Page 65 of Strange Love

I seem to be the only one unsure exactly what I want to do or where to go. The thought of staying here and watching my friends leave, one by one, fills me with a sense of dread. It’s so overwhelming that I’ve been avoiding it altogether. And tonight will be no different. I want to bask in the warmth of their company and forget about the uncertain future awaiting me outside of this moment.

I pace back and forth nervously, my heart racing as I wait for Corey to arrive. When I round the corner and see him standing in the doorway, shaking my dad’s hand, the breath is knocked from my body. I thought he couldn’t look more handsome than he does after a hockey game, sweaty and filled with adrenaline, but seeing him in a tuxedo takes it to a whole different level. He looks like a work of art come to life. His dark hair is neatly combed back from his face, highlighting his sharp jawline and piercing brown eyes. He looks so grown up and suave, and I can’t help but stare at him in awe. As our eyes meet, I can tell he feels the same way. His gaze softens, and a small smile plays on his lips, making my heartbeat hasten.

“You look so beautiful,” he says as he approaches me, his mom and Alan standing behind him.

“So do you,” I reply with a nervous giggle.

One by one, everyone arrives, looking wonderful and equally excited for tonight. Maggie reminds her son about the corsage he’s holding, and he nervously fumbles with a plastic container. He spent the last week asking me questions about the flowers that I didn’t have the answers to. Despite his uncertainty, he made a great decision.

He places the corsage on my wrist, and it’s both stunning and fragrant. Delicate white sweetheart roses and freesia mingle in a beautiful arrangement, tied with a blue ribbon that perfectly matches my dress.

In return, I pin his boutonniere onto the lapel of his crisp tuxedo, unable to resist planting a quick kiss on his cheek as our parents snap pictures.

After all of the posing, the limousine arrives, and eventually, we can escape the dissecting eyes of our parents and my little sister long enough to exit. Excitement bubbles in our stomachs as we climb into the luxurious vehicle, none of us ever having been in a limo before. The interior is adorned with plush leather seats and a bar, stocked only with water, of course, and we can’t resist playing with the window partition and sunroof.

Corey and I constantly touch each other. Our relationship has moved to a deeper level since we confessed our feelings. We hold hands, our fingers intertwined, or my hand rests on his leg, and vice versa. The electricity between us is palpable in the car, heightened by the atmosphere of the evening.

As we ride towards our destination, we can’t help but giggle and share knowing glances, lost in each other’s company. I’m still too nervous and giddy to eat much once we arrive at the restaurant. The seven of us sit around a table in the dark-lit restaurant pretending to be the adults we aren’t quite yet, sharing stories about high school. I mostly listen, having only stories from the past several months to share.

As usual, I nibble at my food, knowing that Corey will finish whatever I can’t. Before long, we’re back in the limo and headed toward the golf course, where the dance is being held.

As soon as we enter the grandiose ballroom, I’m immediately struck by the beauty of the space. Twinkle lights are delicately strung over the wood beam vaulted ceiling, casting a soft glow. Balloons and streamers adorn every corner, adding pops of color to the room. Each table is elegantly covered with a silver tablecloth and topped with a stunning flower centerpiece.

In the far corner of the room, a towering DJ booth looms above the crowd, pulsing with flashing lights and throbbing speakers ready to blast music onto the dance floor. It’s a sensory overload in the best way possible.

The Vipers’ eyes are on us as we move through the sea of people, but I don’t let it faze me. I’m here with Corey and my closest friends, and that’s all that matters. This is my perfect prom night, something I never dared to imagine when I was trapped in that suffocating cult for years on end.

As we claim a table and set down our belongings, my feet throb in protest from the uncomfortable heels I insisted on wearing. Kerri has already kicked off her shoes and is carefree and radiant, dancing barefoot in the center of the dance floor. Sarah is talking to Sascha, who is shooting daggers from her eyes at Taz over Sarah’s shoulder.

This rag-tag group of misfits is more than I ever dared to dream of. They love me unconditionally and don’t judge me for my past. And right now, surrounded by laughter, music, and joy, I couldn’t be more grateful for them.

The guys return soon enough, and my eyes are drawn to Landry. It’s obvious how he watches Kerri. His gaze is full of adoration and longing, yet she remains completely oblivious, assuming he’s satisfied with being friends.

She confided in me about a past toxic relationship that left her wary of opening up again. If she were open to it now, I doubt she would be interested in starting anything so close to the end of our senior year. I’m certain Landry knows all this, but love isn’t logical or rational, at least not in my experience. I am hopelessly in love with a boy about to embark on a journey bigger than he even realizes. The likelihood of our relationship surviving his future is slim, if not nonexistent. But despite the odds and the way I will shatter like broken glass when he leaves, I wouldn’t change anything about our time together.

Perhaps Landry and I are kindred spirits in this way— both hopelessly drawn to people destined for greater things, even if it means risking our hearts.

Strong, warm arms wrap around my waist as a tender kiss is planted on my bare shoulder, snapping me out of my thoughts.

“You couldn’t resist my moves at the talent show,” Corey jokes, a playful glint in his eyes. “I know you’re dying to get me out on that dance floor.”

“Absolutely,” I reply with a laugh, feeling the heat of his body against mine. I only want to spend the rest of the night swaying to the music in his embrace.

The lights twinkle above us like stars as we move together, lost in our little world. Every step and dip is like a dream; I never want it to end.

Chapter 38

“Crazy For You”

Corey - Age 18, 1989

The evening has been full of laughter and dancing with the boys and Ivy. Every chance I could steal a moment, I kissed or touched her somehow. It’s been a great evening that is only getting better since we’re ready to head over to Kerri’s house for the after-party. Taz and I parked our cars here earlier today so we could drive since the limo was only booked to bring us to dinner and the dance.

As we pile into the cars and drive off, we all get a second wind - the excitement of the evening fueling us even more. Kerri’s house is about fifteen minutes outside of town, on a sprawling twenty-acre farm owned by her grandparents. Landry and Kerri ride with us, and Taz drives Sarah and Sascha.

“So, what exactly should we expect at your farm?” I ask jokingly.

“Well, we have horses, goats, a llama, a rooster, sheep, pigs, chickens, and turkeys,” Kerri replies with a smile.