A month later...

When the doorbell rang, my heart almost flew out of my mouth, thereby defying all known laws of physics.

So soon? Damn, I'm not ready yet! 

I applied a faint dab of blush and added a touch more hairspray to my elaborate hairdo. The last thing I needed was for it to fall to smithereens after the first fast dance. 

"Don't run to the door, dear," Mom said. "You'll ruin your hair."

"I got it!" Grandad said. 

"No, wait--"

The door opened with the familiar creak. 

"Good evening, Mr. Smith," came Eric's voice, rich as dark chocolate and smooth as velvet. "I'm Eric. And I'm here to escort Jess to the prom."

"Come in, come in, young man," Grandad replied. "Jess is just getting ready. You know women and their elaborate hairdos."

Grandad, OMG! Stop embarrassing me.

"Yes, sir."

"My, don't you look dashing!" Mom exclaimed. "A full tux complete with a vest. I'm impressed, Eric."

"Thank you, ma'am."

"Just wait until you see my lovely little girl," Mom gushed, making my blush superfluous. "She's an angelic vision from heaven."

"As always."

"So, tell me, young man..."

Inwardly, I groaned when she lowered her voice to a whisper. I had nightmarish visions of her quizzing him on his faith, his values, and his intentions as though he were a suspect at a police station. 

For God's sake, he's taking me to prom. Not a nightclub. Give us a break.

"I can assure you, my intentions are pure," he answered, loud enough for me to hear. "Only dancing. No inappropriate touching. And she'll be back by midnight as promised."

Mom's anxious voice carried. "And just--"

"Carm, enough already. She isn't dancing with the devil."

"Ted!"

Eric's deep laughter carried upstairs, and my stomach gave a happy flurry of nerves. It amazed me how he was able to keep his calm with prom only an hour away. And with my family no less.

I took a deep breath and descended the stairway into the kitchen. When Eric stood at the base of the stairs, his eyes widened with delight. His lips parted a fraction as he drew in a breath. 

"Lovely, isn't she?" Mom said. 

"Yes," he breathed. "Stunning."

I held up my a corner of my white dress so that I wouldn't trip, revealing my sparkling silver heels. They were the same color as the beaded bodice of my gown, which had faux laces down the back. The chiffon skirt fell straight, landing only a couple of inches off the ground. 

Eric took my hand, covered in arm-length white gloves, as I descended the last two steps. Holding out the crook of his arm for me, he tucked my arm against his side.

His black tux had been immaculately pressed, and he'd trimmed his hair to about an inch long. I hardly dared to look at him because I was nervous. 

"You're so handsome," I whispered so softly I wondered if he could hear me. 

He didn't say anything but gave my hand a gentle pat. I braved a look at him, and he flashed me a rare smile. 

"We will need some pictures in the garden first," Mom said to Eric. "Do you have Jess' corsage?"

"Oh, of course," he replied, reached into the paper bag. He presented me with a beautiful wrist arrangement featuring one perfect pink rose in the center. "I hope you like it."

"Thank you so much, Eric!" I said, breathless. "It's beautiful."

"Just like you," he whispered.

My cheeks felt like someone had set them on fire as he slipped it over my wrist. "I love it."

"Come on, you two," Grandad said, curling his lip. "Picture time."

After a few moments, Mom raced out of the front door. "Your necklace, dear! You forgot it."

She handed me the silver jewelry, and I looked up at Eric. "Would you mind helping me?"

"Of course, Jess."

He clasped the necklace, gently brushing his hands across my shoulders after he'd finished. A whole flurry of butterflies danced in my stomach as tingles traced along his touch. Closing my eyes, I remembered him kissing my neck, and pleasant goosebumps rose along my skin. 

"Time to go," Eric whispered. "We don't want to be late."

"Have a lovely time, dear," Mom called out. "Remember, no drinking. No drugs. Resist--"

"I'll protect her, ma'am," Eric said. "But I don't think she needs it. Jess is a strong woman and can take care of herself."

Mom nodded with tears in her eyes as I climbed into Eric's immaculate black Mercedes. Freshly cleaned, polished, and vacuumed. The beautiful leather interior was spotless. 

"Wow, we get to travel in such style," I exclaimed. 

Eric gave a shy half-smile. "It's the only car my family has."

"I meant it genuinely." I stroked the leather seats. "Never seen anything like it."

He put on his sunglasses and drove us towards the Sheraton Hotel, the venue for my senior prom. Out of nowhere, I gave an excited squee, and he gave me an inquisitive glance.

"I can't believe we're going to prom," I cried. "And I'm actually going to enjoy it."

He reached for my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Same, to be honest."

"I can't believe everything just fell into place," I said, brimming with emotion. "I expected all hell to break loose with my family. Then again at school. I expected not to go. Or to go alone."

"You have every reason to be proud--standing up to your family and your friends," he said. "I was ready to go with you in secret, but you took a risk, and it paid off."

"In spades!" 

He chuckled. "Indeed."

When we reached the Sheraton, he parked and escorted me to the main entrance, where people were milling around and assessing dresses. As soon as they caught a glimpse of us, they stared in surprise. Hushed whispers spread like wildfire as the others parted the way for us like the Red Sea for Moses.

"Who is that? She's beautiful!"

"It's Jess...I think. But where are her glasses?"

"Is Jess still queen? That dress is just gorgeous."

"Nah, we voted again. For Sarah. Remember. Blah!"

"I like Jess better. Wait, who's her date?"

"No idea. He's a hottie."

He suppressed a low chuckle, and another flurry of butterflies burst forth. 

"OMG, Jess?!" Carolyn burst forth from the crowd and wrapped me in a giant hug. "You are so flipping gorgeous! Come here!"

When she caught sight of Eric, she stared in open admiration. I introduced them to break the tension.

"Damn!" She stuck out her hand unceremoniously to greet him. "I mean...hi!" 

"Remember my friend Carolyn I told you about?" I asked Eric. I lowered my voice to a bare whisper. "The exuberant one?"

His eyes twinkled. "How could I forget?" He took Carolyn's hand and kissed the air above her glove. "A pleasure to meet you." 

"Oh-Em-Gee! He kissed my hand!" she whispered in awe.

"I know," I said with a crooked grin. "I was there."

"Marry him," she whispered loud enough so that he could hear. 

He broke out into another broad smile, and I brought my hands to my cheeks. "Carolyn!"

"What?"

"You can't say things like that!"

"Oh, come on! It's true. Let's go to our table," Care said.

She grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the ballroom. I cast Eric an apologetic glance, and he nodded in amusement. 

"I planned everything to make quadruple sure you weren't anywhere near the Fabulous Four," Care said, showing us to our table. 

Eric pulled out my chair for me and pushed it in once I was seated. He sat beside me and gave my hand a little squeeze.

The dinner passed by in a dizzying haze, perforated only with Eric placing his hand surreptitiously on my knee. "Hey, no touching, Mister!" I whispered in his ear. He quickly retreated with an apologetic look, and I laughed, placing his hand back. "I'm kidding."

I detected a little shiver from him as my lips accidentally grazed his ear. "Ahhh, that's it. Isn't it?" I whispered softly. "Your sensitive spot."

Eric answered me only with a sly smile. "You don't want your ice cream to melt."

After coffee, Jack the Jock took the mic. I had to say, he looked exceedingly handsome in his black tux with the shiny lapels and a flawless bowtie. 

But he couldn't hold a candle to my Eric. 

"Ladies and gentlemen, this the moment you've all been waiting for," he said, casting a quick glance at me. He gave me a small, reassuring nod. "This year's prom king and queen are..."

He opened a card just like they did at the Oscars. 

"Bryan Delacourt and Sarah Maguire!" 

Everyone applauded the couple as they made their way to the dance floor and danced to Cher's song "Believe". Soon other couples joined them, and Eric turned to me. 

"May I have this dance, my lady?" he asked as he kissed my hand. 

"It would be my honor," I said. 

Eric led me to the dance floor and began to twirl me in a lavish series of dance moves that we'd practiced over the past four weeks. Even though we were surrounded by people, it was just me and him. I closed my eyes, relishing the feeling of the music and his hands on my waist. The exhilarating thrill of him dipping me low and pulling me up in a single, fluid moment. 

When I reopened my eyes, everyone had made room for us in the middle of the dance floor. They should have been staring at the king and queen, but they were cheering for us.

"Go, Jess! Go, Jess!" they chanted. "It's your birthday! It's your birthday!"

I mean, it wasn't. But I knew what they meant. They knew the shit that had gone down, and even though they did what Jack the Jock had ordered them to do, they supported us. 

"Who the hell is she dancing with?" someone asked. 

"That's freaking Eric Stevens!" Carolyn shouted over the music. 

"The nerd from last year? Nah, it can't be!"

"They make such a damned cute couple!" my best friend cried. "I lo-o-o-ove it! My heart just can't take it anymore. Ahhhhh! I'm so proud of my girl!" 

High on life, I cracked up laughing. Care began dancing with us in her awkward, nerdy way. Before I knew it, a crowd of guys and girls swarmed us and joined in the fun.

They left the Fabulous Four standing in a sullen, miserable heap in the corner.