Page 29 of Charger

What I have with Zach has been pretty amazing. We spend almost every weekend together and, on some weekdays, he sneaks into my room at night. We fall asleep together, making sure he’s gone before my parents wake up. We haven’t had sex yet because Zach keeps telling me he wants to wait and make it special for me.

So, here I am, a month before graduation on prom night, staring at myself wearing my mermaid-cut dress. After Zach asked me, I think my mom was more excited than I was. That weekend, she took me shopping for my dress. It’s form-fitting all the way down, silver with some sequins, and the back is cut out. It’s a little out of my comfort zone, but as I turn around in the mirror and look at myself, I actually think I look hot. Thank God I haven’t gained any weight—no way in hell would I have been able to fit in this dress.

I give my loose, wavy curls one more spray and swipe another application of lip gloss on. The necklace that Zach gave me on my birthday is hanging down on my chest and when I move a certain way, it sparkles. Like the star is shining.

I love it. I love it so much.

My mom yells from downstairs, letting me know Zach is here.

My heartbeat thuds a little faster. I’m more nervous than I thought. I think it’s because tonight might be the night. Don’t people usually have sex on prom night? Also, what if Zach doesn’t find me attractive in my dress? What if Sam looks prettier?

Okay, Jules. Stop it. He and Sam haven’t even spoken to each other since they broke up. Get a grip.

Inhaling deeply then exhaling, I try to calm my nerves. “All right, let’s do this.”

As I head downstairs in my four-inch heels, hoping I don’t fall and humiliate myself, everyone else is huddled at the door, including Lisa. My dad is telling Zach to stop moving so he can knot his tie for him, and my mom is telling Lisa how beautiful she looks. I wouldn’t doubt it, Lisa is a natural redhead, so she has the cute freckles and perfect porcelain skin.

No one notices I am at the top of the stairs except Zach. He seems to have a radar for when I’m in the room, much like I do for him. His mouth parts, his eyes widen, and he scans my body slowly, from head to toe.

“Oh, honey, you look gorgeous.” My mom is oozing with excitement when she sees me. My dad finishes with Zach’s tie, then smiles at me. Lisa is just as excited as my mom. Garrett just tells me I look nice. Zach hasn’t said anything but he also hasn’t stopped gawking at me since I made my grand entrance. I’m like fucking Cinderella. I chuckle to myself, bringing my shoulders back, and I finish my stride to the bottom. My dad pushes Zach forward, knocking him off his own cloud nine.

“Y-You look, um… You look amazing, like beautiful, like holy shit—”

“Language,” my dad says from behind him. I smile; the constant scolding is hilarious.

“Thanks,” I tell Zach. He himself looks incredibly sexy tonight. I don’t think I have ever seen him in a suit before. Damn, he looks good.

“Oh, here, I have this.” He takes my wrist and tugs the flower corsage on. The white and blush roses are perfect. I bring them to my nose, inhaling the sweet scent.

“They’re so pretty.”

“All right, everyone, line up by the door so I can get a picture.” My mom shoos all of us over and Zach wraps me in his arms while Garrett leisurely slides up on the other side of me.

“You clean up good, sis.”

“Not so bad yourself, bro.” We all smile for my mom’s picture and then Zach drives us to the school.

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The gym is packed with students. The lights are turned down low, music is blaring, and people are lined up at the picture booth. Zach’s got his arm tightly around my waist, as if he doesn’t want anyone else to snatch me up.

“Have I told you how sexy and beautiful you look in that dress?”

“You have. Many times.” Blushing, I give his bicep a squeeze. “You look pretty freakin’ hot yourself.” He leans down, brushing his scrunched nose to mine.

“Okay, let’s go dance.”

“You dance?” I give him a curious look. It’s not something I would have guessed Zach did, not even by a long shot.

“Guess you’ll just have to see.” He drags me to the floor with Lisa and Garrett following closely behind. The DJ is playing “Can’t Hold Us” by Macklemore. The gym floor comes alive with students dancing and fist pumping. Zach twirls me around, then pulls me against his chest. We start to move to the music in rhythm together. He does a little shimmy move and I laugh hysterically.

A certain part of the song comes on and we all throw our hands up, clapping. The energy in the gym is a whole different level of crazy. It’s thunder and lightning.

Dancing. Being carefree, without any worries. All of us together. I never want us to be apart.

The students in the background look like they are in slow motion, because all I see is Zach. I love seeing him this happy, not having to take care of his mother, just him tonight, having fun. Garrett’s twirling Lisa in his arms. She and I giggle. She dances over and booty claps me; our hips bounce off each other’s. Zach quick steps to me and grabs my hand, jerking me to him. We both laugh, throwing our arms up in the air to the song again.

When the song is over, “Everything” by Lifehouse comes on. I stop to catch my breath, as Zach holds out his hand. “Dance with me, pretty girl?” I smile, placing my hand in his. I snuggle in close, consuming the warmth from his arms as we start to slow dance.

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