The winter season comes, and leaves quickly. Everyone was happy when they found out Aiden made the baseball team at A&M, and my family was ecstatic when I got my acceptance letter from them last month. Aiden, and I will go to college together.
Our first Christmas was celebrated apart. I had to go to my mom's for the break. We made sure to exchange gifts once I was back. I got him a wood plaque that had the star constellation engraved on it because we spent our first night together by the lake looking at the stars. The best gift was my gift from him though. It was a silver necklace that had one pearl that sits inside the bottom of an infinity symbol. I told him it was too much and I couldn't accept it but he refused to take it back. I've worn it everyday since.
Now it's spring, and the prom is a week away. Scarlett and Josh finally made their relationship official around the same time my brother asked out Lucy. It's crazy how much has changed in just a year.
"Scarlett, I'm not trying this dress on." I say as I hand back a bright pink short strapless dress.
She cries loudly from outside the dressing room. "Come on Mora. It's super cute." I can see her feet under the door, so I open it enough to stick my head out.
"Scarlett, where are the dresses that I picked out?" I'm standing in my panties, and strapless bra on the other side.
"Fine!" she sighs and stomps away coming back a few seconds later. "It's your choice to look like a grandma for your senior prom, but I don't want to hear you cry about it years from now when you look back at your prom photos with regret." she's so dramatic.
"Just hand me your favorite one that I picked out." I let her think she has some control.
"Well, this one isn't too bad." she throws it over the door. It's a dark lavender mock necked gown with lace on top underlined in black. The bottom half poofs out stopping at my knees in a solid purple. As soon as I try it on, I know that it's the one. I don't have to try on another.
"Well let me see!" Scarlett is losing patience.
I walk out slowly, staring down at the bottom of the dress. "Well?" I ask, keeping my eyes down. Scarlett doesn't say anything so I glance up to see her expression.
She looks partially pleased. "Well I have to say..." she tilts her head sideways to take a better look at me. "I like it. Not what I would have chosen for myself, but you pull it off very well." she gleams at me. She has a way of making an insult sound like a compliment.
"Thanks Scarlett. How sweet of you." I roll my eyes, and go back into the dressing room to change back into my clothes. "I wish you would tell me what your dress looks like."
"I told you Mora. It's a surprise." I put the dress back on the hanger, and put my purse over my shoulder.
"Fine." I exaggerate my words. "Whatever makes you happy."
We take another thirty minutes to find my shoes and then I text Aiden the colors of my dress so he can finally get his tux.
Dress is lavender purple with black accent.
My mom took off today, and let me skip school to get ready for the prom. She's so excited. Things are still a little awkward between my parents since Lorene has entered the picture, but it's like that big elephant in the room; we all feel it, but choose to ignore that it's there.
Mom walks in the house looking at the living room furniture and decor. "Not much has changed." she says with a small grin. I don't think she's been back home since she left dad.
"Nope. Dad doesn't like change." I rant as we walk to my bedroom.
"He never did." she giggles. In a way I think she feels pleased that everything is the same. Maybe it's confirmation that she was right about him, and whatever doubts she might have had are out the window.
"Here it is." I pull the dress from the hook hanging on my bathroom door.
She gasps, and grabs it out of my hands. "Mora, It's beautiful. You have very good taste." she brags, and I can't help but smile at her.
"Thanks. I'm excited!" I plug up my curling iron to heat it up, and my mom hangs the dress back up and brings her makeup bag in the bathroom with us.
"You should be. This is a big moment for you." She pulls up a stool to sit in front of me. "Do you want to do matching eye shadow, or more of a smokey eye." she's pulling out her eye shadow pallet.
"I guess a little of both if you can do that?" I ask her, pointing out my favorite colors.
"Sure I can." she answers, then puts it back down so she can pick up the iron and start on my hair. "Mora, we need music." she chimes, and my eyes smile at her. Good idea.
I get up, and go to my end table to get my speaker and bring it into the bathroom. "Here." I say plugging it up. "What do you want to listen to?" I ask her as I sit back down and pull out my phone to choose a playlist.
"How about some John Mayer." she says, and I give her an annoyed expression in the mirror.
"Seriously mom."
She sighs loudly. "Seriously. Isn't John Mayer still cool?" she asks. Mom always wants to be in the know of what us kids like. She's such a young soul.
"Sure, I guess he is." I answer, and put on his radio station because I only have a few of his songs on my playlist. The entire time mom does my hair, she's bobbing her head, and swaying side to side. I enjoy laughing with her, and even catch myself singing and dancing with her.
A lot has changed with us in the past ten months. I think my happiness at home has reflected on my acceptance of her. I love her more today than I ever have in the past. I'm thankful for her company.
"I love you." I turn my head and look at her, and her face shines at me.
"Oh honey, I love you too." she turns me back around, and finishes curling my hair. I admire her in the mirror, and her eyes are filled with joy, as are mine.
Dad makes it home a little past five. "Girls, where are you?" he yells as he makes his way inside through the garage.
"In here Jared!" mom yells at dad as she's putting the finishing touches on my makeup. When dad walks in, mom gleams at him. "What do you think of our girl?"
Dad leans his head on the frame of my doorway. "Mora, you look beautiful." he stands there to admire me.
"Thanks daddy." I go to hug him. "Mom, did you bring the shoes?" She bought my shoes since dad bought my dress. They are black stilettos that tie into a big bow on the side of my ankle. They are perfect. I just hope I can walk in them.
"Yes. Right here." she pulls a box out from her duffel bag. "Jared go ahead and go downstairs so she can get dressed." she demands, and my father listens. Once I'm in my dress she comes up to zip the back while I stare in the mirror.
My hair lays in long curls, with my side bangs pulled back in a twist on one side. I have simple diamond studs in, that were given to me by my granny, my father's mother when I was younger. Mom wraps her hands around my waist in a hug as she stands behind me. "Beautiful." her chin lays on my shoulder.
"Thanks for being here today." I turn around to hug her back.
She kisses me on the cheek. "Of course." she let's go and we start to walk out of my bedroom. "You should face time your brother." she says.
"Yeah. Okay." I say, and I go to call him but he doesn't answer. Oh well. I'm sure he'll see plenty of photos on social media tonight.
As I walk down the stairs behind mom I hear Aiden's voice. He's early. Once I'm at the bottom of the staircase he shoots up from sitting on the couch, and brushes any wrinkles he might have in his suit out. He's so handsome.
His hair is cut, and fixed to the side and his tuxedo is a sharp black with a black bow tie. His underlying vest is an exact purple as the bottom half of my dress. He looks magical in every sense. I don't leave his sight as I stand there staring back.
"Mora, you look..." and he pauses momentarily. "perfect." I feel like a true princess with the way he's looking at me.
"Thank you. You look pretty perfect too." I walk over to him, and kiss his cheek, and I can see his face start to blush with my parents watching us. "You're early." I say.
"Yeah, I couldn't wait." he admits, and then looks behind him. "Oh yeah." he says and walks over to the couch picking up a plastic box. He pulls out a corsage decorated with purple flowers. He removes it from the box, and places it on my wrist.
"Jared, we need to get pictures." mom grabs her cellphone to start snapping photos. She makes us stand on the staircase, then get one with just dad and has dad take one of us two. I was surprised when in the last picture she asked Aiden to snap of her, dad, and myself.
"You kids be safe tonight please, and if you need anything don't hesitate to call." he says as Aiden walks me outside.
"Yes sir." Aiden answers, and mom hugs Aiden and I goodbye.
"I love you Mora, and please send me all the pictures tomorrow!" she tells me, and I nod at her before kissing her cheek.
"Love you too mom."
Before leaving my neighborhood, Aiden pulls over to the community pond that sits empty. "Come on." he says jumping out of the jeep to meet me on the other side. Once I'm fully out, he leans in behind my seat to get something from the back. It's a box wrapped up with gold wrapping paper. He holds my hand with his free hand and pulls me to the bench facing the water. "Here." he hands me the gift.
"Aiden. You didn't have to get me something." I feel bad. "I didn't get you anything." I pout my lips, and he kisses the corner of my mouth smiling.
"Mora, I have you." he gently strokes my face. "Now, open it." he looks at me intently.
I slowly rip the paper off, and it's a plain white box. Once open, I look down at it. It looks like some sort of lamp. It's a black round ball that sits on a stand. I stare at it confused.
"I know it's not much, but I saw it and I had to get it for you." he says. I'm still confused as to what exactly it is, and he can tell by my reaction. "It's a star projector." he looks uncertain. "I know it's sort of kiddish, but I wanted you to know that we're always linked Mora. Like the constellation you got me for Christmas; I just want you to have something that reminds you of me. If for some reason I can't be with you, and you ever feel lost I want you to just light this up, and know that wherever I am, and wherever you are that you are here." he motions his hand over his heart. "We'll always have the stars Mora." his eyes are deep and warm. It's the best gift I've ever received. A cheap plastic lamp beats any gift I've ever gotten from him, including my necklace.
"It's perfect." I whisper looking back down at it, rubbing my fingers over the top of it. "You're perfect." my voice is breaking, and he reels me back in by kissing my cheek, and suddenly stands up gesturing out his hand to me.
"Well Ms. Andrews, are you ready for an enchanted evening." He jokes.
"Why yes Mr. Bryant, I am." I giggle back and allow him to help me up from the bench.