47 || Ten things I hate about you

Prom fever has swept through our school like wildfire.

"Guess who's head of the prom committee?" Ivy asks setting her lunch tray down.

"You," everyone responds.

She grins.

"Did you sign us all up without our permission again?" Trevor asks pointedly.

"Keep up that attitude and I just might," she says. "But no I didn't."

There's a collective sigh of relief.

Now that Carter is no longer moving I can focus all my attention on prom. I didn't even think I'd be going but now that I am I feel the stress coming on. It's our last prom. Everything has to be perfect.

The girls and I look at each other. We're all wondering the same thing.

How are the guys going to ask us?

Chanel is obsessed with promposals. She's been looking at all types of different ones for days now. I'm not sure I want something super extravagant, but I do want it to be nice.

"So what's the theme?" I ask.

"A starry night," she responds. "We're going full force on this one."

"I don't doubt it," Ryan says and she throws a pineapple piece at him.

Carter leans over to whisper in my ear. "Come over after school?"

"Yeah sure."

I squeeze his hand. It's become a habit now, to reassure me that he's here and not going anywhere.

💕💕💕

After school Carter and I head over to his house. When we get there he turns off the engine to his motorcycle and turns to face me.

"Could you wait out here for a minute?"

I raise my brows. "Why?"

"You ask too many questions. Just wait."

"Alright," I agree and watch as he jogs inside his house.

Am I missing something?

Now that my curiosity is piqued I wait impatiently for him to return. I want to know what's going on.

Suddenly there's a loud screech like speakers are being plugged in. I jump. Barbie girl comes on.

What the hell?

Nikole and Chanel emerge from the side of Carter's house walking in a huge pink cardboard car. I watch with my mouth agape as Ryan and Trevor follow wheeling out another long huge cardboard piece representing a doll package. At the bottom is says Ken. Carter is inside dressed in his costume from Halloween. Ivy is right behind them with a huge sign that says Will you party with me Barbie and go for a ride with me to prom?

I laugh. Honestly I can't help it. It's corny and cheesy but I love it.

Ivy walks up to me grinning with the sign, hands it to me, and produces my blonde Barbie wig from Halloween. She places it on my head.

I walk up to Carter in the package. He's stock still, just like a real doll. I poke his chest.

"Wow, my very own life sized Ken doll," I laugh.

"He's heavy too so you better appreciate we bought him for you," Trevor says.

"Does he talk?" I see Carter's mouth twitch with a smile.

"Yep. Fully charged batteries and everything," Ryan confirms.

I grin and Carter finally breaks character, stepping out of the package.

"So is that a yes? Because I swear you will not believe how much pink paint this required."

"Too much," Trevor grumbles.

I giggle. "Of course I'll go to prom with you Ken."

The girls cheer and clap. I wrap my arms around Carter and kiss him deeply. Then we pose with him in the package and me with the sign as Ivy snaps photos with her Polaroid.

I don't think I'll ever get over Carter with blue contacts.

💗💗💗

That Saturday the girls and I go prom dress shopping. Just yesterday Trevor asked Chanel to prom by hanging streamers and balloons all over the hallway where her locker was, decorating her locker with cool vintage items, and making a huge poster. The day before that Ryan asked Nikole by putting on a cheer for Nikole, starring moi and Chanel, as well as the guys.

"What do you think of this dress?" Nikole holds up a dress to her body. It's a red two piece, with diamonds as short sleeves. Paired with Nikole's dark hair and some red lipstick she'll be smoking.

Chanel fans herself. "Someone call the fire department because you are hot!"

"What are you going to do to your hair?" I ask.

"I was thinking a curly pompadour high ponytail. That way I can show off my silver drop earrings and makeup."

I whistle. "You're gonna look so amazing."

She smiles. "Thanks. What about you guys?"

"This is my dress," I show them the pink tube dress I pulled out. It's body tight, but not as tight as Nikole's, with a little bit of fabric pooling at the bottom.

"Guys I can't decide which dress I want," Ivy holds up two blue dresses. One is dark blue with thin sleeves and an embroidered top while the other is sky blue mermaid style covered in gems and sparkles.

"I say the light blue one."

"Yeah," Chanel agrees.

Nikole carefully examines both dresses. "The dark one is cute but it's a bit plain. Plus with the lighter colored one we can do silvery makeup for you."

"Alright I'll get it then," Ivy puts the darker colored dress back.

"My turn!" Chanel sings holding up two gold dresses. "What do you think? The tube one or the one with sleeves?"

"Well it all depends," Ivy says. "How are you wearing your hair."

"I was going to straighten it," she replies.

"I say the one with sleeves," Nikole says. "The tube one is pretty but I think the one with sleeves will bring out your body shape more. Plus it's a nicer and brighter gold. The other one is kinda dull."

Chanel taps her chin in thought. "I see your point. And the flower embroidery on the bottom is cute!"

I smile. "Looks like you've found your dress."

"We've all got our dresses!" Nikole exclaims. "Now let's go pay and find some shoes!"

👠👠👠

Monday before school we're all sitting at our table in the quad. It's the week of prom and she's in full planning mode.

"So I got the limo," she reads off a list. "I have the times listed when we'll be arriving at everyone's houses so be ready at your appropriate time."

"And where are we going out to eat before?" Trevor asks.

"Benihana's. But before that we're taking pictures. I've hired a professional photographer to take our pictures at Hakone Estate & Gardens."

"Sounds good," I nod.

"But you're forgetting the most important thing," Carter says. "After parties."

"Hell yeah," Ryan agrees. "Where are we going after prom?"

"I have a couple house parties listed but I don't know if you guys want to do something different."

"What are the parties listed?" Trevor questions eagerly.

"They're all kind of lame to be honest," Ivy admits. "Except..."

"Except what?"

"Britney rented out a hotel."

"Of course she did," Nikole grumbles.

I may not like Britney but an entire hotel? That sounds awesome.

"Yeah it's supposed to be an all night rager."

"Let's go then!" Chanel says excitedly.

"That's the spirit babe!" Trevor and her high five.

Ivy checks something off her list. "Alright then. Any questions?"

"Just one," Ryan holds up a finger. "Will condoms be provided?"

Nikole practically pushes him onto the ground while he and the guys laugh. I roll my eyes.

Boys.

💖💖💖

The week seems to drag on as we all eagerly await prom. Finally Saturday comes. My mom is probably more excited than me.

"I remember when I went to prom with your father..." she sighs dreamily while working on my hair. She's curling it into loose waves then pinning half of it up, leaving some strands to frame my face.

"Yes mom, you've told me this story a thousand times," I sigh.

"It was so romantic," she continues as if I hadn't spoken. "He rented out a limo just for us and took me to eat at this really fancy restaurant, quite expensive, but he paid for the whole meal and-"

I tune her out. Really, I could recite this story in my sleep that's how well I know it. She talks while finishing my hair all the way through helping me zip up my dress.

"You've been a great help," I say pushing her out the door. "But I think I can handle makeup on my own."

She touches my cheek and smiles a watery smile. "With or without makeup you'd look beautiful."

"Thank you mom but I should get to it before the limo gets here. Ivy will be pissed if I'm late."

"Of course," she smiles at me one last time before shutting the door behind her. I sigh in relief. Finally. Some quiet.

As I start the process of beating my face my stomach starts to twist in nervous knots. As cliche as it is tonight is the night I want to tell Carter I love him.

My hands shake as I go to apply my eyeliner and I breathe out. Steady.

How will he react? At best he could say I love you back. At worst he could laugh in my face.

I hope I don't throw up when the moment arrives.

Capping my tube of lipstick I stand with a handful of glitter and throw it up in the air, letting it rain down on me while I spin around. I find this is the best way to glitter-fy yourself.

As I stare at myself in the mirror the knots turn to stinging bees. Tonight will either be my fairytale night or I'll turn into a pumpkin. Hopefully the former.

"The limo is here!" My mother calls. "Hurry so I can take pictures!"

I descend the staircase. My father smiles when he sees me and my mother dabs at her eyes with tissue. She acts like I'm getting married.

"Honey you look wonderful," she sniffles. "My baby all grown up."

"'Mom," I groan.

"Now how late did you say this after party was going to be?" My dad asks.

Is he really pulling that card tonight of all nights? Before I can open my mouth to speak my mom interjects.

"Don't be silly," she swats at him. "Tonight is your night. Stay out as long as you want. Just make sure to come back home to us."

"Thank you mom," I hug her. She pulls back with a serious look on her face.

"Now I know we haven't exactly had the talk but remember protection is very impo-"

"Mom!" I exclaim, my face burning. "Please stop."

"Yes stop," my dad says with a frown on his face. "Nothing of that sort better happen tonight Aubrey."

I roll my eyes. "Dad I'm eighteen and I'm going off to college, you can't exactly forbid me from having sex."

"It doesn't mater how old you get, you'll always be my little girl and I'll always be overprotective."

My mom places her hands together. "Just please don't get pregnant. Not yet anyway."

Why the hell were we having this talk now? I did not plan on having sex with Carter tonight, tommorow night, or the night after that.

I hold up my hand. "Ok I'm gonna leave now because I'm becoming seriously disturbed."

"Wait pictures!" My mom says scrambling for her phone. She makes me stand in various poses while her and dad snap away.

"I think I've kept Ivy waiting long enough," I say after the millionth picture. "We still have more pictures to take after this and and a dinner to get to."

"Of course. Have fun sweetie and make sure you get me copies of those professional photos you guys will be taking."

"I'll make sure to get plenty," I wave at them one last time before exiting the house.

I feel my heart thrumming in excitement as I approach the sleek black limo.

"Aubrey's here!" The girls cheer as I step inside. Everyone is inside except Chanel. She's the last stop. That was done on purpose because one; Chanel's hair takes way long to straighten and two; her parents are even worse than mine with the coddling.

"Girl you look hot!" Nikole exclaims smacking my ass as I pass by her to sit next to Carter.

"No you look hot. Like literally cause your dress is red."

Everyone laughs and she smiles. She really does look hot, like a seductress with the red dress and lipstick. Ivy of course looks beautiful, all mermaid-ish with the dress and her hair curled down her back in ringlets. And the guys look great. They don't wear suits often so when they do theirs extra jaw dropping.

"Hey sexy," I scoot closer to Carter as the limo begins to move. "I really like you in a tie."

He smirks. "That's my line."

"I like you in a tie?"

"No," he places his thumb on my bottom lip and leans in. "Hey sexy."

He kisses me and if I could melt into a puddle of happiness goo I would. I'll never, ever, ever, get tired of making out with Carter. Especially with that tongue piercing.

"Someone spray them with a hose," Ryan says and Carter and finally I pull away for air.

Trevor rolls his eyes. "Ryan, you and Nikole were exactly like that. Hell you still are."

"Um we were not," Nikole argues back.

"Uh let's see, last summer when we were at the carnival and Ryan won you that stupid bear for ring toss."

"Or," Ivy adds. "When we had our failed road trip and the first day you guys were literally sucking face right in front of us."

"Well you know what Trevor, you and Chanel do the same thing too."

"Oh yeah, when?"

As they continue to argue back and forth I stifle a laugh and turn to Carter. He's snickering.

"Bet you they won't notice if we continue," he say with a grin.

"That's a bet I'll gladly accept."

💋💋💋

Ivy did a spectacular job as head of the prom committee. She definitely has a future in party planning. Somehow they were able to get hundreds of tiny glowing stars on the ceiling and walls, silver and white balloons, the moon, white streamers, and a wind machine to create a cool breeze like we're outside. In big silvered balloons at the entrance it says Prom 2017. We pause and take a picture under it before heading inside.

"I'm so stuffed I don't think I can dance," Chanel complains, holding onto Trevor. "And this dress is tight as hell. I probably look bloated."

"You look fine," Trevor reassures her. "Come on let's go sit for a minute."

He leads her off and Ivy hikes up her dress. "Excuse me, I need to go check on the refreshments," she hurries off and Nikole shakes her head.

"Even at prom she's still in business mode."

"That's Ivy for ya."

We sit at a nearby table and wait for something good to come on.

"Do you think she picked out this playlist?" Carter asks. "Cause its lame."

I gasp and smack him. He shrugs. "What? It's true."

Justin Bieber's baby comes on and we all groan.

"This cannot go on," Ryan stands and storms over to the Dj booth.

There's a loud screech as the mic comes to life and everyone covers their ears.

"I just wanna say," Ryan booms. "Whoever made this playlist, you suck. For a lot of us, this is our last prom and we don't want to listen to Justin Bieber all night, no offense. So let's get the real party started!"

The room erupts in loud cheers and Chris Brown's party comes on.

I grin. "Now let's dance."

Carter, Nikole, and I meet Ryan, Chanel, and Trevor on the dance floor. Nikole excuses herself and comes back dragging Ivy with her.

"Now it's a party!" Trevor whoops and we all laugh.

We dance to song after song, and at one point the girls and I kick off our shoes.

"Cause baby tonight!" Chanel and Nikole scream the top of their lungs. "The Dj got us falling in love again!"

They spin around laughing and falling all over each other. We've lost the guys at the point so it's just us girls having fun. Ivy grabs my hands and we jump up and down.

"So dance, dance, like it's the last, last night of your life, life, gon' get you right!"

We all join in singing together. "'Cause baby tonight, the Dj got us falling in love again!"

When the song ends the Dj comes back on the mic. "Alright y'all this is for all the single ladies out there!"

Single Ladies by Beyoncé comes on. All of us are taken except Ivy so we stay and dance with her.

"Go Ivy wooh!" I cheer as we dance against each other. "This my best friend!" I'm not even drunk yet and I'm already acting like it. I call it being drunk on fun.

After that songs ends we decide to take a break and get drinks. The punch is just right. Not over sweetened but not bland either. The guys are at the table sitting and talking as we approach.

"I feel inclined to ask why you guys stayed on for Single Ladies?" Trevor raises a brow.

"Don't be jealous," Chanel pinches his cheeks. "We stayed on for our girl Ivy!"

Ivy throws her head back laughing and sticks her tongue out. I'm starting to think the punch is spiked.

I plop myself down on Carter's lap. Girlfriend privileges.

"Are you guys gonna come back and dance?" I ask. "Or be boring losers?"

Carter grins. "Trust me, just wait until the after party where's there's real alcohol. Things will get way more fun then."

Nikole fans herself and we sit the next two songs out. That's when Chris Browns Forever comes on and I'm pretty sure all the girls scream.

"Oh you're so dancing to this one with me," I yank Carter up. "Come on."

I'm pretty sure everyone is on the dance floor. I feel like this song is mix of slow dancing and fast paced if that makes sense.

"It's you and me, moving at the speed of light," I sing to Carter. He rolls his eyes but he's smiling.

"You know you wanna dance with me," I tease. I circle around him wiggling my eyebrows.

I don't expect him to move but when the chorus comes on he grabs my hand and spins me to him. I laugh and he winks before twirling us around. I feel like a princess dancing with her Prince Charming in a Disney movie. There's other people but I don't notice them, I don't even see them. It's just Carter and I.

Near the end of the song right before the chorus comes on for the last time Carter dips me. The words are at the tip of my tongue but I hold back. Not yet.

As the song comes to an end I let out a breath. That was...wow.

"You're just good at every-freaking-thing aren't you?" I ask.

He grins. "Yep. I just am. Hey it's getting kind of hot, wanna go outside for a minute?"

"Yeah sure," I agree.

He clasps my hand and together we step outside. The cool air is a relief from how stuffy it was getting inside. 

"Can I ask you something?" I spoke.

"You just did."

"Ha ha very funny."

He smiles. "Go ahead. Ask away."

"Why were you an asshole when we first met?"

He laughs. "Back to this huh? Alright then why were you a bitch?"

"I was not! You freaked over running into me at the beach!"

"And you ran into me so I think that makes us even."

"Uh not even."

He shakes his head at me. "I really wonder if you have a brain in your head sometimes."

I narrow my eyes at him. "You may be my boyfriend but I am not afraid to get rough."

He smirks. "Oh really? Well you know just how rough I like it."

"Okay, gross."

"You fell right into that one love."

"Are you gonna answer the question or not?"

He rolls his eyes. "I was pissed Aubrey. I didn't want to be here and I was angry about it. Didn't we already go over this?"

"Not in depth. And now how do you feel?"

"How do I feel?"

"Thank you for restating the question genius but yeah, how do you feel?"

He looks thoughtful. "I feel...happy. Content," he laughs. "Wow. Those are two words I never thought I'd use."

"You weren't happy before you came here?"

"It wasn't that I wasn't happy, but it was more like...I was just existing, going through the motions. I didn't have a real purpose."

I smile. "Well I'm glad you found your purpose."

"Yeah. Me too. How many eighteen year olds can say that?"

It becomes quiet and I feel it, this is the moment. I'm so nervous my palms start to sweat and my heart is in my throat.

"Hey Carter?"

"Hmm?"

"Can I- can I tell you something?"

He turns to me. "Don't tell me. You're pregnant."

"What?" I exclaim. "What-no! I am not pregnant! We haven't even-" my voice falters and he smirks. "We haven't- you know-"

"Kidding," he chuckles. "I just like getting you all flustered. You're cute. So what did you want to tell me?"

My heart hammers against my ribcage. I'm even more nervous than before.

"Hey," he frowns. "Are you okay? You kinda look like you're gonna be sick."

I try to calm myself down. Deep breaths Aubrey, deep breaths. It's just three little words, eight letters.

"I'm fine," I say.

He gives me a skeptical look.

"Are you sure because-"

"I love you."

Like word vomit the words came spewing out. I feel like a balloon that's had all its air let out. A sense of relief mixed with dread settles in. I've said it.

Now I just have to wait for his response.

I don't think I've ever seen Carter look truly surprised or caught off guard until now and I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing. Realistically it's probably only been a few seconds since I said it but as the silence drags on it begins to feel like years.

I immediately start damage control. "You don't have to say it back or anything I just wanted you to know and oh my gosh I did not mean for it to just come out but I couldn't hold it in anymore because it seriously has been building up inside me since my birthday but I wasn't really sure you know until I thought you were moving and that's when I realized but you know no pressure or anything I just wanted you to know-"

He presses a finger to my lips.

I'm not sure what I expect to happen next but for him to kiss me is not one of them. And it's weird but this doesn't feel like any other kids we've shared before. It's different. It feels soft and it's slow, there's no rush and he wraps his arms around me pulling me closer.

When he pulls away I feel breathless, and we didn't even really do anything.

He searches my eyes for a moment before speaking. "Before my dad left I asked him how you know you're in love. And you know what he told me?"

I shake my head.

"He said, 'Well Carter, the best way to tell you're in love with someone is to try and imagine your life without them. And if you can then you're not in love with them. But if you can't, if you feel devastated at the thought of leaving them, then you are in love with them'," he takes a deep breath. "It didn't hit me until that night. I could've been on that plane with him. I could've been leaving you. And I felt this deep sense of loss, even though I was laying in my bed at home and I knew I would see you the next day. That's when I knew."

"You knew what?" I whisper.

He flicks my head. "Really Aubrey, keep up for once. I love you too."

Now my eyes widen. He grins.

"Surprised? So am I. I can't believe I fell for you of all people."

I laugh. "I should be saying that about you."

I kiss him again, feeling like I might explode in a happy shower of pink glitter. "Why didn't you say anything earlier?" I question against his lips.

"Because as much as we hate to admit it, us guys are pussies when it comes to feelings."

"Your one fatal flaw," I tease. "Can you say it again?"

"Say what again?"

"That you love me."

"Aubrey Powers, you spoiled, super annoying, pretentious, pain in my ass, Pink Princess. I love you."

"You really have a way with words don't you?"

Carter winks. "Just part of my charm."

Okay writing this scene was just...💔😭❤️

#Carbrey for life y'all !

Next chapter is the LAST CHAPTER!

*takes deep breath* don't cry, don't cry, don't cry.

dammit

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