Past
Butterflies dance in my belly as I stand in front of the mirror. Twisting from side to side, I smooth down the front of my dress.
Mama is right, lavender is my color. My blue eyes pop against the silky fabric and complement my pale skin. The floor length gown has a beaded bodice and a somewhat revealing slit. It nearly gave my father a heart attack when we brought it home to show him, but I love it, and as usual, my mother talked him into letting me wear it.
Rachel and I spent hours at the salon today. My updo is a delicate knot at the base of my head with blonde tendrils framing my face. I can’t remember ever being so nervous in my life. Even though I have no reason to be. I’m not going to prom with just anyone.
I’m going with Linc.
Tonight is the night. I’m finally going to tell Linc Matthews I’m in love with him.
God, I can’t believe I’m going through with this.
Nausea bubbles in my belly each time I think about it.
“Syl! Get your butt down here,” Linc hollers.
I smile, my heart fluttering in my chest.
Standing at the top of the stairs, he’s there waiting for me at the bottom. A big, goofy grin smothering his handsome face while he chats with my mom and dad.
They adore him, of course.
Everyone does.
Especially me.
His smile is contagious and anytime he’s in a room it’s full of light. Even after losing his father, Linc didn’t let it dampen his spirit. Of course he misses him very much, and some days I can still see the sadness in his eyes, but his father would not have wanted him to dwell on his death. So he finds ways to celebrate and remember his life through his music.
His hair has been trimmed for the occasion, but there are a few unruly pieces that always escape his attempt to tame the wild locks, a gift from his father, he always says. His tux fits his athletic body nicely and he’s wearing a lavender bow tie and vest to match my dress.
His gaze lifts to mine, and I have to hold onto the rail to keep my knees from buckling beneath me.
Those green eyes have become my weakness.
My addiction.
He hasn’t always had this effect on me. Which makes me realize just how much my feelings have grown over the years.
I have to fight every day to keep it from him.
I have no idea how to tell my best friend that all I can think about is what his lips taste like. How I dream about his touch, and not just his friendly, polite hands when they find the small of my back or tuck a piece of my hair behind my ear, but what it would feel like to have them roam my body and explore the places I only want him to discover.
So, tonight, I am putting it all on the line.
I hope and pray he feels the same way. When he looks at me like this, like I am the only girl in the world, like he can’t see anyone else but me, I think for sure he feels the same way.
But I’m also scared to death.
Terrified of what will happen if he doesn’t feel the same way. A rejection from Linc will definitely change our relationship.
We would never be the same.
I take the first few steps down and he shuffles on his feet. He seems nervous but he’s not going to let me see it. Linc has a way of making me feel calm even when he’s wound up. His strong confidence is just one of the many things I love about him.
“You look beautiful, Sylvie,” my mother says, standing next to my father, who has a pained look on his face.
When I reach the bottom of the steps, Linc gifts me with one of his breathtaking smiles, eyes flashing with something I hope is real and not just something I’ve imagined.
