Four Months Later
"Wow," Hayden breathed, his eyes roaming over my body as I descend down the stairs, my hand lightly skimming across the railing. "You look..."
I smile at him as he seemed lost for words. The look on his face made my insides squirm. It is pretty much the look all girls dream about.
"Alright? Not too shabby?" I teased.
"Fucking beautiful."
I grin at him. His eyes dip over my chest, lingering on my low-cut dress, before drinking in the rest of my body. He took two strides to meet me, before wrapping his long arm around my waist. His lips met mine briefly. I let out a sigh of content as he stepped back.
"You look very handsome, yourself."
He is dressed in a dark, charcoal coloured suit, with a maroon tie, matching the exact shade of my dress, paired with a dark, maroon-inked rose, pinned to his chest. It complimented his tanned skin beautifully.
"Are they here?" I heard Leisel call in panic. "I'm not - just wait - hang on a second!"
I shake my head. "She started getting ready before us and she still isn't ready."
"I told you that would happen." Mia said from behind me.
I turn, peering up the stairs, to see Mia striding down them confidently, completed unfazed that her heels are ginormous. Her gorgeous, blue dress flowed elegantly down her petite body. She has a fake tan for the occasion, which only made the blue stand out more against her skin. She looked stunning.
"You look beautiful, Mia," Hayden complimented politely and I gave him a surprised, but also impressed, look.
I notice her cheeks turn a few shades darker. "Thanks."
Harvey walked through the door. "Are we getting photos inside or... Holy... Woah."
Harvey froze as his eyes widened, taking in Mia's striking appearance. She has her blonde hair, curled into tight ringlets, pulled into a bun, with wisps of curls framing her face.
Mia and Mike had planned to go to the formal together, but three weeks before, he started dating a girl from another school and ditched Mia for her. Mia began to panic, not having any idea who she would take.
"What am I meant to do?" she asked, throwing her hands up. "I already have my dress and have booked everything in! How could he do this?"
"Mike is an ass and honestly, you could have a hotter date than him anyway," Leisel replied bluntly.
"Who else would be dateless, this close to the formal?" she cried, balling her fists at her side.
"I know someone." I shrugged. "If you're interested."
Mia turned to me, eyebrows raised. "Who?"
"Harvey."
"Harvey?" she echoed. "He doesn't have a date?"
"He was meant to go with Caitlyn but she left for Italy two weeks ago." I explained.
As Mia and I have pretty much collaborated our groups, Mia and Harvey have become, kind of, friends. She always laughs at his jokes, when no one else really does and they do seem to get along quite well, considering how different they are.
"Would he want to take me?" she asked, appearing nervous.
I never thought I would be having this conversation with Mia, of all people.
"Of course, he doesn't shut up about you," I blurted, before slapping my hand to my mouth. "Don't tell him I told you that."
"What does he say?" she demanded.
"Does Harvey like Mia?" Leisel gasped.
"No, he just broke up with his girlfriend." I quickly denied, even though I have noticed that Harvey goes out of his way to talk to her during lunch, not making that much effort with anyone else.
"Oh my God, he so does!" Leisel shrieked, clapping her hands together.
"Not a word, either of you," I warned, poking my finger in their direction. "Discussion closed."
Mia smiled, turning back around and Leisel was smirking. I quickly texted Harvey, telling him that Mia is now dateless and that if he wants to go with her, he should ask.
"Can we go to lunch now?" I whined, looking at the time on my phone. "We're going to miss out on eating if we don't hurry up."
They agreed, shrugging their bags onto their shoulder. We walked towards the lunch room and as we did, my stomach began to growl in hunger.
As we got to the table, Harvey rose from his seat, his cheeks scarlet as he looked at Mia.
"Mia, can I talk to you for a sec?"
She schooled her expression, tossing her bag down. "Sure."
He shot me a nervous look. I replied with two thumbs up, grinning. He led her to the other end of the cafeteria.
"So cute," Leisel sighed, sitting beside Ryan.
I shot her another warning look and she giggled.
If they say anything, Harvey is going to kill me.
"What?" she asked, giving him a small smile.
"You look really pretty," Harvey replied.
I turn away from them, to give Hayden another hug, snuggling up to his side.
"What's next?" he asked, kissing my forehead gently.
"We're getting some photos. Mum's out the front setting up."
"Oh, I was wondering what she was doing."
Leisel was next to come down the stairs. She went too fast, almost falling over in the process. Ryan rolled his eyes as he walked in.
"About time, woman."
"Shut up," she huffed.
He leaned down, kissing her slowly. I reach for Hayden's hand, interlocking our fingers as I look back over to Mia and Harvey.
"Ready for photos?"
We all head outside, to where mum has her camera set up.
After getting solo, duo and group photos, my cheeks are beginning to ache from all the smiling. Mum began to cry and hugged me so hard, I wouldn't be surprised if she cracked one of my ribs. She excused herself and went inside as she began to sob.
"Aw!" Leisel cooed.
I grin sheepishly. "I'm sorry you all had to see that. That was unexpected."
"Here, I got us all something," Hayden announced, thankfully saving me, sticking his head into his Ute, withdrawing a bottle of champagne.
We cheered, before heading out the back, near the pool.
He popped the cork, before pouring us all a glass.
"Here's to finishing our exams and to graduating high school," I declared, pushing my glass forward.
"And here's to making friends with amazing people, who I never thought I would," Mia added, smiling fondly at Harvey.
I raise my eyebrows, taken back by her comment.
"Cheers to that!" Ryan grinned as we all clinked our glasses.
I down my glass, before glancing over to Mia and Harvey. They look really cute together.
Harvey looked nice, dressed in a navy, tight-fitted suit. Harvey began going to the gym with Hayden, quite unwillingly at first. He has filled out quite a lot, in a short amount of time, losing a bit of his dorky look. He has grown a little bit of stubble on his chin, making him seem older and more attractive.
After a teary goodbye with mum, almost causing my makeup to smudge, we pile into the Limo. Mum ordered and paid for a Limo to take us, as a present to us all for finishing our exams.
Hayden slid in beside me, his hand resting on my thigh. He gently cupped my face, before kissing me softly.
"You truly look beautiful."
I smile at him, running my fingers down the side of his face, trying to imprint this moment in my mind.
We finish off another bottle of champagne, before arriving at the school. I get out, holding my dress. After getting a few more photos, we enter.
My heart is thumping faster than usual in my chest, as I take in my surroundings. My fingers involuntarily tighten their hold on Hayden’s hand.
The music is soft and slow, the hall decorated with blue and silver streams. They must have hired someone to design the hall because it seemed professionally done.
Placing my clutch down with the others, I let Hayden lead me towards the dance floor. I loosely loop my arms around his neck as he drew me to him, his warm hands travelling down my back.
The light glow of the lights crossed his face. I can't help but smile as I stare into his bright, green eyes.
"I love you, Hayden Cameron."
"I love you, too, Grace Connaway." He stepped back, spinning me.
I threw my head back with laughter. He snapped me closer to him, before dipping me. I let out a shocked gasp as he pulled my leg up, my dress falling back, revealing most of my leg. He grinned, dipping me so low that I thought I was going to fall.
"Grace?" he breathed softly, staring down at me.
"Yeah?"
"I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you."