Karma: Chapter Seven

It was prom night.

And I was dreading it.

Cam had asked me to prom about two months ago. He had ordered one of those giant cookies and had ‘Prom?’ We were at a restaurant and he had a waiter deliver it to the table once we were done with our meal.

“If you say yes, you can have the cookie. If you decline, I’m going to have to take it back,” Cam told me. I loved cookies, especially giant ones. Saying yes was a win-win situation, so of course I agreed. We even got free dessert, complementary of Red Lobster.

I was going to assume that we were not longer going to prom together. He probably forgot he even asked me. I kind of felt sorry for him. He had to go to prom with Julia, someone who’s been planning her prom night since freshmen year. She had her dad get her a limo and a designer dress.

I was going to prom solo. Lame right? Could you get in with half of a couple’s ticket? I sure hope so. Did that mean Julia had a single’s ticket to get in with Cam? The thought made me snicker. I was going to enjoy my last prom, even if it killed me. I wasn’t one of those girls whose dream was going to prom, because that was just a stupid dream.

Paul let me borrow his limo for the night, so Julia and Cam weren’t the only ones showing up in one. I invited Angelo, Anna, and a few of my other friends along. Riding in a limo alone is no fun.

“Audrey, will you curl my hair?” Anna asked, holding up the curling iron.

I nodded and set to work on her chestnut colored tresses. I was jealous of her hair. Each strand felt like silk under my fingers. After doing her hair, I applied her makeup. She returned the favor. I left my hair the way it was, running my brush through my auburn waves.

We put on our dresses, jewelry, and shoes and headed downstairs to the paparazzi. Well, my dad. The flash was going off every two seconds. I flashed my biggest smile and Anna did the same. I think he took over a hundred before the doorbell rang.

“That’s Angelo!” Anna squealed, reaching for the doorknob.

My dad beat her to it. “Ah, you must be Anna’s boyfriend.”

“Hello sir.”
“Anna’s like a daughter to me, so you won’t hurt her, am I correct?”

“Do we have to do this now, Mr. Milan?” Anna whined.

“Have her home by eleven.”

“Prom isn’t over until one, sir.”

“Fine, no later than 1:15, got it?”

“Yes sir.”

Dad seemed amused by Angelo. I guess he could do the interrogation thing with Angelo. Poor Angelo, interrogated by two dads instead of one. Paul’s limo was parked outside on the curb, the driver patiently waiting for us. He picked up Angelo before he came and got us. Anna put the boutonnière on his tux, and he fumbled with the corsage on her wrist.

The doorbell rang again. “Who could that be?”Dad said, voicing my thoughts out loud. We were going to pick up the others later. Maybe they forgot or were too excited that they couldn’t wait.

“What are you doing here, Cameron?”

Cam? What was he doing here? Was he taking me to prom? He was a man of his word…he was choosing me over Julia? Oh happy day! Maybe our love story wouldn’t end in tragedy. Happiness bubbled inside of me. I couldn’t help the smile that was forming on my face.

“Can I talk to Audrey?”

Everyone went to the living room. I had a feeling that Dad was going to get his talk with Angelo right now.

“I can’t believe you’re still taking me to prom!” I gushed. “Did you finally dump Julia? I knew you would come to your senses and—”

“Not exactly…”

My eyes narrowed. “What do you mean, ‘not exactly’?”

“I actually came to get our prom ticket back…I did pay for it.”

My jaw dropped. He came to my house to get his ticket back? Now I couldn’t go to prom. I had went dress shopping for nothing. This was nonrefundable, so I pretty much wasted a bunch of money I could’ve spent on books for college.

“But don’t worry,” he said, as if reading my mind. “You can have Julia’s ticket. It’s a single.”

“I don’t want Julia’s old ticket. I want my original one.”

“But we’re not a couple,” he persisted.

“It’s still my ticket!”

“C’mon, Julia and I need that to get our pictures taken.”

“Well too freaking bad. You’re not getting it.”

He pulled out the puppy face, his bottom lip quivering. “Please Audrey?”

Oh, no. I was not falling for that. He knew I couldn’t resist that face and he used it anyway. I gave in after a minute and shoved the ticket in his chest. “Fine, take it.”

“Sorry…”

“No, you’re not. If you were really sorry, you wouldn’t have done this.”

He offered the other ticket to me and I snatched it. “Leave.”

“Nice limo.”

“Too bad you’re not allowed to ride in it.”

He half-heartedly smiled and left. I scowled and slammed the door. “Let’s get this over with,” I screamed.

Angelo and Anna came out. They looked so cute. I tried my best to hide my foul temper, not wanting it to spoil it for them, but it was already too late. They heard me scream earlier, and chances are they were eavesdropping.

So much for enjoying my last prom.

The limo made three stops before we arrived at the reception hall where our prom was being held at. There were teachers stationed at the white doors, collecting tickets. Once we passed through the balloon arch, everyone went their separate ways. Thanks for ditching me guys.

The prom committee really outdid themselves. The place was gorgeous. Fairy lights were strung all over, giving the room a soft glow. I don’t know how to explain it, but it gave off that whole classy feel. There was a long table of food and separate tables off to the side for people to sit at. Off to the left was where people got their pictures taken. By people, I mean couples. I went off into the ballroom, where most people were at. Luckily, it was an upbeat song, so I started shaking my hips and dancing to it. Sure, it was kind of awkward dancing alone, but other people were doing it. Besides, no one was paying attention.

Then a slow song played, and everyone and their date all gravitated toward each other, like a bunch of magnets. I didn’t go stand in the corner like a loser, I went to the refreshment table, like a fatty. I filled up a paper plate up with carrots and potato chips and went to go sit at a table, hoping that the song would be over soon.

I munched on orange baby carrot. I read somewhere that your pinky is about as soft as a carrot…hmm…no. I liked my pinky. I wasn’t going to bite it off, even though it would make prom more memorable.

The song ended and to my dismay, another slow song came on. And another. And another. I was getting fed up with this playlist. Didn’t they know that some people didn’t have dates? I ripped up the plate angrily and tossed it in the trash.

“You don’t have a date either?”

I turned around and came face to face with one of Josh. He was leaning against the wall with his hands stuffed in the pocket of his tux. I had to admit, he looked rather handsome. His messy brown hair was neat and combed back, giving him a look of sophistication.

I raised an eyebrow. “You don’t have a date?”

He shrugged. “Didn’t want one.”

“You didn’t want to get laid after prom?”

“I don’t need a date to get laid. You of all people should know that.”

“Right…”

“So you want to dance?”

“I don’t know…”

“Just one.”

“Okay, but only one.”

“Unless you beg for more.”

I rolled my eyes and chuckled lightly. We went into the ballroom and I wrapped my arms around his neck and we swayed to the side. He planted his hands firmly on my hips, not even trying to go lower, which I was grateful for.

“I can’t dance,” he whispered in my ear.

“Me either!”

The dance was nice. After we broke apart, he thanked me and left, not even trying to get another. I found the rest of my group. They were all in the corner grinding against their date. I just stood outside the grinding circle awkwardly, not wanting to be grinded against by one of my friends.

Someone tapped my shoulder and I turned around, only to see Cameron. Remember when I said Josh looked handsome? Cameron was ten times hotter than that. His blonde hair was mussed up slightly and his bright green eyes sparkled.

“What do you want, Cam?”

“A dance.”

“So go find Julie.”

“A dance with you. I did ask you to prom after all.”

“I don’t need your pity,” I told him coldly.

“It’s not pity, Audrey. Actually, Julia suggested that I come ask you.”

“What? So she can just brag to me that she has you and I don’t? No thanks.”

“C’mon Audrey.”

“I can’t.”

“Can’t or won’t?”

I looked right into his eyes. “I can’t,” I replied, my voice cracking slightly.

“Why not?”

We had moved away from the group, so now we had semi-privacy. “Because I already had closure. If I dance with you, all the self control I had to stay away from you will crumble. I don’t think I’ll ever stop loving you and get over you like you got over me. That’s why. Now do you understand?”

“Audrey…”

“Please just leave and go back to Julia…”

“Audrey…”

“Please!” I begged a little louder.

“One dance and I’ll leave you alone, okay?”

If that’s what it took, then I’m all for it. I gave him a small nod and he led me out into the middle of the dance floor. We were closer than most of the non-couples dancing. We were just so used to the distance that we didn’t even think anything of it.

It felt normal, yet so foreign at the same time dancing with him. We used to dance all the time, but it was different now. We were different. I missed the way he made me feel all girly and the way he set fire to my skin. I missed the way that I could have moments like this anytime I pleased. I missed his touch holding me, making me feel like nothing could hurt me. But most of all?

“I miss us,” I whispered.

“Can I tell you a secret?”

I nodded.

“Me too.”

I pulled away from our touching foreheads and stared at him in bemusement. He missed us? He missed me?

“You do?”

His emerald eyes twinkled. “Yep.”

“I-I don’t…I don’t understand.”

“I still love you, Audrey.”

“Then why did you say that—”

“That I got over you? To see if you really did care.”

“Of course I care.”

“I didn’t know it. Even after your whole episode at my house, I still wasn’t sure.”

“Why did you date Julia? To make me jealous?”

“Did it work?”

I nodded again. “You’re a cruel man, Cam.”

“I’m cruel? You went out with what’s-his-name!”

“To make you jealous and take me back. You know, we’re messed up.”

“Indeed we are.”

“So you’re leaving Julia? Are we back together now?”

“I’m leaving Julia, but we’re not getting back together—”

“What!?”

“Let me finish, woman! Yet, I’m not going to be a two timer.”

I broke eye contact with him and looked at the ground guiltily.

“You’re right, you know.”

I looked up and his smoldering gaze was piercing right into my grey eyes, melting my core into gooey puddles. “About what?”

“It did make our relationship stronger.”

“How so?”

“Because now we both know what it feels like to date other people. If we didn’t, we would’ve been curious later down the line and it could’ve been worse that what we’ve been through this month. And now, we both appreciate each other more. And you won’t cheat, right?”

“Right! When did you get so wise?”

“I’ve always been wise; you’ve just never noticed it.”

“Does this mean we can’t kiss until you break up with Julia?”

He took a moment to think. “Hmm, I guess you’ve had your turn to be unfaithful, now it’s mine.”

“Well, we would want to even the playing field…”
He bent down and kissed my forehead. I pouted and gave him a ‘you can do better’ look. He smiled sheepishly and kissed the area around my mouth. I couldn’t wait any longer so I pushed his lips onto mine. Ah, magic. Gavin was a nice replacement, but nothing could compare to the original.

He pulled away. “I have to go back to Julia.”

He had to go back to Julia? What was he talking about? “What do you mean?”

“I can’t leave her alone on prom night.”

“You left me alone,” I countered.

“I’m not going to break up with her on prom night. It’ll ruin the whole thing for her.”

“But it’ll make mine the best!”

“Sorry Charlie. I’m not that cruel. But we will get our picture taken.”

“But you have to have couple’s tickets for that!”

He winked. “I do.”

Cam pulled out two white prom tickets. I looked at them closely and they were ours. He didn’t give them to Julia. “I thought that—”

“Thought that I gave it to Julia? No, I bought a different set of tickets. These were meant for us. They just needed to be together.”

“I love you, Cam.”

“Love you too, Audrey. Now I better go. Julia might be suspicious.”

“I thought you said it was her idea?”

“I lied. I told her I was going to the bathroom?”

“So I’m the equivalent of a toilet?”

“It’s all I could think of!”

“Wait…did you…you know… do it with her.”

“You mean have sex with her?”

I nodded. He looked guiltily at me and his feet fidgeted. “I just wanted to know what it felt like with someone else…”

“Who was better?”

He seemed shocked that I didn’t yell at him. I wasn’t the least bit angry, I already knew that they were sleeping together. I would be angry if he answered wrong because this wasn’t one of those questions where both answers could be right.

“You were.”

Smart boy. “How do I know you’re not lying?”

“Because she was so whiny and didn’t even want to try new positions.”

“And here I thought she was a–”

“Language,” he warned.

I smiled. Cam was back.