The Gossip Web (13 page)

By the time my makeup was applied, I was stunned from the way everything turned out.  My face was completely transformed and I didn’t even recognize my own reflection in the mirror! That’s how different I looked. My red hair was left down, but it was spiral curled and elegant, while my face looked totally fabulous. The stylist accentuated my pale features with nude colors, mixing them with silvers and the same olive green color of my dress. She wisely painted my lips a light pink.

When Erika caught sight of me her face twisted up, and for a split second I thought she was going to cry. She rushed at me, grinning as she studied my transformation. “Oh, Jade…you look beautiful! You’re absolutely stunning.”

I blushed underneath my blush and thanked her. “Well, thank you, Erika…and thank you for bringing me here.”

Erika nodded with a smile. “It was my pleasure. Now, let’s hurry up and pay so we can get you back to the house---and in that gorgeous dress!”

We left the salon in a rush, stopping by my favorite fast-food restaurant on the way home; Erika bought me a small burger and a milkshake. I was hesitant about eating before the dance, but she assured me that it was alright to eat a little something beforehand. I was thankful to her for being so nice to me the entire day, and it wasn’t an unpleasant experience like I thought it would be. For a few hours, Erika and I actually got along…and it was kind of nice.

When we returned to the house, I ran towards my bedroom but stopped off in the living room when I noticed my father sitting on the couch. My dad’s jaw almost hit the floor when I approached him, and I grinned as he quickly stood from the couch.

“Jade? Is that you?” He asked me with a smile, walking towards me.

“Yes, Dad.” I rolled my eyes and punched his arm. “Be serious, okay? How do I look?”

His eyes were twinkling as he replied, “You’re beautiful, Jade. Although, you were beautiful before you got all done up. You could show up at that dance wearing nothing but a t-shirt and a pair of blue jeans and you’d still be the prettiest girl there.”

I shook my head and laughed. “I don’t know about that…but thanks, Dad.”

My father grabbed my arms and pulled me into a warm hug, and he gave me a quick kiss on the cheek before redirecting me towards my bedroom door. “You’d better hurry up and get that dress on, girl! You don’t want to keep that boy waiting, do you?”

I agreed with my father and rushed inside my room, heading straight for my closet to reveal the gown that would knock Trace’s socks off---at least, I hoped it would. After sliding into it, I added a few finishing touches: earrings, a faux diamond bracelet, and some minor glitter to my hair and arms. I stared merrily at my reflection in the mirror before walking out of my bedroom. Dad and Erika were sitting comfortably on the couch watching television when I entered the room. I cleared my throat loudly to gain their attention, and they both looked up at once. They cheered and clapped as I twirled around the room for them.

“Who knew my little girl was a princess!” My dad joked, sending me a huge grin.

I curtsied and flashed a smile. “Thank you, thank you.”

“You look amazing, Jade!” Erika told me. “I’m sure that young man will be overcome when he sees you tonight.”

My dad frowned. “Yeah, well, let’s hope he knows to keep his hands to himself…”

“Dad! Please!” I laughed, rolling my eyes at his remark.

“What time is that boy supposed to pick you up, Jade?” He asked.

“Soon,” I replied happily as I hurried out of the living room, headed towards the window in the front entrance. I glanced at the clock that hung on the wall near the door, noticing it was already past seven. Trace would be here to pick me up any minute. Since I had some time on my hands, I sat down in an arm chair by the door, deciding to simply wait for him as I fantasized about our night together. I imagined the two of us dancing close, Trace’s left arm wrapped around my waist as he lead me to a slow ballad. His blue eyes would be focused on my own as we twirled along the dance floor, and when the song neared its end, he would drop lips down to mine and---

I was so startled by the sound of the doorbell that I almost fell out of my chair. He was here! Jumping to my feet, I ran towards the large mirror in the hallway. I needed to make sure I looked absolutely perfect before allowing Trace to catch sight of me. As I stared at my worried reflection, I noticed how badly flushed my face was. I tried taking a few deep breaths to ease my nerves, but by the time I was calmed down, I realized I’d left Trace standing at the door for nearly five minutes!

I was panicking as I rushed over to the front door, whipping it open to reveal a very shocked Trace. His arm was in mid-air as if he were about to knock again, and he seemed alarmed from how fast I opened the door. I breathed in deeply and tried my best to ignore my hammering heart as I stared into his wide blue eyes.

“Hi,” I greeted him shyly as I stepped out onto the porch. I shivered from the cool night air as I closed the front door for privacy, then turned back to face him. Trace always looked handsome, but tonight in his black suit he looked simply marvelous. His brown hair was slicked back neatly and he looked just like a young James Bond. How did I get so lucky?

“Uh…uh,” he stammered, his jaw ajar as he stared at me. “Jade, is that you?” Funny, he said the same exact thing my father had.

I rolled my eyes at him. “You know it is, Trace.”

Trace cracked a grin at my response. “Sorry, you just look so…wow.” His eyes drank me in, and I couldn’t help but blush as he stared at me in amazement.

“You look good too,” I whispered.

He bit his lip, gesturing to the box in his hand. “I got you this. It’s a lily.”

I grinned happily when I caught sight of the lovely wrist corsage, and I realized it would match perfectly with my dress. How thoughtful of him.
             

“Oh, Trace! It’s so beautiful. Thank you.”

Upon sliding it on my right wrist, Trace replied, “It’s not as beautiful as you are, Jade.”

I watched anxiously as he took a careful step toward me, his blue eyes twinkling as they searched my face. I didn’t know what to do as my cheeks and neck heated up. “Trace, I---”

Suddenly the front door opened, and I twisted my head to find my father and Erika observing us from the doorway. Erika was smiling, my father wasn’t. Big surprise.

My father coughed loudly and said, “Hello, Trace. It’s nice to see you again.”

Trace’s face turned red and he backed away from me. “Hi, Mr. Cannon. Nice to see you too.”

“Hi, Trace.” Erika greeted him with a smile then offered her hand and added, “I’m Erika.“ Turning to my father, she cooed, “Don’t they just look wonderful together, Lucas?”

“Yeah, really great,” Dad said grimly.

I rolled my eyes at his unpleasant tone. It was so typical of my dad to be upset when I was so happy. Ignoring the sour expression on my father’s face, I ran over to him and planted a kiss on his cheek. “Okay, Dad, we’re going to get going now.”

He seemed panicked when I walked away from him. “Alright. Have a good time!” My father shouted out to me. “Call me if you need anything…and remember to be safe!”

“Okay, bye!” I replied with a wave.

I rejoined Trace’s side and tugged him off the porch, eager to get away before my father changed his mind about letting me go out. I smiled up at Trace before hooking my arm through his as we hurried down the brick path in my front yard. Looking the way I did tonight, I couldn’t help but be bold.

“Are you ready for a wonderful evening, Jade Cannon?” Trace asked me with a grin.

I nodded with a smile and replied, “You bet I am!”

“Well then, allow me to escort you to your carriage, Madam.” He led me to the passenger side of his car, opening the door with a bow. I laughed at his gesture and curtsied before sliding onto the seat. All this curtsying I was doing tonight…I really did feel like royalty! Trace joined me inside the car a few moments later, and he grinned as he turned the key in the ignition. It was really happening. We were officially on a date!

Trace gave me a short side-glance before he put the car in reverse. “Okay, let’s go,” he said happily.

I was giddy with excitement when we pulled away from my house and onto the main street. Tonight was going to be the start of some big changes in my life: not only with Trace, but with myself. I vowed silently (while I slyly peeked at my date), that I would try to pry myself from my shell. No matter what happened tonight, I would not revert to my usual timid ways.

“So, Jade…” Trace began, breaking the silence in the car. “You’re only going to dance with me tonight, right? You’re not going to let anybody else take you away from me?” he asked me seriously, his blue eyes flickering in my direction. “I don’t think I could handle you in some other guy’s arms.”

I blushed and replied, “Would you even let anyone else try to dance with me?”

He laughed at my question and shook his head. “No, I wouldn’t.”

“But you know, it works both ways…” I told him softly.

“Trust me, Jade, when I say there’s nobody else I’d rather dance with than you.”

I couldn’t help but smile at his remark, and for the rest of the car ride we kept our conversation centered mostly around school and our plans for the future. I was glad to hear that Trace planned on going to the same college I wanted to attend, and I took it as a sort of sign that we belonged together…even if he didn’t know it yet.

As soon as we pulled into the school parking lot, I started to freak out. My palms grew sweaty and I couldn’t calm my nerves as I watched Trace turn off the car. Oh my God. What if I couldn’t do this? What if Trace saw all of his friends in the gym and ditched me? What if I tripped on my dress and became the joke of the entire evening? What if---

“Jade, are you okay?” Trace asked me worriedly, interrupting my thoughts. He turned towards me in the driver seat and said, “Tell me what’s on your mind .”

I glanced up at Trace shyly, feeling sort of foolish for wigging out. After noticing the anxious expression on his face, I realized he was just as nervous about tonight as I was. I took a much needed breath and forced all of the “what ifs” from my mind. I didn’t care about my fear anymore. I was here, at a dance, with Trace. I should’ve been happy---not on the verge of having an anxiety attack!

“Nothing, Trace,” I told him with a smile. “I’m fine, honestly.”

He smiled back at me and replied, “Good. You don‘t have to worry about anything tonight.” After sliding a hand through his slick hair he asked me gently, “Are you ready?”

I nodded blissfully and watched him slide out of the car and walk over to my door. I pulled down the sun visor quickly and revealed the mirror, checking my reflection once more. I sighed with relief when I saw that the make up hadn’t disappeared. My mirror image still looked elegant.

Trace tapped on the window and I glanced up at him, startled. He motioned to an imaginary watch on his wrist and I rolled my eyes. I closed the visor just as he opened the door, and I stepped out gingerly, lifting my dress as I went so that it wouldn’t get dirty. This gown was too beautiful to be dragged along the grimy cement. Before Trace could offer, I snaked my left arm around his right, standing so near to him that I could hear him breathe.

I noticed other students standing outside the gymnasium and around the parking lot, chatting and hanging out before heading inside. My stomach started doing cartwheels when I noticed that everyone we passed by stopped to watch us. The girls glared at me, but the guys gawked. Then a group of guys walked by us laughing, and one of them paused to slap hands with Trace.

“Hey, man! What’s up?” I recognized the boy to be Greg Kindman, one of West Havenbrook’s most skillful soccer players. I didn’t have any classes with him, but I knew he and Trace had Chemistry together. It’s not weird that I know that, right?

“Not much, Greg,” Trace replied with a grin.

Greg nodded and raised his brows as he glanced over at me. “Hey,” he said casually, and suddenly froze. Greg peered closer at my face, and I figured he must’ve just realized who I was. “Hey! Aren’t you---”

“Jade Cannon,” I finished for him, my face growing hot. Oh no. Here it comes…

His eyes grew wide as he said, “Holy shit, Jade! You look hot!”

“Uh, thank you?” I replied, turning even redder.

“Well, you two have fun tonight!” Greg told Trace with a wink before he scampered off after his friends.

I shook my head, slightly embarrassed as we grew closer to the doors of the gym.

“Sorry if he offended you,” Trace offered softly.

“No, it’s okay. It was just…weird. No one has ever called me hot before.”

“Really?” Trace frowned. “Well that changes right now.” He ceased walking, stopping in the dead center of the pathway as he reached for my hands. “Jade Cannon, you are totally hot!” Trace announced loudly, and people nearby stopped to stare at us after his outburst. I couldn’t help but laugh.

We continued towards the entrance of the gym, but I made Trace stop a few feet away from the doors. I eyed them nervously as I got cold feet, but Trace rubbed my arms warmly, giving me a boost of confidence. His touch eased my doubt, and I glanced up at him gratefully. Trace always knew how to save me from myself.