Suddenly, I'm Engaged

Yeolhan

Students start arriving one by one and the queue in the registration area begins. Everyone couldn’t hide the smile and excitement on their face as they enter the stadium to look for table numbers and have a seat with their dates. And here’s Aliah who looks like the world has seemed to crush. She smiles forcibly every time she assists the students but you can see how gloomy her mood is.

“I thought I was about to attend a junior prom. I didn’t think I’ll be sending condolences today. Who passed away, my dear?” Zaine starts being sarcastic as soon as she saw her best friend’s facial expression.

A few weeks ago, they were so happy and excited about the gown they will wear, what matching colors to pick, what make-up look to wear, and what hairstyle suits their gown. But looking at Aliah today, it seems everything goes down the drain. And it's all because she hasn’t heard any news from James. He disappears just like a bubble popped. If you will gonna asked how and why no one knows. She tried everything she can but he’s nowhere to be found. That’s why Aliah couldn’t hide the fact that she is just attending her duties on the registration and decided to go home as soon as she’s done.

“And look at what you are wearing? Why do you look like that?” Zaine starts interrogating as soon as they walk towards the ladies’ room. She excused Aliah for a moment to have some preparation before the program starts.

“I will just go home as soon as the registration is done,” Aliah murmured. She looks like she hasn’t eaten anything or even had a good sleep last night. Well, who could do so after losing your boyfriend and your date without any reason? The main reason why this prom will be extra special is all gone, just like that.

“Where’s your gown?” Zaine starts getting annoyed. She hates to see her best friend acting this day when it is supposed to be the highlight of their high school years. A moment to remember in your entire high school life.

“At the Officer’s designated quarters,” Aliah responded lethargically.

They started hurrying towards the quarters and move as fast as they can. Zaine couldn’t give up on her best friend. Not at this time. She has to do something to lift her mood though she knows how hard it is for her dear friend. She starts borrowing makeup and hair curlers from the other officers who start preparing for the party as well.

“I know you’re not in the right mood to move but you have to cooperate Aliah. Just for you to know, I won’t let this once-in-a-lifetime event be ruined just because of him. I know I’m being b*tch but you have to live your life without him. And it has to start now. You don’t have to think about anything, just cooperate with me.” Zaine nagged at Aliah while she starts dolling up her friend.

While preparing the makeup and hairstyle, Aliah keeps looking at her phone. Hoping that a miracle will happen tonight on this one special day. And seeing Aliah acting this way breaks Zaine’s heart even more.

“Alright, we’re done. It is kinda bit rushed but not bad for attending the party after prepping up in just 30mins. Now, let’s get you dressed.” Zaine blurted.

While they were pulling out the dress from the garment bag, Aliah starts staring at it rather than being excited. She sighed loudly as if wondering if it is the right thing to do and if she could make it until the end of the prom.

“Stop contemplating and having half-mind thought about it. You have to do this. You must, whatever reason it may be. Trust me, okay?” Hearing those words comfort Aliah and just tried trusting her best friend like any other day when she couldn’t find the right answer to all her questions.

Aliah just followed whatever Zaine asks her to do. Good thing she still brings the gown and the heels because she doesn’t want to let her parents know about her problem with James. She pulls out the two-piece prom dress that she will be wearing tonight. She starts with putting the stunning sequins and beaded tank top followed by the lavender organza raffle long gown to complete the look. Now, she’s all set for the party.

They immediately walk towards the stadium and look for their seat. And right after they found their seat, the program starts as if it was just waiting for them to arrive. Zaine smiles brightly as she feels excited that it is finally happening. And she is happier that she convinced her friend to stay in the prom despite all the chaos she has been facing these past few days.

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The program continues and it's time for some food and cocktails but Aliah doesn’t feel like lining up in the queue, maybe later she thought. Zaine agreed with her so she just left their table for a moment saying she just have to look for her date since she was busy taking care of her a while ago. She just nodded in response and decided to stay seated while staring at her phone endlessly. She wants to ignore it but she could feel that students were kinda staring at her, maybe wondering why she is sitting there all alone when she is supposed to be the infamous date of the most nominated “Prom King” for tonight.

“Hey, are you okay?” Zaine finally returned. Aliah’s savior, as always. She just nodded in response but she immediately looked back at her phone. Zaine couldn’t hide the annoyance as she sees Aliah being like that.

“You know what, let’s go there and grab some food. There is a fewer queue so we could line up now.” Zaine pulls Aliah’s arm to force her to stand up from her seat. She has to do it or else Aliah won’t move at all.

While standing behind Aliah, Zaine whispered something that made her shout out of shock and caught everyone’s attention.

“Whaaat?!” Aliah shouted at Zaine. But Zaine just laughed out at her reaction. She knows it’s not the right time to do so but she couldn’t help but be entertained by Aliah’s priceless reaction.

“Why? What’s wrong with finding a date right on the same night of the prom? I have saved you from the misery of ruining the entire prom night. And since I’ve started doing this “Operation Save Aliah from being a Wallflower”, I have to do it right until the end to make it a mission complete. There’s nothing to worry about. You know I always do what’s best for you.” Well, Aliah couldn’t disagree with this. She will always be forever grateful to her best friend for being always there especially during the bad times. And since there’s nothing to look forward to this evening, she decided to just go with the flow. Maybe Zaine’s idea is way better than sitting at their table for the rest of the night.

They went back to their table and the program continues. And it’s time for the voting session for tonight’s Prom King and Queen. Somebody walks towards their table and asked if they already voted but Aliah couldn’t put any name on it. She realized she was too busy doing her drama and couldn’t enjoy the “boy eye-hunting”. So she said that she’ll gonna put her vote a little bit later.

She looked around and onto the other tables while Zaine left to go to her prom date. She was observing who looks nice in their suits and ties and if there’s someone who could captivate her attention and stole her heart even just for a second.

“Looking for me?” A guy’s familiar voice whispered in her ears. Her heart starts beating so fast. She’s not sure if it’s because of excitement or nervousness or fear or is it just because she was startled by the fact that someone asked if she’s looking for somebody else and that warm breathe brings a shiver down to her spine.

She doesn’t want to rush looking back at him as she was scared that he’s still leaning his face right next to her. She just cleared her throat and moved away a little to keep their space or else they might end up having the prom kiss of the night.

The guy starts sitting on Zaine’s seat and sits while crossing her leg. So this is how different it looks to be from a rich family who is used to wearing suits than those who just wear them occasionally. The white shirt, deep plum necktie, and smoking grey tuxedo suits him well. And it seems like he sought a professional’s help to perfect that slick side-parted hairstyle which made him look more oozing hot young rich bachelor than you would ever dream of. I didn’t know he has this side of him. Far from the guy I have been talking with on his first day in the class. I guess I have chosen to whom I should put my vote. I found my Prom King of the Night.