Six days. Six whole days since that fateful encounter. Six whole days wondering why I was being put through this. Why I was always being left behind. Six whole days since I've cried.

It was a shock to me as well as everyone else that I had, in fact, not cried over the events of last Saturday. I didn't have it in me. Sure, I couldn't eat much, or get lots of sleep, but I didn't cry. It's time to grow up. Stop crying over people who want to leave you.

I sit in my room on this beautiful Friday night and work on final exam packets. I need to study a little bit now so I don't feel so rushed next week when I actually take them. Wow, one more week of school. This year has been filled with tons of drama, tears and hurt, but I have to admit, I wouldn't trade it for the world. It's what made me who I am today.

And even though Colten and I didn't work out through all the shit that we had to do to get here, I wouldn't ever change that.

Prom is tonight, reminding me of the reality of the situation. I don't know if Colten really wanted to go, but I feel bad that he's not. Hopefully, he goes just without me. I know Jackson and brittni will be leaving in a few hours to go, so hopefully they'll take Colten with them.

"I need help with my makeup!" Brittni bursts through the rook. Yes, Jackson had eventually asked Brittni. It was a cute little proposal, and she said yes, as you can tell. She had left earlier to get her hair done, but I guess she did want to pay for her makeup. Not that it matters, she usually is pretty good at that stuff.

"I don't know why you're looking at me," I laugh. "I can't do a decent job on my own face, who ever said yours?"

She groans. "I just need you to draw in my eyeliner. I can't sit still long enough for myself to do it. I'm shaking."

I smile and hop off my bed. "Take a seat."

She situates her robe clad body on top of my vanity chair. Her hair turned out perfectly, making me wish I could've went with her. Plans change, I guess. I know that concept more than anyone.

I grab my liquid eyeliner and get to work. She was right, her hands are shaking.

"I don't know why you're so nervous," I giggle. "It's not like you promised to lose your virginity tonight."

If I hadn't ordered her to keep her eyes shut, I'm sure she would be rolling her them at me.

"I know," she sassily responds. "But there's going to be so many seniors there and you won't be coming."

I sigh. Brittni had tried dragging me to the boutique just to get a dress for myself. I had ran off into the bathroom and locked myself there until Jackson tamed her.

"We broke up, Brit," I sigh, working softly on her face with the liquid.

"That doesn't mean you guys still can't go together," she says. "You are still in love so that should be an exception."

I roll my eyes. "There, you're done."

She takes a looks in the mirror and smiles. "If looks perfect! See, I knew you had it in you!"

I laugh. "Thanks."

"Now back to the subject at hand," she smirks at me, I can tell she knows I'm about to run out the door, so she steps in front of it. "And no, you're not getting out of this one."

"Brittni," I groan. "I really don't need to talk about this. We're already broken up and I'm not changing my mind on going."

She sighs, looking defeated. I haven't seen her look like this in a while, it's kind of odd. Before everything had gone down, she never showed much emotion. She was very closed off and rarely cried. This year has been hard on both of us.

"I understand," she takes a seat next to me in my bed. "I just wish it didn't have to be that way. But I know how you feel about long distance."

I smile slightly. "Thank you, Brittni. For everything. This year has been all sorts of messed up, yet we remained friends. You have stuck with me through thick and thin, I could never ask for a better best friend."

She smiles brightly, bringing me into a hug. I wrap my arms around her, and enjoy the feeling of my best friends embrace.

"Same with you." Her voice is muffled. "You've been with me through so much, and despite all the drama and fights, we stuck together."

We pull away and she wipes away a tear making us both laugh.

"Don't cry," I wipe the rest of the water droplets that threaten to mess up her dolled face. "You'll ruin your makeup."

"That would be horrible," she laughs. "I'm just so grateful for everything you've done for me. I know the whole Jackson and I thing was hard on you, but we never let it ruin our friendship."

I grin. "I'm proud of us."

"Same," she giggles. "We need each other more now than ever."

"Yes we do," I smile. "Now enough emotional shit, let's get you in your dress!"

"You become more and more like me everyday," she laughs making me shove her.

After getting her dress all zipped up and ready to go. We rush downstairs and wait for Jackson to knock on the door at six o'clock like we had instructed. The prom is at Laurel Manor at seven o'clock so this leaves enough room for pictures me such.

At exactly six there is a knock on the door and I open it, seeing my brother dressed in a suit with a baby blue vest, the same color as Brittni's dress. He holds a plastic container holding her corsage as well.

I nearly start crying at the way he looks at her when they lock eyes. His pupils dilate as he takes in his girlfriends appearance, her hair and makeup done to perfection, and the elegant ball gown she wears.

"Hey," Brittni smiles, also taking in her man.

"Hey," he grins.

"Let's go out back for pictures," I clap my hands and lead the happy couple towards the back with my phone and camera in hand. Memories memories.

I try not to let the play structure upset me as it still has the prom proposal spray painted on it. It'll probably never come off. Just another reminder.

I place them over by the cherry blossom tree where the pink pedals still fall elegantly.

I really have no idea how many pictures I take of my brother and best friend, but I'm pretty sure it's taken up half of the memory on my phone. I never want them to forget this moment.

There's a few of them kissing that oddly didn't bother me, some of Jackson holding her bridal style. Then there's a lot of goofy ones that they probably don't know I took. The caught off guard ones are the most special. In my opinion at least.

"Have fun!" I shout and wave to them as they head off in my brothers truck. I guess Brittni didn't want a limo so Jackson didn't get one. That's fine, I probably wouldn't have wanted Colten to pay for one for me either. Dang it. I need to get the thoughts of what could've happened out of my mind. It's obvious that those dreams are out of reach.

Colten is probably getting ready to head to the dance with Angelique or something and have a good time. I wouldn't want to take away his senior prom just because we broke up.

Sighing, I sit down on the couch and turn on the tv. I need to do something to pass my time, since Brittni and Jackson will most likely be out really late. I'll be very bored for the next few hours if I study the entire time, so when the tv glows on, I immediately want to change it when the show Ridiculousness comes one. This is Colten's favorite show.

Gosh dang it! Why can't I do something without it always revolving around Colten? This is really lame. I'm so pathetic.

I change the channel to HGTV and watch a show called Fixer Upper. I wasn't sure how I felt about it at first, but it's actually really funny. The guy in the show, Chip, is hilarious. I don't know how is wife deals with him, but he reminds me of James. He has that unmistakable humor that can make anyone laugh.

During one of the funny parts, a knock on my door is heard. I don't know who would be stopping by at this hour, but either way, I try to sober up my laughing as I walk towards the door.

When I open it, I'm through surprised by who is behind it.

"Hey," he breathes out, looking down at my appearance. I feel like I should cover up my short short clad legs and tank top, but he's seen more than this.

"Hi?" My eyebrows furrow in confusion. My eyes take in his clothing choice, and immediately wonder why he's dressed like this. He has a suit covering his body with a white colored vest. "W-hat are you doing here?"

He clears his throat. "I know we broke up, I know, but I don't want that to be the end."

I start to shake my head knowing already what he's going to ask. I don't want to cause any more pain to ourselves.

"Colten, we can't," I tell him, but he just smiles, stepping closer and grabbing my arm before I can move away.

"Come to prom with me," he practically demands, a soft look his eyes. "Let ourselves have this one last night, Nikki, and then it can be done. That's all I ask."

I want to say no, protect us from the possibility of this going terribly wrong, but the joyous look on his face has me feeling differently.

You love him, right? Yes. Then go.

Then go.

"Just one night?" I question, my answer already made.

"Just one night," he whispers, his eyes darting down to my lips, and then back up to my eyes. Gosh, his eyes.

"We'll act like nothing happened," I eye him. "Just be ourselves. Just tonight?"

He chuckles. "Yes, baby, just tonight. No restraints. Only us."

"Okay," I say quietly, biting my lip as he smiles.

One night won't hurt. It'll be like letting everything out in the open before we officially stop talking. His graduation ceremony is next week on Thursday anyway, what can go wrong?

Just us. Just for tonight. Just us.

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