September, 2014.

8: 53 P.M

The autumn night sky was gentle chilly. As steaming shrouds of dark smokey clouds coil and writhe. Then an unearthly caterwauling sound fills the air. It was visible that it might rain later that evening but who cares? The sound of music echoed from the distance.

The wind whipped up into frenzy. It was a shrieking, keening omen of the carnage to follow. The tall trees outside the building had disco lights hanging out from the banches to branches and leaves to leaves which made the venue looked more heavenly. Students walked in all dressed in tuxedos and evening gowns as they find their way through the entrance.

"Oh, you're looking perfect now. Except..." Amber unzipped her black purse and brought out a dark red lips gloss.

"Red won't fit this outfit." I complained.

"It's better than none, baby girl." She applied an even amount on my lips before we heard a greeting from beside us.

Turning to him, I was stunned to see that it was Noah. He even look better in designer's suit and silk tie than he had in his usual jeans and leather jackets.
His black her was styled to the back, making him look like a perfect gentle man and that was totally different from the actual Noah Coleman.

"Awwwwn... And there he is!" Amber rushed to him in an instant, wrapping an arm around his neck as they gave each other a soft, welcome kiss.

"Thanks for waiting for me." Noah said in acknowledgement of her appearance.

"No, I didn't. Sylvie did!" She joked and chuckled into laughter. I just watched the both of them confusedly.

"Well, that wasn't funny." I tried to smile, but wasn't successful. Trying to avoid his gaze, Noah stared at me with jaded eyes.

"Okay guys, enough of that boring look. Let's go in!" Amber cheered as she grabbed us by both arms, pulling us in, all at once.

The venue had music blaring out of the speakers standing at the four corners of the hall. Red and blue balloons hanged over the the front view with sliver and gold decorative ribbons. Neon lights danced in every edge of the room that added beauty and glamour to the decor.

"Wow, it's awesome!" A small whimper of excitement escaped my lips.

"Yes it is." Amber replied me with a joyous expression then caught the lost look on Noah's face. "Are you ready for this, Noah?"

"Yes, sure. I am." He faked a smile.

"I just hope you won't hit someone today. It's our prom, okay?" Amber stared at him with a warning in her eyes.

"C'mon, I'm not that bad." He bragged.

Looking how other students were dancing in styles, I couldn't help to feel nervous.

"Okay, guys. I'll leave you two." I told the both of them. "Bye now." I whispered to Amber before leaving.

Amber who was holding his right arm led him to the middle of the hall where they stood facing each other. I took a stroll to the back seat to take a drink. Watching other students dancing was fun but I sat down by the table, observing. Everyone in the promenade dance had a partner... I wish, maybe... Someday. I'll be able to feel this. But all I want to do today is to hang around.

Taking a drink from a single glass, my eyes fell on the best couple in the room. Amber and Noah. My bestie really looked happy which made me happy as well. Her red, wrapped dress and back heel fitted her so much. It was just her perfect style.

Just then... Tall, blonde haired Kylie Merchant came on stage. She is like the queen of Evermore High School. She joined is last year, in 10th grade but one off thing about her is, no one dares to step on her toes because of her attitude. She's desperate to make sure guys fall in her trap but unfortunately for her, everyone avoids her. Except Selina Waver and Stacy Mendez, her agents.

"Good evening friends, are we all having a good time?!"

"Yeeeehhhhh!!!" The crowd cheered up. Everyone turned to hear, paying attention to whatever it is she wanted to say.

"As the honourable chairperson and queen of tonight's event. It is my pleasure to introduce this evening's main entertainment. I give you Richie And The Rock Band!"

Richard, Zayn and Davis the Lions in the school's music club were called up to play our favorite songs. Richie, as the leader is equally well respected. He and Selina are another famous couple most students admire.

A loud roar followed as their music came up. The couple's took their positions, dancing to Richie's cool music while I look the back seat. Amber motioned me to come and join her but I told her not to worry. As it is, I suck at dancing.

Blushing to myself, I took another glass of wine. Watching the both of them confess each other feelings in whisperings while they had the dance. Amber folded her hands around his neck as he held her waist, moving from side to side to the lyrics of the music in the background.

"I know you're still angry with me for yesterday." Noah started, staring into her hazel eyes, intensely.

"Can we just forget about everything and enjoy the dance? I just want to be with you right now and I don't want anything to spoil this." She persuaded, while they held each other closely. Totally engrossed in the warmth of the room. It was their first public dance, together.

***

Hours Later...

"Welcome to my after-party, dollies! It's game time now, sweethearts!" Kylie stood before us as we gently sipped a strawberry flavoured red wine from the wine glasses.
"We're gonna do it in oldschool ways tonight. Seven minutes in heaven! Who's going to bloom in the contest of love first? Who's going to betray? It's clear that some of us here haven't even had our first kiss yet. Someone like our very own Sylvie."

I felt my heat skipped as all eyes turned on me. Then, we all turned a glare at her in agape. There were about nine of us around the table. Well, every member fitted into this group except me. Noticing the awkwardness in the room, Richie and Selina, snickered at the idea. "It's gonna be a cherry on the cake with our school head boy!"

"So, are we ready?!" A mysterious covered Kylie's dark eyes as she smirked at us.

"What if she doesn't want to have it yet?" Noah defended.

"Well, that's her problem not mine. Maybe she shouldn't have joined the party in the first place!" I watched her raised a slim eyebrow and evil grin at me.

"Yes, were ready!" Richie exclaimed excitedly, driving wet kisses on his girlfriend's sun-kissed skin.

"Okay, gather around now, kids. Let's see what fate holds for us tonight!"

She threw a bottle on the table and spinner it around. Everyone moved closer interestedly. I just swallowed nervously on my throat and watched.

'It's a lie! There, it stopped in front of me.' My heart stopped beating right away. These people must be joking. Looking at Amber, she glared at me with a sassy look while Noah shot a startled glance at me.

"Wow, there you go!" Kylie encouraged. "What are you waiting for? Your time starts now, Virgin Mary."

"Umm, no... I can't do this." I quickly sipped the last drop of wine in my cup and stood up.

"That's up to you. But if you don't, I won't mind taking your turn. It's been a while since I last tasted lollipop. Amber, you won't mind sharing your Playboy with me, right?" She eyed Noah seductively.

"Just go." Amber muttered. I could already feel the anger in her voice but she looked away.

"I don't want to. I'm leaving!" I felt tears prickling down my eyes as I grabbed my purse disappointedly.

About to walk away, I felt a hand pulled me from behind and took me into the room. The door banged close and I noticed how dark the room was but there was an old table lamp standing beside the bed. I dared not to seat.

Looking up at him, there he was... Noah Coleman.

Again?!

A hot shiver rushed through me while his charming eyed observed me. I just looked away hoping that time would swiftly pass by. I've been pretending to be cool with once in a blue moon, walking with him and Amber but right now, it's just impossible. I started by breaking the silence between us.

"I know Kylie is a spoilt rich bitch but that was just too much." I boldly admitted, but my voice ended up cracky. He noticed. I forced myself to smile, to change the topic and just... Leave.

"Yeah, she surely is." Noah replied with a smile that dropped almost immediately. He seemed nervous and bold at the same time.

"I notice you're always avoiding me, Sylvie. I know you still hate me for what I did before but I'm still sorry. I wanted to apologise to you personally, I was scared."

"Scared?"

"Yes. I was scared to what the world would think of me. Amber, Adam, Zayn... My dad and the rest of the school." I looked away uninterestedly.

"We still have six minutes." He reminded.

"And why are you bringing that up now?"

"Because... I realized that. I love the shape of your eyes and lips, but this isn't lust, yet... I wish to be intelligent like you. But what I feel for you is above admiration. I secretly watch you cry... Sometimes. And I don't want to pity you. And other times, you still make me forget all my worries and sleep. But this isn't infatuation, Sylvie. It is love. I still can't figure out why you seem like mystery to me." Sincerity laced every word he just said. I couldn't believe he was the one standing right in front of me.

"Have you told Amber about this?"

"No, I've always kept these to myself."

"And you kept it away from me all the-!" I wanted to explain but he interrupted.

"Forgive me, Sylvie but- I'm scared we would gradute and I won't be able to tell you this. Look, I was so young back then and miserable. I didn't know what I was doing. And I know it's stupid but our first kiss was my first kiss too. And doing that was my first time, I still regret it till today. Make me at ease, please."

Staring into his grey eyes that looked darker due to the dimness of the room, I caught solemn tear split over his eyes and lingered down his chin.

I swallowed hard on the hysteria building in my throat that had suddenly went dry.

"You must be crazy, Noah... because I have no idea what you're even talking about! What stupid story are you making up now? You are my best friend's boyfriend!"

"Amber is a good person but I just want to be friends with her. She's always hiding stuffs from me, I'm not scared of losing her... I'm scared of losing you. The way I feel around you... I don't feel around anyone else. Even Amber..." He confessed.

And for a brief moment, I noticed how fondly he stared into my eyes.
I tried turning away when he placed his hand to the wall and gently held my face with his other hand. Just then, he tilted his head and slowly started leaning towards me.

And for a moment, I felt lost. Without knowing what was happening, my heartbeat accelerated as I realized that Noah's face was just an inch away from mine. I abruptly closed my eyes in fear of what might happen next.

He pressed his lips to mine, his minty breath that was intoxicating, pulled me in. As I scoot closer, I could feel my heart pounding. Stopping me from drowning in but in an instant, I felt his lips part mine in a full grip.

I brushed my lips though his as he took another bite of kiss. I slide my hands down his waist and his hands tangle in my hair. Noah's hand slides up the nape of my neck... warm and soothing. I melt into his touch as he squeezed me to him. I want more but... I just can't seem to get it. I pull away, and our eyes met once again. I couldn't believe myself and what just happened.

"I hate you! I'm sorry if I gave you the wrong impression but...I can't do this!"

"Yes you can, Sylvie. We can!" I stared into his eyes and couldn't help to feel he was serious about this. I just broke away.

"I can't betray my friend, okay? I'd pretend this never happened!"

I pushed the door wide open, not bothering to close it. I ran into the main room with hope to find Amber.

Getting there, I noticed Noah beside me.

"They did it, yes!" Richard yelped to the touch of red lipstick on Noah's lips. I couldn't help but to feel more nervous and embarrassed. I just swallowed.

Looking at Selina, Stacy and their other friend, Cynthia, chuckled at me as if I've earned something big. An achievement. I looked away confusedly, in search of my best friend and gasped.

"Where's Amber?"

"Gosh! You guys alomst took forever in there. It looked as if she was heartbroken about something, she left. I don't know what her problem is but you guys aren't even married yet." She toyed her index finger with her blonde hair.

"Silly bitch!" I bitterly hissed at Selina and walked out of the room. I just can't believe she excited about this. As if she'd planned it before hand. This would literally end our friendship! I ran out of the hall with tears flowing out of my eyes.

Noah ran to me right away, trying to stop me but I jerked my arm off.

"I'm so sorry, Sylvie. I'll talk to Amber... She'd understand."

"It seems you don't know who she is! Amber Feldman don't accept apologies, okay? And you caused this! Why didn't you let me go, huh?!" I sniffed and walked into the street but he followed.

"Can I come with you? We can possibly find her together!"

"Believe me, Amber won't want to see us together right now. It's over!" I swallowed hard on my throat and realized it was the first time Noah and I actually had a fight in the last five years.
A striking thunder hit the dark cloud as I stopped a taxi and sat without saying anything more. Just then, I realized that, it was about to rain. The driver drove off, leaving Noah in the puzzlement of what just happened.

A huffing wind rose up then, stirring the flaps of the trees as the students taking pictures and drinking outside all ran back inside Kylie's giant estate. A tinkling sound came to Noah's ears as the first pearls of rain dropped onto the leaves. The sound was like the glassy clinking of a champagne flute, lilting and clear. Tears formed in his eyes as he walked to where he packed an old G-wagon. It was his dad's old car he'd brought to the party and planned to drop Amber off with it at her apartment. Thinking about it now, everything is ruined. He couldn't help but to blame himself.

A sheet of leaf passed over Noah's head as he made his way into the driver's seat. He turned on the engines that interupted the noisy wind. Loud and intensified. In no time, the slight fall of drizzling rain turned into an heavy pour.

Getting home that day, I couldn't help but to think what had happened at prom. I took off my A-shaped silky skirt and crop top and walked straight into the bathroom to have a warm shower. No one was home. Goodness knows where Collins would be right now... Probably drunk somewhere.

I walked into the bath tub and tuned on the shower. Slowly brushing my fingers through my black hair, memories of what Noah told me came through.

'When did he see me secretly crying? Gosh, how could he do that to me? So that was his first kiss too?' I blushed at the thought and just realized the gravity of the sin I've just committed.
'Oh no, Amber wouldn't get angry at me, right? Perhaps it was just a stupid prom kiss.'

***

Would you ever forgive your best friend for kissing you boyfriend?
Share the answer in the comment box and don't forget to vote on this chapter. I hardly get to hear from my readers and I'm meant to write over 2k words. Like seriously?