It's prom day and I'm nervous. I couldn't sleep last night and when I finally got to sleep outside started to wake up. I don't know how today is going to go because Jackson hasn't been talking to me. I barely see him at school if I do he acting distance and sometimes I feel like he dodging me. When I check the weight room he all smiles and giggles with Leigh, it's really starting to bother me that they are close. It was cute at first, but now it's annoying and I need to say something... I have too.

My mom took me for breakfast and the final run around for prom. I still needed small items like my jewelry, touch up on my nails and toes, and finally hair and makeup. We pulled into The Jewelry Spot my mom parked and pulled down her visor to apply her lip gloss to her lips. "I always say your lips gotta be poppin before you get the walking" "mom, please." "What? Mommy wants to find a hot man too." She winked and started laughing. "Momm, cmon." I laughed but my laugh stopped when I spotted Leigh and her parents walking into The Jewelry Spot. I checked the mirror and opened the door. "You ready?" My mom asked while popping her lips. That's when Jackson Truck pulled into a spot in front of me across the street. I closed my door and stared at his truck waiting for him to get out.

Is that Jackson?

Yes. I couldn't say anything else I just wanted to watch the scene and see how I needed to respond to him. So I texted him.

Asha: Wassup?

Jackson: just pulled up to TJS. You still coming?

Asha: I didn't even know you was still going to prom since you haven't been responding.

Jackson: been busy. You still coming?

Asha: Thanks to my mom I been here.

Jackson: cool. See you inside.

Cmon on mom I'll meet you inside. I speed walked across the parking lot and directly to Jackson's passenger door. He never locks his doors back once he park his truck so I knew the door was unlocked. I hopped in.

The fuck Jackson? I immediately got his attention.

Looking irritated and confused he answered back, What the fuck you talking about Asha?

I'm talking about you not hitting me back. I been blowing you up all week since you left my house. Like wtf? You embarrassed cause my mom heard us or what?

Look... like I said I been busy. while checking his appearance and teeth like he always does before getting out he continued, The world don't revolve around you anymore Asha.

Excuse me? What? I never said the world did revolve around me but it would be nice if my boyfriend acted like I was in his world.

He stared straight ahead before opening the truck door letting out a deep sigh. Look A, I'm just trying to finish this senior year with on a good note. I don't have time for this arguing shit ite? So you trying to go in here with an attitude or what because I can leave?

Fuck that good note shit Jackson, you haven't been fucking with me since you left me when my mom came home. So what, you fucking with Leigh? That's what you want? Y'all been so buddy buddy lately, you smiling in her face and shit. See I ignored the shit when you asked me to prom but since then that shit not sitting with me! My anger got the best of me and I threw my lip gloss at him.

He caught the tube. Ite, you done? I only have this much patience with you because I love you but shorty you running it real thin. If I wanted to fuck with Leigh I would've, trust me it could have happened a few times but I'm not that type of man.Quit playing with me, kill the pissy ass attitude and get your ass in this fucking store.

There was nothing else I could say, Jackson don't argue and he don't say much but when he does it's an earful. He handed me my lip gloss and got out the truck. Got damn got mfs looking at me like I'm crazy and shit. He mumbled to himself slamming the door. I watched him walk onto the sidewalk massaging his temples, he stopped and looked at me before coming to my side and opening the door for me. C'mon.

It felt awkward as hell walking into The Jewelry Spot when I was literally just accusing my boyfriend of sleeping with my bestfriend and now we all in the same spot, with her parents... lovely Marlon and his wife. Three people who knows what's going on and three people who don't. This transaction has to be fast I don't want to end up in no awkward conversations. I remember when Lei and I planned this appointment to get matching friendship bracelets to go with our prom dresses, but that was junior year. Honestly, I'm not feeling the whole matching bracelet vibe because I have the feeling we are not going to be close after graduation. Leigh was alone at the ring counter getting her finger sized. This was the perfect opportunity to tell her.

Hey... Hey wassup? I slid into the empty bar seat on her left.

Oh hey, I'm just getting my ring size to see what options I have... wassup with you?

Nothing, I came over to talk to you about our friendship bracelets, I wanted to see how you felt about maybe not getting matching ones anymore?

Your ring choices Miss Evans. The jeweler placed five beautifully expensive rings on the table.

Thank you Malcom. Leigh said before turning her attention back to our conversation.

It's totally fine Ash, I'm replacing my bracelet with a couple of these rings anyways. My mom figured it would be a better option, something about having something valuable to give my kids when they get my age. Trying on the rings as we spoke she called to Malcom, this is the one Malcommm. She held her hand out with the black diamond ring with a gold band glistening on her left ring finger.

Yes, Miss Evans I'll ring it up right away. He immediately walked off to the register.

She got off the stool, stood beside it and started going in her purse pulling out her wallet. I started getting up because I figured the conversation was over plus I didn't have anything else to say since she was already one step ahead of me. But then I noticed Jackson's school keyring, which he uses to get into the gym, hanging off her wallet.

Soo... Why do you have Jackson's keyring? I was concerned as fuck now because now I'm thinking about all the opportunities Jackson was talking about in the truck.

Oh girl, can you give it back to him please? He left it at my house a couple weeks ago and I keep forgetting to give it to him. She was so nonchalant with it, like since when do he hang out at her house?

Since when did y'all start hanging out with each other? I'm not understanding this new developed friendship. I got up out my seat standing with nothing but her chair in-between us.

Ohh it's not a big deal, chill... end of the year projects coming up and we have multiple classes together so why not work with someone I half know plus I thought you wouldn't mind. She closed her purse and extended her arm out with the key ring hanging off her finger and I snatched it off. That's when her mom cleared her throat walking up from behind me. You ready sweetie? Yes, ma'am. Before walking away she turned back around and said "I been meaning to tell you how luck you really are for having someone like Jackson, but just to let you know jealously doesn't look good on you. Come on hun Malcom is waiting on us. Her mom chimed in.

Nah jealously looks real bad on your mom is what I really wanted to say but instead I kept that to myself and went back over to the watch counter where Jackson and my mom was standing browsing.

Hey mom you ready? I was ready to leave and be done with Prom all together. Yeah honey whenever you are. Did you get anything? She looked at my empty hands and back at me confused. Nah, I'll just wear something I have at home, I'll meet you in the car though I have to talk to Jackson.

Here... I tossed the key to him ...you left this at your girl house. I watched him roll his eyes up and brush his hands over his hair. Maaannn, look... he started before I cut him off. Don't even worry about explaining nothing Jackson, I think it's best if we just pulled up to prom separately because I'm not feeling this right now. He sucked his teeth and started nodding his head up and down with a serious look on his face. with a smirk forming on face he said You know what, if that's what you want to do then lets do that. I ain't playing no more games with you shorty, you starting to piss me off, go back to where you got this attitude and kill that shit. He kissed me on the forehead before walking over to the other side of the store. I went to the car.

*Prom time*

Finally everything I needed done today was checked off the list. My nails and toes done, hair pressed to the God's flowing down my back stopping at the middle with a blunt cut. I turned around looking myself over one last time before leaving out my room. I heard my mom in the kitchen. I'm ready. I called out walking down the hall. She came out and greeted me at the end of the hallway. Asha, honey you look beautiful.. let me get my phone. As she was grabbing her phone mine was dinging from texts, I figured they were from Jackson so I ignored them and posed for my mom. After about 100 different poses I was ready to leave. Be safe, drive safe, and have fun. I will mom. I kissed her on the cheek and got in the car. *ding* I looked at my phone it was Jackson, he sent me a video I guess showing me what I was missing out on in the limo. A decent pregame it was cute until I played it back a second time and saw Leigh being one of the bitches in the limo too. I felt a little heat rising but I didn't want to pull up to prom looking fine as fuck with bothered written over my face. I decided I wasn't even going to say anything about the video I just wanted to have a good night with Jackson.

Finally, I made it to the venue the lot was packed but my school provided valet service for those who drove. When I finally got inside I was amazed at how good the decorations looked. There was an ice sculpture carved in the middle of the floor with our graduation year 2012 glowing in red. The dance floor was already crowded and Kanye West- Mercy was blasting through the speakers. I started looking for Jackson and then I seen Justin one of his teammates and also best friend sitting at a table with his girlfriend Avery. Avery and I never had bad blood before but I could see her giving me a stank look and when I finally reached the table she rolled her eyes and turned to Justin who then looked up at me with a forced smile on his face, something I have never seen him do towards me. I stood in front of the table, ignoring Avery staring me down, and started my conversation with Justin.

"Sorry to interrupt." I said glancing at Avery, "but have you seen Jackson anywhere? I been looking for him since I got here." Without thinking about he answered my question. "Nah, I haven't but if I do I'll let him know you looking for him." He took a sip of his drink and glanced at Avery who was sitting back in her chair with her arms folded. From where I was standing it looked like she had something to say so we stared at each other for a split second before she sat up and said "I was going to keep my mouth closed but now I'm not feeling so generous... Ite A let up. Justin intervened. Nope, she replied with a grin. He's in the limo still with Leigh.

My heart dropped to the floor when I heard what she said, I turned around so fast and started heading to the entrance. Are you serious right now? I asked myself. I spotted the valet that parked my car and asked him about a limousine being parked. He walked me to the corner of the building and pointed to the area where all the limousines were parked. Even though I had on heels I was on a mission to find Jackson and Leigh together, just to prove I wasn't crazy. I had no idea what the limo look like so I was searching more for sounds or looking to see if I could see a car moving or something. Nothing! I was standing in the middle of a parking lot filled with limousines looking for my boyfriend and best friend, seriously? This is how I'm spending the last little bit of high school,looking for my cheating ass friends! I was on the verge of saying fuck it and leaving until I heard a small moan escape from the limo I was walking past. I stopped and started walking on my tip toes so my heels wouldn't make a sound. Another moan came from the window. With a little crack in the window and a light source from the light pole above I could see movement of Leigh bouncing on Jackson and as bad as I didn't want it to be true, it was. I knew it was true the moment I seen the ring Leigh picked out hours before hitting off the little bit of light. I felt like I was going to throw up, I felt my palms getting sweaty and I just wanted to go punch something. I wanted to interrupt them so bad but after all this searching and finally seeing everything for what it is... I left. After telling the valet to get my car I stood out front pacing the pavement talking to myself... out of all the nights and days, if he had all the chances in the world, why tonight? My mind was racing with questions that needed answers like "did he really wait for me?" and "how long has this been going on?" Before I asked myself anymore questions my car was pulling up. Once inside I pulled into an empty parking space away from the building and started to cry. The hot tears ran down my face landing on my breast and dress. ten minutes probably passed before I started to get myself together. Mascara running down my face I reached for my wipes in the glove compartment. Opening it my phone fell out and showed 4 new text messages. One from Jackson saying "family emergency" couldn't help but laugh at that lie, ignoring him I opened the three messages from an unsaved number in my phone.

New phone, its Melvin.

You looked real nice today, Enjoy your prom tonight.

Incase you don't I'm in room 205 at the Embassy.

My heart started beating so fast because I knew exactly what I was about to do.

"I'm otw."