John P. DeVito

Chapter 1: The Prom

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       The car door slammed. From my bedroom window, I watched her walk up the driveway. She looked stunning. When she rang the doorbell, I could hear the hurried footsteps of my mother. A few seconds later, she yelled from downstairs.
       “Patrick, your date is here!”

       “I’ll be right down!”
        I was spraying on my cologne as I took one last look at myself in the mirror. As my mother always told me, it’s not polite to keep a beautiful lady waiting. And beautiful she was. Paula Decker was my prom date. She wasn’t just the Homecoming Queen, and the prettiest girl in East Hollow High School but the most beautiful girl in the whole world. And I, Patrick Shiner, was the lucky boy taking her to the prom. Paula was the type of girl where you could be having the worst day at school but if she walked by you in the hallway and smiled, it turned into the best.
       Paula was wearing a long one-piece strapless, tight black dress. And black high heels. She had the best legs. She actually had the best everything. She had hazel eyes and long straight black hair. If I could take different parts of any girl in the world to make one perfect looking woman, I’d use Paula’s eyes, Paula’s nose, Paula’s lips, Paula’s ears, basically Paula’s entire face, and her entire body. She was already the perfect looking woman.
       “Hi, Paula.”
       “Hi, Patrick.”
       I was so nervous as I stood there in my all white tuxedo.
       “You look very pretty, Paula.”
       “Awww, you’re so sweet. Thank you. You look rather dapper yourself, Patrick.”
       I took the corsage my mom picked out, and pinned it over her right breast.
       “Wait,” said my mom. “Let me get the camera. I want pictures of you two.”
       We took pictures in the living room, the kitchen, the dining room and then another in front of the window. Paula took the camera and I posed with my mom. I took a picture of Paula and my mom together. My mom took even more pictures of Paula and I outside. At last, we were ready to go to the prom.
       The limousine was waiting for us in the driveway. Neighbors watched us. Paula and I walked hand in hand. And the smile on my face was from ear to ear. The limousine was so cool and even had a television inside. It was the first time I’d ever been in a limousine. Paula and I were being picked up first since my house was the furthest from the Melville Country Club where the prom was being held. My best friend Roger and his date Carly were picked up next, then my other good friend E.J. and his date Bella.
       We were finally all in the car and everyone was looking spectacular. But Paula looked extra spectacular. We were all chatting away when E.J. found a bottle of champagne underneath the seat. Why Roger had a corkscrew in his pocket is still a mystery to me.
       Roger was my best friend since the first grade. He was tall, about six feet, with light brown hair, a mustache, at least trying to grow a mustache, and was wearing an all white tuxedo too. His date was Carly. She was a blue-eyed blonde, and had just recently become Roger’s official girlfriend. Across from them were E.J. and Bella. E.J. moved to our neighborhood this past year. He was very thin, with slicked back black hair. Bella, was short, green-eyed, a natural red head. She was very cute but according to E.J., they were just friends.
       When Roger popped open the bottle of champagne, it overflowed onto the seat. But no one seemed to care. We held our glasses as I gave a toast.
       “To prom night, the best night of our lives, if you know what I mean.”
       We were just pulling up the driveway of the Melville Country Club. And we were all ready for a great night.
       Table 4 was where we were seated.
       “Patrick, honey, can you get me some punch?” asked Paula.
       “Sure.”
       The fact that Paula said my name and honey in the same sentence made the little hairs stand up on the back of my neck. I really couldn’t believe how lucky I was. I was there with the prettiest girl in school. Even Roger and E.J. were both jealous. But something was very strange. Everyone in the room was staring at me. I started to panic. Did I have a booger hanging out of my nose? I didn’t know what it was but I quickly figured it out. I was there with Paula. I was the guy who brought the most beautiful girl in the world to the prom. I, Patrick Shiner was The Man. I was the coolest cat in school and everyone knew it, and it felt great.
       The music was pumping and people started to dance. I didn’t mind dancing, I mean I was no Travolta but I could hold my own. My secret was to look around, find someone who could actually dance, and then imitate his moves.
       Roger, on the other hand, couldn’t dance to save his life. He had his own style that I would never imitate unless I wanted to make people laugh. As we reached the dance floor, Paula started doing moves that looked a lot like Roger’s. I didn’t know what to do. People were pointing and whispering and snickering so I took control of the situation, Patrick Shiner style. I politely stopped Paula and made a little space for myself. I kept thinking Travolta, Travolta, Travolta, as I put on a dance clinic that even I couldn’t believe. People were clapping and yelling my name but most importantly, Paula was impressed and that was all that mattered. I didn’t even realize what I was doing. My left leg was swinging forward and my right arm was twisted behind my neck. I was jumping in the air. At one time I even did a split. The spotlight was on me and I took full advantage. People started to realize why I was Paula Decker’s date.
       As we left the dance floor, Paula grabbed my arm and was holding my hand now. Roger was putting the moves on Carly and even E.J. and Bella were getting closer to each other. We were having a great time. We all started reminiscing about the good times we shared during senior year.
       “Remember the big game, when we were down by two touchdowns?” Roger said, “And Patrick ran for three in the last quarter to win the game.”
       I was a jock. I played football in the fall, lacrosse in the winter, and ran track in the spring. I lettered in all three.
       “May I have your attention please, may I have your attention?” said Mr. Boyd, our principal. “It is now time to announce our Senior Prom King and Prom Queen. This year’s Prom Queen was also the Homecoming Queen. She is part of the High Honor Roll, Italian Club, the Kick Line, Students Against Drunk Driving, and the President of the Girls Leaders Club. Let’s give a big round of applause for the 2013 East Hollow High School Prom Queen, Paula Decker.”
       It was no surprise. Everyone cheered and applauded as Paula made her way up to the platform. Mr. Boyd placed the 100% fake diamond tiara on top of her head.
       Who would be Prom King? Even more importantly, who would be dancing with my prom date? Mr. Boyd continued:
       “And this year’s Prom King is also in the Italian Club. He was Captain of the football team, on the Honor Roll, plays saxophone in our school band, and is a member of our lacrosse and track team. Please give a round of applause for the East Hollow 2013 Prom King, Patrick Shiner.”
       I couldn’t believe it. This was all happening so fast. Everyone was applauding. I floated toward the platform on stage. I waved to the crowd. Paula placed the crown on top of my head and kissed me on the cheek.
       “And now it’s time for the East Hollow Prom King and Queen dance,” said Mr. Boyd.
       “Unchained Melody,” the theme song from the movie Ghost, played as Paula and I took the spotlight and again I couldn’t believe how great a night it was so far. Paula’s arms were locked around my neck and my arms were wrapped around her petite waist. We gazed into each other’s eyes. We sealed the end of the song with a kiss on the lips. Everyone cheered.
       The prom was winding down but the night was far from over. It was the after party that I was really looking forward to. E.J.’s family had a house in South Hampton, and all six of us were staying there for the rest of the night. We rushed out of the Melville Country Club, and hopped back into the limousine.
      It was 11:00 p.m. when we finally got to the house. There was a pool and a Jacuzzi in the backyard. Beyond was the beach. Why have a pool, when you have the ocean in your backyard? But I wasn’t complaining. And E.J.’s parents were out of town for the night.
       We all brought a change of clothes. I put on a pair of khaki pants and a t-shirt. It felt good getting out of the tuxedo. The girls came running downstairs, all of them dressed in tight blue jeans and short sleeve shirts.
       “So what do you guys want to do?” asked Carly.
       We guys chuckled amongst ourselves.
       “What else would you rather do?” asked Paula.
       “I don’t know,” said E.J. “But the fridge is full of beer if anyone is interested.”
       All of a sudden it was party central. I never really drank beer before but it definitely set a different mood in the next hour. Carly got up on a table and started to dance. She took her t-shirt off and swung it round and round, topless except for her white bra. Roger got up on the table too, and danced with her. E.J. and Bella were kissing each other on the couch. Paula and I started kissing. Now I probably should tell you that Paula Decker was a good girl. At least I thought she was a good girl. Maybe that’s why I was surprised at what came out of her mouth next.
       “Hey, do you want to go skinny-dipping in the pool?”
       “Sure!”
       But deep down inside I was scared out of my mind. I never took my clothes off in front of a girl before. To think, me, Patrick Shiner, naked in the pool with the lovely Paula Decker. Crazy things were happening to everybody. Roger and Carly went upstairs and E.J. and Bella were no place to be found. I just couldn’t believe how amazing this night was turning out.
       Now personally, I’d much rather go skinny-dipping in the ocean, because it’s dark and Paula wouldn’t be able to see me too well. But we were going in the pool and the pool lights were on and I’m sure the water was cold. I had everything going against me until Paula took her bra off and all doubts were erased from my mind.
       “Now it’s your turn,” she said.
       I stood there, staring in amazement. I whipped off my shirt and pulled down my pants. She pulled down her jeans. It was like a showdown. Until I was standing there in just my boxer briefs and my ankle socks and Paula was topless and in her panties.
       “What are you waiting for!” she exclaimed.
       That’s when I took my socks off. She giggled. And then at the same time, we both took off our underwear. I will have to admit, I was embarrassed. Maybe that’s why I jumped into the pool before Paula could see what I was trying to hide. Paula jumped in behind me. The water was freezing which wasn’t good news for me. But all of a sudden, we got closer. And we kissed, with tongue. And then for the first time in my life, I felt breasts. They were nice. They felt good. I was beginning to feel more and more comfortable. Paula started touching me. Her hands were on my chest and I felt her hands slowly getting lower and lower. But like I said, the water was cold and that’s when I came up with a great idea.
       “Let’s take this moment to the Jacuzzi.”
       “Okay,” said Paula.
       Am I a genius or what? We both got out of the pool and I was checking her out like there was no tomorrow. She wasn’t just the most beautiful girl in the world with clothes on, but she was the most beautiful without clothes on as well. We both jumped in the hot tub and got real intense. I didn’t know what on earth I was doing. I wish I could tell you everything that happened in the next three minutes but it all happened so fast. But in those three minutes, it may have been two but we’ll say it was three, I lost my virginity to the beautiful Paula Decker.
       Yes, it was the perfect ending to a perfect night. There was only one problem. I never lost my virginity that night. I never was Prom King. I didn’t have any friends. I never was captain of the football team. I never was on the track team. I never was on the lacrosse team. There was a Paula Decker and she was the most beautiful girl in the world but she only talked to me once, a very long time ago. The truth is I didn’t even go to my high school prom. This whole dream prom never happened. It was a figment of my imagination. This is what I always hoped my high school prom would be like. But on the night of June 18th, 2013, it didn’t happen that way. Instead, I stayed home and watched Seinfeld re-runs with my mom. Why? His name is Bobby Rocco. 

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