The Prom - Part 1

It was just 5 days before the most awaited day in every high school kid’s life – THE SENIOR PROM. For some, going to prom was the whole purpose of high school. But for others – like Laura Summers, prom meant spending the night at home, curled up in bed with a good book listening to soothing music. Still others, like Daniel Smith thought PROM was Programmable Read Only Memory…the only problem is that this isn’t a "geek meets freak and they have a happy ending" story.

Laura was on the organisation committee of the prom and that meant that she could, if she wanted to, come stag to the dance. But who in their right mind would want to do that?

“Such a waste of time,” she thought. Laura was not your average run of the mill high school bimbo. She was different – an outcast. Shunned by the popular (read hot) chicks because she couldn’t tell a makeup applicator from a pain brush. The nerdy chicks wouldn’t touch her with a yardstick because she wasn’t "smart enough" for them – or so they thought. Not surprisingly though – the guys thought that she was a fine piece of ass but because she didn’t take half as much time as they did getting dressed for class – even they didn’t notice her. Laura gave two hoots to their opinions – she lived in a world of her own – she had her art, her guitar and her little poodle Cookie Monster. An aspiring fashion designer, who also wanted to major in Forensic Anthropology – Laura was one confused lass.

Preparations were in full swing for the big night. Laura was hard at work making sure everything was set in place whilst the other girls fussed about what to wear and how to steal the show. Becoming prom king/queen was a matter of great pride for most high schooler’s – most, not all – they could kill for the coveted crown. There were times when Laura dreamed about going to prom (she wasn’t all that abnormal you know), dressed in a red flowing gown with strappy silver stilettos to go. Her dark auburn hair held back on one side with a glittery hairclip. Kohl lined eyes, a touch of rouge to lend colour to her otherwise pale skin with a beautiful pink corsage adorning her frail wrist.

“Hailey’s come to see you Lauriiiii, she’s waiting downstairs!” Her moms voice broke her little dream sequence from culminating – somehow she never got to her prince charming’s face. Laura stumbled down the stairs to meet her best friend Hailey. Laura and Hailey were a perfect example of how opposites attract; on the one hand we had Laura – dressed in torn denim shorts and a faded t-shirt with her hair shabbily tied into a pony and on the other hand there was Hailey –a perfectly polished young lady wearing crisp ironed clothes, her hair pressed polka straight, complete with manicured hands.

“What ran over you?” she sighed with an utterly disgusted look on her face.

“Hey you caught me unaware, I was sleeping man!” Laura said in an equally disgusted tone. She hated it when Hailey commented on her presentation – she was her best friend but that didn’t give her the right to comment on how she dressed.

“Ok listen up, you are coming to senior prom you hear me! I’ve arranged a date for you. He’s Richards football buddy, Todd. He’s like totally hot and I had to convince Richard to…”

Laura had stopped listening to Hailey after she said 'senior prom'. She just kept looking at her with a blank expression, trying to figure out how to react to this act of charity.

“…and we have to get you a sexy dress, I think you should wear purple – it goes well with your hair and…”

“Huh? But why?” Laura managed to blurt out in between Hailey’s grand plan disclosure.

“What the hell do you mean WHY? You’ll be like the only chick in Uni who’s NEVER been to a single prom! Do you have any clue how insulting that is?” Hailey was turning red with anger and utter disgust at her best friend’s ignorance.

“Who cares? Its not like I…”

“Enough! I am not going to listen to any lame excuses you hear. I’ll come pick you up at 4, we’re going shopping. Period.” It was useless arguing with Hailey, especially when it came to matters concerning image/fashion/boys/brands/etc. “Pfft…ok whatever,” Laura agreed half-heartedly.

The shopping spree ended in disaster. Hailey bought herself a dozen evening gowns with matching shoes and accessories while Laura came back hogging at a B&R ice cream tub. “You pig! How can you eat ice cream 5 days before prom? I’ve been on a liquid diet since last week!” Laura hated Hailey for trying so hard to be such a superficial bimbo – or maybe she was and Laura was finding it hard to accept? “Ok look Hail, here’s the deal – I don’t give a fuck about the prom. I don’t care if I get an award for the worst dressed pig in the party. The only reason I’m even trying to do this is cos’ you want me to go!” that came out much harsher than it had sounded in her head. Laura stood dumbstruck as tears welled in Hailey’s eyes...

Now I've done it - Laura thought...