of anything," I replied.

---

Staring at my reflection in the mirror, I found myself reflecting on my year. It had been crazy – that was for sure. But I wouldn't have changed it for the world. I had met someone amazing and finally, made my dad proud. I was finally being myself and nobody could take it away from me. I still wasn't sure where I was going next but that was okay. Life could catch up with me later.

I peeked downstairs to see Will awkwardly sipping water as my Mom glanced at him in confusion. She zoned out most of the time; it seemed she had missed the episode where I had broken up with Brett and wondered who the nervous boy was sitting on her sofa. Will looked handsome in his tuxedo; awkwardly patting his hair, adjusting his tie and checking his watch.

With one last deep breath, I walked slowly downstairs, my dress flowing around my ankles. My mom leapt from the sofa, hands over her mouth. It was the biggest display of emotion I had seen from her all year – even Mark looked up from his video game controller in surprise.

"Oh, Emily!" She cried. "You look –"
"Beautiful," Will completed the sentence. She stepped back, a smile on her face, as Will came face to face with me finally.

He looked at me like I was the only person in the world. There was nothing like getting that look from somebody you loved; it made you feel like you could grow some wings and fly off into the distance right there and then.

"You don't look so bad yourself," I laughed.

He held my wrist, putting on the corsage with shaking hands as I giggled nervously.

"Ready?" He asked, taking my hand in his and leading us out into the unknown.