up in the hallway of Noelani's home.

Standing a few feet away near the front door was Jurnee and his parents who were talking to Noelani's parents.

Jalen checked his watch then glanced at the staircase that lead upstairs.

Jurnee followed Jalen's gaze, "I wonder what's taking her so long?"

Alejandro, a man with skin a little darker than Jalen's and Noelani's father, cupped his hands around his mouth, "Noel! Let's boogie!"

"Almost done! Give me another minute." Noelani called back.

Jalen turned back to the mirror and readjusted the very loose tie, then pulled it completely off.

The snap of high heels against wood caused Jalen to turn his attention towards the staircase.

Jalen was simply starstruck at the sight of Noelani all dressed up instead of her usual jeans and graphic tee combo.

It honestly felt like time had slowed down.

Noelani was making her way downstairs in a gold satin minidress that matched Jalen's tie and showed off her brown skin.

The black sandal heels she adorned were simple with a skinny strap around her ankles.

Her acrylic nails were a navy blue that matched Jalen's suit with gold detailing on the ring fingers.

Her usual curls were straightened and her hair now dropped past her sternum in a deep side part. The makeup on her face was understated, except for the highlight on her cheekbones and the red lipstick.

So, yeah.

Starstruck was the right word.

"Close your mouth son." Marcus chuckled.

Jalen glanced towards the set of parents who were looking back at him, clearly amused.

Jalen started to twist the front of his curls as Noelani finally reached them.

Her eyes dropped to the tie in his hand and Jalen sheepishly shrugged.

Noelani adjusted the gold dress she had on before walking over to him, her heels snapping against the hardwood floors in her home.

"You know how to do this?" Jalen held up his tie.

"You don't know how to tie a tie?" Noelani raised an eyebrow.

"Shut up, Lani." He started to reattempt a Windsor knot.

"Let me see it, kid. Let me help you." Noelani snickered after seeing how much trouble Jalen was having with his gold tie.

Noelani easily pulled the tie around the collar of his shirt and tied it in a Windsor knot then pecked his lips after ensuring that no one was looking their way.

"My lips aren't red right?"

Noelani rolled her eyes at his question, "No."

"I want pictures!" Bree said with a grin as she pulled out her phone, "Get together, you two."

"Oh yes. I need to send some to your mother." Alejandro said, sliding his phone out of his pants pocket.

Jalen wrapped one arm around Noelani's waist as the flashes started.

◆ ◆ ◆

liked by noel.tati, jaygup & 417,213 others

we shinin' huh?

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shining shining yeah💫

drippy

y'all don't look better than me and Syd

now that we can see her face... I don't see the appeal lol

you got a mustache as a female, worry about that instead

you in a suit 🤤

noel.tati & sitknee_

liked by sitknee_, jalen & 1,529 others

hot girl hoco👅

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no. @sitknee_

...anyway chile

lmaoooo^

ion know what you laughing at, you can't do no hot girl shit either 🤣

says who? You? 💀

don't play with me

cute!

the one in the front 🤤

liked by jasmineleeeeee, sharife.cooper & 32,413 others

bonnie & clyde 🤟🏽 #hoco19

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the way he looks at you🥺

my girl

^ period!

my kids 🥺

no

💚

◆ ◆ ◆

Jalen was standing alongside Jordan and Coleman in the school parking lot while they waited for their dates to finish taking pictures in Jasmine's car.

Noelani was the first to open the door and slide out.

Jalen walked over to help readjust her dress when Noelani put her phone screen to his face, "Who are these people?"

Jalen laughed at the notifications of some of his friends following Noelani on Instagram.

"That's just some of my friends from basketball. They just being ignorant." Jalen laced one set of their hands together and they started to walk into the gym together.

The gym was full of their peers, some dancing and some sitting at the circular white tables set up near the entrance.

The DJ was set up near the back of the gym and there was red and gold balloons everywhere.

The only lights on were the rows of twinkling lights hanging from the ceiling and creating a warm, type of sunset glow.

My PYT by Wale started to play and Sydney grabbed Jasmine's and Noelani's hands to pull them to the dance floor.

Jalen watched with a grin as Noelani started to laugh, lip sync, and dance to the beat with her friends as he sat at a table with some of his teammates and their dates.

The song faded into a new one and Noelani and Jasmine came to sit at the same table.

Nimari had found a date in a pretty dark skinned girl in a white dress with copper spice colored hair.

Sydney and Jordan were talking to some of her other friends across the room, near the refreshment table while Coleman and Jasmine were deep in conversation, their hands also linked.

You by Jacquees started to play and Noelani visibly perked up a little.

Noelani stood then pulled at his hands, "I love this song. Come on."

"Show me something then," Jalen smirked, letting Noelani lead him to the dance floor.

Jalen pulled Noelani's back into his chest, his fingers wrapping around her dress covered hips as she bent over a little and began to wind them up against him to the sultry beat.

Jalen rested a hand on Noelani's bare thigh for a second before grabbing both her hands, spinning her to face him and placing both arms around his neck.

Controlla by Drake flowed through the speakers, the bass causing the wooden floors to vibrate.

Jasmine, Coleman, Nimari, his date, Sydney and Jordan had joined Jalen and Noelani on the dance floor.

Noelani pulled Jalen closer, "I'm a good matchmaker, huh?" She nodded to a few feet away where Jasmine and Coleman were dancing close together.

"Eh, we're the better couple." Jalen retorted, tightening his grip on her torso slightly.

"Ooh, a photo booth." Noelani and Jalen slipped into the photo booth that was placed on the left side of the gym.

For the first pose, Noelani leaned her head on his shoulder and Jalen kissed the top of her skull.

The second pose was Jalen lifted the top corner of his mouth and Noelani copying his expression.

"You look beautiful," Jalen whispered in her ear as the third picture was taken, "I forgot to tell you that earlier."

Noelani grinned then leaned in for a proper kiss, something Jalen quickly reciprocated.

Jalen could faintly hear the snap of the camera inside the photo booth but he was too focused on the fact that Noelani's hands were now sliding inside of his jacket.

"Aye!," Someone called outside of the booth, "We want a turn too! Get out!"

Jalen broke away first and started to chuckle making Noelani giggle and cover her mouth.

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