by Abby Gale
I’m just about to nod, but I stop myself. That school has given me so much pain. It only intensified the lonely feeling I always carried around. I could never been myself when I was there. And I’m finally graduating, finally leaving every pretense, every gossip, every shame behind and shouldn’t I celebrate it? Shouldn’t I take one more good moment this school can give me?
I don’t want to stay at home and be afraid of what could have happened if Elijah wasn’t on time. I refuse to give anything that hurts me more thought.
Lifting my head as Stacey and Jessica watch me with worried eyes, I come to my decision. “I’ll go to prom. I won’t graduate twice from high school, right?”
That puts smiles on their faces.
Jessica claps her hands. “I’ll bring your dress, Miss Faye.”
“It’s Eva,” I say and watch them as they prepare the space for my hair and everything.
I’ve never noticed it before, but as they work around me so I can have the best possible day I realize I wasn’t really alone. I was just so blind to see it. I was so focused on every bad thing in my life I couldn’t see the good. But I have West Town, I have the house with people who care for me in it…
And Elijah… I guess he has changed me, given me hope to see the goods so close to me.
Grabbing my phone, I quickly fire him a text.
*Is everything alright?*
I start worrying when minutes passed without his reply, but when Jessica comes with my dress and Stacey start rushing me to make my hair, I don’t get a chance to keep looking at my phone.
Letting them pamper me as we talk about nothing and everything feels right.
They prepare me in no time, and soon, I’m in a cab, heading for the Madison Hall hotel which was rented for the prom.
Worry tugged at my heart as I got no reply from Elijah.
29
Elijah
The house is empty when I’m back to the guest house. The security guy, I forgot the name of informed me Eva has gone to the Prom.
I can’t hide my surprise when I hear it.
She didn't want to go to the Prom, and after what happened I thought she would be shaken to do so, but my girl surprised me with her strength. Then again, maybe I shouldn't be surprised. She's gone through losing a brother, being neglected by her parents, and being talked about, but she's come out on top of it all as kind and generous. Instead of being petty, she found a way to help people in need. My girl is strong and unique, and I want to worship the ground she walks on.
With a proud smile on my face, I start to get ready myself.
I quickly take a shower and dress in a pair of black jeans and a black button down shirt. This is the only one I have, it must do. I find a blazer I don't even remember having and place the boutonniere on its collar. Checking the corsage I have made for her one more time, I leave the guest house. I'm glad I stopped by the florist on my way home. I didn't expect her to go to prom, but I wanted her to have something beautiful to end the day. A memento that represents her graduation. But now, she'll be really wearing it in the prom.
I didn't attend my high school prom. I thought I was too cool for that shit. But now, I feel excited. I check the time on my wrist one more time. I’m fifteen minutes late, but if the crowd in the parking lot is any indication the thing hasn’t started yet. These things are never on time anyway.
Getting out of my car, I scan the crowd.
There's a line in the right where the entry is. I hurry toward it. People walk on a red carpet, and a photographer takes their photos. My eyes search for Eva, and I find her when it's her time.
My beautiful girl is like a Greek Goddess. The pearl colored fabric flows down her body from a delicate braid circling her one shoulder, hugging her delicious curves just the right to leave you wanting for more. The moonlight sends a soft, almost ethereal glow to her face.
She's stunning. She takes my breath away, but even from afar I can see the sadness in her eyes, and I'm about to change that.
I quickly walk to her, ignoring all the whispers from the students I pass by until I reach her.
Just before the photographer takes her picture, I place my hand on Eva’s waist and pull her to my side.
She gasps. “Eli-” she starts, but look around with panic in her eyes before saying, “Mr. Richards… what are you doing?”
I smile at her. “It’s Elijah, baby. And I’m taking my girlfriend to the prom.”
Her eyes shine brightly with excitement even though she can't stop checking the crowd gathered around us.
“Everyone is looking at us,” she breathes out.
“Let them look. We look great together.”
She's about to say something but stops when I take her hand in mine to place the corset on her wrist. It's gardenia and lily flowers over a gold cuff. I'm glad my choice of corsage fits perfectly with her dress. It makes me happy that I know her.
“Elijah, this is beautiful,” she whispers.
Leaning down, I kiss her softly. Fuck all the shocked voices and whispers. I hear the click of a camera and smile to the kiss.
With my hand on her back, I pull her close to me and the photographer smiles while taking one more picture of us.
And we enter the prom salon with loud music and colorful lights.
30
Eva
I don’t know how or why he’s here. With me. Without caring what others will think. I should ask, but I postpone it to enjoy being in his arms, swaying side to side to a corny prom song I don’t recall.
"You didn't reply to my text. Is everything alright?" I finally ask. Curiosity wins the dream.
“I wanted to tell you when we’re face to face. But let’s not talk about it now. Just know, there’s nothing to worry about.”
I’m about to protest, but when he shuts me up with a kiss, I let my questions go.
We dance all night. I know everyone is looking at us, and they are talking about us, but I don’t care about anything as I’m in his arms. In our bubble, there’s no one but us.
Just him, me, music, and the light that changes colors and constantly shadows our faces.
Hours passed. And the songs become slower. When I look around, I see two other couples aside from us.
I smile and stand on my tiptoes to whisper in Elijah’s ear, “Let’s get out of here.”
He gives me a sexy smirk. “Whatever prom girl desires.”
“Whatever?” I quirk my eyebrow.
He chuckles. “As long as you desire them all with me.”
Trading my fingers in his hair, I pull him to me. I kiss him without restraint, without a care who will see.
As we walk to his truck hand in hand, with huge smiles on our faces, I finally understand how love makes people happy.
I don’t know where he’s taking me, but I don’t care where as long as we’re together. He keeps driving to the north of the town. There’s nothing there but a small camping place that overlooks the town.
Elijah drives carefully as we navigate in the dark mountain road. Finally, when we reach the open area, I see a few campers in the entry dotting around the place. We park close to the cliff, with a better view and a little bit more privacy than the opening.
Elijah looks at me smiling, and I grin back at him. He gets out of the truck and grabs the big bag from behind. I hear him get into the truck's back and I feel giddy. Every nerve in my body is tingling with a sweet sensation of anticipation.
He comes to my side and opens the door, helping me out with a boyish grin that makes me fall for him even harder.
"It's not a five-star hotel," he murmurs as we walk to the back of the truck.
He places blankets and pillows in the back, making it like a bed.
“I’m glad it’s not,” I breathe out and let him help me on the back.
We lay down. My head on his chest. His heart beats on my ear. Eyes turned above. Staring at the dark night sky with stars which seem close enough to touch.
The silence and the vie
w are so peaceful I feel myself relax. I could definitely sleep in here, and I wouldn't trade this place to the most luxurious hotel.
“How did you come to the prom?” I whisper after a long silence.
“I drove,” he answers with a smile that makes me roll my eyes. He sighs before saying, “You’re here, so it’s where I should be. I wouldn’t let you be there alone.”
“But your job… people won’t let this go. I prop myself on my elbow and look him in the eye. “If someone tells on you… God, you’ll lose your job because of me.”
“Not because of you. I was already going to quit.”
My eyes widen. “But why?”
“I don’t think teaching is for me,” he says in a teasing tone.
I sigh. “What happened to him?”
“Jake made a few phone calls. He’s fired. And he’ll go to jail.”
“What?” I panic.
"Shh, don't worry. No one really knows what happened. Jake has a guy who dug deeper and turned out that piece of shit had some dirty little secrets that will earn him a few years in jail. I know it's not enough, but better than nothing."
I nod. "I'm glad he won't be a headmaster in that school to do something like that to someone else."
As silence falls over us, something else worries me. “If he’s fired, your resignation letter will be invalid. You can still get into trouble?”
“Shh. No one will be in trouble. I’ve already made him sign it. That was his last work as a headmaster.”
He slowly turns me over, so I lie on my back as he hovers over me before saying, "Because baby, what we have is so much more important than a job I don't even love. I love you, and I won't let any stupid rule stand between us."
I gasp. “What did you just say?”
“Which part, baby?” He smirks.
I swat his arm. “You know which part.”
With a grin on his face, he lifts his head to look around. And a moment later, I feel his hands sneak in from the slit of my dress. I shudder with his soft as feather touch on my thigh.
“I love you, baby,” he whispers and the soft satin of my dress pools around my hip as he takes his place between my legs.
I smile and arch my back to reach up to kiss him. When our lips separate, I whisper, “Get rid of this dress.”
He looks at me with an intensity no darkness can ever cover. His hands on my dress, on my body, is so soft he drives me crazy with hunger.
“Are you sure?” he asks.
I roll my eyes as an answer, and he chuckles.
"I love you," I whisper, and I feel his body shudder. Like I can give him pleasure just with my words.
He softly caresses the fabric of my dress, and before I can enjoy the ticklish sensation that creates on my body, he rips the dress with one swift move. In the blink of an eye, I'm lying naked under the moonlight with Elijah hovering over me. His fingers tease my pussy, softly rubbing the folds.
“God, you’re the most beautiful sight I’ve ever laid eyes on.”
“Elijah,” I moan, squirming under his torturous touch.
Finally, he takes off his shirt and leans on my body. His warm and strong chest against my own.
“Yes, baby?” he taunts me, rubbing his erection over my pussy.
“I need you,” I whisper and he shakes his head. “Wrong answer.”
“I need your cock inside my pussy. I need you to fuck me,” I say in the most seductive voice I can muster. I know this isn’t what he’s asking, but I love seeing how my words affect him.
He gives me a wolfish grin, and I hear the zipper of his jeans before I feel his bare cock on my flesh. Warm. Hard. Ready.
His fingers play with my nipple as he rubs his cock against my pussy, hitting my clit with the delicious friction at each buck of his ass.
I groan, but smile as I whisper, “I love you.”
“Say that again.”
"God. I love you. Can you please fuck me?" I breathe out harshly, and he laughs, but before I can join him my loud moan suppress his voice with his one swift thrust into me.
“I love you, Eva,” he says against my lips and repeats it with each delicious thrust into me.
We wake up with a phone ring.
The sun blares to my eyes, and I groan in protest, trying to hide my face to his chest. He shuffles around to find his phone, and when he finally does, he answers it with his sleepy voice.
I love his voice when he first wakes up. It’s huskier, deeper, sexier.
“Yes. It’s me,” he says. And his serious tone puts me on alert.
“I… yes. I… I’d love to.”
I frown and try to ask him all the questions in my mind with my expression, but he just answers me with a big smile.
“I’ll be there next week. Thank you.”
The moment he puts the phone down, he starts laughing, and I join him even though I don't know why we're laughing at.
“My book… it’s been accepted by a publishing house.”
“Oh my, god! Congratulations!” I throw myself at him.
"Mmm," he moans, grabbing a handful of my ass as he pulls my body closer.
I've forgotten we were naked. I quickly look around us, and only one tent is left in the camp area, and the tent is closed right now.
I kiss his jaw and neck, again and again.
“I’m so happy for you,” I say.
He turns us over and starts kissing, sucking, biting my breasts.
“Be happy for us. I hope you’re not planning on leaving me,” he murmurs against my skin.
I hug him to my chest, and as he makes love to me under the morning sun, I repeat the same word again and again,
“I love you.”
31
Elijah
I lay awake with Eva in my arms, listening to her soft breathing. It’s our last day here. Our luggage is here to leave this town.
Eva couldn't find the courage to open the post that came from Seattle University until after prom. And of course, she was accepted.
That’s the day I asked her to move in with me, even though I didn’t have a place at the time. And a week later, we’re ready to start our own future. Together.
I smile. Who would’ve thought I’d find this gorgeous girl in a town I didn’t even hear of before?
Softly, I kiss her forehead, and just when I'm about to wake her up, loud knocking on the door jerks her awake.
“Wha- What’s happening?” she says sleepily.
I shake my head, and a man and woman are talking loudly outside the door, almost as if they're fighting.
“Mom? Dad?” Eva whispers and she quickly puts on her jeans, tucking my t-shirt into the waistband.
Even though this isn’t the right time, I just can’t take my eyes away from her.
But her mother’s hateful voice “Eva! I know you’re in there. I’m gonna destroy him. He’ll rot in prison!”
I have never seen my girl move that fast. Before I can even stop her, she rips open the door.
“You'll destroy him? Like you destroyed me?” she spits out.
I see her mother cringe like Eva’s just slapped her.
“You know how worried we were when we got Jake’s phonecall? When he said what happened with the headmaster? And look at what we find now? How can you? How?” Her mother’s voice mixed with disapproval and worry.
Eva laughs a humorless laugh. “Worried?” She shakes her head. She looks like a storm ready to erupt with full force.
I quickly walk over to Eva, holding her shaking hand in hope to calm her a little.
“I've been screaming for you two to notice me, see me, care for me. But I don't even know when was the last time we talked. Do you even know the time I had my period, Mom? Or when I lost my virginity? Do you even know why I was getting into trouble at school? Did you even care what I was doing in this monster of a house? Alone?” Every sentence coming out of her mouth is like a bullet straight to her parents.
"Did you know I walked around the house just to g
et your cigar scent, Dad? It was the only way I knew you were in the same house with me for some time. Did you ever want to check on me? To see if your daughter is fine?" Her voice is raw, and she wipes her tear quickly and angrily.
I squeeze her hand as new tears drop while she stares at her dumbstruck parents.
“Or maybe you just wished for me to die with him. Because that's who you are, right? All or nothing. Since you lost one child, it didn't matter there was one more left who needed you so much.”
"Evangeline," her mother starts, but she cuts her off.
"You didn't care what happened to me or what I did all those years while I was like a miserably lost puppy. And you started to act like you care when I finally found some happiness in the life you threw me in?" she shouts.
“He is your fucking teacher!” her dad snaps.
"And you are my damn parents. But seems like no one takes their responsibility seriously in this town!" she fires back. And I notice her mother is crying. She looks just like Eva, but colder, more stone-faced.
“Eva… let's calm down a little,” I say softly, squeezing her hand.
“No. I want to leave,” she says.
“Leave? Where?” her dad asks.
Eva snorts. “I'm accepted by Seattle University.”
“Where will you live there? We can buy you an apartment,” her mother says quickly.
Eva laughs without humor before snapping. "I don't want you to be fucking buy me anything. I just want you to remember you have a daughter. Or maybe, it doesn't matter now neither."
“Eva… we…” her dad starts but trails off.
“Will you live together?” The question comes from her mother and this time I answer.
“Yes, Mrs. Faye. Look. I know how this looks, but I love your daughter. And I believe she loves me. I want her to be happy, and she is happy with me, just like I am with her."
“You don't have to explain anything. They won't care anyway,” Eva snaps and turns to head to the bedroom.
Her parents and I stand there in a weird silence when she appears with her suitcase behind.
