When I grab his lapel to pin the boutonniere I can smell his cologne mixed his soap I have grown used to. He smiles down at me when I pin it into place.
“Thanks for not pricking me.” He jokes.
Mrs. Basso pushes and pulls us through all the pictures the parents want. When the Bassos stand next to Trent and me, Mr. Basso is positioned next to me. He is a quiet man who keeps to himself. So it takes me by surprise when he speaks to me. “I hope I am not overstepping my boundaries. I have always thought of you as my daughter Maddy. You look incredibly beautiful tonight. You are a remarkable young lady. Have fun tonight but not too much fun.” He winks his right eye and I feel a tear drop fall from my left eye.
“Thank you Mr. Basso.” I crush into him wrapping my arms around his neck. He seems taken by surprise at first but then squeezes me tight. Mrs. Basso peers over to us grinning wide.
Bryan’s dad is allowing him take his BMW so we pile in the silver sedan-waving goodbye to the parents in the lawn. We have to drive forty minutes up to Milwaukee since the prom is being held at a swanky hotel.
The room is decorated in black, silver and white with hues of blue. The theme is Hollywood film. There are twinkling lights around every tree and pillar in the room. It looks magical and being there with Trent means even more. I couldn’t have imagined going with anyone else.
We stop to take our picture and ask if they would take one of all four of us as well and the cameraman happily obliges. The boys make us do one funny one after the professional posed picture. Kenna jumps on Bryan’s back with Bryan’s face turned towards hers and Trent picks me up holding my legs and arms kissing me on the lips.
We take our seats at the table closest to the stage. Sharing a table with a couple other soccer players and their dates. I see Trent passing a flask back in forth with one of his buddies making me nervous. I don’t want him to get drunk tonight. He had promised me beforehand he wouldn’t drink and I don’t want to ruin our prom night so I don’t say anything.
After the meal which none of us barely touched we all dance a lot but I keep finding Trent on the side with the rest of the soccer team. I finally have enough so I approach him.
“Trent, come dance.” I grab his hand pulling him out.
“Ok Maddy” he responds waving his hand to his friends.
Just as we hit the floor the music turns slow and Trent instantly pulls me closer swaying back and forth with me.
“I can’t tell you how amazing you look tonight Maddy.” Trent softly speaks.
“You don’t look so bad yourself.” I respond. Trent did look stunning. The black tuxedo filled out his shoulders more making him look even more muscular and fit. He had let his hair grow out a little since soccer season is over so the waves fell just above his eyes making him irresistible when he puts his hand through them. The silver vest make his clear blue eyes sparkle even more.
“Thank you Ms. Jennings.” Trent brings me closer to him. “I wish we had a room, I would love to see you out of this dress.”
“Trent Basso.” I screech. He never has said anything like that before to me. Not that I mind but it surprised me and maybe think he has had a little too much of what is in that flask.
“Come on Maddy. I know I have asked before but it’s killing me. I love you so much and I want to be with you in that way. It will bring us so much closer together.” He pleads with me, which means that my assumptions are correct, he is tipsy if not already drunk.
“Well, Mr. Basso. Tonight might be your lucky night but you better stop drinking from that flask.”
“Really?” He pulls back from me his eyes bulging out of his head in disbelief.
“I wanted to surprise you tonight. I thought we could go up to the barn when we get back to your place but at this rate you won’t be in any shape.”
“Oh, you don’t have to worry about that. Let’s get Bryan and Kenna and go.” He grabs my hand starting to pull me.
“Trent, we can wait. We only have one prom.” I pull him back to me holding him in my arms.
“One prom and one first time.” Trent says back. I am just about to let him take me when they announce it is time for the king and queen to be revealed.
“I know it’s going to be us baby. Let’s go.” Trent pulls me to the front with Mackenna and Bryan.
To my surprise Gabe comes up to the microphone. “What is your brother doing here?” I ask Trent.
“They always try to get a previous king or queen to announce it and he agreed since he was in Milwaukee interviewing this week.” Trent tells me.
“Oh” I say surprised he never told me his brother was going to be here.
“Ok settle down everyone. For those of you that don’t know me.” The whole school yells Gabe Basso. “Alright some of you know me.” he laughs. “As a previous prom king it is my pleasure to announce this year’s king. “ Gabe opens the envelope. A huge smile comes across his face and I know instantly whose name is on that envelope. “Trent Basso.” He reveals to everyone.
Trent turns to me kissing me on the cheek “See you up there babe.” Walking up on stage where Gabe puts the crown on his head.
A blonde with a slim figure and friendly smile comes up to the microphone after Gabe. “So, now that we have a king, we need a queen. Right ladies?” She waits for the screams and yells to calm down. “From the looks of your king I am surprised all you ladies aren’t fighting to get up here.” She laughs at her own joke. Trent’s eyes find mine and I stare into his as she opens her envelope. “Your prom queen is…Chloe Anderson.”
Trent’s eyes close briefly as I mine do. Chloe practically runs in her four inch heels up to the stage and the blonde puts the crown on her head. Gabe gives Trent the flowers he is to give her and Trent follows his role to a tee, even kissing her on the cheek. She hooks arms with him smiling like she just won the lottery.
The band starts playing the slow song they will dance to so everyone scurries off the floor to accompanying tables to observe them. Trent finds my eyes again when he first descends from the stairs but Chloe quickly diverts him to the dance floor. I sit there in a seat closest to the dance floor watching my soul mate dance with an ex-girlfriend who never made it shy to be known she wants him back.
“It’s just a dance, I’m sure he wishes it was you.” A deep voice says behind me.
“That’s what my mind keeps telling me but my heart wants to run out there and tear her hideous blond hair out.” I turn around and gasp. “Sorry, I thought you were Bryan.”
“Sorry to disappoint you.” He says.
“No Gabe, I just wouldn’t have sounded like such a bitch.” I confess.
“I have to admit, I am surprised it wasn’t you.” He sits down next to me resting his ankle on his knee stretching his arm across the back of my chair. He’s wearing a dark charcoal suit with a black button down shirt and burgundy tie. His hair and eyes are so close to Trent’s if you look at them from the eyes up you think they are twins. Although Gabe is starting to form the smallest crow’s feet next to his eyes showing his older years.
“Not me.” My stomach is churning watching Trent’s hands resting on her hips. He isn’t holding her remotely as close as he did me five minutes ago but it is hard seeing him with someone else.
“Why? You guys are obviously the idolized couple around here.”
“I’m competition. You know you Basso boys are so naïve to your good looks.”
“I don’t think you are competition. Maybe they are mad because you already won and they never even got up to bat.”
“That’s the kicker, that little blond out there got up to bat hitting a double and will do anything to get up there again.”