"Wow," is all Noah can say.
"Too much?" I ask giving him a wary look.
We're in the parking lot by my car and I'm showing him my prom proposal gift for Esme. It's half prom proposal present and half birthday present.
"No, it's not that. Just the fact that you decided to ask her to prom a week before prom," Noah says scratching his head.
"They went prom dress shopping two weeks before prom. I think it's okay," I shrug.
"I mean, I guess. Well, you waited way damn long to ask her out, so I guess you're just bad at timing," he chuckles.
"Shut up," I laugh.
"She'll love it. When are you going to give it to her?"
"In a few minutes, it's her birthday anyway so I don't want to avoid her all day,"
"You're very extra," he chuckles, closing the car door.
"Better than your proposal!" I say raising an eyebrow.
"My proposal was great. I don't see what's wrong with it," he shakes his head.
"Proposing while going all Fifty Shades of Grey on her?"
"Who doesn't want that?" He shrugs and I laugh.
We walk to the school building and Noah helps me carry the giant mysterious box I have for Esme. We make our way to the tree and I see Ana motioning me to hurry up. Zamari is standing next to her with his arms crossed watching Noah and I carry the box to the table.
"She went to the cafeteria with Freddie to get breakfast. You need to hurry up," she orders me while pushing her bag off the table so I can place the box. She helps me place the bow on the box because God knows I don't know how.
"What's in there?" Zamari asks trying to take a peek inside the box. Ana smacks his hand away and he winces.
"She'll be back in a few minutes, be patient," she hisses.
I turn to Noah and we give each other a look. I see a smirk creep over his lips, and I let out a small laugh. Just get together already.
The black box is around 3 feet wide and 2 feet tall. There is a giant pink bow on top and a small white teddy bear laying across the surface. Ana brought her the numbered balloons that form the number 18 and a box of Esme's breakfast from Benny's. Zamari has a small present bag on the side and I see Freddy's present by his backpack.
I prepare myself, fixing my blue shirt that she got me for Christmas. I look around trying to find her beautiful face. I turn towards the cafeteria and see her walking out, but there's something different about her. Her hair. It's cut just below her shoulders and it's perfectly curled. She's laughing which makes her white teeth pop out like peals. She's wearing a bright yellow mini dress that reminds me of a sunflower. She's glorious.
Our eyes meet and her smile deepens. I look down and walk towards her. Her little body skips towards my direction and she lets her body fall into my arms.
"Hey you," she says.
"Happy birthday, babe," I whisper in her ear.
"Thank you," she pulls away and looks up at me.
"I like this," I say, grabbing a strand of hair.
"Do you? I thought it would look cute now that I have to start paying taxes and bills," she jokes, and I laugh.
"Go open your present," I order.
"In front of everyone?" She asks, intertwining her fingers with mine.
"Yep,"
She looks down but pulls me to the direction of the group. I hear Ana and Naomi start singing happy birthday and I see Esme blush under her hand. She glances at the box and quickly jumps to it.
"Can I open it?" Her voice rises and she sounds like a child. I chuckle and nod.
She grins while taking off the top of the box. As she opens it a few pink balloons fly into the sky and she watches them leave into the atmosphere. She looks down and sees what's inside the box. I glued a bunch of pictures that I had of us all over the box. There is a rose in the middle with a small notecard on the side. She smiles and grabs the card.
I stand behind her hoping to get the reaction I want. She quickly turns around and wraps her arms around me.
"Is that an answer?" I ask holding her waist.
"Yes! Of course!" She says and before I can say anything, she's brushing her lips against mine and I'm speechless. I hear claps from behind and see the Ana and Naomi jumping of joy.
I look down at Esme who is looking at me with a sparkle in her eye. How did I wait so long to finally make her mine?
YOU ARE READING
Salted Wound
Teen FictionAnastacia Flores doesn't live a perfect life, but she pushes herself into her education to have a bright future and become a teacher. She is loved and supported by her family, her boyfriend, Luis, and her best friends. Zamari Sabian is a deviant wh...
