by Seven Steps
“Like this?” She gestured to her dress and shook her head. “No. I wanted you to look your very best. And, I realized that the very best look for you… was you.”
“But I’m—”
“Pretty?” She put her finger on her chin in a thoughtful gesture. “So, you’re saying that you feel pretty wearing your own clothes, your own makeup, and your own hair? Hm… Who would have thought?”
I let out a breath, taking a final look in the mirror before embracing my sister.
“Thank you,” I said.
“All I did was lend you my heels.”
“No, thank you for being there for me. You’re the best sister ever.”
“I know, Lily Bell. I know. Now, get out there and walk like the star I know you are. And, if you’re comfortable and want to do it again, I’ve packed you a few more outfits. Just in case.”
Before I could tell her this would probably be my last catwalk, she dragged me to the runway and pushed me out.
“Good luck, sis!”
I stumbled out into lights and applause.
It looked like most of the school had gathered around the stage to see the show. And they were all looking at me. I stood there, frozen, gaping down what felt like a mile-long runway while cameras flashed in my face.
“And now, we have Lily McAlister,” a male voice said over the sound system.
Lily McAlister? That was me! Crap. This was happening. It was really happening.
Someone screamed loud from near the end of the runway, and I spotted Calla waving her arms and yelling my name.
I gave her a little wave back.
My heart banged in my chest. My stomach clenched so tightly I thought I was going to vomit. My body was trembling like a leaf. My legs felt like jelly. But I couldn’t stand here like an idiot.
I was terrified, but I couldn’t let my fear paralyze me.
I had to keep going.
I had to move.
And so, I swallowed my fear.
I stood tall.
I squared my shoulders.
I started walking.
I was no model. Not even close. And walking in heels was not my forte.
But I made it down the runway and looked out over the crowd. I spotted my dad and mom close to the front. Mom was jumping up and down clapping, while my dad looked as proud as I’d ever seen him.
And, standing right next to my dad, was Becks.
He smiled at me, and my heart ached.
I knew that smile. It hung on his lips but didn’t reach all the way to his eyes. It was a sad smile that twisted me up inside.
I’d done that to him. I’d given him that smile.
I waved at the audience once before turning and shakily strutting my stuff back down to the curtains, applause following me the whole way.
When I emerged through the curtains, the fashion club stood up and cheered for me too.
My heart swelled, and my face turned hot with embarrassment. I gave more small, awkward waves as I walked back to my seat.
“Great job, Lily.”
“Way to walk, Lily.”
“I think the fashion club found its newest member.”
I definitely did not have the fashion club in my future, but I thanked them anyway. I never thought I’d be able to stand in front of people like that. But I did. And it felt wonderful.
I was proud of myself. It was a feeling I was coming to love.
Rose ran from somewhere outside the curtain and pulled me into a hug.
“You did so good!” she screamed into my ear. “I’m so proud of my little baby sister!”
I groaned but hugged her back anyway.
This was a day to celebrate. Not to argue over our three-minute age difference.
I thought about changing my clothes but decided against it and walked back out onto the floor to watch the rest of the fashion show with Calla. When the models did their final walks, I cheered the loudest of all.
I was so proud of my sister and the fashion club. They had put on a fantastic show. But even the beautiful outfits and perfect makeup couldn’t stop my attention from wandering to the boy who stood only a few feet away, and yet, so far.
I wanted to talk to Becks. I wanted to say I was sorry. To set things right. I wished I knew what to say to fix us, but how?
The fashion show ended, and the crowd started to break up. Well, everyone except me. I found myself still near the stage, staring off into the distance. My brain was on a merry-go-round, spinning around a single question.
How could I make things right with him?
Calla squeezed my hand, pulling me from my thoughts.
“Um, Earth to Lily. Is anyone there?”
I shook my head, trying to shake off the daze. “Sorry. Just thinking.”
“About what?”
I shrugged half-heartedly.
“I don’t know.”
She slid me a smile. “I think I do.”
She lifted her chin in Becks’ direction. He was standing outside of his booth, talking animatedly about something inside. One of his paintings no doubt.
Did he paint more portraits like he wanted? Did he ever finish the painting of me?
I remembered that day. I could practically feel his lips pressed against mine and shivered.
“It’s over,” I said. “I told him I didn’t want him around. I ruined it.”
“Maybe. Or maybe not.”
I groaned. “Please don’t torment me.”
“Not tormenting. Just pointing out that there’s always room to fix things, big or small.”
“I don’t think so,” I said. “Not after everything I said.”
“Only one way to find out.” She put her hands on my shoulders. “You have to be brave enough to try.”
I bit my lip. Was I that brave? Did I have it in me?
I thought back on everything I’d done over the past few months. All the ways I’d grown. Old Lily would have run in the opposite direction for most of it, but I wasn’t her anymore. I was New Lily. And New Lily wasn’t a runner. New Lily was a fighter.
I took a deep breath.
“Wish me luck?” I asked.
She hugged me tight. “There’s no wish needed. Now, go and get your man.”
With Calla’s confidence boosting my own, I turned and walked over to Becks’ booth. My heart was hammering harder than when I was on the catwalk. I thought being on that runway was the scariest thing I’d ever do in my life, but, as it turned out, it wasn’t. Putting my heart on the line for the boy I’d rejected, that was way more terrifying.
I stood off to the side, while Becks finished up a conversation with another boy. I thought I’d have more time to gather my thoughts, but as soon as he saw me, Becks told the kid he’d talk to him later and turned to me.
“Hey, Lil.”
“Hey, Becks.” I twiddled my fingers, cursing the fact these pants didn’t have pockets.
“You looked great up there. Really. You were beautiful.”
Heat crept over my cheeks. “Thanks. You too.”
I sucked in a mortified breath. Did I just say that? I watched his neck turn pink and he ran his fingers through his hair.
“Uh, thanks.”
“I see your booth is pretty popular.” I actually did not know that, but it seemed like the right thing to say, so I went with it.
“Yeah. It’s doing all right. I sold a few pieces.”
“Great. Now everyone will know how talented you are.”
“Well, a girl inspired me to show my work to the world, so here it is.”
He laughed good-naturedly, and I joined in.
Why was it so hard to talk to him right now? We used to tell each other everything, and now it felt like there was no air in the room.
I placed my hands over my twisting gut.
“Becks, I just wanted to say how sorry I am. Everything that’s happened between us is my fault. I pushed you away because… because I didn’t think I was enough. But now, I’m seeing things differently. More clea
rly. I know I’m not Rose or Kim. I’ll never be those girls. I’m just Lily, and I’m okay with that. And I just…”
His expression was unreadable.
Maybe this was a mistake. Maybe I shouldn’t have come here. Maybe everything was really over. Tears ate up the back of my throat, and I took a step back.
“I just hope one day you can find it in your heart to forgive me and that we can be friends again. That’s all I wanted to say.”
I turned to flee, hoping I’d make it to the bathroom before the tears fell.
But then, Becks’ hand was in mine. He tugged, pulling me close to him until we were chest to chest. His arms wrapped around me, and his scent flooded me. It was so fresh and intoxicating I had to stop myself from closing my eyes and taking in a big whiff.
“I have to show you something,” he said.
His arms loosened, but he didn’t let go of my hand. Instead, he led me to the front of his booth.
I looked inside and everything within me stilled.
The world seemed to go silent, leaving only me, Becks, and our joined hands.
In front of me were nearly a dozen painted portraits.
Most of them were a mixture of pictures of his grandfather and beaches. But it was the two in the middle that made my breath catch.
A finished portrait of me lying on my side on the beach, smiling. It was the one I’d posed for. The last time I saw it, it was barely a sketch. Now it was fully colored and vibrant. There was something about my eyes in it. The blue was almost haunting.
Next to that painting was one I’d never seen before. It was another one of me, but this time I was looking over my shoulder, my skin glowing nearly bronze. I was on the couch in the sunroom of his house this time. The place where we’d shared our first kiss.
“You did all this?” I asked.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I had to see you, and this was the only way I could do that. Lily”—he turned me to him—“you are the most precious thing in my life. You always have been, and you always will be. And I have been in love with you since kindergarten. No matter how long I was away or how far apart we were, it’s always been only you. And however long it takes for you to be ready, I’ll wait. Even if it means waiting forever. It’s me and you, Lil. It will always be me and you.”
He sighed.
“Until then, I hope you don’t think the pictures are too creep—”
I didn’t wait to hear the rest.
I pulled Becks to my lips and did the one thing I’d been wanting to do for weeks.
I kissed him.
Not just kissed. I poured everything I had into him. Telling him with my lips and hands how much I’d missed him. How much I loved him. And just how much he meant to me.
He gasped into my lips, then he relaxed, and kissed me back.
It was like the dark skies of my life had parted, revealing a beautiful sun.
Someone hooted, and we broke apart, laughing.
Suddenly Calla was there, her arms around both of us.
“You guys are so cute,” she said, smiling.
I gazed at Becks. He was my best friend. And now, he was something more. And this thing between us, it was going to change my life.
I knew that deep in my heart.
“I love you, Lily,” Becks said, gazing deep into my eyes.
I looked back at him, my heart filling with warmth. “I love you too, Becks.”
His lips met mine again, and I leaned into him, fitting against him. It wasn’t close enough. It would never be close enough.
“Lily. Oh my goodness, Lily!”
My sister shrieked behind me, and someone, probably her, tapped me hard on my back.
Becks and I reluctantly parted again.
I growled. We’d need to find a place a little more private next time.
“I’m a little busy,” I said.
“Look!”
She shoved something in my face. My phone. I must’ve left it in the room when I was getting changed for the fashion show. The screen was lit, and a brief text message stared back at me.
Mrs. Levy: She’s awake.
I gasped, letting go of Becks’ hand and grabbing my phone.
I read it again. Then a third time. I could hardly believe it.
She was awake. Kat was awake.
I quickly texted Mrs. Levy back, my thumbs flying across the keypad.
“What’s the matter?” Becks asked, moving close to me. “What happened?”
“Kat’s awake.”
I headed toward the auction stage, pushing my way through the crowd while Becks and Calla followed behind, peppering me with questions. But I couldn’t answer them. I was too busy texting with Mrs. Levy.
My two best friends were still behind me when I climbed up on the stage and took the microphone.
I tapped it twice, ensuring it was on.
“Hello?”
The crowd was deafening, with only the ones closest to the stage noticing I’d spoken at all.
“Hello,” I called louder. “Can I have your attention?”
A few more people looked up at me, and slowly made their way toward the stage.
I took a deep breath.
“Can I have your attention!” I cried.
My voice boomed through the room, quickly bringing everyone to silence.
I clutched my phone in one hand while holding the mic with the other. My heart was racing, and my stomach filled with butterflies. Tears climbed my throat, and I fought to speak through them.
“Thank you all for coming to this carnival for Kat. As many of you know, Kat was in an accident about three months ago, and she’s been in a coma ever since. It’s been hard for her mom, her friends, and her family to watch her like that. There were a lot of tears. A lot of prayers. But through this whole tragedy, Kat’s never been far from our thoughts. In fact, that’s why we’re all here. To show Kat how much we love her, and to wish her a speedy recovery.” The crowd clapped and cheered, and I sniffed back my tears. “I just received a message that Kat woke up a few hours ago. I asked her and her mom if I could show her the carnival and she said yes. So…”
I pressed a green button on my phone, and the phone rang twice. Then, it dinged, and the camera turned on.
Suddenly, there she was.
Kat Levy.
Her face was pale and sunken, and she looked tired, but her two braids were neat. And she was awake.
A single tear fell down my cheek.
The person I’d worked so hard for these past months was finally awake. Now was the time to show her just how loved she was.
“Hi!” I said, a little too loudly. “How are you feeling?”
“Exhausted,” Kat said. Her voice was rough, but I was so happy to hear it that I didn’t care.
“We’re all here,” I said. “And everyone wants to say hi. Is that okay?”
Kat nodded. “Yeah. It’s okay.”
“Here we go.”
I held my phone high in the air so Kat could see.
“Everyone say hi to Kat.”
The crowd complied. Over three hundred voices spoke back to me as one.
“Hi, Kat.” Then they cheered long and loud.
Tears ran down my face, uncontrolled.
This was what I wanted. For Kat to know she wasn’t forgotten. To know that people were pulling for her. I was so glad she was awake to see it. It was a gift.
I panned the phone around, giving her the full view of everyone who had come. The entire town had turned out to show her how much they cared.
She deserved it.
Finally, I turned the phone back around to me.
Kat and her mom were crying just as hard as I was.
“We’re all here to show you how much we care,” I said. “And don’t worry about any medical bills. We got this.”
Mrs. Levy put her hand over her heart, sobbing openly.
Kat moved the camera closer to her.
“Thank you, L
ily. Tell them all, thank you.”
“I will,” I said. “Get some rest, Kat. We need you back here soon.”
We said our goodbyes and the call ended.
Becks, Calla, and Rose surrounded me. I handed my sister my phone and felt Becks’ hand on my back, giving me strength.
I wiped my eyes with the heel of my hand and swallowed, trying to pull myself together.
“I just want to say thank you to everyone who made this possible.” I gestured to the crowd. “You all made this possible because you cared. Now, let’s get this auction started. For Kat.”
The crowd cheered again, and I made my way to the stage steps while Frank Sanderson, our auctioneer and tow truck driver, started the biding.
“All of this is because of you,” Becks whispered in my ear. “You’re amazing. You know that, right?”
I smiled up at him.
Because deep within me, for the first time in my life, I did.
I was amazing.
And I promised myself I’d never forget it again.
Epilogue
Seven Months Later…
The dance floor was filled with Bloom Academy’s senior class. Beautiful dresses and classy tuxedos glowed beneath the soft lights of the Ivy Castle.
After the residents of Bloom had seen the Ivy Castle firsthand at the Fall Carnival, enough people put down deposits on the venue to pull the Rogers out of foreclosure. The venue was booked solid for the next two years. Mrs. Rogers was so grateful that she offered to host the senior prom free of charge.
It made my heart soar to know I’d played a small part in changing the Rogers’ lives. After all, they’d changed my life by giving me the greatest gift a girl could ask for: my best friend, Calla.
Joy filled me as I celebrated all I’d achieved this year. But I was also a little apprehensive too. After all, tonight marked the end of an era. In less than three weeks, I’d bid high school goodbye and head off onto the wide road to adulthood.
It was a new, scary, and exciting chapter in my life.
And it wasn’t turning the page alone.
I gazed into Becks’ green eyes as we slowly glided around the dance floor.
“I’m one lucky guy,” he said.
“How so?”
“Because I get to dance with the most beautiful girl at the senior prom.”