Lizzie

I hear voices coming up from downstairs and know that Brandon, Denver and Tobias have arrived. My palms are sweating, and my heart is in my throat. The girls give me a hug and Lilly is as excited as a puppy going for its first walk, to see how Denver looks in his tuxedo.

She looks amazing in her floaty lemon yellow gown; it has a fitted bodice with little diamonds encrusted on it and thin straps leading from the midpoint between her breasts to around her neck. To match, she wears yellow diamond heart earrings and a platinum daisy-chain bracelet studded with yellow diamonds. Lilly is a vision of sunshine.

"Are y'all ready?" Tammy asks with the brightest megawatt smile you've ever seen. Her lips are siren red, which doesn't clash with her peach fitted dress. It covers her amazing body like a glove, with little spaghetti straps and a burst of color in her blonde hair by way of a peach rose. Her eyes are shining, and for the first time since that awful night a couple of weeks ago, I can tell she is happy to be going with Tobias; who would have thought it? We're so made up for her to finally have found someone to date who truly cares about her, doesn't drink to oblivion and has never touched a joint in his life or intends to. Tobias is smart, funny, good-looking, and will keep our Tammy on the straight and narrow. No more boozy nights for her, no more sleeping around with jocks who only want her for lustful nights of sex. No more walks of shame. It makes me giddy inside to see her so happy, and of course for Tobias, who has been burning a candle for this girl for the last five or six years.

We look so grown up, so mature that it prangs at my heart. No longer are we the kids who would run around in our frilly socks, white pumps, and dungaree shorts, playing hide-and-seek and kiss chase. We are now women, and it's a life-defining moment. I can't express how I feel; there are so many emotions coursing through me right now. Pride for the girls we have turned out to be studious, hardworking, all of us going to college and still lifelong friends.

Lilly pulls us in for a group hug, and I inhale her Marc Jacobs Daisy fragrance along with Tammy's favorite Miss Dior.

As we descend the staircase, my heart jumps into my throat at the sight of the guys downstairs, all dressed in their tuxedos so smart, so damn handsome. It's literally breathtaking. My eyes fall on Brandon's electric blue eyes, and I can see him drinking me in. His eyes shine; he gives me his crooked grin, exposing his dimple. Butterflies jump around insanely in my stomach; my mouth is dry. Warmth creeps up from my groin, filling my stomach and coursing up through my body.

He stands tall, all six-three of him in a black tux that I know was made-to-measure. His shoulders are broad, his hips narrow and those damn long muscular legs of his fill the pants out. Oh my, I'm going to faint with lust at any minute. I walk carefully on my five-inch stilettos. Damn it. I knew I should have practiced more on these, as Tammy told me to. His hair flops over his eyes; I want to run my fingers through it and pull his head crashing onto my lips, to explore his tongue with mine.

"Oh my word, you girls look absolutely stunning." My mother says as she stands down at the bottom of the stairs near the guys, with my father standing proudly beside her. He beams from ear to ear, and I can see the pride in both their eyes.

"Photos. Photos." Mom shrieks with excitement. We girls giggle as we continue down the stairs, our arms linked into one another's. Thank God the staircase is wide and sweeping like out of Gone with the Wind. Mom's already videoing us as we come down. Brandon holds out his hands in which he has a deep red velvet rose. It's perfect for what I am wearing.

I stop at the bottom and hold my arm out for him to place the corsage on, his fingers are trembling. I've never seen him shake like this. I know he's nervous. So am I. To be honest, I am absolutely petrified. This is the night I could stand to lose my best friend or my virginity.

"You look amazing, Lizzie-Baby." He whispers into my ear. Goosebumps take over my skin; shivers run up and down my spine. His breath is so warm against my ear. I am seriously going to faint.

"You look good yourself," I say and smile as I place a small kiss on his right cheek, careful not to stain him with my power red lipstick.

Lilly goes to Denver and kisses him full on the lips. I can't wait to kiss Brandon. Oh God, please, please make him feel the same way. Please God.

Tobias holds back; he is mesmerized by the sight of Tammy, and to be honest, she is a vision as she moves towards him and places a kiss straight on his lips. It's adorable how he blushes and clashes with his ginger hair. So adorable. So freakin' adorable.

"We're so proud of you, Lizzie." My father says with emotion in his voice. I can tell because he sounds almost hoarse, and I detect moisture in his eyes. It makes me well up and I have a lump in my throat. I know from this moment on our lives will change. Nothing will ever be the same again.

We're grown up, we're all moving on, and part of me is so sad yet also so damn excited for our next chapter. Can I live without my girlfriends and Brandon close by my side? I think my breathing has stopped; I can't catch my breath.

"Come here, stand next to the girls. Boys at the back." Gosh, my mom is so bossy sometimes; it makes me chuckle. At least she is stopping me from having some of these sad thoughts.

"Dad, you stand with Lizzie now." In another life, she'd easily be a good photographer, the way she keeps commanding everyone. I watch as Tobias laces his fingers through Tammy's and my heart soars for both of them. I hope it will be everlasting.

Finally, Mom is finished with all the photos of us all together- guys, the girls, me with my folks, me with Lizzie- and, oh boy, standing so close to him with his arm around my waist, pulling me close to him, sent shockwaves through my body.

He smells of warm tones of cinnamon and musk. So damn fucking masculine, I could literally eat him. His fingers press against my hips, and my stomach pools; my panties get wet. I am so ready for Brandon, unbelievably ready. Brandon looks down at me and brushes his lips across the top of my head; I am melting into a puddle. Easily, I lean into his chest. "Perfect. That's a wrap." Mom calls.

"Have a wonderful time, darlings and remember no drinking any drinks you haven't got yourselves and be mindful that punch will be spiked," Dad says.

"Don't worry, Sir. We'll be keeping a close eye on the girls." Brandon says. Denver and Tobias nod. "They won't be drinking any punch, Sir." I raise my eyebrows. Why the fuck not? I glare at him. "Not unless one of us guys has tested it first." Brandon gets a look of approval from my father.

"Thanks, Brandon. We trust you with our daughter; take good care of her, or you'll have me to deal with. Now, are you sure you don't need a detail on you?" He says. I groan.

"Enough already, Dad, with a bodyguard. It's a friggin prom, not some celebrity event where we'll be in danger." I sigh. Brandon grabs my hand and squeezes it.

"We'll be fine, sir, but thank you." Denver steps in, his arm lovingly around Lilly. Damn, if those two don't get selected for prom queen and king.