The Laws of Emotion

Chapter Twenty Three

Mom kept hovering at my doorway as I got dressed. She seemed to be sad that I was getting ready for my senior prom. She kept wringing her hands together. "Mom," I said, halting my decision to put in some earrings. "Are you okay?"

She stepped into my room, her brows furrowed. "Yes. I'm just . . . upset that my little girl is all grown up."

I smiled at her and opened my arms to her. She stepped into my embrace with a soft laugh. "Don't worry, Mom," I said to her. "I'm still your little girl. Just grown now."

Mom made sure not to mess up my hair as she pulled away. I had done it myself, and I was very proud of my work. My dark hair was up in a tight bun, but I kept a few strands out of the bun. I curled those few locks and let them hang. I didn't apply much makeup because I thought I looked great already, but I did match the color of my makeup to my pink dress. Harvey and I decided on that color because it matched his hair. 

"You look beautiful," Mom said softly. She grabbed both of my hands in hers and gave them a squeeze. "I'm so proud of you, Cat."

"Mom," I said, dragging out the word. I still smiled at her. "Thank you. You don't know now much that means to me."

I thought back to the two guys who had said mean things about me. They didn't know me at all. I shouldn't have worried about them at all. I shouldn't have let them bring me down. I had people who knew me and who loved me for me. 

"I better let you get ready," Mom said, taking a step away from me. "I don't want you to be late because of me."

"Harvey would understand." I laughed. "He knows you."

"I still can't believe that you're going to prom with him." She stared at me, and I put on a fake smile. I hadn't told her what happened between the two of us yet. "Are you two going as friends?"

"Well . . ." Her eyes widened when I trailed off. I shrugged. "I don't really know. All I know is that I have feelings for him."

"When did you realize this?"

"Recently," I assured her. "It was very recent."

She nodded. "Did anything else happen between the two of you?"

I nodded, my cheeks flaring red. I bet they were brighter than my dress. "Remember the scrimmage game?" Mom nodded. "We kissed after the game."

Mom nodded. "I knew something happened between you two. You were acting strange that night and everyday after."

I laughed. "Yeah. I've been trying to distance myself from him because we both were talking to other people, but I couldn't. And they guy that I was talking to is going to prom with a girl who apparently hates me, so Harvey and I agreed to go together."

She nodded once more before smiling at me. She patted my cheek before saying, "I've always liked him. If you do start to date him, I won't complain."

"Mom!"

She laughed. "I love you, Cat."

I stared at her for a second before saying, "Love you, too."

Mom waved at me and exited my room. I glanced at my phone, hoping that Harvey wasn't here yet. It was close to when he was going to pick me up, and I still needed to put in my earrings and choose a necklace. However, before I could put them in, someone knocked on the front door. Fear ran through me at the thought of Dad answering, so I scooped up my earrings and grabbed my handbag. I raced down the stairs, taking them two at a time. Unfortunately for me, my high heels shook under my feet, and I had to slow down.

"I got the door!" I said as Dad reached for the doorknob. He either ignored me or he didn't hear me, and he pulled the door open. 

My feet stumbled under me when I saw Harvey. He had on a regular black tux with a pink tie. An easy smile appeared on his face when he saw Dad. However, when his eyes flicked over to me, the smile fell off. In its place was an open mouth before it snapped shut. His Adam's Apple bobbed as he swallowed.