❝Cuddled up with a heart condemned, I should love you and I swear I do.❞ -Famy, Ava
Prom season was when Katia and the rest of student council were the busiest. The week leading up to prom, Katia had all of us helping out, despite the fact that we weren't even on student council. The only other person on student council from our friend group was Alyce, and she already had a long list of tasks in preparation for prom.
None of us denied Katy when she had asked for our help two days ago. She had flashed one pouty look with her big, brown eyes and we all couldn't help but agree. It was no wonder she had Jasper wrapped around her finger; all she had to do was give one look and anyone would become a sucker for her.
"I finally found a tie that matches your dress," Noah informs as we drive around town helping Katia get everything set for prom. "And I already ordered a corsage and boutonnière, so don't you worry your pretty little head about any of that."
"You're the best," I kiss his cheek as he parks in the lot of a flower shop. He knew I had my hands full with Katy's tasks. "What's next on Katy's endless list?"
Noah pulls out his phone, reading the long text from Katia, "she wants white, pink and red roses. Since it's a big order, we have to order ahead and someone will pick up on the day of prom."
The rest of our Wednesday afternoon was spent making orders from local stores and picking up decorations for Katy. Our prom is to be this Saturday, at a beautiful hotel downtown.
After Katy's list of errands was done, we head back to Noah's, where Harley is watching TV. We join her in watching reruns of Friends.
"I can't believe you're leaving in three weeks," I say. "It doesn't seem real."
"I can't imagine living in a house where I don't have an annoying brother looming over my shoulder," Harley adds teasingly.
Noah shoves Harley playfully, "you guys should come visit once I've set up my dorm room. I got a nice room and a roommate who's also a music major. He's super nice, I've gotten to talk to him a couple of times online. You guys would like him."
Harley asks, "is he cute?" at the same time that I say, "that sounds fun!"
Noah wears a look of exasperation and turns to me, "Aly and Harley are so alike, don't you think?"
Now that he mentions it, they have very similar personalities. Both strong willed and fiery, yet caring and considerate for the ones they love, whom are very few. I could count the amount of people they truly love combined on my fingers.
"Very." I agree.
"Anyway, what do you say? Do you want to come to LA?" Noah asks me hopefully. As an afterthought, he turns to Harley, "you too, I guess."
Harley rolls her eyes, "I'm already going with you, remember? Mom and I are helping you organize your room."
"Right, it must have slipped my mind," Noah says sheepishly. He then looks back to me, "my mom and Harley are flying out with me and staying for the week. You should fly over when they go home."
"Sounds like a plan," though I would have to run it by my parents, I'm sure they would be okay with it so long as I had company. "I might have to travel with some people, though. My parents have never liked the idea of me travelling alone."
Noah nods understandably, "tell you what, I'll text Damon and Hunter to see if they want to visit LA. You can ask some of the girls, too."
After we finished messaging our friends, we had a set group excited to go to LA. The group was Damon, Hunter, Alyce, Mackenzie and I. The Thompson's were already going on a family vacation, and Katia was going along with them.
We decide to head out to LA in a month. Since the Jacksons are going in three weeks, Harley and Rachel would be coming home a week after that. Noah thought it would be a good idea to have a couple of days alone so that he can settle in by himself, then we would show up to explore the city with him.
The planning took a couple of hours, and by the time we had finished booking flights and organizing everything with our parents over the phone, it was dark out.
"I'll walk you home," Noah says and I gratefully accept his offer.
As we make our way to his front door, it bursts open and in steps the beautiful Rachel and her endearing boyfriend, Chris. Rachel is surprised to see me, but squeezes me into a hug.
"Diana! What a pleasant surprise," Rachel smiles kindly.
"It's nice to see you, too," I reply.
Noah frowns, silent as he looks at his mom. He wore that look he does whenever he was thinking deeply about something; brows turned down, lower lip pushed out, hazel eyes analyzing.
"Mom, what's on your finger?" Noah asks slowly.
My eyes follow down to Rachel's left hand, and see a beautiful, diamond ring on her fourth finger. I almost whistle; the diamond was big. Props to Chris.
Wait. A ring on her finger? A diamond ring? When did Chris propose?
"I wanted to wait for Harley to get back from Riley's before telling you this," Rachel says sheepishly. "But Chris proposed today at dinner!"
"Congratulations!" I exclaim. I couldn't be happier for them.
Noah looks confused for a moment, but a joyful smile appears on his face. "That's great! I'm so happy for you two. As far as I'm concerned, Chris is already family."
Chris smiles thankfully at Noah, "I meant to ask if you were okay with it beforehand, but I didn't want to ruin the surprise and I knew you would be happy for us no matter what. You're a good kid, Noah, and I will make sure that you always think of me as family."
I couldn't help but feel like I was invading a private moment amongst a new family, but I could tell Noah sensed this. He wrapped his arm around my waist, tugging me to his side. I glance up at him uncertainly, but he keeps a firm grip as he continues talking to Chris. If he noticed me questioning him silently, he doesn't show it.
After we bid goodnight to Rachel and Chris, Noah and I begin walking to my home.
"Do you want a diamond that big?" Noah suddenly asks me, intertwining our fingers.
I look up at him in surprise, "I never really thought about it."
Noah sighs dramatically, "I guess over time you'll figure out what kind of proposal and wedding you want. Just let me know and I'll do my best to make them a reality."
"We're too young to think about marriage right now," I tell him. "But when you do propose, it doesn't matter what size the ring is or how grand the proposal is, I will say yes."
"Are you saying I could propose with a ring pop in a junkyard and you would say yes?"
"If that's what you want to do, then sure."
We continued walking hand in hand along the sidewalk. After breaking up with Josh, the idea of falling in love again became a terrifying thought, but Noah had made it as easy as breathing. "Were you ever scared of letting someone in again after you and Amelia broke up?" I find myself asking.
"Yes," Noah admits after a moment of hesitation. "But I never felt that way with you. You will always be my exception."
Loving Noah was never an option. From the moment we first spoke, I knew deep down I was a complete goner. With time, he slowly replaced my gravity. And though I was never one to be dependent on other people, I realize now that having someone to lean on is not always something to shy away from.
A/N: the chorus of Ava always gets me. It's so lovely. I could fall in love just listening to this song.
I made their prom at a hotel because that's where mine was! Not sure how other schools work so just had to play off my experience. Prom tickets were mad expensive for that reason.
School has been stressful. I'm too disorganized for online school smh. How's it going for you guys?