just another statistic

winter formal

january 20

i walk down the hallways of my high school, saying hi to friends i haven't seen since friday. i send my best friend, juliana, a message, where are you??? she is almost always late to school, contrary to me who is almost always early. we are kinda opposites but we're besties.

"holland!!" i hear juliana yell in a sing-songy voice. i turn around and run and jump on her.

"i missed you!" i giggle, she's been on vacation for the past week.

"i missed you too, but c'mon! i have to show you something, it's very important!" she draws out the very, dragging me to our first class by the arm.

when we finally reach our chemistry class, i see my adorable boyfriend, cameron, holding a sign: it's no use denying we have chemistry, be my date to the winter formal? i squeal and run up to him.

"this is so cheesy." i tease, whispering in his ear.

"so that's a yes?" he smiles his million dollar smile. gosh, i'm so in love with this boy.

"yes, of course!" i run my fingers through his wavy dark brown hair. we've been together for two years, but it seems like forever. my grandma always says that she can tell he's my soulmate.

after school, i am practically walking on air. i am so excited to go to this dance, it's my sophomore year of high school, but this will be my first dance. "mom! i'm home!" i yell as i walk upstairs to my room. i hear my mom yell back to me, saying something about getting groceries, followed by the sound of the door closing and the car starting. i set my keys on my dresser and walk down the hall into my younger brothers room.

"hey reid!" i sit on my brothers bed. he's a freshman in high school. "what's up?" he asks me, not looking up from his game. "have you seen theo?" i ask him.

my little brother theo is 6 years old, and the loudest creature on earth. he's cute though.

"he's on a play date with a friend from school." he says pressing the off button.

"i thought it was way too quiet in here!" i laugh.

"yep. hey, i heard about the little proposal thing with cam today, what'd you say?" he smiles at me. reid loves to hear about my love life, and he thinks cameron is the coolest person in the world.

"i said yes. of course." i smile, "now to find the perfect dress.".

"oh my gosh you're so extra, it's just a high school dance." reid teases me. i know it's only a little winter formal, but it's more than that to me. i think this night will be special for me and cam.

two days later

"all i'm saying is that red is definitely your color, it matches your hair." juliana motions to my long, wavy light red hair.

"yes but is it too match-y? should i go with a blue, it'll match my eyes." i look through the dresses. i hold up a beautiful long, silky blue dress up.

"it's pretty but you look so sexy in red. cameron will love it, especially for after the dance." she winks at me, holding up a sparkly red dress. i blush.

"seriously girl, is it going to happen after the formal?" she asks.

"i don't know. maybe, maybe not." i don't give a clear answer as i step into the dressing room to try it on.

"look, it just depends on if you and him are ready or not. don't let him pressure you!" she warns. i slip on the dress and walk out of the room. "oh my gosh, holland. you are drop dead gorgeous!" juliana gushes.

"thank you! i love it!" i squeal. we take the dress to the counter to buy it.

the day of the dance, january 25

juliana and i talk while i twist her jet black hair into a braid crown. she's going with her boyfriend of 6 months, andy.

"can you do my eye liner?" i ask juliana as i finish her braid.

"yep!" she hops up and grabs the small tube. i close my eyes as she applies it. after she finished my eye liner, i apply highlighter to my cheek bones and a little blush, followed by mascara.

"you look gorgeous, sweetie." my mom says while taking my picture with juliana.

"thanks mama." i smile warmly.

"don't forget your jacket!" my dad reminds me as i walk out the door. i take it and thank him.

at the dance, the music is so loud i can barely hear myself think but i love it! i'm singing along to my favorite songs, dancing with my friends, and kissing my boyfriend. i feel so care free, it's amazing after all that studying for exams.

"having fun babe?" cam asks me.

"yes!" i yell over all the loudness of the dance.

cam and i left the dance a little early, going to his house. his parents are on vacation right now, and his brother is in college. we're just hanging out in his room, watching tv.

i'm laughing at a joke made on the tv when cameron suddenly says, "i love you, holland.". he looks over at me, intense passion in his eyes and i know what this is leading to.

"i love you too." i move closer to him and kiss him. the kiss seems like it will never end, it keeps getting more and more passionate. it's like what i've seen in movies except better. he picks me up and sets me on his lap. i run my fingers through his hair.

"are you ready?" he breathes out.

and despite my better judgement, i say, "yes.". i am consumed with love and excitement, this is all so new and amazing to me. he unzips my dress and i take his shirt off. he lightly tosses me onto the bed and my entire life changes.

we both collapse on the bed. "wow." cam says, grabbing my hand. i smile at him. i don't want to be happy about this, i mean, i'm only 16, should i be doing this? it's too late now, though, but i love cameron and know i want to be with him forever, so it's not that bad, right?

"i love you so much, cam." i look into his caramel brown eyes.

"i love you more." he kisses my forehead.

cameron drives me home just in time, the dance ended 5 minutes ago.

"goodnight, babe." cam smiles at me, i say goodnight back and walk into my house.

i'm smiling from ear to ear while i walk around the house.

"i'm guessing the dance was good." my mom beams at me.

"it was amazing." i answer truthfully but i can't help but feel a little guilty, i know that my parents wouldn't want me to, you know, so young.

a/n: hey guys! i know this chapter is a little slow but it will get better! show this chapter some love!