It was her prom night, and she was sitting on the sidelines like a loser. But that's what she got for trying to please her parents and make good grades. She got a full ride and an internship at a law firm waiting for her when she got out of school but at the cost of her teenage years and freedom.

These were the years to make mistakes. To make memories of partying, hanging with friends, going to football games and home comings, falling in love and/or crying over a broken heart. She was lucky she even got to go to prom. Instead, the only memories she has, were constantly studying, studying, studying.

She sighed as she watched everyone dance with their friends or significant others. She didn't even have a sibling or cousin to dance with or keep her company.

"I️ should've never came here," she said to herself.

"Same here," a voice agreed beside her. She looked over to see a familiar face. "This dance is just...incredibly lame."

She laughs at his comment. "It's not lame..."

"It's lame," he nods.

"I️ just don't have anyone to dance with," she tells him.

He holds his hand out for her to take. "Well then," he says, "may I️ have this dance?" He asks.

She gingerly takes his hand into hers and smiles. "You may," she accepts, letting him lead her on to the dance floor. The DJ puts on a slow song just as they arrive on to the dance floor.

She closes her eyes as she wraps her arms around his broad shoulders and sway to the 50's sounding song playing in the background. This was the moment he's been dreaming off ever since he got to that school and first laid eyes on her. Austin's has a crush on Celeste Washington for years, and how could he not? She was sweet, soft-spoken, smart as hell and not to mention, beautiful. Of course not many people took notice of her because her head was always in books. But he noticed.

And tonight was the first time she noticed him too.

Sure they've had a couple of classes together over the years, and Celeste's always thought about dating, like any normal teenaged girl. But Austin Chambers wasn't exactly a guy her father would approve of, which is why she never gave him a second glance. But it was like she was seeing him for the first time that night.

He was sweet. He was a gentleman. And he definitely was handsome enough that she questioned why he was with her.

Once the dance was over, they took a step back and smiled. "Thanks for the dance," she smiled gratefully.

"It was my pleasure, seriously," he says. Just was she turned to walk away, he reached out and pulled her back. "Wait..." he said, catching her attention once again. "Uh, do you...want to get out of here?" He asked, making her eyes widen. "Not like that! I️ just mean...we're both bored here so why don't we just, hang out. Get some food," he suggests. "My treat."

"I️ don't know...my parents-"

"Come on Celeste, live a little," he teased.

She sighed and figured, what the hell? Now's a good day as any to have her parents angry at her. "Okay," she said. They held hands as he led them out of the prom venue and into his old truck. He opens the door for her, like a gentleman, before heading over to his side to start the car. "Where are we going?" She wonders.

"You'll see," he says, making her skeptically look at him. "Trust me."

She did. She does.

They arrive to a local diner and walked in. "Hey mom," Austin greeted as he and Celeste took a seat at the counter.

"Hey honey! How was prom?" His mom asked him before her eyes shifted over to Celeste with a smile. "Who's this cutie? I️ didn't know you had a date," she said.

"I️-"

"He does now," Celeste smiles at him. "I'm Celeste Washington," she smiles sweetly.

A flash of recognition went through his mother's eyes and before she could speak, Austin said, "Can we have two milkshakes? Please?"

His mom "hmmph'd" but did what he asked. "What flavors?"

"Vanilla," Celeste requested.

"Chocolate," Austin ordered.

"Coming right up," his mom said.

"Your mom works here?" Celeste asked him.

"We own the place," he says. "Not many customers. Tourists, road trippers, but when we do get regulars, they love it here," he tells her as she takes a look around.

"It's lovely in here," she smiles. "I️ wish more people knew about this place. You ever thought about promoting online?" She asked him.

"My mom is sooo hesitant about using the Internet," he laughs. "Plus, I️ think she would hate it if this place was packed everyday."

At the mention of his mother, she returned with two milkshakes. "Anything to eat?" She asked.

Austin turned to face her. "Um, any restrictions?" He asked.

"I'll eat anything," she tells him.

He then turns back to his mother. "The can we get two bacon cheeseburgers and fries?" He asks.

"You got it kiddo," she winks before heading to the back to place their orders.

"I️ think it's really cool she's involved in the restaurant. Most people would hire someone else to take care of business," she said.

"No. Not my mom. She's a control freak," he jokes, making her giggle as she takes a sip of her milkshake.

While waiting on their food, they spent the rest of their time reminiscing about the last four years. "Okay so, honestly, when was the first time you noticed me?" She asked as she dipped her fry into her milkshake.

Austin was quiet for a moment before answering. "Freshman orientation," he tells her, shocking her.

"What?" She said. "No way," she laughs off. "I️ definitely wasn't as cute at fourteen as I️ am at eighteen."

"You were the prettiest girl I've ever seen," he tells her honestly, making her look at him. "And you got just got prettier every year," he shrugged.

"Why are you telling me this now?" She asks softly.

Austin looked down before looking back up at her. "In case tonight was the last time we ever saw each other. I️ just...took a chance. Nothing to lose much now I️ guess," he shyly explains. "I️ just didn't want to regret...not letting you know how I️ felt about you."

They both looked deep into each other's eyes now, a pull now having them inch closer and closer to each other until...

Her phone vibrates for the tenth time that night.

She gasps and realized that her parents have been calling her for the past hour. "Oh shit!" She unlocks her phone and sends a quick text back. "My parents are worried about me. I️ have to go home now," she tells him.

"I'll take you," he says, getting up.

"How much?" She asks. "I️ have-"

"It's on the house sweetie," Austin's mom said. "You leaving now?" She asked.

Austin nodded his head. "Yeah, she's past her bed time," he tells her with a playful smirk, making his mom shoo at him.

"Get home safe mister. I'll be home late," she tells him. "Goodnight kids!"

"Goodnight! Thank you, it was nice to meet you!" Celeste quickly waves off before hurrying out into the parking lot.

A few minutes later and they arrive to the biggest house Austin's ever seen. "Woah..."

Celeste quickly hops out, and Austin follows suit. Just as Celeste was about to ring the doorbell, the door opens, revealing her mother and father. "What's the point of paying your phone bill if you don't even answer when we call?" Her father scolded as soon as he saw her.

"I'm sorry, I️ am! I️ just lost track of time-"

"I️ don't want to hear any excuses. You're smarter than that Celeste," he said, making her frown.

Her mom soothed her father by patting his arm. "We just thought something bad happened had to you," she says in a calmer tone.

"I️ know. And I'm sorry," she said. "I️ was just hanging out with a friend."

That's when their attention turned to Austin hanging in the background. "Friend?" Her dad said, as if he's never heard that word before.

Austin figured that was his cue to introduce himself. He stepped forward and smiled. "Hi, I'm Austin. I️-"

"He's my date," Celeste defends, surprising everyone.

"You didn't mention you had a date," her mom says, slightly confused as her dad glares as Austin, making him drop his outstretched hand.

"Well I️ did, I do," she doubled down.

Her dad simply stepped aside to let her. "Come on Cece, it's getting late," he said. "Thank you Adam-"

"Austin," he corrected.

"...have a good night," her dad shuts the door on him.

Austin sighs and turns around to leave when he hears the door open behind him again. He turns to see who it is as Celeste wrap her arms around his neck without warning. "Thanks for the amazing night," she whispers, pressing a kiss on his cheek. "Text me," she says before retreating back inside.

Austin smiles as he watches her go back into her house. "Yes!" He fist pumps, doing a little dance before composing himself, walking back to his car.

The cycle continues...

_______________________________

The end.

Finally.

After a year and a couple of rewrites.

Might come up with a time-traveling type of story. It's been on my mind for a bit. But while we're waiting, I️ have other stories if y'all Wanna take a look 😌😌. Thanks for reading and voting and sharing all your comments and thoughts. It's so crazy, coming back from basic training a year ago and seeing all the demand for more when I️ left the story in the middle of the 1960's. I️ didn't think many people were gonna read. This story has been reworked like three times and was originally gonna be a Shawn Mendes fanfic (LOL can you imagine that??) but I️ scrapped it cause it wasn't feeling right. I️ basically fused two ideas into one story and it finally worked out!!

Thank you a lot for motivating me!! Writing a full length novel when you have life's challenges thrown at you??? Very hard. That's why so many people leave their books hanging. But I️ was very determined for that not to be me.

Thank you again!!