Coming Home (Complete)

Prom

While getting ready for the end of the school year, Lindsey was also getting ready for the school talent show. She had been taking guitar lessons for quite some time and was ready to show everyone what she could do. She has been going to neighboring towns and practicing some songs, all covers, and mostly country.

The winner of the show got a $1000 scholarship to their school of choice and she knew that it would help with some of the expenses. She got a couple of scholarships, but not enough to cover tuition. One day, after school, she picked up her guitar and started practicing the chords to one of her favorite songs from an old Disney movie called Pixel Perfect. The song is called Notice Me, and she was hoping that it would help explain all her feelings for Josh. The lyrics described everything, even though all she had to do was tell him herself. She sang the song and started crying. Lindsey put the guitar to the side and started hyperventilating.

Was she a little upset that he didn’t ask her to prom? Why was she getting emotional over him? Is she finally ready to admit that she loved him? But what if he didn't feel the same? She pushed that thought to the back of her head. And there she sat, practicing, reciting the words, holding back tears.

Soon it was prom day and she got ready, taking extra care of every detail. The sapphire earrings. The half up, half down hair with waves and a braid flowing to the back. The diamond tear drop pendant. The subtle makeup. She looked at herself in the full-size mirror and smiled at herself. She had never seen herself look so pretty. She had grown so much over the past couple of years that she was proud of where she was.

When her mom announced that Matt was there to pick her up, she was disappointed that Josh wasn’t there to at least see her. She went downstairs with a smile on her face that hid that disappointment. He promised her that he would be there for a picture. So, where was he? Her mother was smiling and her dad looked at her as if she were an angel. Matt beamed at her.

"You look absolutely beautiful" he said as he held her hand out.

"Oh! My baby! Lets get some pictures!" Her and Matt posed together while her mom took a dozen or so pictures. "Enjoy your time baby." Her mother hugged her. She nodded and smiled and walked out the door, escorted by Matt, to his car and they were on their way to school.

They pulled up and saw almost her entire class there. There were photographers hired to take pictures for the senior book and year book. It looked like they were paparazzi and it made everyone feel like they were famous. Everyone was laughing and having a good time, but Lindsey couldn't help but look in the crowd to see if she could see him. She wanted one dance and that would make her night perfect.

Matt led her into the school where it was completely decorated like the nighttime sky. There were twinkling lights on the dark ceiling and glow lights beaming up and beautiful decorations to pull it all together.

The music started playing and they couldn't help but have a good time and Matt was nothing but a gentleman. He took care of her and watched her things while she went to the rest room. He got her food, snacks and drinks whenever she needed. He took her to the side so she could sit down and relax when she wanted to sit and got up to dance with her whenever she heard a song that she loved.

A slow song came on and he held his hand out for her to join him and she reached out and followed Matt to the dance floor. There, he held his hands on her waist, holding her close to him, and she wrapped her arms around his neck. He was staring deep into her eyes, making her blush a bit.

"You look amazing, did I tell you that?" he asked.

"Only like a thousand times." she giggled.

"I meant it every time. Thank you for coming with me. I was afraid to ask you, but I'm glad I did."

"Why?" this peaked her interest.

"I was not completely sure if you and Josh were dating."

"What makes you suggest that?"

"Well, you two are always together. But you don't hold hands or kiss or anything, but the way he looks at you is like he loves you and I don't know...I just wasn't sure. I'm glad it wasn't the case though." she looked away, thinking about what he said. Did people really see them as a couple?

He leaned down and kissed her on the cheek softly at the end of the song, and all she could do was look at him and smile.

One of the prom committee chairs headed to the stage to try to grab everyone's attention.

"Excuse me everyone!" she said on the mic. This was Kylie. Kylie was a very popular, beautiful girl. She was the sweetest person in the school and volunteered to do everything possible. "I am ready to announce our prom king and queen! The two winners will win a certificate to any restaurant for the amount of $100 each and they will be dancing to the song we pick, Amazed by Lonestar, in the middle of the dancefloor for all of us to bask in their royalness." This made the crowd chuckle.

"First up, our prom king is none other than..." and there was a pause while she opened the envelope. "Josh Vex!" the crowd erupted in cheers from everyone. Lindsey sat there and clapped, but she knew he wasn't there. The spotlight all of a sudden went from the stage to the door and aimed it right at him. There he stood, in all his glory. He was wearing a beautiful black tux with a midnight blue tie that matched her dress. His hair was gelled back perfectly. He walked to the stage while the crowd applauded. He stopped and looked at her on his way.

"You look beautiful." He whispered in her ear and kissed her on the cheek. It made her blush and he couldn't help but put a smirk on his face. He went on the stage next to Kylie.

"Well, I guess better late than never!" everyone laughed. "And our prom queen is...." and the spot lights were swirling around the crowd, causing anticipation. Lindsey Adams!" her eyes went wide as the crowd screamed. She slowly looked around and everyone was congratulating her as she slowly walked up to the stage next to Josh. She couldn't help but blush. "Please, part the senior sea as we let our king and queen enjoy their first dance together."

Josh looked at her and held out his hand and led her to the middle of the dance floor. Lindsey couldn't look at him, but she was beaming. The music started playing and he gently placed his hands on her waist while she wrapped her arms around him. They held each other as close as they could be swaying to the sound of the song.

"You came..." she whispered. She was so happy that he was there and nothing else mattered to her except them at that moment.

"I couldn't miss not seeing you in this beautiful dress." she looked up at him with pleading eyes. "Lindsey..."

"Yes..."

"I...I need to tell you something and please...don't get mad..."

She stood there and waited for him to say something. They stopped dancing but the music continued. They stood there, staring at each other, not realizing that everyone else was watching them. He said nothing. Josh took his hand up and cupped her cheek. Lindsey closed her eyes at his gentle touch. He took his hand and lifted her chin and bent down to reach her lips and he kissed her.

He kissed her in front of the school but she didn't care. Her lips met his with the same eagerness and need. The kiss was gentle and soft. It was filled with passion, need, want, and most importantly, years of pent-up love.

The world was spinning, their hearts racing. They slowly broke apart once they heard the music end. Josh reached up to caress her cheek and she just opened her eyes with tears in her eyes. Lindsey was dumbfounded as to what happened and she looked away from him.

"Lindsey..." he whispered to her.

"I...I...I can't...." she pulled away from him and started running towards the door to the school. He was confused as to what had just happened. He heard her cry on the way and he couldn't help himself except to chase after her....he needed to know why she ran away...because for all he knew, she felt the same way. or at least, he hoped.