The Romeo Club

I ran up to my room, plugged in my hot rollers, then headed down to my mom’s closet to find shoes. My gaze shifted over various shelves until I found a pair of silver strappy ones. Back in my room, I emptied my makeup bag onto my vanity, then tore off my pajamas. With a smile, I ran my fingers over the light blue dress. My prom dress. The satin material slid over my body like cool waves. I adjusted the spaghetti straps and stared at the white lace overlay, which swished at my ankles like waves when I turned. The fabric seemed almost iridescent when the light caught it just right. It was fitted across the chest, down to my hips, where it tapered out like a ballerina’s dress.

I sprayed my hair with hairspray then put in the hot rollers. Next, I applied my makeup, put on some perfume, then slid into my shoes. Lastly, I fastened a pair of teardrop sapphire earrings and matching necklace, before I took the rollers out of my hair.

Loose curls fell to my shoulders and I used a rhinestone headband to set them off. I glanced in the mirror. Not bad for twenty minute’s notice. When I finished, I grabbed a shawl from Mom’s closet, then headed to the living room, where I found my parents waiting with C.C.

Damn. They’d gotten back in time to take pictures.

“Oh, honey, you look so beautiful.” Mom teared up. “I know you two want to go, but stand in front of the fireplace for a few pictures.”

She ushered us across the living room, where she had C.C. pose with his arm around me.

“You smell nice,” he said.

“Thanks. You too.”

“And, I have to admit, you clean up pretty good too.” He grinned.

“Don’t you dare get any ideas,” I whispered, when I felt his chest press against my back.

Mom snapped several more pictures. “Okay, I better let you two go so you’re not late.”

Dad hugged me. “You’re gorgeous sweetie. Behave tonight. And be careful driving.” He pointed at C.C.

“Yes sir.” C.C. offered me his arm as we stepped outside. In the driveway sat a royal blue Mustang.

“Holy shit, whose car is that?” My eyes widened.

“My dad’s. What? You didn’t think I was gonna take the grocery getter did you?”

I glanced at him. “Actually, yeah.”

Okay, so this wasn’t quite what I’d planned. Junior prom with C.C. Porter. But, I had to admit, I was excited to go. When we approached the car, he got the door for me. He was being such a gentleman, which was totally not C.C. like, at all.

Once we had our seatbelts on, he shifted the car into gear and backed out of the drive. “Listen, I wanted to say I’m sorry about Trey.”

My gaze met his. “You know about us er … I mean him?”

“Yeah, me, Drake, and Kevin all know. I realize things have been kind of tense lately, but if it makes you feel any better, you were his first crush. Well, other than Lady Spirella from his favorite video game.”

My fingers played with the lace on my dress. “Thanks. Not just for saying that, but for you know, bringing me to prom.”

“You’re welcome. See, I can be a decent guy.” He glanced at my chest.

I slapped his arm. “Now, you’re just being obnoxious.”

He laughed. “You know it.”

Soon we pulled into the school parking lot, where we saw a limo dropping off a group of kids. C.C. insisted on parking toward the back of the lot to ensure no one dinged the doors on his dad’s ’Stang.

I held onto his arm as we made our way in. Music blasted from the gym, which had been turned into an underwater wonderland theme. There were shells, sand castles, seahorses and clams decorating everything. Christmas lights were strewn through the gymnasium, along with white, blue, and silver streamers. Silver disco balls hung from the ceiling, reflecting the colorful flashing lights.

We found a table to set our stuff down on, then he led me out onto the dance floor, where we joined several other couples. C.C. rested one hand on my hip, the other closed over one of mine. We swayed back and forth to a slow song.

Over his shoulder, I caught sight of Kenadi, who gave me a big grin and waved.

“Wow, you guys did awesome with the decorations,” I said as we spun around.

“Yeah. I think it turned out pretty nice. Liza and I had fun staying up late to finish it last night.”

“Mind if I cut in.” Rex tapped C.C. on the shoulder. My body tensed.

“No. Go ahead.” He smiled and walked away.

Rex held out his hand and pulled me close to him. My eyes darted to C.C.’s retreating form. He headed toward a table in the back, where Liza stood waiting for him. That sneaky S.O.B. lied to me. What the heck’s going on?

“You look beautiful tonight.” Rex smiled down at me.

“Thanks,” I said. “S-so why did you cut in? I mean, we haven’t really spoken or anything since—well, since that huge fight in the hall.”

He chuckled. “Because I wanted to talk to you for a minute.”

“Okay.” Great. Did he plan on embarrassing me further? Maybe I should run for the exit now.

We swayed back and forth. My arms wrapped around his neck, his around my waist.