“Somebody please zip me up,” I called out from my dressing room. A few taps was heard and I unlocked the door. Lillian graciously zipped up the back of the dress before smiling in approval.

“The dress looks good,” she complimented as I turned to the mirror. Yes, the dress was pretty nice but somehow, it wasn’t for me.

“No,” I shook my head, swiping my hair over my shoulder so she can help me in removing the dress. She exited the dressing room and I took off the dress.

“What should I do?” I sighed, changing back into my clothes, “This is already the eleventh shop we went in.”

“Finding the perfect dress takes time,” I heard Jessica say from the other side. Being the lucky fashionista that she is, she found her prom dress in the first shop we went to.

I placed the dress back on the hanger before walking out. I shook my head at the saleslady and her lips curved downwards, “Thank you for coming, ma’am.”

I’ve heard that same dialogue over and over again. That same disappointed face when I reject the things they offered to me.

“How about one more store before we rest?” Annabelle suggested, pointing at the last remaining shop on the floor. I nodded and we walked to it. Cute dresses and gowns were displayed on the shop window and that gave me a little hope of finding my prom outfit here.

“Welcome,” a familiar voice chirped when we entered.

Our jaws dropped when we saw non-other than Claire Roberts sitting behind the counter. When she did realize who her costumers were, her eyes narrowed down into slits, “Oh, it’s you.”

“I thoughts you were loaded, why are you working in this flimsy boutique?” Lillian asked, curiosity mixed with annoyance was dripping in her voice.

“Becca persuaded me into working here with her,” she explained, moving from the other side of the counters, “But now she’s crying her eyes out because her pathetic boyfriend broke up with her.”

Oh, right, Lucas was sort of in a relationship with Yasmin. As much as I didn’t want a nice girl like Rebecca to be hurt with Lucas’ antics, both of them needs somebody to make them truly happy. A one-sided relationship wouldn’t do the job.

“Now what do you want?” she inquired, gesturing to the racks of gowns and dresses.

Taking a deep breath through my nose to control my temper, I slowly spoke, “I need something for prom.”

She rolled her eyes, “Of course you do,” she said in a ‘duh’ tone, “I’m asking what kind do you want?”

I don’t have a question for that myself. I have no specific thing in mind for the dress I wanted to wear and it’s causing me to go crazy that I can’t be contented with the ones I already tried on.

Pushing hangers, dresses and other things away, I practically looked through most of the things in this store. The sad part is, I found nothing interesting.

“This is not good,” I stomped in frustration, “I know this is the last store that sells dresses and gowns in this mall.”

“Look, you’re not really in my list of people that I like,” Claire suddenly said, “But I guess prom is the time where every girl helps one another.”

She lifted a finger to tell us to wait before disappearing to the back of the store. I shared some looks with my best friends and they only offered some shrugs.

“Here,” Claire coughed, approaching us with a box in hand, “Some girl reserved this a few months ago and I’m pretty sure she’s not interested with it anymore,” she told us, placing the box in my hands, “Go try it on.”

I nodded and walked into one of the dressing rooms. I closed the curtain and examined the box. It was white and was collecting a little bit dust, probably for sitting in the back for several months.

Gripping the sides, I carefully lifted the lid. I looked at it and approved of the color. I took the dress and finally let it out of its box.

Beautiful was a way to put it lightly. The dress was perfect, from the top up to the very hem, it was the one I wanted to wear to my last dance with Drew.

*

*

*

“You look happy,” Jazzy commented when I got home, bouncing with happiness as I clutch the paper bag containing the dress that I bought.

“You bet!” I grinned, following her into the kitchen.

“By the way, your parents left for the airport when you were gone,” she informed, handing me a steaming cup of tea.

I just nodded in recognition before making my way to my room. I took a sip of my tea and opened my bedroom door.

Truth to be told, it was I was fairly used to my parents’ disappearance. The upside was, they promised that they would be there for my graduation.

I felt a crunching sound when I stepped inside and I looked down to see that I stepped on some envelopes.

I scooped down to pick them up then I sat on my desk, placing down my mug. I took my letter opened from one of the drawers and opened one of the envelopes.

When I slowly slid the papers out, I froze for a moment.

My college application results.

I scanned the paper and when I opened another one, it was from one of the other universities that I applied for.

I passed all of them.

Pushing them aside, I stood up and grabbed my purse, heading to the door.

“Where are you going?” Jazzy asked when I stormed pass her.

“Drew’s,” I called out, pressing the elevator button.

I had no real goals on why I was going to his house, it’s just that I needed to get far away from those papers. They made me think of the future, the future that was already laid out to me the day I started studying.

My parents forced me into a college course that I had no interest in. All my application formed showed that I was applying for a business course.

I didn’t even have a say in my own future and it frustrates me. I took every harsh turn to go to my boyfriend’s house, I didn’t even know if I’m going to call him like that after graduation.

The Everett’s residence came into view and I parked my car at their driveway. I got outside and slammed my car door shut, walking to the front.

“Hey,” Drew greeted, his face is cute as ever but when he noticed my expression, his features became concerned, “What’s wrong?”

I grabbed his hand dragged him inside his own house.

“Where are you going after graduation?” I asked almost snappily.

“My mom left some cookies in the kitchen, maybe you want to…” he started saying as if silently telling me calm down.

But, of course, I cut him off, “What are you going to do with your future!”

He stared at me for a good minute before shaking his, “Come on,” he took my hand in his and pulled me along with him outside his house, “How about a little walk around the neighborhood to ease you out?”

I looked at the sidewalk before nodding my head. I allowed him to drag me around, my hand never got out of his hold.

“I bought my prom dress today,” I blurted out all of a sudden.

His hold got tighter and he looked at me with a smile, “Guess I have to get my tux now.”

“You should.”

Now we’re back to silence. Good silence. The ones that isn’t awkward or uncomfortable, it’s just two people enjoying each other’s company.

We got to the neighborhood park and Drew guided me into one of the chairs. Kids were playing by the swings and slides while their mothers chatted among each other.

“Have you calmed down?” Drew asked beside me, playing with my hand.

“Sorry,” I mumbled, “I’m just scared, that’s all.”

“Talk,” he said simply, “And I’ll listen.”

“All my life, everything has been decided for me,” I sighed, “I guess being the student body president made me a little happy because for a while, I was the one making the decision.”

He listened intently to everything I said, inserting little answers when I needed his comment but other than that, he just paid attention to whatever I’m saying.

“I still don’t get it though,” he laughed though it wasn’t a happy one, “You met just months ago yet here we are, discussing our futures.”

“A lot can happen in several months.”

“Yeah,” he agreed, “Who knew I would be dating the daughter of the people who placed my father in prison.”

“What do you want to happen to us?” he inquired, finally hopping on to the topic that I wanted to discuss.

“I don’t want to be remembered as just a high school sweetheart,” I replied truthfully, “I want to be like my parents in the sense of being together. They met in high school, kept going strong in college, got married and gave birth to me.”

I drew patterns on the dirt with my shoe as I allowed Drew to think of something to say. I admired the love of my father and mother, they had a few fights every now and then but they were still together. As much as they suck at being caring parents, they were amazing at being lovers to each other.

“I want us to stay together,” Drew admitted, “But I can’t go to a faraway college like what your plan is. I still need to be there for my family.”

“So we’re going to try long distance?”

He didn’t directly answer my question, but he did say something that got my heart beating a mile an hour. He held my hand tighter and allowed the words to slip out of his mouth.

“I want you to be in my future.”

He. Wants. Me. In. His. Future.

I rested my head on his shoulder and smiled, as far as boyfriends goes, I’m confident that I chose the right one.

“Drew,” I mumbled lightly.

“Hm?”

“We’ll stay together, right?”

He pressed a kiss on the top of my head, “Right.”

Closing my eyes, I slowly came into a conclusion. I like Drew –a lot – but right now, I think I’m falling in love with him.

Let’s just drop the topic about our future for a moment. Let’s just stop dwelling on the past. Let’s just savor the present.

Back then, I wanted my first love to be my only love. Back then with the Blake fiasco, I thought I was in love with him. I thought my heart was never going to heal when I learned that it was a bet. Soon enough, I learned that it was nothing but puppy love. A nice experience, yet it lacked the essence of a real relationship.

Do you love Drew?

Ariel’s question flashed into my mind and this time, I have an answer.

“What color of the tie should I get to match your dress?” Drew asked me.

I lifted my head and gave him a playful wink, “It’s a test if you really know me well enough.”

A confident smirk crept to his face, and somehow, I doubt that he’ll go wrong with this one.

“Challenge accepted,” he chuckled, standing up and pulling me to his side, “Let’s head home.”

His house became my second home. The minute we stepped back inside, Ariel was there to greet us.

“Celeste,” she smiled, engulfing me into a hug.

“Hi,” I smiled, hugging her back with matched enthusiasm.

“Please tell me you’re staying for dinner,” she grinned.

I looked at Drew and he urged me with his eyes. I turned back to Ariel and nodded causing her to smile wider.

“Fantastic,” she clapped. She was still limp but other than that, she looked like she can manage, “Do you mind helping me in the kitchen.”

“Sure.”

After that, I found myself enjoying the night with my boyfriend’s family. Savannah kept the dinner entertaining with her curious inquiries and the whole time, I forgot why I ever came here in the first place.

--------------------

This chapter is dedicated to floating_ for making the banner on the side.

Falling For The Opposite now has an official trailer. You can wtach in on the first chapter but I also placed it on the side. Made by the talented LikeAMillionBucks and when I saw her message that she made me one, it just made my day; I had this stupid grin on my face.

But, I'm not revealing on spoilers on which dress I chose and I must say, you guys have good tatse in outfits. Truth to be told, I was looking for inspirations for my own prom dress.

Question: What do you think will happen to Drew and Celeste after graduation.

Bye guys, love you all and don't forget to vote, comment, and if you feel like it, give me a follow.