Rhett's Rebel

|| Rhett || - 11

Song: Bad Reputation by Shawn Mendes

October 12th.

A day I'll never forget.

I remember how excited I was when putting on my suit and tie.

My mother had given me an all-knowing look as I came into the main foyer. She knew how much I really liked this girl.

"I don't think I've ever seen you this excited for a school dance." Her manicured fingers helped adjust my tie.

"Dances are always fun." I brushed off her comment, waiting as she finished with my tie.

I went over to the fridge to grab the corsage out. I actually I had went to pick it out without my mother's help, for the first time. My mother usually picked one out after I'd tell her the color of the girl's dress. She had a knack for those things whereas I usually never did.

But I wanted it to hold a special meaning for Noa. I didn't want it basic or even perfect. I wanted it to represent Noa and what she meant to me.

The corsage had lighter to darker pink roses with baby's breath mixed in it. The silver ribbon used had a metallic-like shimmer, mimicking the way the moon beams down on the earth. It was simple yet held such complexity. I knew it was something she would like.

At least, I hoped she would like it.

"Rhett, it's about five-thirty! Don't you have to pick up Noa?!" My mother pointed to our large clock on the wall.

I shook my head. "No...she wanted to come here."

"Oh?"

I sighed. "She doesn't want me in her neighborhood." I don't say everything Noa told me, like how I am "too soft and would get beaten up if the gangs continued to see me around her neighborhood." I figured she was joking.

She gave a slight frown, seemingly understanding what I meant.

After a few minutes, our doorbell rang, indicating that she was here.

The corsage box clutched in my hand, I felt oddly nervous as I rushed to the door and opened it.

The moment I saw her is forever one of my favorite memories. She wore a shorter silvery dress that hugged her figure while also seemingly elongating her already long legs. She shone like the moon goddess she is.

I noticed her eyes scan the length of my body. She was drinking up the sight of me, just like I was doing with her.

"You look good... I guess." The corner of her mouth twitched up. "Dude, pick up your jaw."

She then used her finger and lightly pushed my chin up, closing my mouth.

"There we go." She winked, lightly pushing past me, walking into my home and leaving me standing in my doorway looking like a fool.

Then, I noticed a woman who looked like an older version of Noa with a shorter and darker hair style along with her sister, Rue. I guessed the woman was, in fact, Noa's mother.

She gave me a small smile, extending her arm. I quickly took her hand and shook it.

"Hi. I'm Noa's mother. You must be Rhett." Her voice was refreshing and lighter. She seemed like a very sweet woman.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Alvrezea.."

Her smile faltered a bit. "Just call me Mia. You know Rue, right?" I nodded, winking at Noa's younger sister. She returned it right back with a thumbs up.

"Rhett!! Your mom wants pictures!!" Noa yelled from within the house.

Mia shook her head with a smile as Rue rolled her eyes.

"I don't know why you wanted to go with her." Mia had already walked in before us as Rue quietly said this. Her eyes were probing me for an answer.

"Why wouldn't I want to go with her?"

My question made her laugh. "She's trouble, and you look like the type of guy who stops trouble."

I laughed. "Looking like that type of guy is different than actually being that guy."

Her eyebrows wrinkled in confusion. "What?"

I shook my head. "Come on... let's get inside before Noa decides she doesn't want to go with me anymore."

Her eyes widened and she hastily ran into my house. I trailed in behind her, walking in on both my mom and Noa's mom snapping pictures of Noa on the stairs. She was smiling, and it was one of sincerity.

"You look absolutely gorgeous, Noa!" My mother snapped another picture, smiling with her eyes as she spoke. "Where did you get that dress? It's one of the prettiest I've seen in such a long time!"

Noa bit her lip before saying, "Thank you. I got it from Goodwill actually ...."

She needs to shop there more often, I had thought.

My mother gave her a look in shock. "You found that at Goodwill? Wow," Noa's smile faltered, awaiting something snotty to come out of my mothers mouth, "I may have to check Goodwill out!"

My mother may be all about the perfect image, but she was actually a nice person.

"Rhett, let's have you pose with Noa now," Mia said, ushering me with the hand not holding onto the disposable camera.

I, reluctantly, walked over so I was standing right next to Noa. I placed my hand on the small of her back, realizing I wasn't feeling fabric, but rather her cool, soft skin.

She looked up as I discovered this, snickering to herself.

"Okay, now smile you two!" My mom exclaimed, already snapping the picture. I knew we were both smiling, just not at the camera.

I think this is when I started to fall for her. I can recall every single detail of this moment, even more so than the dance itself.

I remember the way one strand of her curled hair kept covering her right eye, annoying her.

I remember the soft warm glow of our foyer chandelier and how it bounced off her shimmery dress, illuminating her as if she were the light source.

I remember the way she froze so slightly when I let my fingers trail a tad too long on her backside before taking her hand and leading her to my car.

I remember thinking how lucky I was to take this moon goddess as my date to the dance.

**unedited**