22
Chapter twenty-two
“Stop slouching, Bree,” Summer said as she brushed
makeup powder on my back to cover up the blemishes. My mother said, “Breana is tired and restless because she’s been sitting in chairs all day.” I huffed, puffed and took a deep breath as I said, “Yes. Getting ready for prom is draining, it makes me not want to go to prom. Girls have to go through a lot to get dolled up. That’s why I am plain Bree. I do what’s comfortable for me.” My mother and Summer helped me put on my dress, a sparkly peach colored princess ball gown. It’s not as wide and big as my Cinderella homecoming dress, but it has a slight wide fluffiness to it. Honestly, I love it! Summer took her job seriously as she continued to brush my back, arms, and upper chest with the makeup powder to make sure every single blemish was covered up. After being in the salon all day, my mother made sure my hairstyle was still in place and neat. It is parted in the middle and slightly twisted on each side and my hair is curled towards the back as it hangs down. In the middle is a cute peach sparkly circle comb to make my hair look elegant and fancy.
Summer put my mother’s pearls around my neck. She also put my mother’s platinum sparkly dangling earrings in my ears. “Ouch!” I said as Summer pierced my earlobe. “My bad, Bree. If you stop moving, I will be able to put the earrings in your ears.” “I’m not moving. I am trying to stay still as much as possible,” I replied. Summer said as she focused on putting the earrings in my ears, “Bree, pretend you’re a manikin. That way we can get everything done.”
A short moment later Summer slid on my silver heels and said, “Bree, why do you never put some type of color on your toes? French pedicure and manicure are played out.” I shook my head. My mother said, “Bree, stay still.” I said, “Okay, Mommy.” I answered Summer’s question and said, “Summer, that’s my style and I like it.” After my mother put the finishing touches on my makeup, I peeled myself out of the chair. I stood in from of my full-length mirror. As I turned sideways to see myself, I patted my hair a little, brushed off my dress slightly, and I teared up a little as I said, “Oh my goodness, I look so beautiful!” I walked over to give my mother a hug and said, “Thank you.” My mother was crying as she said, “Baby, sweetheart, you are beautiful and you’re more than welcome.” The doorbell rang. Daddy and Luke yelled as if they were singing a tune, “T’eo is here!” Summer was standing beside my mother. I reached over and gave her a hug too and said, “Thank you, baby sis.” She teared up and said, “You needed a lot of work, I’ll bill you later. …And you’re welcome.” I laughed as I tried to hold in my tears and said, “Yeah, okay. Aww, are you about to cry?” Summer couldn’t hold in her tears any longer as she said, “I am crying because I see that miracles do happen. You are evidence of it.” She hugged me tightly and said, “Big sis, you are beautiful inside; and thanks to me and Mommy, outside too. Have fun, do not lose your virginity, and most importantly, be safe.”
As I prepared myself to walk down the stairs, T’eo caught my eye as I stood at the top. I admired his dove grey suit. He was wearing a white crisp shirt, his grey blazer was casting it sharp, his slim trousers were a perfect fit, his dusky peach tie and handkerchief complemented the peach rose boutonniere I’d prepared to put on his jacket. As I walked down the stairs, all eyes were on me, however, my eyes stayed on T’eo. I heard my daddy say, “Look at my angel.” I turned my head as I looked at him and smiled. Luke smiled and said, “Breana, you look beyond beautiful.” As I reached the bottom of the stairs, T’eo had tears flowing from his eyes as if I was walking down the aisle and we were getting married. I put my hands on his face, and as my thumbs wiped away the tears I said softly as I smiled, “You look so handsome tonight.” He kissed me on my forehead and said, “I cannot stop looking at you because you look so amazing!” Summer skipped down the stairs and said as she was sniffing her nose from crying, “Okay, we need to take pictures so you two can make it to the prom on time and so Bree won’t be late for curfew.” Everyone was taking out their phones. My mother walked into her office to get her Canon camera. First, I took individual pictures with my mom, Daddy, Summer, and Luke. Then I took group pictures with my parents, siblings, and a family portrait together. Then T’eo and I took millions of pictures together. My parents had leased a cream Range Rover Sport—and it was gorgeous! I told my parents, “If you are wondering what to get me for my graduation gift, this is it! This is the car that I want!”
T’eo opened the door for me and off we went. We talked in the car as we headed to the Westin Hotel. “You know, I didn’t tell you Bree, but this is my first time going to the prom. My mother couldn’t afford it,” T’eo said. I looked at him with sadness in my eyes. I didn’t know what to say, I wanted to say something encouraging, so I said, “Well, I believe everything happens for a reason. The Great Divine knew you were supposed to go to the prom with me. I also believe that there’s a first time for everything.” He looked at me, smirked and said, “Bree always knows the right things to say.” I blushed and replied, “Not always.”
We pulled up to the hotel. Everyone’s here tonight. T’eo said, “Here we go.” He walked over and opened the door for me and said, “You look so amazingly beautiful tonight.” I blushed and I fixed his tie, smiled and said, “Thank you, honey. You look amazingly handsome tonight as well.”
We walked in the hotel, down a long hallway, and entered the prom room. The lights were blue, silver and white. They were dimmed and the decorations were so beautiful. People were dancing, there were some sitting in chairs, standing by the wall, and walking in and out of the room. I tried to find Chloe but there were a lot of people in the room, so I text her instead. She didn’t reply. T’eo asked me if I wanted to dance. I said, “Sure.” He gently pulled me out on the dance floor. I pulled my dress up a little and wrapped the circular strap at the bottom of my dress around my finger because it was slightly touching the floor. After I got that taken care of, we were getting down to, Nice for What, by Drake. Someone who I didn’t know said, “Look at Queen of Jackson-Miles tearing up the floor! Get it, girl!” I put my hands in the air as I raised them up and down. I took T’eo’s hand as he twirled me around. After Drake finished, one of my favorite songs came on, Super Duper Love (Are You Diggin on Me), by Joss Stone. I had a ball! We slow danced and pop danced to this song. I was singing as I was dancing. T’eo said loudly, “This is one of the first songs we danced to at the pizza joint! I said, “Yep, sure is!” I was really enjoying myself!
I walked up to the DJ booth and requested Shallow by Lady Gaga and Bradly Cooper. We slow dance as I laid my head on T’eo chest. I held his hand tightly—it felt so good to be in his arms; I felt safe.
I lost track of time. I looked at my phone and realized Chloe hadn’t texted me back. T’eo went to get us something to drink. Brian came over and said, “Hey, Bree.” I was looking at my phone texting Chloe, and I said, “Hi Brian.” He said, “Bree, you look good tonight.” Still looking at my phone I said, “Thanks.” “Bree, can I have the next dance?” Brian asked. I looked at him and said, “No.” Brian said, “Damn it’s like that now.”
T’eo walked up and handed me my drink. I said, “Thanks, honey.” Brian walked away. T’eo sat down beside me and said, “You’re welcome. Was he bothering you? Are you okay?” I smiled as I kissed T’eo on the lips and said, “I am fine, babe. Thanks for asking.” I continued, “You know what? I texted Chloe and she never texted me back. If she doesn’t say anything in five minutes, I’m going to step out to call her.” T’eo said, “I’m sure she’s fine.” I said, “How do you know?” He took a sip of his juice and stuttered and he said, “I mean, I think she’s okay? I agree with you, if she doesn’t respond in 5 minutes you should call her.”
I gave my drink to T’eo to hold before I got out of my chair. Chloe crept up behind me and said, “Damn, Breana the American princess—you look flawless! You better not come out of that dress tonight.” I gave her a tight hug and ask
ed, “Where have you been?” Chloe replied, “Girl, I’ve been getting ready.” Something didn’t sound right. I smiled, looked at her dress and said, “Chloe you look extravagant tonight! If I am a princess, then from looking at you, America has two princesses!”
I looked at her and said, “Funny, Summer said the same thing as you. Please, I am not losing my virginity just because it’s prom night.” I looked around and said, “I know Ms. Chloe has a date. Who did you come to prom with?” Chloe smiled and said, “You know your Yang.” I kept looking around, but nobody was with Chloe. I said, “Yep, I do. So, who’s your date?” She said, “He’s getting me a drink?” I looked confused and said, “Damn, you keeping secrets now?” Chloe smiled and said, “Bree, you will see.” The room was dark, but someone was walking towards us. I was thinking to myself, I know that person’s frame but it can’t be who I think it is—or is it?
As the person walked up, I yelled, “I knew it! I knew it! Summer and I knew there was something going on between you two.”
My brother said, “We’re busted.”
I said, “Wait. How long has this been going on?”
I turned and looked at T’eo and said, “T’eo knew all along, didn’t you?” T’eo said, “I’m guilty, babe.” I tapped him on the arm and asked, “So you’re keeping secrets from me too?” T’eo said, “Oh, no. Never.”
I looked at Chloe and Luke and asked again, “How long has this been going on?”
Chloe stood there smiling. Luke looked at Chloe and said, “We’ve been talking since October.”
I screamed again and said, “What! October! So, you two were talking during homecoming?” Luke said, “Guilty again.” He continued, “It all started when Chloe called me to get advice about Darius, and honestly, it took off from there. I was telling her she deserved better. I didn’t know it was me at the time, but I started to like Chloe’s and my conversation. One thing led to another and I got hooked. Funny, I never thought I would like my sister’s best friend or a girl who I considered a sister.”
Chloe looked at me and asked, “Bree, are you mad or upset that Luke and I are dating?” I walked over, gave her a hug, and said with excitement, “Are you kidding me! No, I am not mad. I am happy for you both!”
I looked at my brother, smiled, and said, “Chloe, my daddy is an amazing loving man who loves hard; and the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree.” I hugged my brother and I looked at Chloe and said, “You have a good man.” I looked at my brother, “Luke, you two deserve and need each other. You’ve had your share of bad relationships, and I think you two complement each other.” Luke said, “Thank you, baby sis!”
I started dancing and said, “Come on, brother, let’s dance!” I danced with my brother. Later that evening, Chloe and I danced, and T’eo and I got a few more dances in. Before we left, we took a double date prom picture and then we all took our own prom pictures with our date. I hope to never forget my prom. It was one of the best nights ever! As T’eo and got in our last dance, I looked over at Chloe and Luke, they looked so happy together. Chloe looked over at me, we smiled. I read what she was saying as she moved her lips and said, “My Yin.” I smiled as she read my lips as I said, “My Yang.” We all danced the night away, headed home and called it a spectacular night!
23
Chapter twenty-three
I walked into Mrs. Morgan’ office to pick up my cap and
gown for my graduation. She handed me my cap and gown, my medals and ropes. Because of finals, I’d missed my high school award ceremony. Mrs. Morgan said, “BSU submitted their grades to us.” I looked at her and said, “Really? Because they haven’t posted on the board yet.” She looked serious. I said, “Well, I know I passed my classes. Like always, math was challenging. Hit me with the news.”
Mrs. Morgan began softly, but she raised her voice with excitement, “You passed all of your classes with A’s!” I looked totally confused and said, “Wait, what? I had a low B in Cal II. I know I failed the final and it dropped my grade to a C.” Mrs. Morgan said, “That could be very well true, but Dr. Gilbert said a lot of students failed the final. She sent me an email and said she dropped everyone’s final exam grade who came to every lecture, tutorial and did the extra credit. Which brought your grade to a low 90.” I screamed with so much excitement and said, “What! Oh my! Oh, my God!”
I didn’t know what to do with myself. I had to sit down on the floor because I didn’t believe what I was hearing. Mrs. Morgan said, “Breana, are you okay?” I looked at her and replied, “I am. My heart is racing with so much joy. I am speechless.” She rubbed my back and said, “Wait right there.” She walked back with what I thought were some clothes she’d picked up from the dry cleaners, but instead, she said calmly, “Breana, you’ve completed all of your credits to graduate with an Associate of Science degree. Here are your college cap and gown!” I didn’t know what to do with myself. I ran into Mrs. Morgan’s arms and gave her a long, rocking from side to side, hug! I was crying tears of joy as I said, “Believe me when I say it wasn’t easy, not at all. Any and everything worth having is worth fighting and working hard for.”
Mrs. Morgan said with excitement, “Breana, brace yourself for some more amazing news!” I looked at her with excitement and butterflies in my stomach as I waited for what she was going to say. I asked, “What? What is it? What is the news?” She said, as she jumped up and down, “Not only are you Jackson-Miles queen, but you are Jackson-Miles valedictorian as well!” I was surprised and yelled, “No way! Are you serious?” Mrs. Moran hugged me and said, “I am not joking. I am for real! You did it! You earned it and most definitely deserve it.” I cried on her shoulder and said, “We did it. I didn’t do any of this alone. I had a team. I had you, my family and friends in my corner.” As we continued to hug each other I said softly, “Thank you. Thank you so much, Mrs. Morgan.” She cradled me in her arms and said, “You’re more than welcome.”
***
Today is graduation day at Brubaker State University. I opened my eyes and lay in bed for a little while. I stretched and kicked the covers off. I ran over and looked at myself in the mirror. I asked myself, Breana, are you happy? I smiled at myself and said, “Yes, ma’am you better believe it! I conquered and executed my high school and my college goals. I had a couple of highs and a lot of lows, but every moment was a lesson learned. I am so proud of myself.”
My mother knocked on my door and said, “Hello, Ms. College Grad.” Her mouth trembled. I said, “Don’t cry, Mommy.” She hugged me and said, “I am happy! You conquered something that I would have never thought you could do. I am so proud of you.” My daddy walked into my room and hugged my mother and me. Summer walked in, and then Luke. We all were emotional as we hugged each other. Luke said, “Wow, my baby sis is graduating college before me. Now I wish I would have taken advantage of Early College.” I said, “Yeah, you are a sophomore and I am going into college as a junior.” Reality hit and I said, “When I start college in the fall, I am going to be a junior! Oh, my goodness, I am going to be a junior!” I jumped up and down and said, “This is surreal!” Luke hugged me once again and said, “Dang, I didn’t look at it like that! Wow, sis, you worked hard for it and you deserve it!” Luke continued, “If I went to Early College this coming fall, I would be a senior.” My mother said, “Luke Junior, don’t be too hard on yourself because you are exactly where you are supposed to be.” I looked at my brother and said, “Look on the bright side—I learned from your mistakes, and Summer is going to learn from my mistakes. You are the oldest. You should be happy we look up to you.” Luke said, “That is true and I am honored. …and I am happy that you didn’t make the same mistakes I made. I always want the best for my sisters.”
Like always, my mother and Summer helped me get ready. Chloe met up at my house and rode with us. My parents took pictures before I left the house. My mother had on her black pants suit with a red blouse, and my daddy had on casual
light brown slacks with a red dress shirt. Luke was dressed to impress! Chloe and Luke looked so cute together—they both were wearing the same colors, black and white. Summer had on a cute white spring dress. I didn’t want to be late, and my parents wanted to get good parking. T’eo met us at the school.
I had on my black gown as I walked into the building, T’eo said, “Look at you!” I smiled, spun around and asked, “How do I look?” He kissed my forehead and said, “You look like a beautiful, smart, educated woman!” My parents asked T’eo and me to stand near the fountain as they took more pictures. Chloe and I took some ‘funny face’ pictures. Summer jumped in and took the funny face to the extreme. Luke was calm, cool, and collected with his hand in his pocket when we took pictures. A lady in an all-black outfit said, “All graduates need to head downstairs for line up!” I smiled at my family and T’eo. I put on my cap—my green and gold tassel dangled in my face as I said, “I will see you all soon!” I walked down the hallway and I looked back at my parents and waved. I was nervous, happy, and so excited. I said to myself, the next time I hug my family, I will be a college grad.
As we lined up and prepared to walk in the ceremony, I thanked the Great Divine for being with me every step of the way. I took a deep breath and smiled with each step I made. I looked for my family. I didn’t have to look far because Summer’s big mouth was loud. Chloe was cheering me on, and I heard her say, “My Yin!” I smiled and waved as I tried to hold in my tears, but they disobeyed me and fell freely on my cheeks.
Unapologetic for My Flaws and All Page 25