I woke up smiling at my ceiling like an idiot. Its like I could still feel his soft firm hand in mine. I grabbed my phone and almost dropped it when I saw Leon's name. He texted me saying he would pick me up for school at 7:15. I checked the time and my stomach flipped. It was 7:06. I jumped out of bed so fast I almost fell. I threw on clothes, brushed my hair, and tried to do my makeup even though my hands would not stop shaking. I kept messing up and wiping it off and trying again. Then I heard a honk outside and my heart froze. It had to be Leon. I grabbed my bag and ran out the door before I could even breathe.
The ride to school felt so unreal. I kept staring out the window because I was too nervous to look at him. When we got there he walked me all the way to my first class. People stared at us like they had never seen me before. I could hear whispers everywhere. I tried to ignore it but it felt like the whole school was watching me. The day dragged on and all I could think about was Leon and last night and the way he smiled at me. By lunchtime I was so exhausted. I walked toward the cafeteria and stopped when I saw him talking to a tall blonde girl who looked perfect. She looked nothing like me. My stomach twisted and I hated how jealous I felt. Then I noticed the sign behind them. Prom. I stared at it and thought I wish he would ask me but I knew he never would.
I sat with Katie and told her everything. She almost fell out of her chair like she could not believe it. I tried to smile but my mind kept going back to the blonde girl. I kept telling myself it did not matter, but it did. I could not stop thinking about it. When the bell rang I walked to my last class and pretended to listen, but all I could think about was Leon with another girl. We are not even together. Why am I being like this. My stomach felt tight the whole time. When school finally ended I walked outside ready to go home and rot away in my bed. But then I stopped walking. Leon was standing there holding flowers and a big sign with my name on it asking me to prom. Everyone stared. I could feel the girls looking at me like I had done something wrong. My face got hot and my heart was racing. I said yes quietly and Leon hugged me. His grip was tight again, it made me shiver. I could hear his breathing against my ear. He took me home and I called Katie the second I walked inside. We screamed until my throat hurt.
The next day we went dress shopping and I found a long red dress that made me feel pretty for the first time in my life. Not perfect. Just pretty. It felt strange but in a good way. As prom got closer me and Leon hung out almost every day. We got close fast and he made me feel a way I could not explain. But I pushed it away because I liked him and I wanted this to work. On the day of prom I got ready at Katie's house and I could not stop shaking. Even after everything I was still nervous every time I saw him. When we pulled up to the venue I saw Leon standing outside in a suit and tie that matched my dress. He looked perfect. A little too perfect. I got out of the car and he came straight to me telling me I looked absolutely stunning. He grabbed my hand and that same strange feeling hit me again. Something felt off every time he touched me. I told myself I was overthinking. I did not want anything or anyone to ruin this night.
Inside the venue the music was loud and the lights were bright and everyone stared at us the second we walked in. I could hear people whispering but I tried not to care. Leon was right next to me and that was all I wanted. We danced together for awhile. Then a slow song came on and my stomach dropped. I had never slow danced with anyone. I did not know what to do. Leon told me to follow his lead and put my arms on his shoulders. He grabbed my waist and pulled me closer. His hands were warm and steady. Then he kissed me. The whole room went quiet for a second. People turned and stared. I could not believe it. Leon James kissed me. Me. Iris Rose. My mind was racing and my chest felt tight, but something about the kiss felt strange. Not bad. Just strange. I tried to ignore it. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. April 6th 2018. That was the day Leon James kissed me.