"I'll be back at five to pick up Steve," she said as she went out the door and closed it.
I looked at closed door and sighed. I went over to my son and looked at him as he was looking at me with a wide smile. I smiled at my handsome son as I pulled him toward me and hugged him.
"It's a good thing you're only a kid, because when you get older, you're going to have a lot of issues to deal with."
Steve nodded his head as if he knew what I was talking about, and started to giggle.
I looked at him as I picked him up and started to tickle him. As I started to smile, I realized that was the first time I smiled in a long time.
32. Charlie
After spending some time with Derrick, he decided to go home to get ready, while I decided to do some finishing touches of my own. Ashley was supposed to be coming over later so the both of us could get ready for tonight. As I went up to my room, the first thing I noticed was the picture of Michael and me sitting on my nightstand. I picked up the picture of the two of us being so happy and in love. I smiled as I put the picture back on the nightstand and then sighed.
"I will make everything right between us. I can promise that."
As I walked over to my bed, I looked outside at the beautiful afternoon. The sky looked so blue and peaceful as the sun was shining brightly through the big, thick white clouds. I also noticed some birds chirping on the big hollow tree outside of my window. Just looking out the window made me think about all the times I snuck out through it, or Michael coming in my room. I took a deep breath to relieve some of the tension that was building inside of me as I went into the bathroom to start getting ready. I may not have a good time tonight, but I'm going to make the best of it. As I was about to step into the shower, the doorbell rang.
"That must be Ashley," I said as I turned off the water.
As I ran downstairs and opened the door, I was shocked to see not only Ashley, but Chris right behind her.
"Hey Ash. Hey Chris," I said softly.
"Hey. I guess you weren't expecting me to drop by."
"I'm kind of surprised, but happy. Come in."
Ashley smiled as she walked into the house. She looked at me with a happy grin on her face.
"I'm going to go upstairs to set up," she said as she took her belongings and ran upstairs. I turned around to look at Chris with a dumb expression on my face.
"What's going on? I mean Ash is all giddy and you unexpectedly show up here. Something's telling me that you two are up to something."
"Why would you think that? I just came over to see how you were doing."
"Why? You're Michael's best friend. I thought you would hate my guts after what I did to him."
"I never said I disliked you for what happened between you and Michael. I think what happened between you two was a misunderstanding. You two were going through a lot and that's what caused the relationship to fail."
"I thought it was because of our lies."
Chris laughed. "Maybe, but I think you two were confused over your problems and you let them get the best of you."
I smiled. "At least you see things differently. I wish Michael would see it that way."
"Why do you say that?"
"I don't think I should get into it."
"Why not?"
I looked at Chris as I sat down on the couch.
"I said that because Michael moved on with his life. He and Danielle are back to the happy couple again, and to be honest, I'm happy for them."
Chris sat down beside me with a worried look on his face.
"What are you saying that you're going to give up on Michael?"
"I didn't think I had a reason to fight for him. When I saw them at the mall, they seemed like they were happy. Why should I stand in the way of that?"
"Because what you saw that day was a lie. Danielle and Michael are not together."
I looked at Chris with a raised eyebrow. "But from what Danielle said..."
"You should know by now that Danielle is and always will be a liar. She tried everything in the book to get Michael back. But Michael doesn't want to be with her. He wants to be with you."
"But he told me straight out to leave him alone."
"The reason why he said that was because he was upset with you. Charlie, I've known Michael my whole life, and I never seen him as happy as he was with you. You made him a better person. When you two broke up, I noticed a change in him that was really scary. He became distant with everyone and he started to have an 'I-don't-care' attitude with everything. All because he loved you so much, and when he found out about you and Derrick, he didn't know how to handle it. But now he realizes that you're the only person he wants to be with."Did I hear Chris right? Michael still wants to be with me!
"Are you saying that Michael still loves me?"
"He never stopped, Charlie."
I looked at Chris with tears coming down my cheeks.
"If Michael loves me so much, why isn't he here to tell me this instead of you?"
"Because he doesn't know I'm here. I wasn't supposed to tell you this but Michael was going to talk to you at the prom. He wanted to see where your feelings were and where your relationship stands."
"Really," I said softly.
Chris nodded his head yes.
I got up from the couch and walked over to the big bay window near the kitchen area. Chris got up and walked over to me.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. You just gave me a lot of info that hasn't quite sunk in yet."
"You do want to be with Mike right?"
"Of course I do. But with everything that has happened, I don't know if we can go back to the way things were."
"Of course things are not going to be the same, but at least you two can try to rebuild the relationship you once had."
I looked at Chris and shook my head.
"I don't know if I can. I really hurt Michael. What if he can't trust me? What if he thinks I'm going to break up with him again?"
"Michael loves you too much. He's not going to leave you. Besides, Michael wasn't a saint in this either. I think you two need to talk about where things stand between you two."
"I don't know Chris. As much as I love and miss him, I don't know if we can get back together."
"Is it because of Derrick? Is that why you hesitate to talk to Michael?""No. I realized that I wasn't really in love with Derrick. I was just confused about his position in my life."
"So you never had feelings for Derrick?"
"No, I didn't."
Chris smiled. "That's all the reason you need then to talk to Michael."
"No it's not."
"Why?"
"Because I'm scared! I'm scared because I might break his heart again. I don't know if I can deal with that."
Chris went over to me and gave me a hug. I started to cry onto Chris's shoulder as he held me in a tight embrace. I looked up and saw Ashley come down the stairs with a worried look on her face.
Chris pulled away from me and looked into my eyes.
"Char, I know you're going through a lot right now, but life is about taking chances. How are you going to know how Michael really feels if you're too scared to ask him? Charlie, you have to face your fears and go after what you want."
"Chris's right," Ashley said as she stood beside him.
"Char, you've always been the one to stand up for what you believed in. You even helped me face my fears in certain situations. Sweetie, if you want Michael back, you have to fight for him. You have to convince him and yourself that you two belong together. Life's too short to just sit back and let things slip away from you."
They're both right, I thought as I looked at the two of them. They want me and Michael to be happy, because they are.
"So, what's it going to be Char?" Chris asked.
I smiled as I nodded my head to the agreement.
"I will talk to Michael tonight," I said in an excited tone.
"Yes!" Ashley said as she went up to me to give me a
hug.
"I knew you would do it."
"But promise me one thing you two."
"Anything," Chris said.
"Don't tell Michael anything. I want it to be a surprise."
"Sure," they said, smiling.
I looked at the two with a confident smile. Tonight was going to be a wonderful night after all. If everything goes right, Michael and I would be back together, and everything would be perfect again. At least I hoped so.
~
A few hours later Ashley and I were getting ready for the prom. Earlier, I was a little down over everything that has happened the past few weeks. Not being with Michael was hard enough, but going to the prom was supposed to have been the most joyous night of my senior year. Now as I looked at myself in the full length mirror in my room, I realized that tonight could be everything I've dreamed of. I would be back with Michael and everything would be perfect.
Ashley walked into my room wearing a beautiful cream colored, floor length gown. Her hair was pinned up into a decorated French Roll and she had on barely there make- up. I'd never seen my friend look as beautiful as she did at that moment.
"Wow Ash, Chris is going to fall over when he sees you."
Ashley smiled. "I take it this dress suits me?"
"Definitely. At least you didn't choose the mint green," I said laughing.
Ashley laughed as she put on some gold chandelier earrings.
"I have to admit Miss Perry; you look quite stunning as well."
'Thanks friend," I said as I looked at my peach dress and matching shoes.
"Are you and Chris cool going to the prom with Derrick and me?"
"Yeah, we are. Especially since now that you and Michael may patch things up tonight. Besides, Derrick knows what's going on, so everything's cool."
"Thanks. I'm just so nervous about tonight."
"Why?"
"Because this is my only chance to get Michael back,"
Ashley looked at me as she gave me a hug.
"Everything will be fine. Trust me."
I took a deep breath as I pulled from Ashley's embrace.
"Let's not get sappy right now. I really don't want to apply more makeup," I said while laughing.
"You're right. You know how long it took me to get this face?" Ashley said smiling.
I laughed again as I suddenly heard the doorbell ring.
"I guess our dates have arrived," Ashley said as she grabbed her purse and shawl.
"Maybe we should let them wait a little," I said.
"I've waited too long for this night to arrive. I want to get things started."
I shook my head as I grabbed my purse from my bed and pushed Ashley towards the door.
As we came downstairs, Chris and Derrick stopped what they were doing and looked directly at us. The looks on our dates' faces were all we needed for their seal of approval.
"I guess you two liked our dresses," Ashley said as she went over to Chris.
"I most certainly do, especially yours. You looked amazing," Chris said as he gave Ashley a kiss on the cheek.
Derrick looked at me with a speechless expression. He came over to me and took my hand.
"You looked breathtaking," he said as he took my hand to his lips and kissed it. I looked at Derrick and smiled.
"Well Mr. Marberry, you don't look half bad yourself. You clean up pretty nicely."
As I looked at Derrick, I realized how blessed I was that he was a part of my life. Even though we were not a couple anymore, we were still good friends, and that was the best feeling I could have right now.
"Where are my parents? I thought they would've been out here," I said while looking toward the kitchen.
"They went in their room to get the camera. You know how parents are with proms," Derrick said.
"How are parents with proms, Derrick?" my dad asked as he came into the living room with my mom.
I turned around and smiled.
"Oh baby, you look so beautiful," my mom said as she went up to me and gave me a hug.
"Thank you, Mom."
"Words can't describe how beautiful you two look," my dad said while looking at me and Ashley.
Ashley and I smiled at my parents as my mom motioned the four us for a picture.
"You know I have to capture this moment. It's only once in your life that you experience your prom."
As Ashley and Chris walked toward each other, I looked at Derrick with a forceful smile. Watching Ashley and Chris holding each other lovingly only made me want to be with Michael at that moment. I knew Michael and I would work things out, I just wish we could have worked out our differences sooner so Michael would have been standing here instead of Derrick.
"Say prom!" my mom said excitedly.
The four of us yelled prom as my mom took the picture.
My dad walked over to Derrick and gave him a stern expression.
"You know my feelings toward you dating my daughter, right?"
"Of course Mr. Perry, you made them known countless times."
"Well tonight is no different. I want you to take care of my daughter and keep her out of trouble. You hear me."
Derrick nodded his head as he watched my father walk away.
I looked at Derrick and smiled.
"You know how my father is."
"I know. He has nothing to worry about."
I looked at Derrick as he looked at me. After a few minutes of staring at each other, Ashley started to clear her throat as she walked over to us. Derrick and I quickly stop staring and looked at Ashley.
"Am I interrupting something?"
"No, not at all; what's up?" I asked.
"I just saw the limo pulled up, so we better get going," she said. She looked at me with a 'what- —are- you- doing' look as she went over to Chris. I looked at my parents as I took Derrick's hand.
"Well I hate to end this, but our limo is here, so we better go."
My mom walked up to me and gave me another hug.
"I know you've been going through a lot lately, but just remember, no matter what you're going through, just have fun tonight."
"I know Mom. And I plan to. Don't worry."
My mom smiled as tears started to come to her eyes.
"I can't believe my little girl is all grown up."
I looked at my mom and found myself crying. My mom wiped my tears from my eyes and smiled.
"I don't want to keep you from your big night. Just call me when you get to Galveston."
"Okay, Mom. I will."
As we grabbed one more hug, I went out towards the door and went to the limo with Derrick, Chris, and Ashley. As I was about to get in, Derrick looked at me as he took my hand.
"You're alright?"
"Yeah, my mom and I just had a moment. That's all."
Derrick gave me a kiss on the cheek as he helped me into the limo. As I turned around, I thought I saw Michael's car parked down the street.
What is Michael doing here?
As I tried to see if Michael was going to get out of the car, I noticed my next door neighbor was going towards the car. I took a deep breath and sighed as I went into the limo.
"What's wrong?" Derrick asked worriedly.
I looked at Derrick and smiled.
"Nothing, everything's cool."
Ashley looked at me and smiled.
"Are you ready to have fun?"
"Yeah, I am."
As the limo pulled out of the driveway, I turned towards the BMW again. I knew for sure that it was Michael's car. I know there are a lot of BMW going up and down the streets of Houston, but I would know Michael's car anywhere. As we pulled out on the street, I saw Michael walking toward the car. He looked over at us with a hurt look on his face. I looked at Michael with a sympathetic look. I didn't know why Michael was going to my house, but what I did know was from the look on his face, he got the wrong impression of Derrick and me.
Michael
Don't I feel like a dumb ass! I thought as I went back into my car. A
nd to think Charlie was devastated over me and wanted to get back together. Instead, she was going off to the prom with Derrick in a happy embrace. I was going to tell Charlie how I felt about her at the prom, but I was so anxious to tell her, I decided to stop by her house before I picked up Danielle. But it seemed like I was the one who got the surprise as I watched Charlie and Derrick get into the limo together. As I started the ignition, my mind began to doubt my thoughts from earlier today. First Chris told me that Charlie was still in love with me, and now she's off to the prom with her ex. And what a friend I have in Chris! I can't believe he's double dating with Charlie and her ex! I sighed as I turned the radio on to listen to the song Charlie and I made love to for the first time. I started to laugh at the song in disbelief.
"Why are you doing this to me now?" I asked as I turned toward the feeder road. After all I went through today; I think a drink is in order. Immediately.
After a twenty minute drive, I finally arrived at Danielle's house. To my amazement, I saw a Hummer limo parked out on the curve and about ten of Danielle's closest friends with their dates standing outside in their prom attire. I rolled my eyes as I got out of my car and walked up to the winding driveway. As I got closer to the pre-prom party, I realized Danielle was front and center as she walked up to me with open arms. I have to admit, Danielle looked gorgeous in a pale pink strapless gown. She probably got the dress made from some famous designer. In order to keep my cool, I gave Danielle a small smile as I took her hand.
"Hey Michael," everyone said in unison.
"Hey everybody. Will you excuse me and my lovely date for a second?"
As everyone either said sure or nodded their heads, I pulled Danielle over to the front door and looked at her with a stern face.
"What is this? I thought we agreed that we weren't going with your friends. And how did you get a Hummer limo?"
"Technically Michael you're the only one who agreed to not go with friends. I thought it would be fun to spend time with everyone. This is our prom night."
"I don't care. You know I don't really like your friends."
"Well excuse me, Michael, but I didn't realize this was an actual date. Are we finished here, because I have guests to attend to." Danielle said as she walked past me. I looked at Danielle walk away in complete shock. Leave it to Danielle to be the center of attention. I shook my head as I went over to the small crowd and forced myself to be happy.
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