Page 77 of Nine

I have no idea who the man attached to my arm is right now. Large donation? A wish? I lean into him as we walk.

“What are we really doing here?” I ask.

He ignores me as we walk down the hallway toward the music. I’m filled with confusion, excitement, and uncertainty.

“Trig?”

He stops and turns to me just as we get to the entryway.

“I’m trying to give you what you never had.”

I go to speak, but he stops me.

“I want to make up for all the things you missed. Just let me be a man and do that for you.”

I nod, and with that one nod, I think I just gave him every piece of me. I squeeze his hand tighter. He turns to walk, but I pull him back to me. He swings around and I grab his face with both of my hands. I pull him down to my lips. The kiss is slow and sweet. It’s a thank you. No. It’s more than that. It’s a, how did I get so lucky to have you by my side, type kiss. We have that unconditional love. Agape as it’s otherwise known in the Bible, and Trig is right. No one has ever loved me more than him, and no one ever will. He pulls away and looks at me the way he usually does with those soul-searching eyes, and I can’t get enough of it. Trig and me are far from perfect people, but tonight I feel flawless next to him. We both turn and head toward the gymnasium.

“Oh my god,” I say, as we enter.

The school really went to work in here. It’s beautiful. The theme on a large banner reads A Diamond In The Rough. The place is blinged out, and everything shines, from the center pieces, to the décor on the ceiling, to the floor. It’s every girl’s dream prom. I scan the room to see kids scattered everywhere. Some are dancing and some of them are just hanging out. I notice a few teenage girls checking out Trig, and I don’t blame them. If I was younger and saw him walk into my school the way he looks right now, I’d probably do the same, maybe more. The DJ is up on the stage, and a pop song is playing. It’s a little too fast for me, so we go take a seat at a nearby table. I look around the room.

“What? No punch bowl?” I joke.

“I think that’s only in movies. Too many kids were spiking the punch and having a really good time at prom. There’s a non-alcoholic drink bar over in the corner if you’re thirsty.”

“No. I’m good. Maybe later. I still can’t believe you did this.”

I stare down at my corsage. It’s pretty. The blue flowers match my dress.

“I’d do anything for you, Nine. You know that.”

I look up at him. His dark brown eyes stare into mine. The fast-paced song that is on suddenly changes, and now the tempo is nice and slow.

“Dance with me,” he says, as he shoots up from his chair.

I stand and wrap my arm around his as he leads me out to the floor. He puts one of his hands on my waist and the other one on my hip. He slowly pulls me into him, and we start to sway to the music. I can’t keep my eyes off of him. I want to freeze this moment in time. Everything is perfect, and I’ve never been happier than I am right now, dancing in the arms of the man who I’ve fallen in love with. I smile up at him.

“What?” he says.

“It’s nothing.”

“Tell me,” he pushes.

“I’m just so...” I change my mind. “Thank you,” I say instead.

He holds me tighter. I rest my head on his chest and smile. I breathe in the smell of his cologne and I’m here in heaven with him holding me the way he is. I can feel his warm hand on my lower back and the sensation is comforting and sensual. The DJ follows through with two more slow songs, and we stay out there on the dance floor enjoying the moment. I wrap my arms around his neck and look up at him with adoring eyes.

“How’d you do it?”

“Do what?” He knits his eyebrows together.

“Free this caged up heart of mine.”

He grins.

“I told you I’d fight for you. I guess I won the battle.”

“At ease, soldier.”

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