Cantrell: The Early Years, Part Two

Prom Night, a Cantrell” The Early Years, Part Two Update

 

All five teens worked to finish up any homework they needed for their classes. Erik especially needed his to be done. Not only did they have a full evening, but come Sunday, as per notification, he was up for Best New Artist, the second of the four Quadrennial Starlight Accolade Shows. He would be consumed with anxiety, were he to allow it. 

 

This was another big deal in the life of a musician. He smiled to himself. I am a musician, realizing his life’s dream was unfolding before his own eyes. He also realized he had mixed feelings about it. Ecstatic on the one side, on the flip side, he wondered how long he could keep up with this lifestyle of writing, recording his music, followed by endless random concerts, interviews and photoshoots?

 

What is the cost? He wondered. He had many dreams, after all. He also wanted his own family. A wife and children. Putting such thoughts aside, he turned to completing his presentation board.

Come early evening, Erik noticed a flurry of activity as both Kayleigh and Brianna got themselves ready for the evening ahead. Lots of giggling happened. Erik smiled. He was very glad his sister got along well with his girlfriend. He already knew his growing feelings for Kayleigh were deep and he was flirting with actual love. He often caught himself daydreaming of a future with her. Time would tell, and it would also hinge on just how Kayleigh felt about him. One-sided love was painful, which was something he didn’t want.

 

Finally, the girls, women, as he preferred to think of them emerged from the bathroom. “Wow, look at you two,” he said. “Fit for any prom. Kayleigh, what’s wrong?”

“Just worried, I guess. You have an entourage, what if they get pictures of us at the prom?”

“We don’t have to keep it a secret. Once we arrive at church, nobody, is going to care what we did beforehand, right?”

 

“Here, this might help cheer you up.” With that Erik very carefully secured a purple rose to her light lilac gown. “We are just going to catch a second-wind so none of us finds ourselves snoozing part-way through the services tonight. Three- hours; worth, don’t forget.”

 

With that, the five teens beamed themselves to the Copperdale High gym.

 

Brianna led the way inside and within moments the group danced. The took a moment, each of them, to vote for Prom Royalty and Prom Jester. Most selected Aaron as the Jester. Although Aaron voted Joey for that position.  Erik was diligent to keep an eye on the time. He knew the girls would need a moment to change their clothing for more appropriate church wear. Dressed up, but not so formal, as they were currently.

 

"Did I mention how gorgeous you look?" Erik said, as they stepped onto the dance floor.

At one point a gentleman who was one of the Chaperons for the event approached Kayleigh. Erik wondered just what he was saying to her. Both of them had resisted the urge to do a slow dance together, knowing such a picture was fodder to the Paparazzi, and a relationship-killer for them. They stuck to the Cowpoke dance, instead. Safer and others joined in.

 

"Oh, you're kidding. Wow," Kayleigh said.

"No, the votes have been tallied."

"To think my boyfriend is the one who insisted we come tonight, too."

 

 Next thing Erik knew, Kayleigh was escorted up to the stage as Ms. Mei announced the votes had been tallied and to give attention to the results.

 

Shortly thereafter, Prom was over. The students filed outside. A bevy of fans, including a rather Obsessed fan, were outside waiting.  Erik gave them a quick glance, dismayed to see the one was sans clothing. Had you kept your clothes on, buddy, you might have gained admittance.

 

Taking Kayleigh aside, he took out his phone and showed her a funny video.

 

 

“Erik, I have to change before they lock the doors,” she said, pulling away, as he kissed her

 

Once the girls were ready, nearly being thrown out forcibly, the teens beamed over to St. James’ Church. Happily, wide awake throughout the lengthy services, once over, they followed the parish downstairs to enjoy a Feast, as they sought to break the Fast as a community. For the first time since the forty plus days of fasting began, all felt sated. In the wee hours the teens arrived back at Wyvern Hall. Erik fully expected to be confronted again for breaking curfew, but everyone else appeared to be asleep. Dawn was yet to break, but it wouldn’t be long in coming.

 

While Erik headed to bed, others quietly found their books to finish up that last little bit of work left unfinished. Kayleigh put the finishing touches on her term paper and submitted it. She busied herself searching for Easter Eggs.

 

Aaron and the others hunted for eggs, too. All found at least one, some two and even three. Aaron and the others hunted for eggs, too. All found at least one, some two and even three. These weren't simple colored hard-boiled eggs, but rather ornamental and inedible. The kind you put in a showcase. Very much like a Fabergé Egg the Tsar of Russia used to have commissioned. Well worth the search.

 

 

All for now. Thanks for reading!