No Turning Back (Rewrite)

Chapter 12

White flashes blinded my sight. Each white light stunned my vision. Before my eyes could recover from the effect of the multi-colored dots, another flash threw my senses in a whirl. A hammer started pounding against my head from the continuous distortions.

Above the obnoxious flashes of the cameras, blurred voices shot through the air.

Smile for the camera!

Look this way!

The two of you make such a lovely couple!

Blue looks so nice on both of you!

Turn this way now! Put your hand on your hip, Mia!

Daniel, wrap your arm around her waist!

There's a great pose! Keep smiling!

My cheeks burned from upholding this damn smile for so long. I couldn't wait to get in the car and give my lips a break. Hopefully Mia wasn't in the mood to make out before the dance. I needed at least five minutes for the tense sensation to go away.

My homecoming date was absolutely stunning in her royal blue dress. The strapless top hugged the slim curves of her chest, and the black ribbon around her waist emphasized her small waist. Her slender legs peeking out from the flared skirt appeared long and creamy with the addition of black stilettos. In her spot against my chest, the sweet scent of her vanilla perfume wafted through my nose.

Her kind blue eyes looked up at me, and a ravishing smile bloomed on her glossed lips.

A rush of guilt rolled in my stomach. A girl as beautiful and smart as her didn't deserve to be going to a dance like this with me. I should've ended this sooner. On a night like this, Mia needed someone to fawn and obsess over her beauty. I had no doubt by the end of the night, she'd crave more than heated kisses and shy caressed. She'd desire an intimacy I couldn't provide.

I feigned a smile. I could worry about the end of the night when the time came. Right now, I needed to focus on giving Mia a good time at our last high school homecoming dance. It was the very least I could do to make her happy.

After an eternity, our parents finally released us from the camera flashing Hell. I practically dragged Mia out her front door to my car.

She giggled at my eagerness. "Couldn't wait to get me alone," she asked.

I opened the passenger door for her. "What can I say? You look gorgeous in that dress."

Her arms wound around my waist. She stood on her toes to close some distance between our lips. "Will I still look as gorgeous when you take it off later?"

I feigned a laugh to hide the nervous crease between my brows. Gently, I unwrapped her arms and nudged her into the car. "I have no doubt you'll look even better."

She squealed in delight.

Obnoxiously loud music greeted the two of us when we arrived at the dance. This year's homecoming theme was The Roaring '20s. Gold and black streamers hung in arches from the ceiling. Sparkling chandeliers hung between them. Dark vignettes of flappers and dancing couples stood in various places around the room. Elegant white table clothes covered tables. A glistening silver centerpiece lay on each table. Luxurious cutouts of stairwells, elevators, and French windows were placed strategically around the room. Groups of friends and couples huddled around the various props, taking turns snapping pictures in front of the decorations.

The female students traded their button-ups and plaid skirts for iterations of flapper dresses. Sequined skirts and feathered headbands were a common sight around the room. The male students were clad in sleek tuxedos with bold colored collared shirts and fedoras.