Tiffany's POV
 

I pick up the flowers and sigh, they’re beautiful.  So beautiful...
 

"The flowers are beautiful,” I gushed, cradling my new treasure. We were on my porch, my dad had already taken his pictures and we’d been about to leave when Jessie had told me she had a gift.  I’d actually been freaking out about what she could have possibly have gotten since I had no idea how to react to first date gift-getting until I saw the flowers.

They matched perfectly with my pale pink dress.  How had she known which flowers to get me? These were my favorite. My absolute favorite.  They were pink carnations, exactly like my corsage, except where those would wilt and die these would live and regrow for years to come.

I’d been watching Jessica long enough to know that she’d do just a about anything for someone else. The soccer captain who broke the clichéd stereotype; that never seemed to think about herself, but instead was the person who was there for you before you even knew you needed her. Someone who pulled you up off the ground even when she was about to collapse herself, though of course she didn’t let you see that. It was what first pulled me too her.  That and her beautiful smile... and I just never thought I would ever be on the receiving end.

“I’m glad you like them.” Jessie grinned, her voice pulling me back into the present. She was dressed in a black sleeveless dress, which enhanced her toned figure and that went great with her golden brown hair and white creamy skin. Not to mention her radiant smile.

I wish I had known that this moment was coming when I’d watched Jessie despairingly in the school parking lot. It would have made that longing stab in my chest bearable, those nights alone in my room easier.

I needed her to know how much this all really meant to me.

“I love them,” I breathed. She blushed. I stopped smiling. Was I being too forward? Too obvious? Too fast? Too whatever it was that had made it too awkward for her to even look at me?  It would be just like me, to ruin this before it had even begun. I didn't have anything else to say, and neither did she. I needed to say something, to fix this, but all I could think about is how stupid I must look fiddling with my dress, my cheeks flaming.

“We should probably get going." Jessie said to break the silence, her feet shifting restlessly while she edged toward her car door.

“Umm... yeah.” I grimaced as I set my flowers gently on the porch table before scurrying after as fast as I could in high heels, and without looking stupid. I slipped inside the car as she slid in smoothly beside me. I wanted to slump down in my seat, except slumping in a dress with such a tight fitting bodice looked really awkward, not to mention unattractive. So I settled with just letting my head smack against the back of the seat.

This night was not going as planned, and couldn’t stop myself from thinking that maybe it had been a mistake. I heaved a sigh. This was going to be a disaster, I just knew it. Jessie had probably only asked me to prom out of pity anyway. I mean, why else would she ask me?  I was nothing special; just an ordinary skinny girl with shoulder-length black hair. My chest felt heavy and my eyes were cloudy as I stared out the window, wanting very much too just vanish on the spot so I wouldn’t have to deal with all this disappointment anymore.

But then I felt something brush against my hand. I looked down just as Jessie's hand was returning to the steering wheel. She looked over at me and smiled reassuringly, and the corners of my mouth twitched in response. The weight in my chest felt lighter, and I found myself sitting up straighter in my seat, my heart pumping with renewed anticipation.  I may have even cracked a small, hopeful smile.

Tonight might turn out to be the best night of my life after all.

They might be the best flowers I've ever planted.  Carnations that dance with evening pink, light and delicate; yet brilliant as the sun, luminescent in their beauty.  Carnations  had been my favorite, ever since I first laid eyes on them. It was because of them that I loved planting flowers so much. To me they were an emblem of life. Radiating with vivacity, so pure you can almost taste it. They bloom so bright yet whither so quickly. The most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen and you blink; and then they’re gone.

I take a deep breath as I pick up my shovel.  Position is vital. They need to be somewhere where they will be safe from the elements, but also somewhere where they can absorb the sun.

I’ll put them here, I decide.  My hands caress the soil…

“We’re here,” Jessie said, parking her car. I drew in a sharp breath. The ride here had been, alright. We hadn’t exactly had a stellar conversation, but I was mostly just happy that I’d managed to talk without sputtering.

The part I loved the most was the car though, or rather, the way it smelled; like strawberry and spring. I had no idea why, as her car was pretty much spotless except for small jacket and coloring book that probably belonged to her little sister. For whatever reason all of this calmed me down and gave my body a chance to breathe, which it desperately needed.

Only now we were here, and everything came rushing back. My chest felt constricted and my hands felt clammy as they nervously gripped the car door. This was the moment I'd been dreaming about all year, but it has always seemed out of reach. Only now it was here, waiting for me to step inside. But I didn’t feel like my most desired fantasy was in front of me, but rather a large, towering black gate that sent chills down my spine and filled my head  with discouraging notions. What if it wasn't everything I'd hoped it would be? What if something, everything, went wrong? What if Jessie decided she doesn't want to see me again after tonight?

What if...

I looked at Jessie. She stared down at me, eyes full of concern. Maybe she could sense my doubt because she reached down and gently slipped her hand in mine, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

“Tiff,” she said gently. And that was it. I looked into those glorious chocolate eyes, and all my fears, all my hesitation, melted away. I wrapped my hand around hers.

"Are you ready?” I said in a mock serious voice, locking my gaze on Jessie, "to enter the most clichéd and emotionally insane moment of our high school experience?”

She feigned indecisiveness, and then her eyes glittered. "Let the fun begin.” she answered as she pulled me to my feet, her fingers entwining with mine.

I should begin.  I take a deep breath, fighting my doubts. I need to do this, before I lose my nerve.

Silly girl. I tell myself, they’re just flowers.

But I know it’s much more than that. It’s the moment that will define everything.  If I quit now... no, I have to finish this.

I sink my little hand shovel into the earth...

Jessie sunk the spoon into the punch bowl, pulling up the delicious cherry red liquid.

“For you.” she said, bowing slightly.

I gave her a scathing look. “How chivalrous, giving a girl punch that could totally ruin her jewel-incrusted dress.” She pretended to wince, as though my rejection for fruit punch had come as a personal blow. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes, or punch her in the arm. We’d gotten to the dance a little late, and she’d led m