“I don’t like anyone that is why I will be going with the first person who asked me out,” I said
“Oh right. I was only checking if you have someone that you like. Darn! Sad that you did not fall for my tricks.” he laughed
I stared at him with a blank face for him to know that I was not amused with whatever he was doing. He smiled and blew me a kiss before saying goodbye.
- - - - - - - - -
I stared at myself in front of the mirror while waiting for my hair to be done. It’s the day of the prom and I am preparing at home. Nana insisted that I should have hair and makeup no matter how much I insisted to go there bare-faced.
“Who's your date for tonight? Is he gonna pick you up?” Nana asked
“I don’t think so. We are getting ready separately and we will meet at school.”
“Why? Who is your partner anyway? He should pick you up.”
“Nana! This is not a movie so going to the prom alone is not a big deal. Maybe others do that but I can manage on my own.”
“Okay, okay. You don’t have to explain. I just wanted to know who is your date.”
“You don’t have to worry about that. I will be coming home safe and sound. Why are you so curious about my date?”
“So I will know whom to contact in case you get home late. You know, emergency purposes.” she smiled
“Daniel. Daniel will be my partner tonight.” I answered
“Oh, Daniel. Daniel is your date but someone came to pick you up.”
“What do you mean someone is here? My friends just sent a message that we will see each other in school.” I asked
“Vladimir is here to pick you up. He is waiting in the living room.” Nana smiled
“Vladimir?! What is he doing here?” I asked
Nana gestured that she doesn’t know. I smiled at the person who did my make-up before picking up my silver-colored purse. Vladimir was sitting in the living room looking so polite and sharp. He stood up and smiled when he noticed me coming down the stairs.
‘What are you doing here?” I asked
“I dropped by to accompany you. You might need someone to lean on while you walk. I can assist you.”
“I don’t need assistance. I can walk on my own. I may have a bit of a hard time since I am not used to my heels yet but I will be okay.” I rolled my eyes
“The driver is on the way. He will be here any moment now.”
“Thanks, Nana. I’ll send a message later if I can’t find a ride.”
“Wait a moment. Let me go and get your camera to take a photo of you two.” Nana said before running back inside
“Ugh. Here she goes again. Wanting to take photos of every event.” I sighed
“Stand there in front of my roses. It’s a good background. Smile.” Nana said
“Can I check how the photo looks? I want to see if it’s great.”
“The car is here. Off you go. You will be late if you insist.” she said before shooing us off
“I just hope Nana took the best angle. She has the habit of taking several photos and stolen shots. I mean she could have used the camera that I have in my purse.” I sighed
“Just give me a call when it’s time for me to pick you up.” the driver reminded me again when we arrived at school
“Shall we?” Vladimir said offering his hand
“Thanks. I can manage and walk on my own now.” I said letting go of his hand
It was almost dark when we arrive and the lights they installed starting from the gate is starting to flicker. I shivered a little when the wind started blowing.
“Where’s Daniel? He should be waiting for you here by the gate because we will be taking photos here.” Vladimir said
“They are all inside according to the message they sent me. I think we will take our photos here together and he will meet me by the gymnasium entrance.” I answered
We stood side by side and smiled while waiting for the photographer to finish taking a photo. He took one photo and then I noticed him shaking his head and staring at us.
“Why are you so distant from one another? Can you move closer? I mean you look good together and I am assuming he is your date. It would be a good memory once you get your photos.” he said
Daniel smiled awkwardly and hesitated to move closer so I made the first move and linked my arms to his.
“Relax. Why are you so stiff and uncomfortable? We need to smile naturally so the photos would look great.” I nudged
“Umm yeah. I’m just feeling nervous,” he chuckled
“Why would you feel nervous? Tell me if you are feeling uncomfortable with me linking my arms.” I whispered
“Senior and junior students start proceeding to the gymnasium. We will be starting the program any minute now.” The MC announced
“Do we just sit at any table or did they assign a table?” Vladimir asked
“Why are you asking me? I just got here with you so I don’t know too.” I whispered back.
“What are we going to do now? Just stand here while waiting for the program to start.”
“Why do you keep on asking me? We both arrived here at the same time and we haven’t seen the program papers yet.”
“I can see your date coming over. He’s looking handsome huh.” Vladimir teased
“Are you teasing me?” I asked
“I mean you would look good together. Now I am feeling jealous that he is your date. That was supposed to be me if only I asked you out first.” he whispered
“Are you saying something? I cannot hear you properly because the music is a little loud.” I said
“Nothing. Your date is here so I think I gotta go,” he said
“Where will you go? Where is your date anyway? Is she going to be okay with you hanging out with me? You should have picked her up.” I said
“I don’t have a date so stop worrying that someone will pull that hair of yours any moment now,” he smiled
“Errr…Hi,” Daniel said while looking awkward
“Daniel, you look great. Is everything okay? Why do you look so down?” I asked
“Ummm, I do have something important to say,” Daniel said
“Oh sure. What is it?”
“I am kind of in a tough situation right now.” he fidgetted with his finger
“Is there something wrong?” I asked worriedly
“I’m so sorry but we suddenly got an emergency. I feel bad telling you this but we suddenly have an emergency.”
“You better spit it out. Are you okay? Did something happen?”
“Shane’s date got sick and he will not be able to join the prom,” he said
“So? What does that have to do with me?” I asked confused
“I’m genuinely sorry but I don’t think I will be your date for tonight. Shane is part of the planning committee and you know that we must have a partner,” he explained
“Oh. I wasn’t aware of that but okay. No problem with me.” I said
“Are you sure? I just feel bad about this but I don’t have a choice.”
“Don’t sweat about it. I understand and things happen. I can just grab anyone for the group dance. There are available seniors that I know,” I said trying to smile.
“Daniel?” shouted the leader of the planning group
“I’ll talk to you later. I have to go.” he hesitantly said
I breathed deeply before looking around like a lost puppy. The news was a bit surprising to me. I would normally brush it off if it’s just a simple junior and senior prom where we only need to show up and mingle with other people.
“Everything okay?” Vladimir asked which surprised me
“Will you stop doing that?! I am afraid that I might die early because of you. You were not here a while ago.”
“I thought that you and Daniel need some privacy so I gave you some space. With that look on your face, I am guessing that something bad happened,” he said
“Everything is fine. Daniel just told me that he will not be my partner for tonight because Shane’s partner got sick. How good is that?” I explained
“How does that make you feel?”
“What do you think? I mean unexpected things happen. I can just grab any seniors there later for the group dance.”
“It’s okay. I will be your partner. Don’t worry. I’ll be your date for tonight so shall we go now because we need to start the program.” he offered his hand to me
“Thank you for being there. I wouldn’t know what to do tonight without you. I don’t usually care about these things but the dance is the final performance for our P.E.”