The Constant

Chapter 41

BEA POV

"C'mon, let me get one picture please!" 

"Okay, fine! You broke me" I gave in. It was officially prom night and my mom had been begging me for a photo since I put my dress on. The dress was a sleeveless, sweetheart cut lilac color dress with beading in the middle appearing almost as a belt. I bought it when I was still with Ryker, back when I was so excited for this day and all the expectations and hopes that came with it. 

I smiled for the billion photos she snapped but my insides felt like crying. I couldn't believe it was prom and I wasn't going with Ryker. I was still furious with him but I couldn't help but miss him, and a part of me felt missing without him in my life. 

"Joseph could you please give us two a minute" Mom requested.

Dad nodded and headed out of the room. She then turned to me, "I don't think it's too late to go see if you and Ryker want to go together," She said softly. 

I shook my head, "No Mom, we're done and he messed up big time".

"I agree, he messed up, but he's still your best friend and has been forever, and...' 

'"And?" I pressed

'And I think he's the one". 

My heart was thudding so hard against my chest I felt like I was going to collapse. "No Mom, I can't do this. I have to go," I said walking away from her to the front door. 

"Bea, please just think about it!" She called out. 

RYKER POV 

Prom night had come and Bea and I were further apart than we've ever been, but tonight I was fixing that. I was gonna lay my whole heart on the line, once and for all. 

The venue for prom was about twenty minutes away from the house and I was determined to get there and talk to her. I knew Bea would be there at least for a little while as she was on the dance committee and I wanted to catch her before she left. I was praying that she wasn't there with Jared, but I had to face that possibility and still go for it. 

I was just about in the parking lot and already scanning for any sign of her. I didn't see her but I quickly parked the car and ran inside. 

When I got in there were seas of people already inside, dressed in their best dresses and suits. I looked all around, first spotting Miranda. I ran over to her to see if she could help me. When she saw me approaching, and started to tug the sleeve of her date Joseph. 

"Miranda wait!" 

She stopped and looked at me in that stern "you hurt my best friend" kind of way. 

"Please," I begged softly. 

She sighed, "Fine! She's not here yet but will be here in about twenty minutes so start getting ready. Be gentle with her".

I smiled and squeezed her arm, "Thanks". 

BEA POV

I managed to find a route to the prom venue that would take twice as long as it would going the other way so I could be there even later. As I was on the prom committee, I knew when everything was going on. I planned to sneak in when prom king and queen were being named so everyone would be distracted, including Ryker if he showed up. That way I could come in, make my rounds as a part of the committee then sneak right back out. 

The parking lot was pretty full when arrived, so I had to walk a bit, not that I minded as I wanted to stall as long as I could. The air was warm and the sky was clear, the stars sparkling, reminding me that high school was almost over. I lifted up my dress and stepped inside the building. 

This year the venue was a huge, exquisite function hall. The ceilings were high and the walls were made with dark wood, with dim lights lighting the place up. You could hear music booming from the main room where our prom was. I handed in my ticket to the teacher running the desk and walked in. As I walked in, I saw Miranda and Joseph dancing together, smiling, laughing, doing everything I had dreamed I would be doing tonight with Ryker. 

She spotted me, excusing herself from Joseph, and headed over to me. She looked beautiful in a canary yellow dress with one strap and her dark brunette hair pulled into an elegant undo. "You look stunning Mir" I complimented. 

She smiled, "Thanks Bea, and you look as flawless as ever. How are you doing?" She asked. 

I shrugged. "I'm holding it together. Just making my appearance and then hoping to head home and binge watch t.v. in my pjs". 

"Aww Bea, I'm sorry. You have to stay for at least one dance". 

"I don't know. But please, go back to Joseph and enjoy tonight you deserve it" I said.

She squeezed my arm supportively. "You deserve it too,' she reminded me, 'At least stay for the crowning of king and queen if you won't dance".

And, as if on cue, the faculty advisor of the dance committee, Mrs. Trembell, came on stage and began talking. 

"Okay, I'll stay just for this, then I'm going".

Miranda held her hands up in defense, "That's all I ask," she said, pulling me with her to the center of the dance floor.