Magnolia Lake

by Emily Paige Skeen

  “Now’s your chance, Cora. I’m goin’ out there to attempt to dance. Val convinced me, so you better come with us or you’ll miss this humiliating experience,” Kayla said, rolling her eyes.

  I blinked and tried to focus, standing to follow the girls. Dancing with them distracted me from my thoughts for a while, and I actually started having a decent time again. They kept me dancing as long as possible, pretending it was Kayla who needed to be out there. I soon realized they were using her inability to dance as an excuse to keep me busy.

  Val and I showed Kayla different moves and dances while the music pounded. After forty-five minutes of this, I was exhausted. We headed back to our seats right as the DJ said it was time to announce Prom King and Queen.

  I hadn’t given the subject much consideration. It wasn’t something a student campaigned for like Homecoming Court, which I’d successfully worked toward every year. Although I wasn’t crowned Homecoming Queen this year, as I’d always hoped, it was an honor just to be on the Court. So, I hadn’t really thought about Prom Queen until that very moment.

  “Prom King and Queen are great honors,” the principal was saying in the DJ’s microphone. “Since you all vote on your king and queen without the influence of campaigns, it’s truly something to be cherished and appreciated.”

  “Blah, blah, blah…” Val mumbled.

  Kayla and I laughed, but I secretly hoped to be queen. I knew it was unlikely since I hadn’t been voted Homecoming Queen and, usually, the two awards went hand in hand, regardless of what the principal said about campaigns. I told myself not to get too hopeful. After all, it wasn’t even something I’d thought about enough to actually want before tonight. Suddenly, though, it felt like being crowned would be a silver lining to my strange, not-so-perfect-after-all night.

  “…and your Prom King is…Landon Jester!”

  My jaw dropped as I watched Landon saunter up the red carpet onto the stage, where he accepted his crown. “Landon? I can’t believe it,” I mumbled.

  His baseball buddies were cheering and hollering, and he pumped a fist in the air in victory. I was stunned. I didn’t think he’d want this, but he seemed thrilled.

  “…Drum roll, please…Cora Stephens!” Principal Long called my name, but I wasn’t sure I’d heard him right. I’d missed the first part of the sentence, so maybe I’d misheard the name.

  “Cora! Oh, my gosh, you won! You’re Prom Queen!” Val and Kayla both started talking at once, pushing me out of my chair.

  “Wha—”

  “Your Prom Queen is Cora Stephens! Miss Stephens, are you here?”

  Whoa, I’d heard right. He was calling my name. I walked in a daze all the way to the podium. Everything and everyone was a blur. I couldn’t focus on anything around me. I couldn’t hear what was being said, only a steady buzzing sound. I don’t know if I even leaned down when they crowned me.

  I finally came out of my daze and realized what was happening. A rush of excitement coursed through my body, and I waved at my friends. As I scanned the cro`wd, I noticed that everyone was cheering. Until my eyes landed on Lacy. She stood with her arms crossed and her eyes narrowed, but I didn’t care. Even she couldn’t ruin my moment.

  “And now it’s time for our King and Queen to share a special dance,” I heard the DJ announce. That’s when I remembered I wasn’t standing up there alone. Landon was right beside me, and we were expected to dance together—in front of everyone.

  Oh, no, I thought. How would we handle this? My nerves became knots in my stomach as I slowly turned to evaluate his reaction. To my surprise, he had a soft smile on his face and his hand held out. His smile seemed so sincere that I couldn’t help but return the gesture. I took his hand and we gazed into each other’s eyes for a long moment.

  The knots turned into butterflies and my knees suddenly felt like Jell-O. My heart was fluttering so quickly I thought it would jump right out of my chest. I wouldn’t have been a bit surprised if everybody could hear how loudly it beat.

  Every emotion I’d ever felt for him came rushing back. I saw each day spent together at his shed, each block party when he’d helped my father with the grill, each lazy-day trip to the store, each afternoon spent pushing one another on swings at the park, each breathtaking kiss, and each tear he’d wiped from my eyes. I felt friendship, security, happiness, passion, and…love. The last feeling was the strongest. And the most shocking.

  I’d been kidding myself for months. Of course I was in love with Landon! He was right to have assumed I was afraid. I was scared of getting hurt or betrayed. I was scared to let myself be vulnerable again. Suddenly, the truth hit me like a ton of bricks. I’d thought dating Rex had been a way for me to get over Jeff and get on with my life when, in reality, I’d been using him to distract myself from the things I felt for Landon.

  But right now, in this moment, none of that mattered. I loved him. I was madly, deeply in love with Landon.

  This realization took all of one minute, even though it felt as if we stood still—gazing at each other, lost in our own little world—for hours. I floated on air as he led me to the center of the dance floor. I didn’t even notice which song played as I snuggled close to him and swayed in rhythm with his body. I couldn’t stop smiling.

  “You’re pretty excited about being Prom Queen, huh?” he asked.

  I realized he misinterpreted the meaning behind my expression. “Yeah, I am. But that’s not the only reason I’m happy.”

  Landon raised his eyebrows. “Really? What’s the other reason? Did Rex do somethin’ good?” His eyes narrowed—subconsciously, I was sure—when he said Rex’s name.

  “No...Actually, we broke up.”

  He paused for a second, eyes wide, and then continued to sway. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  I shrugged. “It’s okay. We ended on good terms.” I hesitated, pondering my next words, before announcing, “I wasn’t in love with him.”

  Landon concealed a grin, but not before I noticed. “I see. And how’d he feel about that?”

  “That’s actually why we broke up. He said he loved me, but I couldn’t say it back. So we went our separate ways.”

  Landon looked thoughtful. “So…you’re happy because you two broke up?”

  “No. I mean, yeah, I am…but that’s not the reason I seem to have a hanger stuck in my mouth.” I giggled, suddenly nervous.

  He laughed. “Well, what is it, Cora? The suspense is killin’ me.”

  I bit my lip. I didn’t want to just blurt out that I loved him. I wanted the moment to be special. “You’ll have to wait ‘til the end of the song. And then we’ll go talk somewhere.”

  He rolled his eyes and chuckled. “You and your dramatics. All right, I’ll be patient. But this better be good.”

  I grinned up at him. “Oh, it is.”

  We enjoyed the rest of the dance in silence. I leaned my head against his shoulder as he held me close. Sensations pulsed through my body—sensations I hadn’t felt for him in a really long time.

  He lifted my chin as the song ended. “You had somethin’ to say?” he asked, his voice gruff.

  “Follow me,” I replied mysteriously. I led him off the dance floor, past the circle of tables, and to a corner of the gym that was empty.

  “Okay, we’re far enough. Spit it out already!” He laughed.

  I took a deep breath—suddenly I’d lost all my bravado. My hands shook as the butterflies returned to my stomach.

  “Hey, you all right? What’s goin’ on?” Landon asked. Concern filled his eyes, worry creasing his forehead.

  I bit my lip and thought of how to begin. “Landon, we’ve been through a lot together and…” I hesitated. That didn’t sound the way I’d intended.

  “If this is about our conversation at your house a while back, you don’t have to finish. I’m sorry about that. I didn’t mean what I said. I’ve been miserable the past month and I want us to be friends again. I’d rather have you as a friend than not have you at all. You’re
too important to me.”

  “Actually, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about.” I took a slow, deep breath. “It’s too late…I don’t wanna be your friend.”

  Anger flashed in his eyes. “What? Cora, you can’t be serious. Did you really drag me over here just to tell me that? I can’t believe this! You’re really somethin’ else. You know that? Somebody tries to tell you how they feel, and you can’t handle it, so—”

  “Landon!” I interrupted. “Please…you didn’t let me finish.”

  “Oh. Sorry. Again.” He exhaled. “I didn’t mean to lose my temper like that, but you know me. I just—”

  I had to shut him up again. But this time I decided to try a different approach. I put my hands on his cheeks and pulled his face down to mine. Then I crushed my lips against his just once, quickly.

  “Whoa,” he breathed when I released my hold.

  I giggled, a little embarrassed. “What I was tryin’ to say—before you so rudely interrupted—is that…I…love you.” I paused, studying his reaction.

  He stood unspeaking and motionless for at least a full minute. Finally, he whispered, “Really? Are you sure?”

  “Yeah, I’m sure. It’s taken me a really, really long time to figure it out, but I am in love with you after all. I couldn’t tell Rex I loved him because…well, because I love you. And I just realized it when you took my hand up there on that stage. And when you held me while we danced…” I trailed off, searching his eyes for a sign that he still felt something for me. When he didn’t speak, I began to panic. “Am I too late?” I asked quietly. “That girl you’re with…is she, I mean, are you two…together?”

  He broke into a grin, grabbed me by the waist, and spun me around. “Are you kiddin’? Do you know how long I’ve waited to hear you say you love me?”

  I laughed as he stopped spinning and put my feet back on the floor. I was still a little unsure about what would happen next. “But you didn’t really answer my question about your date. I mean, you can’t just ditch her...”

  “She’s not my date. She came with some guy she has a huge crush on. She was just dancin’ with me to make him jealous because he was flirtin’ with another girl,” Landon explained.

  “Oh, good,” I replied, relief washing over me.

  He chuckled for a second, and then his face turned serious. “Cora Stephens,” he said, his voice soft, “I love you. Actually, love doesn’t even describe the way I feel about you. It’s too cliché. You…you’re my heart and soul. My reason for livin’. I’ve loved you since the first time I saw you, when you had on that bright pink puffy dress in the third grade and you introduced yourself to me as ‘Princess Cora.’ And now here you are, in another pink dress, openin’ up your heart and soul to me. And it feels more amazin’ than I ever could’ve imagined.”

  My heart raced. It thudded against my chest as he drew me into his arms. I reached up and touched his cheek, soaring in bliss. His head bent slightly, and I responded by lifting my chin until our lips met again. This kiss was softer, magical. My head spun while the kiss grew more passionate. After a minute, he reluctantly pulled away.

  “Well, now that all this is settled, what do ya say we enjoy the rest of our night?” he asked.

  With that, we rejoined our friends. I got my perfect prom after all.

  Chapter Thirteen

  I awoke the next morning in a state of undeniable ecstasy. I called Landon as soon as I was dressed and asked him to come over. I couldn’t wait to see him again.

  When I heard Landon drive up, I met him at the door and led him over to the front porch swing. We sat on the swing, holding hands and talking. “So…I have a question,” I said.

  “Shoot.”

  “I’ve been thinking about that conversation we had in my bedroom, the one that kept us apart for a month. Anyway, you said somethin’ about givin’ me up to somebody else before. What’d you mean?”

  “Ugh,” he groaned. “Wish I hadn’t said that.”

  “What, Landon?”

  “Don’t get mad, all right?”

  I eyed him curiously. “Okay…”

  He took a breath and exhaled it slowly. “When you and me were together a couple years ago, I overheard you tellin’ Valerie you thought Jeff was cute. I let it go for a while, but then I heard rumors that he wanted to ask you out. The day before we broke up, I saw the two of you talkin’. You were smilin’ and seemed real happy…” He paused, his eyes boring into mine. “I didn’t wanna stand in the way of your happiness, Cora. So…I thought about it a lot and decided to let you go. It was the stupidest thing I’ve ever done and I regretted it every day.”

  “Wow,” I said, frowning. “I had no idea. Why didn’t you just talk to me?”

  “Come on, Cora. I didn’t stand a chance against a star football player. I felt like I wasn’t good enough for you, that you deserved somebody better. But then he turned out to be a jerk, and I kicked myself for givin’ you up so easy. I never would’ve done what he did, and I blamed myself for lettin’ it happen. Ever since then, I’ve been the only guy I trust to keep you happy. That’s why it was so hard for me to stand by and watch you with Rex. I didn’t want you to get hurt again, and I knew in my heart that he wasn’t right for you. Because I’m right for you. You and me…we’re the real thing. I’ve always known it…just wish I’d tried harder to make you see it.”

  I recalled our previous breakup and his saying we didn’t have any chemistry. Everything finally made sense. He’d just said that so I wouldn’t argue with his decision. He’d thought he was doing what was best for me. Because of course we had chemistry. How had I been so blind?

  “Landon, do you know how many nights I spent awake tryin’ to figure out what was goin’ on with you and me? I mean, you have to understand where I was comin’ from. You told me we were better off as friends, that we didn’t have any chemistry. That’s why I was confused when you said you loved me. You were the one that had ended our relationship. So I thought you were just bein’ possessive with the whole Rex thing. I didn’t realize…” I hesitated, staring at the ground. “But you were right about one thing. I was scared. I didn’t want us to break up again because then I’d lose you forever.”

  “Hey,” he whispered, gently pulling my chin up until I met his gaze. “I’m sorry I put you through all that. If I’d just been honest with you about Jeff in the first place, none of it would’ve happened. And even if it had, at least you would’ve known exactly where you stood with me.”

  I shook my head. “It’s not completely your fault. I was too stubborn to listen when you tried to tell me the truth. I’m the one who should be sorry. I’m sorry it took me so long to figure out my real feelings for you. And I’m sorry you had to stand by and watch while I was with Jeff…and Rex.”

  “You know, we’re pretty pathetic if you think about it.” He chuckled.

  “Hey! Speak for yourself,” I retorted, slapping him playfully on the arm.

  “No, it’s a good pathetic. At least we’re pathetic together.”

  I laughed with him then. It felt so good to be there in that moment. It was exactly right. “Well, it’s all behind us now. We only have our future to look forward to.”

  “Yep. And I promise I’ll never hide the truth from you again, Cora. You’ll always know exactly what I’m feelin’.”

  I leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Same here.”

  * * *

  Rain splattered my windshield and sheeted down on the road in front of me as I drove to meet up with Valerie and Kayla. Trees bent and waved in the wind. A storm was definitely headed our way, putting a damper on mine and my friends’ plans to spend our Saturday at the park.

  I pulled into a parking spot in front of the local coffee shop—where we had decided to meet due to the weather—and put the car in park. I cut the engine and grabbed a pink umbrella from under the passenger seat. Bracing myself, I put the umbrella in position and threw open my door. Releasing the umbrella, I quickly hopped out of the car.
The flip-flops I donned splashed water onto my bare ankles and calves as I hurried across the small parking lot.

  Val and Kayla were already at a table—coffee and bagels in hand—when I entered. I closed my umbrella, propped it up beside the door, and shook water from my feet before joining them.

  “Well, she finally made it!” Val joked as I pulled out a chair and plopped down.

  “I’m sorry, y’all,” I said. “I kept tryin’ to leave, but Mama wouldn’t stop askin’ questions. ‘Are you gonna see Landon today? Did you hear about his dad’s promotion? When will he join us for dinner? What are you gonna do in the fall when you go to New York?’ I swear, that woman’s gonna drive me crazy!” I rolled my eyes. It had been exactly a week since prom and my declaration of love to Landon, and Mama was still buzzing about it. She’d always liked Landon, so there was no doubt in my mind that she was thrilled with the new development.

  “What are you gonna do in the fall?” Kayla asked.

  I averted my eyes, pondering the issue that had been bugging me for days. I would leave for fashion school in New York in just a few months, and Landon would be here. He was enrolled in the community college about twenty minutes from Davis. We hadn’t mentioned the separation, but I knew he was just as worried as I was about it.

  I looked at Kayla. “I honestly don’t know. We haven’t even talked about it.”

  “This really stinks,” she complained. “You two just got together, and now you only have a little while before you’re separated again.”

  I nodded, drumming my manicured fingernails on the cool marble tabletop, trying to hide the fear bubbling up in my stomach.

  Valerie put her hand over mine, constraining my fingers. “Listen, I’m glad you finally admitted your feelings for him. I’ve always known y’all are perfect for each other. But it’s gonna be really hard when you’re so far away. It’s somethin’ you should talk to him about before it happens. You need to make a plan now. You know, set aside time to talk to each other every day and decide how many times you’ll fly down here and how many times he’ll go there every month. All that stuff.”