Today I Met The Girl I'm Going To M... - Chapter 29: Chapter 29

Jennie almost has the door open and I'm very curious to see what's inside.
The lights are off so whatever is in there remains a complete mystery to me.
Kind of like a certain brunette.
But hopefully not for much longer.
I'm going to my senior prom with Jennie.
Saying that in my head never gets old.
I want to jump and down and then give Jennie the biggest hug she's ever had. I'm beyond happy, I'm beyond giddy, I'm floating.
I'm floating so high that I feel like I might drift away.
Then, Jennie squeezes my hand, the hand she's holding gently but firmly and I know she'll keep me anchored to the ground.
God, what this girl does to me is absolutely incredible. Even if she suspects my feelings for her are more than friendship, I don't think she can possibly understand just how much and how intense she makes everything for me.
Like holding my hand for example.
I've held quite a few girls' hands and yet with  Jennie it's like all those past experiences don't mean squat.
With her, everything is new again.
I try and calm my racing heart down and my wandering mind in the process. I don't want to miss one single second of this night because I'm off on a tangent of where the night might lead us.
It's not easy though.
Not easy at all.
It's difficult to determine if the intensity of my emotions is because I haven't seen Jennie in days, the prom she's giving me or how amazing it feels to have Jennie's hand in mine.
I suspect its combination of all three things.
"Here we go." Jennie announces right before she pushes the door open.
Squeeeeeeee!
I do believe I'm in for one hell of a night.
I'm so excited I might not be able to stop myself from whooping for joy.
Just as we're about to step inside the lights come on and I see my brother standing there with a big grin on his face.
In a tuxedo.
I don't know if I should be disappointed or not.
Bobby does a funny bow and I'm too surprised at his presence to look over at Jennie . "Bonjour mademoiselles, my name is Jacques and I will be your garcon for the evening." My brother says in one of the worst French accents I've ever heard. "Don't you two look magnifique." He bunches his fingers together and then he kisses them before releasing that kiss into the air.
He's such a strange fellow.
I sneak a peek at Jennie to see what she thinks of his antics and I catch her rolling her eyes at Bobby, but she doesn't say anything.
He claps his hands together twice in quick succession like he's calling for someone and that's when Rose comes running into the room.
What is going on?
I can't help but smile though, whatever they're doing they seem to be having a lot of fun.
"Hi Shirls." I say as I wave at my friend.
I might as well get into the spirit of things.
Rose, who's dressed in a short black skirt and tight white blouse doesn't return my wave. "My name is Olga, and I'm from Sweden." She tells me in a cheesy, corny Swedish accent.
What is with those two and their accents?
"This Shirls you speak of is not me." Rose continues. "But from what I've heard, she's quite a knockout."
Bobby elbows Rose as he emits a French laugh. "Oui, Oui, and her best friend Bobby is such a fox."
Jennie clears her throat quite forcefully and that gets Rose and Bobby's attention. They stand up straighter and then Rose curtsies.
"As I was saying, my name is Olga, I am from Sweden and I will be your waitress this evening." Rose declares right before she disappears from sight.
Uhm.
Ok then.
That was interesting.
Something tells me that Bobby and Rose's characters aren't Jennie's idea, but their own.
And that something is the scowl that Jennie's sporting.
Wow, that's very sexy.
Bobby holds his arm out and motions towards the center of the room. "Follow me, s'il vous plait."
We do and I don't even take notice of the décor in the room.
All I see is Jennie.
All I feel is her beside me and her hand in mine.
Before I met Jennie my mind was active enough and then she entered my life. She's made it go completely haywire ever since.
Now though, it's stilled in a way I didn't think was possible.
I can't stop looking at her.
And I can't stop thinking about what she's done for me.
I'm sure that will change soon enough and my thoughts will be all over the place. In this moment however, they're focused on just enjoying this time with her.
"Here we are." Bobby says. He holds out my chair for me and despite how much I know I'll miss the contact, I have to let go of Jennie's hand.
"Merci beaucoup." I tell him once I'm seated.
He does the same for Jennie and then he rushes off to parts unknown.
I gaze across the table and my eyes immediately find Jennie's gazing right back at me. They are so expressive that I have to wonder if she can see just as much emotion in mine.
As our eyes meet my nervous energy returns with a vengeance. My words seem to have faltered me once more and all I seem able to do is keep my eyes locked with Jennie's.
"So, what do you think?" Jennie asks as she points around the room.
At least she's giving me something to do besides gawk at her.
I give her a small smile and then I take in scenery she's so thoughtfully laid out for me.
Wow!
Actually wow doesn't even cover it.
There are strings of lights hung all around the room giving it just the perfect glow. There are black and silver balloons everywhere and streamers galore. But not in a tacky way, the decorations are just enough without being too much.
By the far wall there is something covered by a big black sheet and I'm guessing I'll have to wait for later to find out what that is.
"It's amazing." I exclaim in awe once I'm done taking a look around. "You're amazing." I add without caring how it sounds, because it's absolutely true.
Jennie smiles warmly at me, "I'm glad you like it."
Like it!
Talk about the understatement of the year.
I love it!
"How did you do all of this?" I ask.
"Now, now, I can't be giving up that information." Jennie coyly replies.
Actually, I don't even want to know.
"I hope you don't mind having dinner before the actual dance." Jennie says as she taps her finger against the silver tablecloth I just noticed. "I figured you hadn't eaten yet and that prom usually comes with a meal."
Time to spend with Jennie in such a beautiful setting.
Yeah, I don't mind in the least.
And afterwards there will be dancing.
I'm fairly sure my mind can't process the implications of that statement.
We'll be dancing.
Together.
This night just keeps getting better and better.
"It's more than ok." I assure her. "I can't believe I'm at my prom."
With Jennie.
It's still not feeling quite real.
Jennie doesn't get a chance to say anything because Bobby walks over with a bottle of wine.
"May I pour you a glass madame?" Bobby inquiries with his dreadful French accent still in place.
I shake my head as I cover my glass. I don't need any alcohol tonight, I'm already drunk on Jennie . Plus there's always the chance that I'll try to drink my nerves away and we all know how well that worked out for me.
"Are you sure?" Bobby seems surprised by my answer. "I've had the chance to sample this bottle and I must tell you it is tres bien."
I bet he has.
I bet Rose has too.
That would certainly explain a lot.
"I'm fine Bobby ." I reply and that earns me a dirty look. "Sorry, I'm fine Jacques."
Bobby turns to Jennie , "Et tu madame?"
"I'm good." Jennie tells him and then she flashes him this look that says, 'don't fight me.'
Bobby, aka Jacques, takes the hint, he scurries back to wherever he and Rose are "working" from to, I assume, give her the good news that they don't have to share that bottle of wine.
"You know I'm very grateful to your brother and Rose for all their help, but they are a little much to handle at times." Jennie says quietly.
Yeah, I wouldn't want them to overhear either.
I make sure my face is full of sympathy for poor Jennie. I can only imagine the shenanigans those two have been up to.
I love them both to death but I see where Jennie is coming from.
"I mean I had fun getting this all together but honestly, I really missed spending time with you." Jennie shyly confesses.
My heart, my poor heart, might not be handle anymore swoon worthy comments from her. I don't think it's ever beat this fast or fluttered so much in my twenty-five years on this earth.
"I missed you too." I tell her with a bit more confidence than I might have a few minutes ago. Hearing her say it first makes it so much easier for me. "A lot." I throw in for good measure.
Her expressive eyes are now sparkling and I'm curious to know if my admission had anything to do with that.
Bobby reappears with two big glasses of water. "This is the finest water from France." He tells us as he puts one glass next to me and one next to Jennie. "Olga will be out soon with your salad, au revoir."
Jennie and I watch him leave and once he's gone we both burst out laughing.
"Well, he certainly does get into character." I remark in between laughs.
"That he does." Jennie concurs while giving me a nose crinkle.
I'm happy for the water though, my throat is parched and talking should be easier now. "How was your week?" I ask Jennie before I take a big sip.
Jennie's smile fades a bit and she lets out a heavy sigh. "It was alright, I guess, but we don't need to be talking about that right now."
That's not the answer I was looking for.
I want her to talk to me if something bad happened.
I want her to open up so she can let me in to what's on her mind.
I want her to trust me as much as I trust her.
I want to be someone she confides in.
If there's a problem I want to be by her side, working it out with her or giving her my support if that's what the situation calls for.
I want all of those things, in fact I need for that to be the case, I need Jennie to know she can count on me.
That I'm someone who can come through for her and not let her down.
When I told Jennie about finding Soojoo and Soojin she came through for me with flying colors.
Giving me this night, my prom, goes way above and beyond the call of friendship.
There's no debating how that's a very good thing, but I need her to believe or see for herself that I'm just as willing and capable to be there for her.
As much as this night is for me, a friendship and the relationship I hope to have with her one day has to be about both of us.
Equally.
I wouldn't want it any other way.
"Tell me, I want to know please." I say firmly.
This is important.
For her.
For me.
And most of all for us.
Jennie opens her mouth and I'm sure it's to protest so I give her my own 'don't fight me' look. My stubbornness pays off and when Jennie sits back she seems ready to talk.
"I've just been fighting quite a bit with my record label." Jennie divulges somewhat reluctantly.
"Why?" I ask to keep the conversation flowing.
She shifts nervously in her chair but she doesn't try and change the subject. "Creative differences I guess would be the best way to describe it." She stars to play with her napkin and I silently encourage her to keep going. "All I want is to make music, my music but I feel like they own me ever since I signed on with them."
I take another sip of water and then lean forward. "That sounds rough."
Jennie furrows her brow and her eyes aren't as warm as they were a few minutes a go. "Don't get me wrong I'm very grateful for this chance, I know I'm lucky, but it's a little overwhelming for them to have some control. I don't even care about the fame or the money." That's good to know, I'd hate for that to be Jennie's goal in life. "I just want people to hear the music I create, the music I perform for them."
"I understand." I say sympathetically. "You want to sing what inspires you, what you feel a connection to, right?"
"Exactly." Jennie replies quickly and that makes me happy.
Not that she's having problem with her label, but that I get where she's coming from.
"I'm not going to sit here and tell you that I know all the ins and outs of the music business." I reach over and place my hand over Jennie's. "But if it makes you feel better you have at least one person in your corner that has your best interests in heart. Whatever I can do to make all of this easier, I'm here for you."
Jennie glances down at our hands before giving me one of the most intense looks we've shared to date. "You can't possibly know how much that means to me."
And just like that my heart is off to the races again.
"I mean it Jen." I manage to get out even though my body is buzzing from the intensity of Jennie's eyes. "You're not alone in this."
Not while I'm around.
"Thanks." Jennie responds and her voice cracks just a little bit.
"Here are your salads." Rose in all her Swedish glory says after she walks over to the table.
We don't even get a chance to thank her before she's gone.
She certainly is making herself scarce.
Which is just great.
And yet another thing I owe her for.
"So mademoiselles is everything good?" My gay as gay can be brother asks as he makes another appearance by our side.
Jennie looks at me for confirmation and I give her a quick nod. "Everything is great Jacques."
Aw, she's playing along for him.
That's sweet.
"Awesome." Bobby exclaims and then he clears his throat when he realizes he stepped out of character. "I mean that is good to hear, bon appetit!"
Jennie and I are both rolling our eyes at his antics but there's no denying he's a cutie.
I'm about to take a bite of my salad when I notice something behind Jennie that I didn't see before. It looks like a backdrop of a beach or an island at sunset.
"That's uhm so you know, we can get our picture taken tonight." Jennie explains when I ask her about it. "That's what happens at proms, I think, this is my first one." She rambles and I think this is the most unsure I've ever seen her. "I want you to have a reminder of this night."
Jennie's biting her lip again and I'm trying not to tackle her.
She's so bloody sweet that I might just go into sugar shock.
Oh well, that's a risk I'm most definitely willing to take!
Her thoughtfulness knows no limits.
I want to get my picture with Jennie, that's not even up for debate.
But there's one thing I know for sure as my eyes linger on Jennie's.
I don't need a picture to remember this night.
Don't need one at all.
Because this night, is one I have no doubt I'll remember for a long time to come.