I opened my eyes slowly, trying to adjust to the bright sunlight that poured in through the ajar window. Sitting up quickly, I picked up my phone from the bedside.

11:00 am

I had fallen asleep on the couch, with marks of rough sofa fabric imprinted on my cheeks. Rubbing my eyes, I pandiculated drowsily and made my way to the washroom to freshen up.

Today was a special day. Closer to my heart than to that of anyone else.

I was extremely perturbed by the persistent feeling of losing something. Like I had forgotten something very important far behind, but I couldn't recall what it was.

Shrugging off my incoherent thoughts, I dashed down the staircase to the dining room. I settled myself on the chair, facing my mother's calm, smiling countenance.

"Morning mom." I wished her as I arranged the platter and cutlery in front of me.

"Morning love. Seems like you had a rough sleep," she examined the marks on my cheeks.

"It's nothing mom. I just slept in an awkward position." I nibbled on my cheese sandwich.

"Uh oh. Never mind. Tell me about today. Who is the lucky girl?" She chuckled childishly.

"Lucky girl?" I wriggled my eyebrows as I poured the orange juice into my glass.

"Yes. Lucky indeed. After all, my handsome son will be her Prom partner tonight." She smirked.

"It's Fiona mom." My expressions remained unaltered.

"Oh Fiona! She is a lovely girl. I still remember the time when she came to visit you after hearing about Charlie's sudden demise. Such an innocent, young soul!" She smiled and clapped her hands together.

I paused briefly and got up from my seat. "Mom. That was Leah, not Fiona. For God's sake, stop messing up with my life's incidents when you know nothing. Stop making things more and more complicated." I shifted my plate and left the table.

"Blake, what happened? At least finish your breakfast. Blake!" I could hear her voice getting fainter as I hurried up the stairs to my room.

I latched my bedroom's door and regretted my behaviour right after.

But I had no choice.

The more I tried to forget about Leah, the harder it got.

*

I stared nonchalantly at the huge clock in front. It was half past five. The Prom was supposed to start from seven onwards. I inhaled deeply as I walked towards my wooden closet and reluctantly took out my midnight blue tuxedo.

Do it Blake. You are going to the Prom for yourself, not for anyone else. It's the last year of school, you can't miss all the fun.

I reassured myself as I plastered a smile across my face. The new fabric of the white shirt felt warm on my skin. I put on the blazer and cautiously arranged the boutonniere on its silk lapels. Stroking the perfectly ironed trousers with my hands, I looked into the mirror. I smiled triumphantly at the success of the outfit as I went on to arrange my hair with a morsel of hair gel.

I got into my leather loafers and carefully buckled my wristwatch.

You can do it Blakie.

I kept telling myself over and over again as I walked down the stairs with the utmost sophistication.

I fetched my car keys and dialed Ethan's phone number. "I am leaving," I told him as I reached for the gate.

"Blake." A tender voice stopped me in my tracks. I turned to look at Mom, who was standing a few feet away. "I am sorry love. I didn't mean to hurt you." She inched closer, her lips forming a thin line.

"Mom, it's fine. I am sorry too. My behaviour at the breakfast table was pretty rude." I avoided her gaze.

She kept a hand on my shoulder and whispered, "No Blake. It was my fault, I should have understood. You were right! I don't know anything about your life. I wish I could give you more time." She paused, before continuing. "I am so happy to have you as my son. And look at you, you've grown so handsome! I wish Alex was here with us today." She trailed off as she cupped her hands around my face.

"Mom, it's okay. I really don't want to create a fuss out of all this. You are my mother and I love you in the purest way possible. A petty tiff can never act as a barrier between us. And Mom, not those tears please! I don't want your eyeshadow to smudge." I chuckled.

"Eyeshadow? Blake, I am not even wearing an eyeshadow. It's mascara. You need to know these terms." She snickered.

"Yeah, whatever. As such, they all look the same." I rolled my eyes and subconsciously glanced at my wristwatch. "It's twenty minutes to seven. I really need to leave mom. Love you." I gave her a quick peck on the forehead and headed out of the house.

Will be there in fifteen minutes. Be ready. I texted Fiona.

*

I stopped my car in front of Fiona's apartment and dialed her phone number.

"I am here. Come down." I spoke as I looked at myself in the rear-view mirror, my eyes drowning in embarrassment.

This is going to be tough.

I got down from the car and waited for her, till I saw the blurry image of a girl in a gown, slowly inching closer.

Fiona walked out of the main gate as she steadily closed it behind her. She clutched the fabric of her billowy rose gold gown, her perfectly straight, blond hair neatly parted from the middle. She pressed her crimson red lips together- probably in an attempt to even out her lipstick.

She handed me one of the two similar masks she was carrying and bore her gaze deep into mine, her lips beginning to form a bright, intense smile. "You look really handsome Blake."

"Thanks. You look great too!" I spoke hesitantly, trying to avoid her dark gaze in the best way I could. I opened the car door and gestured her to sit inside, helping her with the heavy gown she was wearing.

The short journey to the school was quiet, maybe because both of the passengers were busy weaving an imaginary array of dreamy thoughts in the depths of their mind. She kept smiling and blushing; playing with her fingers incessantly. I, on the other hand, was too involved in fighting the tempest within. The pristine white building of Amethyst High soon came into view and that's when my heart skipped a beat.

"Ready?" Fiona chuckled as she offered me her hand.

"I guess I am." I murmured as I kept my hand on hers. She squeezed it and inhaled deeply.

"This is like a dream. A Disney dream." She smiled.

"But you have to wake up someday." I murmured to myself.

I got out of the car and aided Fiona to step out of it. We both fixed the masks on our faces and headed forward, walking hand in hand. A sudden gush of cool breeze welcomed us as we disappeared in the crowd of people dressed in gowns and tuxes.

"Be right back." I told Fiona as she chatted happily with her group of friends.

I made my way through the crowd, when my eyes met a boy in a pale grey tux.

Ethan.

I patted him on his shoulder. "Ethan!" I called out.

"Oh my God! Who are you?" He narrowed his eyes at me.

I rolled my eyes at his stupidity as I shifted my mask to my forehead so as to reveal my face. "It's me, Blake."

"Jesus! You scared me. By the way, you look dashing man." He nudged me teasingly.

"You are so dumb honestly." I shook my head. "I know I look handsome. Probably, Rachel thinks that too." I smirked.

"Mhm Blakie not again. I told you she is my department." He huffed and crossed his arms across his chest. "Have you seen her yet? There she stands, in the orange bodycon dress. I swear she looks so heavenly and enchanting. Just like a..." He paused to breathe for a while.

"Like a...?"

"Like a jack-o'-lantern!" He clapped his hands together.

I laughed hysterically at the weirdly hilarious comparison. "Bruh, you aren't alright today. You surely aren't." I chuckled uncontrollably.

"At least it made you happy for a moment." He smiled.

I stopped laughing and gazed at him. It wasn't the first time his maturity had surprised me. He smiled and continued, "Going to handle my department on the dance floor. Wish me luck! It's time for you to do the same Blakie. Don't think about Leah for now, she isn't even here." He patted my shoulder and walked away.

Ethan was right. She isn't even here for me today. I cannot think about her and spoil everyone's mood with my monotony.

"Blakie! Where have you been? Come, everyone is waiting for us." Fiona jolted me back to reality as she held my hand and dragged me to the dance floor.

The dance floor was soon studded with high school couples; some known faces while some unknown. Some casually jigging, while the others involved in an intense ballroom dance. I caught hold of Fiona's waist while she kept both her hands on my shoulder. We slowly danced to the light music, tapping our toes in synchronization.

"Thank you for this Blake." She whispered lovingly.

Before I could answer her, I got distracted by a slight movement near the far end of the hall.
Suddenly, the spotlight shifted to the main entry. There was a new visitor, which was strange because it was already thirty minutes past eight. I narrowed my eyes, trying to have a glimpse of who it was.

I saw the hazy image of a girl dressed in a dark purple gown, with a lavender mask covering more than half of her face. She inched closer, the violet sequins on her strapless gown glimmering from afar. She halted right in front of my eyes.

"Blake, I am here." Her dark eyes shone brightly.

She removed her mask and smiled at me, revealing her pretty, sunshine face. "Your soulmate."

I widened my eyes in astonishment as I covered my mouth with my hands.

"...Leah?"
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