"I can't believe your dad said yes to Jonah. You're going to prom with Jonah Freaking Mitchell."

Tonight, is prom and I'm low-key panicking over what we're doing. Not only am I going to walk into the event on the arm of Jonah but we're sneaking out and singing at the pub in town.

I was terrified when he asked my dad if he could be my date. Dad gave him a stern look, crossed his arms at his chest and told him to have me home by midnight. Which was very doable. We'd go to the prom from eight to nine, the pub was only a few blocks away, so we'd get there by nine-thirty the latest, then I'd be going on at ten and home before midnight. The plan was foolproof.

"Zip me," Tiffany says, turning in her bright pink tulle dress. It looked stunning on her.

She flipped her thick blonde curls in front of her shoulder and waited for me. I zipped her up then she whirls around to face me.

"You look like you're going to be sick," she says.

"Because I feel like I am. I've never — never..."

"My little apprentice, it is time you spread your wings," she says.

Unlike me, Tiffany has been sexually active since Sophomore year. She mostly meets guys from other schools in our area. She doesn't sleep around, but she's had two boyfriends since then and had broken up with the last one In November. She's also the rebellious one and stays out well past her curfew with little to no consequences.

I shake my head and laugh. "I'm not having sex with him tonight. We're singing together, not sleeping together."

Her shoulders shake. "That's what they all say."

"Are you sure you don't want to come?"

"Nah, I made plans for after," she winks.

"Tony?"

She nods. "He texted me and I couldn't say no."

Tony was her first boyfriend and ever since they had broken up junior year, he never fully let go. She was his first as well and I liked him, but the two did young and stupid things that us teenagers tend to do.

"Let me get a look at you," she says, eyeing my long black sequin dress with spaghetti straps and a slit that goes right to my knee.

I spin a little and she laughs. "If he doesn't kiss you tonight, I will."

"He doesn't like me in that way, you're being ridiculous," I say, half-laughing as I grab my matching black purse.

"You are blind, girl. He looks at you like he wants to eat you for dessert."

I laugh again. "I am not a dessert."

We finish getting ready and walk down the stairs together. Muffled voices from the living room let me know Dad and Jonah are together.

"Oh-my-God, he's here. This is happening."

She snickers. "Come on, princess, let's get you to your prince." She tugs me along down the stairs and clears her throat as we enter the living room.

They immediately jerk up from their spot on the tan sofa in the middle of the room. When Jonah's eyes land on me he freezes. His gaze roams over my whole body, and I can feel the flush on every part of me, including the part that shouldn't feel a thing.

Dad clears his throat, tears welling in his eyes.

"Sweetheart," he says, choking up. "You look – you both look..."

Tiffany's parents aren't really much of parents as they are away a lot on business, which is where they are tonight. Dad has always invited her over for sleepovers when they do go away and he's taken her places before she had her own car. She's like a second daughter to him.

"Absolutely beautiful and grown up."

He hugs the two of us into a hug then steps away and looks beside him at a speechless Jonah.

"Yeah. Wow. Tiffany, lovely as usual," Jonah says, quickly, but then when he turns to me, he's flustered, and his cheeks are rosy red.

In his hand he holds two corsages. He brings them both over, first putting a matching one on Tiffany's wrist. "You can be my date too, Tiff," he says, with a smile.

"Oh... this is like one of those books where..." She stops when she realizes my dad is staring at her. "I mean, yes, that would be great. I wasn't expecting a corsage."

"You deserve to have one too."

My heart is so full at the sight of him giving my best friend something she has wanted since we were freshman. Prom was always something she looked forward to, more than me. Sure she had plans after, but Tony wasn't her date and she always wanted one for this milestone.

When he turns to me there is a burn of tears in my eyes from the gesture. The one he got for me is an array of white flowers. I hold my hand out. It's shaking again. He leans in and kisses my cheek and my stomach flutters with butterflies.

"You look absolutely beautiful, Mack."

That's when I drink him in. I've never seen him in a tuxedo. Not even at an award show. The two he went to he'd worn jeans and a black t-shirt. So rockstar of him. Tonight he looks stunning in his white button down, black vest, matching jacket, and even a tie.

"You're not so bad yourself. I'm shocked you decided to go dressy, you're usually in jeans for a special occasion."

He laughs. "Those aren't as special of an occasion as this one."

How is he saying all the right things? Dad clears his throat again, and we take the typical prom pictures. When the limo arrives, and I go to give Dad a hug he holds me a little tighter. "Be safe, sweetheart. Please." I hear the plea in his voice and the guilt of what I'm about to do weighs heavy on my shoulders.

"I will, Dad. Promise."

***

I knew walking into the hotel ballroom would be like something out of a movie and my image of it didn't disappoint. Gasps were audible over the loud music as we walked through, Jonah in the middle, Tiffany on his right and me on his left. People slowly started to notice that they were in the presence of the famous Jonah Mitchell.

Peers who have never looked at me in their lives suddenly said hi and it was weird. I honestly didn't enjoy it.

Tiffany walks off to get a drink while Jonah and I hang back. We are being watched and it's the most uncomfortable I have ever been at a school function. He's been approached several times asking for autographs and pictures but tells them he can't because he's with me.

I glance up at him as a few of the girls who have said things about me in the past come over. They say hi and act like they're my friends. I'm finding it hard to hold myself together. Jonah talks to them, but when he looks over at me, he tells them thank you for being a fan and returns to me.

"Dance with me?"

I nod vigorously as he leads me onto the dance floor. It's a slow song, one I don't know well, but it doesn't matter. He's holding me close. His hand wrapped around my waist as our bodies press together. My arms are around his neck and my cheek rests on his chest. His heart is thumping hard against his chest. I wonder if it's from the adrenaline of dealing with fans or if he's out of sorts because of me.

He tugs me in tighter and I sigh into his touch.

"Mack." His finger curls under my chin as he forces me to look at him.

"Yeah?" I stare up into his torn eyes.

He's got so many thoughts running through them it's easy to see. I've seen it a few times before when we look at each other. It's like he's got more to say, more he wants, and he holds back. We've talked a lot about our past over the last few months. I know about his mom and how his relationship with his dad isn't good. He told me about how he regrets falling into a pattern of erratic behavior but not completely because then he wouldn't have met me.

He leans in, breath dancing along my cheek before his lips linger near my ear.

"You are the most beautiful girl in this room. I want to kiss you so badly, but I'm leaving, and we can't..."

My lips part as I stare up at his. His tongue darts out scraping along the bottom like he's wetting them and getting them ready for action. I've never kissed a boy. Sure, I have fantasies and I've explored myself and know what feels good for me. I'm not a prude but having Jonah Mitchell be my first kiss is.... It's impossible.

"Are you afraid I'll stalk you after you're gone?" I half-laugh.

His smile is weak, like he's fighting this so hard. I'm just me and he's him. The guy in the posters still hanging on my wall. Which he teases me about.

"No," he says, quietly, leaning in again. "I'm afraid I won't be able to let go."

I gasp, but it's unheard over the music. He pulls away and I take note of the distraught tug on his brows. We start to sway again, and he averts his gaze. Taking in a deep breath I lift on my toes and now I'm close to his ear.

"I've never been kissed before," I say.

"You're better off saving it for someone who can give you everything. I can't."

"It doesn't have to lead to anything..."

I pull away to gauge his reaction.

"I can't just kiss you, Mack." He bends. "You'll break my heart."

A strangled laugh leaves my lips as his alarm beeps in his pocket.

"You ready to sing?"

His lip twitches but his expression remains neutral.

"Yeah," Iwhisper. "L-lets, let's go."