I wanted Owen to be my date.
I know it sounds crazy especially after everything we’ve been through, but it’s the truth I can’t lie about it.
I thought about Owen a lot. I wondered if things would have been different between us if Lisa did not get in the way.
I heard rumors Owen had gotten into Stanford.
I hope it’s true.
That’s the moment, I got a call from Ethan the Chess guy.
Ethan said, “I’m sorry I can’t make it today I sort of got me a little of the sudden. I wanted to make your prom night special but I have to stay in bed I’m so sorry about this Avery.”
“I understand Ethan it’s OK.” It was an ally I guess I didn’t want to go to the prom.
I spoke with Ethan for a while. I let him know everything will be fine in that whatever happens it’s not his fault. He said “I’m so glad you understand. this is terrible I wanted to go to the prom with you. I hope you find someone else. I can take you or are you going to go on your own.”
I said to him, “I’m uncertain what to do. but whatever it is it will be OK.”
Ethan then said “you know I heard rumors that Lisa and Owen broke up.”
I stayed silent for a moment he said, “Are you there Avery?”
“Yes, I am.”
“You should go with him you know. He’s a great guy, and I heard he broke up with his girl too. Well, my dad is calling I have to go talk with you soon?”
I thought to myself he has to go why I want him to tell me more about always drama but no I couldn’t ask him more about that so I said, “ok”
Then he hung up. I mediately called my best friend Carrie. She picked up the phone and said hey are you on your way I’m already heading over to the prom. I said, “no I’m not on my way and you need to call me right now.” She called my device immediately and asked, “what’s up?”
“What is this about Owen breaking up with Lisa.”
“Oh, you heard about it? I didn’t want to tell you on to the prom is over because…” I cut her off. I wanted to hear everything.
I said:
“Don’t worry about the reasons for not telling me. Please just tell me what happened.”
She paused. Then she said:
“Apparently something happened between them. I guess she was cheating on Owen with Blake. It’s all over social media. Listen Owen does not want her. His parents did. They are the ones who tried to force the relationship. He likes you, its obvious. He really does. Avery, honestly, I think you should go with him. That is if your date is not available.”
I swallowed and said “you probably heard I Ethan is…” She chuckled and said “Yes, news travels fast around here. I just wanted you to confirm.”
I said “well yeah Ethan can’t make it he is ill.” She said, “yeah I heard about that. Then,” she paused. Then she continued: “so what are you going to do?”
I shrugged and said “I’m not sure …”
That’s the moment I heard a car pull up outside my house.
I said to Carrie “I will have to call you back. See you at the prom.”
She said, “sure see you over there.”
And with that I hung up. I hurried towards the window. I peered out the glass. My eyes widened to see Owen at my door holding a Corsage. I gasped.
Then I ran downstairs and noticed my dad at the door.
Great!
Dad was interrogating him. I swallowed.
But Owen was so cool.
He stood there and listened to my Dad. I knew everything was okay when Dad patted his shoulder and said “she’s ready”
Then Dad turned and smiled at me.
That Is the moment my mom hurried taking pictures with her device. I grew flushed.
She chuckled and said “my mother did this. So I’m just passing down the family tradition.”
and with that she took a number of pictures. Then get this she posed for a selfie with Owen and me!
Owen seemed pleased. I was still a little hesitant though.
Should I go or not.
I hesitated.
But then my dad turned around and smiled. A clear sigh he approved of Owen.
So I smiled and said “OK and with that I leaned closer to Owen as mom took some pictures. Once she got done with the photo session. Owen placed the Corsage on my hand. Then he placed a protective arm around me and led me out the door.
I gasped the moment I noticed a brand new Bugatti Vernon parked outside.
I turned to Owen and said “oh my God. It’s a nice car.”
He chuckled and said, “Yes it is, but it’s not as beautiful as you.”
I blushed.
And with that he held my hand and opened the car door for me.
I smiled and thought what a gentleman.
He said “I’m so sorry about the way things worked out earlier I really wanted to hurt you. You are are the most amazing incredible girl, I’ve ever met. And I mean that Avery. Thank you for everything. Thanks for being you! You and I fit. Thanks for helping me out.”
His words were sincere.
I smiled and said, “thanks.”
And with that, he leaned in and we kissed. I felt butterflies in my stomach. Oh my goodness, I just kissed Owen, the popular bad boy. The truth is he might be popular but he is not a bad boy. He is great!
And with that, he pulled back smiled, turned not the ignition and we headed out to prom.
Avery
We arrived at the prom. I beamed looking around. My friends smiled the moment they saw me.
Owen opened the door for me. He held my hand and took me straight to the dance floor. I beamed as we danced. He held me close and said, “You look fantastic tonight. And with that he twirled me around. I laughed and as we go close again, I said, "you look great too.”
And with that he kissed me!
I threw my hands around his shoulders. Everything seem so perfect until we heard clapping from the other students.
We pulled back smiled and continued dancing.
My eyes darted to the corner of the room and standing there was Blake with Lisa. I thought oh no is this going to the trouble? Blake makes his way towards us and stands between Owen and me. This action infuriates Owen. But Owen calmly moves around him and wraps his hand around my waist. I thought oh my goodness. I love this guy!
“Blake… that was not appropriate. You need to head back there with Lisa and…”
That is the moment Lisa stepped up. She said, “I am sorry, Owen what happened between Blake and I…”
“Save it. I have a wonderful life right now. It is in the past, Lisa. I hope you find what you are looking for.”
And with that Owen held my hand and led me away.
Lisa looked dejected.
She wanted to say more but stopped herself from uttering a word.
I turned to see Blake trying to put his hand around her shoulder but she pushed him away.
As for Blake’s ex and Lisa’s best friend. She looked upset. That is the moment, another friend of Blake and Owen walked up and asked if she wanted to dance. She glanced our way. Owen smiled reassuringly. He whispered, “He is not like the others, you are in good hands.”
And with that, she smiled and slid her hands into Mike’s. I was happy she found love. That is the moment, I got a picture message from Ethan. Next to him was Jessica a member of the band club. He captioned the picture.
“Having a good time.”
I laughed and text him back, “I am too.” Then I leaned to Owen and took a selfie. He smiled. I sent the message back to Ethan and said, “Having a good time too.”
He sent over a smiling Emoji.
That is the moment Carrie walked over with her boyfriend, Mark. She asked that we take a group selfie for her social media account. Then we continued enjoying the prom activities. Everything that night was perfect but the kiss from Owen at the end was everything. I guess it all worked out. He told me all about his Dad. Then he mentioned he got into S
tanford.
Pleased I said “That is amazing! Because I am going to the same school!”
He smiled kissed the top of my head. I guess it didn’t matter because the hot guy loved me. I couldn’t have asked for anything else.
“I can’t wait to go to college with you. We will have fun together.”
“Yes, neither can I.”
Epilogue
Epilogue
Avery
I studied literature and machine learning at Stanford while believe it or not, Owen took Pre-med courses. I also got funding for my app, and guess what, It will soon be part of a free app collection as part of a program to help kids with needs.
I got seriously excited. I never thought it would happen but it did. Owen is doing great.
He is on his way to becoming a doctor. I mean life couldn’t be better. I am happy and he is too. He is still a great hockey player.
I guess all things worked out in the end, right?
Ethan got into his choice college and yes he still plays chess. Oh, and Blake well he had to wait another year but hopefully he would go to college too. Lisa changed her life.
She became a social media influencer. But she only has 100 followers. I guess you have to start somewhere. Carrie’s gone on to Yale. She couldn’t be happier. She has competition though from Blakes girlfriend. Well, I guess there is room for more than one. My sisters are doing fantastic, Kendall is on her way to getting her MBA, while she works at an incredible investment firm. Oh and my little sis, well she is just doing what she does best, nudging and giving me advice on love!
Go figure.
“So can you believe we made it here?” Owen asked as we had lunch.
I said, “I know ugh? Well, you did it.”
“I couldn’t have done it without you!”
I smiled. I guess he was right, but we couldn’t have done it without each other. I guess it all worked out in the end. Life is good.
The end.
Avery And The Popular Bad Boy: A BAD BOY HIGH SCHOOL ROMANCE Page 6
