Jenni James: Pride and Popularity

“One thing is for certain—” Taylor echoed my thoughts in my ear “—it will never be boring, will it? You never cease to amaze me, Chloe Hart. And I don’t think you ever will.”

“Oh, I hope not. Taylor Anderson. Your reactions are far too priceless.”

“Smile,” he gritted through his teeth.

I smiled.

Later at the prom, everyone gasped as Taylor and I entered the building. Not that they didn’t know about us already—it was just the first time most of them had actually seen us together. We danced every song, and I have to say Taylor was a pretty good dancer. He definitely didn’t have two left feet, that’s for sure.

Halfway through the night, they announced the prom king and queen. My heart leapt for joy when Ethan’s name was called out as king. I think the whole room went deathly silent before we all broke into applause. I have never seen such a look of shock and terror on anyone’s face as I did on Ethan’s. Cassidy had to practically push him the whole way to the podium. Even then I don’t think he wanted the crown until Taylor—his first attendant—put it on him. Zack was his second attendant. It was the coolest moment to see Taylor, Ethan, and Zack up there on the podium together.

I watched a little jealously as Taylor led the first attendant to the queen out on the floor for the royalty dance. The girl stared right at him the whole time, but Taylor’s eyes rarely left mine, so my jealousy didn’t last long.

After the honor dance was over, I saw Taylor walk over to the deejay—who totally rocked—and ask him something. Taylor was given the thumbs up for whatever it was. Then he smiled and nodded as he accepted a microphone.

Oh my gosh. What is he going to do?

“This next song is for the most beautiful girl I know.” The room stopped at the sound of Taylor’s voice, and then everyone turned and stared at me.

He is so dead.

“With Chloe Hart’s permission, I would like to dedicate this song to her and the three—almost four—years I had to wait for her to be mine. This is for you.” He pointed right at me.

Maybe I could kill him twice.

And then the deejay started playing the song “So Close” from the movie Enchanted . Taylor walked over to me and chuckled. “If looks could kill, I’d be dead.” In one swift movement, he took me in his arms and we were waltzing—in front of the whole prom! What is it with waltzing with a guy and your heart melting on the spot? All Taylor has to do is hold me close and I am lost.

The haunting lyrics took over my mind, as they always do when I listen to that song. It really did fit us. I closed my eyes a moment and allowed him to dip and sway and twirl me across the floor. We slowed a bit as the song slowed, and I rested my cheek on his shoulder. In Taylor’s strong, gentle arms, I felt incredibly cherished and protected. I knew then what I had been hesitant all along to believe, and it was time to share it with Taylor. So I stood on my tiptoes and allowed my mouth to brush against his ear as I whispered, “I love you.”

He stopped, right in the middle of the floor with everyone watching. “Really?”

I grinned and nodded and pulled his mouth down to my own. And then he did it. Taylor Anderson kissed me speechless.

For the rest of the night we mingled mostly with Collin, Madison, Zack, Alyssa, Ethan, and Cass in between songs. Madison and Alyssa looked amazing, by the way. Maddi was in a gorgeous white dress that was slim and hugged her figure until it flared out at the bottom. Seriously, she looked like a movie star. And Alyssa’s dress was soft blue, as beautiful and feminine as any dress I had ever seen. She even wore a small tiara in her hair. Honestly, she looked just like a princess.

I don’t think either of my friends—or I, for that matter— had ever received so many compliments in one day before. We were instant celebrities. Madison and Alyssa handled it like pros. But none of us enjoyed the attention as much as Collin did. For my part, I decided it wasn’t so bad. I mean, a little bit of me really liked to hear the gossip that surrounded Taylor and me, but only because I knew who the real Taylor was. And he was mine.

I slipped my arm around his waist next to me as he chatted to some of his adoring fans. I felt his arm slide possessively around my shoulders, and I rested my head contentedly against the side of his chest.

I wonder if Kylie Russell is here? I thought suddenly. I would’ve stood on my tiptoes to search for her, but then I found I didn’t care enough to break Taylor’s hold on me. In the end, I guess I wasn’t too surprised to learn it was Kylie behind the phone calls that broke up Taylor’s relationship with Anne at the beginning of the year. Anyone could see Kylie was obsessed with the guy. When Taylor told me she had admitted to calling Anne—which Kylie confessed to in a last-ditch effort to keep him—it was Anne I really felt sorry for. She obviously didn’t know Taylor any better than I did at the time.

I had often wondered lately how many girls who had gone out with him had ever actually seen Taylor. I mean, sure they saw the guy with the killer smile, the guy who had a nice sports car and a totally awesome house. And I’m positive they relished the status that followed him wherever he went. But did any of those girls really see the guy underneath all of that, the Taylor that loved his family and community and helped people all around him?

“Hey, beautiful.” Taylor kissed the top of my curls.

“Hmm?” I lifted my head a bit and peeked up at him.

“I have something for you.”

I didn’t think I would ever get used to his gorgeous eyes. “You do?”

Taylor grinned. “Well, its two things, actually.”

“Two?” I pulled a bit away from him. “Taylor, are you kidding me?”

He chuckled. “Nope. Come on, I’ll show you.” Taylor tugged on my hand and pulled me through a door that led outside and away from onlookers.

I giggled. “Taylor, I swear if you’ve bought me something else. I’m gonna—”

“You’re gonna what?” he challenged.

“I’m—uh . . . I’ll think of something,” I finished lamely.

“Well, to ease your mind, it’s nothing big. But the other thing I have for you is some news.”

“News?”

“I’ll tell you in a minute. First, I wanted to add this to your charm bracelet.”

I gasped as Taylor pulled out the most adorable miniature silver ballet slippers from his tuxedo jacket pocket. “Oh, Taylor! They’re perfect. Thank you.”

He held up my hand and began to fasten the slippers to the chain. “It wouldn’t have been a perfect charm bracelet without your dancing shoes, especially now that you’ve been accepted to Arizona State University.”

“Well, thanks to Ms. Chavez. I owe her so much.” I smiled and dangled the charms. I loved the clinking sound they made when they touched each other. It sounded like quiet little bells.

“Which leads me to my news,” Taylor said.

“Oh? My ballet dancing has led you to news?” I teased.

His eyes twinkled in the moonlight. “Actually, it has. Well, I didn’t tell anyone until I knew for certain, but about three months ago I applied for a school in Tempe.”

“Tempe? As in Arizona?” My head jerked up.

“I found out there was this amazing specialty graphic design school in Tempe called Collins College. Anyway, I didn’t want to say anything to you just in case I didn’t make it. But I got the acceptance letter this afternoon, and I am so in.”

“Are you kidding me?” My jaw dropped.

“Uh, nope. You’re not getting rid of me that easily.”

“Taylor! We’re going to be living in the same city!” I squealed and threw my arms around him.