by Kamille Rose
"Listen to yourself. Old age Victorian?? This is prom in the twenty-first century, might I add. Not in the United Kingdom in the 1830s. But hey, maybe the old lady look will work for you," she said, shrugging.
I rolled my eyes, but ultimately put the dress back on the rack. I did not want to look reminiscent of an old lady, especially at senior prom.
"Whoever you've been studying with, keep them!! Random bits of history are rolling off your tongue like your swears normally would and I'm very impressed."
⋅. ✯ .⋅
Returning home, I felt happy. Talking to Joseph and spending the afternoon with Alex was exactly what I needed to feel like myself again. And shopping for a prom I didn't think I'd be attending was liberating. I couldn't wait to tell my dad.
There were quite a few bags in my hands; the result of Alex wanting me to be glam head to toe. I was content with just a dress, but she had gone on to spoil me. She snuck in a pair of sexy underwear, rhinestone stiletto heeled sandals, earrings, and a bracelet to match. I nearly cried when I found everything stuffed into the bottom of one of my larger bags.
With both of my hands full, I banged on the door with my foot until someone opened it for me.
"Where have you been? It's six o'clock and if I remember correctly, your club only runs until four," my mother said, scowling. Of course it had to be her.
"I was with Alex, but I —"
"Why didn't you call?" she interrupted.
"I did. I also left you a voicemail when you didn’t pick up," I answered, stepping inside. I set my bags on the floor by the staircase and walked back over to her.
"I haven't gotten anything from you, Sienna." She sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I knew I should have come to pick you up today. Where are you coming from?" she asked, shifting her eyes from me to the bags I left on the floor.
"The mall. Alex and I were dress shopping for prom."
"I thought I told you it was unnecessary to go, Sienna," she told me, hands firmly planted on her hips.
"You see, that's exactly it. You think it's unnecessary, but this isn’t about you."
"Did I hear prom?” The two of us turned our heads at the sound of my father’s chipper voice. I was thankful that he intervened, slicing the growing tension in the room with his sunny disposition.
“Ayy, I can't wait to see my Princess all dressed up."
"Thanks, Pa. I can't wait either."
"You can't go," my mother said.
"You don't want me to go," I retorted. "I'm sorry, but prom is the biggest event of the year and I spent half of that year planning it. I deserve to be there."
"Your final exams are the biggest event of the year. They determine your future, you can't just throw it away," she said, jabbing her thumb toward an imaginary trash bin.
"Mom. Please stop talking to me like I'm your student, I can't take it anymore. I'm your daughter for heaven's sake and prom is just one night!" I went on, a fresh wave of confidence washing over me. "In fact, this will be the best night of my life and I won't let you ruin it for me."
Papa winked at me in approval as I made my way to collect my bags from the floor. Quickly climbing the stairs, I made my way to my room and flopped belly first onto my bed. I wanted to bask in this beautiful ambiance while it lasted.
⋅. ✯ .⋅
Friday afternoon - Day of prom.
"Looks like you’ve finally broken free from your chrysalis," Joseph praised, raising his bottle of water to salute me.
"Lemme tell ya, it felt good. So good."
"And her head didn't explode?" Alex chimed in.
"Oh, I'm sure it did once I was upstairs, but at that moment? Nothing," I replied.
"She said nothing?" Joseph asked.
"Nothing. I was expecting her to clap back at me in a barrage of Spanish curses, but it never came." I shrugged, eating a forkful of my caesar salad.
"What brought this on?" Joseph asked, curiously. "Start from the beginning."
"I’d just come home from the mall, and naturally, Mom wanted to know what and why. I told her I did some shopping for prom and she didn’t like it one bit.”
"Keep going," Alex said.
"She said I wasn’t allowed to go, but I told her I had every right, especially because I spent the better part of the year planning it."
"You go girl," Joseph commented. I smiled warmly at him. I knew he wanted this for me from day one.
"I went on to tell her that I'm pretty much done taking orders and that I plan on having the time of my life."
"Whoop whooooop!!!" Alex cheered.
"Sienna Martinez will be no one's bitch," I concluded, picking up my fork and taking another hefty bite of my salad. Joseph's water bottle had been in between his lips when he broke out into a fit of coughs.
"Holy crap, are you okay?!" I exclaimed. I started to get up from the table, but he lifted a hand to stop me. He chuckled, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.
"Yeah, I'm fine, I just didn't expect you to say that. It caught me off guard."
"I'm sorry."
"It's okay, you feisty little thing."
"I'm just so proud of you," Alex and Joseph said simultaneously.
"Haha! Oh my gosh. That was so weird but so cute!" I commented.
"Oh shush," Alex said, throwing a baby carrot at me.
"I have an entire fruit cup that I am not afraid to use. Don't start a food fight you won't be able to finish," I warned, taking aim with the container of peaches in my hand.
"Alright, alright. I surrender... but only because I'm not properly armed,” she said.
"Ha!” I laughed, taking off the lid and popping a slice of the sweet fruit into my mouth.
⋅. ✯ .⋅
After lunch, Joseph and I headed down to the gym for our final prom meeting. This was my first time seeing everyone's progress since my little break. The place looked spectacular; so spectacular I could have cried. We did this. We banded together and created our dream prom. With so many ideas being bounced off one another, it was hard not to be inspired.
Rose gold garlands by Mariah swung above the entryway allowing anyone who walked through them to make a dazzling entrance. I moved further into the wonderland, admiring the streamers and the long tables also decorated with the romantic silk as table runners. In the middle were white rose centerpieces, courtesy of Mindy's mother's flower shop. She was getting the biggest thank you hug from me.
My favorite part was the addition of our senior memories. I mentioned the idea to Joseph and he ran with it. He may not have started the year with us, but that didn't stop him from making a lasting impression on all who he encountered during his time here.
Teaming up with the yearbook club, he had gone around the school using his amazing photography skills, catching the student body during the happiest, weirdest, and of course, the most fun and liberating moments of the year. Hanging along the walls were shots of our star athletes scoring during sporting events, including the famous Damien Wells who assisted the winning goal during the lacrosse team's last match of the season. It was an epic day.
On another wall were highlights from the school car wash fundraiser held earlier in the year. The photo that sat right in the middle on display was of Alex. She sat atop the hood of a patron's SUV in her candy apple red bikini top and denim shorts. From head to toe she was wet with soapy water and in the snap, she was caught mid headshake; soap flying everywhere. Also an epic day.
Memories like those were posted around the gym and in the hallway leading here. Without a doubt in my mind, I knew tonight would be a night to remember.
"We did a pretty damn good job, huh?" This time I wasn’t scared because I knew he was there. I turned to meet Joseph’s satisfied face with a smiley grin.
"We sure did."
"Officially, a-are you going?" he asked, his usual confidence faltering in the slightest. I caught it instantly, though.
"Alex told me you've never been to a school dance," he continued.
"I guess the secret's out," I replied.
“So —”
"But tonight’s the night I break the cycle.” He instantly lit up at my words. "What about you, are you going’ to this thing?"
"Mariposa, after all this I wouldn't miss it for the world."
Chapter Ten
1 hour before prom, back home.
"Pa, what did you put in this sauce? I can't stop eating it. I would put this on a wooden plank and devour it," I mumbled as I stuffed my face with rice and chopped pieces of marinated chicken.
"Salt, black pepper, cayenne, garlic powder, paprika, rosemary, and basil."
"I see Mom has taught you well with her seasonings."
"Nope, this one was all me. I used one of my mom's recipes. She made this for me all the time when I was a kid back in Puerto Rico."
"Mmmmm."
"Don't stuff yourself or you won't fit into your dress, Mija." He attempted to take the fork out of my hands, but quickly snatched his hand away when I growled at him. His reaction was priceless. It was as if I was watching a live telenovela.
"No muerdas, bestia! Necesito mis dedos para cirugía!” (Don’t bite me, you beast! I need my fingers for surgery!)
He secured his hands protectively on his chest, eyes wide. I almost spit up my food because of how hard I was laughing. My now messy face was in desperate need of a napkin, so I grabbed a couple and dabbed away. Dad was right. I was a beast.
"Sienna, I wanted to talk to you about your dance tonight." My mom spoke for maybe the second time tonight and I grew still at her topic of choice.
"Okay. Let's hear it."
"I just- I hope you have a wonderful time.”
Her words stunned me momentarily speechless. Just a few hours before she was ready to lock me up. Now she was telling me to have fun. What kind of alternate reality was I living in?
"T-thank you... I should probably head upstairs to get ready, anyway," I said, pulling out my chair from the table.
"We'll see you in a bit, sweetheart," Pa said as I deposited my dish into the sink and left the kitchen. Walking up the stairs I was feeling a little lightheaded. I couldn't believe it. Things had finally gone in the direction I wanted. It'd be an understatement to say I was excited.
I hopped in the shower to freshen up. And although delicious, I had to rid myself of the chicken smell. As I was shampooing my hair, I brainstormed how I would style it. Would I wear it up or down? Would I need hairspray? Hair clips? I didn't know.
I'd never really dressed up or attended any fancy events. I mean, mascara and Burt’s Bees is my definition of makeup.
Stepping out of the shower, I wrapped my fluffy towel tightly around my body and stood in front of the mirror. Hmm, what to do with the mess on my head?
"Nothing Pinterest can't fix."
I typed in 'prom hairstyles' and scrolled for maybe ten whole minutes before finally settling on a modern bouffant style. It wasn’t as high, but it surely was just as beautiful. With my curling iron, I added more definition to my naturally wavy hair before moving on to my makeup. I decided to go with a look Alex taught me: dusty rose glitter eyeshadow and a neutral lip.
The best part of this whole process was putting on my dress. After slipping on the blue scalloped lace panties Alex surprised me with, I stepped into the simple black floor-length, thin strapped gown. It had a daring high slit and an open back which was my favorite feature.
Still barefoot, I walked to the corner of my room and pulled out my tall body mirror. My breath hitched when I saw myself for the first time all done up with hair and makeup.
It was in that moment I felt the most beautiful I had ever felt in my life. But I had to force myself to keep my emotions under control. There was no way I was about to ruin the glittery eye I worked so hard to achieve. I crossed my room and grabbed a tissue from the box on my nightstand, carefully dabbing in the corners of my eyes.
To complete my outfit, I slipped on my heels and jewelry, grabbed my clutch, and spritzed my neck with a sweet perfume. It was time for the reveal.
"Mom! Pa! I'm ready," I announced, standing at the top of the staircase. The couple stood at the bottom looking up and I began slowly gliding down the stairs for a dramatic effect — that and because the heels Alex got me were much taller than I was used to.
I saw my dad’s eyes widen and brim with tears. My mom was smiling so hard I thought her teeth would shatter.
"You look beautiful," she beamed.
"Thanks, Mom," I replied, stepping down and hugging them both. We stood there together, enjoying the warm atmosphere until my phone went off. I dug into my clutch and saw Alex's face on my screen.
"Yello!"
"Hey Sienna, do you need a ride tonight?"
I looked at my parents who were smiling back at me. "No, I'm all set here."
"Okay cool, I'm gonna catch a ride with a friend. Meet you there?"
"Yeah, see you." Maybe I'd finally meet the reason Alex had been MIA.
"You ready to go, mi amor?" my dad asked. I nodded eagerly.
⋅. ✯ .⋅
I sat in the back seat of the car, an absolute ball of excitement. When we finally arrived outside of the school, I imploded. Papa came around and opened my door, extending his hand for me to take.
"Look at my little girl... I..."
He and I both knew that if he uttered another word, he'd be in tears. I closed my eyes living in this moment as he placed a kiss on my forehead and hugged me tightly. We stayed in our positions for a few moments until he collected himself.
"Your mother and I might not be home when you get back. We have a date of our own with Marlene and David, but have fun, okay?" he whispered.
"I will, Pa," I answered, smiling at him. After another kiss on my cheek, he climbed back into the car. Both he and my mom watched as I entered the building before pulling off.
The gym was exactly how I remembered it, only this time the night was officially here, and the atmosphere was set perfectly. Tons of people showed up, and it was a sight that made me ridiculously happy. Alex spotted me first and peeled herself away from a guy who I assumed was the friend she spoke of over the phone.
"Alex, you look hot!" She fell in love with this Neptune blue two-piece dress combo at the boutique we visited. Taking me into her arms, she squeezed me tightly.
"And you look like a goddess. That dress was made for you. I thought I loved it when you tried it on at the store, but with the full look... you just look unreal, Sienna."
"Thank you so much. But, uh, quick question. The friend who drove you here tonight, is that him?"
I tipped my chin discreetly at the tall, broad-shouldered brunette with porcelain skin. He was dressed in an all-black tux. She instantly blushed, but answered, nevertheless.
"Yes."
"Hmm, and is this the same friend you studied with a couple weeks ago?”
"Mhm."
"Okay, I'll save you some embarrassment. We'll talk later. For now, go get your guy."
She didn't have to be told twice. For a while I was by myself admiring everyone in the room, dancing, talking, and laughing. It warmed my soul. I couldn't spot Joseph and I began to wonder where he was. Then again, prom started not too long ago. I noticed Mariah mingling by the drinks table, so I decided to join her.
