CHAPTER 18

Emmy Prom day is finally here, and I’m so excited. I can't believe it’s already the end of May, and only a few weeks left of the school year left. I’m going to be a senior! I couldn’t believe how fast time had gone by, but I’m excited to see what’s going to happen. I feel a change in the air, and I’m not sure if it’s bad or good, but something is coming.

Sam is sitting in the chair next to me. We are getting our nails done, and then we are off to get our hair done. Sam has the day planned to a T. After we get ready the guys will be picking us up in a limo, and we will get pictures done at the park. Then it’s time for the actual prom. After prom, Carter and I are going up to his family's lake house.

I’m a bit nervous to be spending the weekend alone with Carter, but I’m also really excited at the same time. I still have no idea if he is my soulmate, but at this point I just want to enjoy our relationship. I really want him to be my soulmate though. I’m falling in love with him. I know thinking the big L word is crazy to be saying this early on in our relationship, but I can’t help it.

I feel like Carter is my soulmate, deep in my soul I know he is. I just need to prove it by finding that stupid mark. I couldn’t really find a mark that could be anywhere on his body, I’d have to see him naked for that. I couldn’t very well be like Carter, I need you to stripe, so I can look for some mark that you might have on your body that shows you’re my soulmate.

Yeah, that would not go over well. There had to be a better way than trying to get him naked, not that I would mind seeing him naked. Oh crap, I’m blushing. Thankfully Sam isn’t paying attention because if she was, she surely would have said something.

I’m not ready to have the sex talk with Sam. I’m sure she would be helpful, but I just don’t want to talk about it. What would I say? So, I can’t have sex unless it’s with my soulmate because I’m a witch and having sex with someone who isn’t your soulmate is a big no in the magic world. Ha, that would not go over well so it’s best to just keep away from that topic with Sam.

Sam does my makeup. I tell her to keep it light and elegant, and she does just that. I’m getting really excited for Carter to see me in my dress. I feel like a princess, and I’m pretty sure I look like one. Sam is done, and I stand to look in the mirror. I look like a princess, and I’m so going to wow Carter which is what I really want to do tonight.

The guys arrive, and Sam walks down the half circle staircase first. Sam’s hair is swooped to the side and curled with little diamonds clipped in it. Evan looks great in his dark grey suit. My hair is down, and in soft curls. I can see Carter in his three piece black pinstripe suit.

After Evan takes Sam’s hand, it’s my turn.

I walk down the stairs and keep my eyes on Carter. His mouth drops the moment he sees me. Mission accomplished. I reach the bottom of the stairs. Carter takes my hand and kisses it. Then he leans in and tells me how beautiful I look. I smile. I feel beautiful, and I’m glad to be going to prom with my boyfriend. Never thought I’d have those to two words in the same sentence.

We take pictures at the park. Sam hired a professional photographer as if this was our wedding or something. I just let her have her moment and go along with whatever crazy plan she has hatched for the evening. Samantha has planned everything, even if some of it seems over the top, but she insisted it was her last prom and she was going out with a bang. Samantha doesn’t do anything half assed when it comes to extravagant events.

After an hour of pictures, we finally leave for prom, which was being held in town at the River Side Inn. It’s a huge old house that they converted into an Inn and a restaurant. They are known for having weddings and proms there. Since our school spares no expense when it comes to school events, we always have prom somewhere fancy. They have all the high schools do one big prom; it makes it easier for planning.

We arrive at prom, and I’m blown away by how elegant and beautiful everything looks. There are lights lining the walk path to the door. Once inside there is a huge room with tables all around, a dance floor in the middle and food tables off to the side. The room is decorated in school colors. There were elegant lights hanging above us. Everything is fancy, but nothing compared to the party at the coven’s manor. Magic makes things better and more interesting, but this was just a normal human event, no magic involved.

Carter takes me to our table where we sit down. We are sharing a table with Sam, Even, Tori, Jeff, Josh and Jess. The normal group that always seems to be around. Tori has on a coral ball gown dress with a corset top that is sheer except for where her boobs are. Her hair is up in some fancy design, and Jeff matches her with a coral tie. Jess has on a dark blue dress that is a mermaid style, but it’s halter top, and very simple which surprises me. Josh has on a dark blue suit to match Jess’s dress. Everyone looks marvelous.

They serve us appetizers, and then we have our main course about an hour after prom started. It’s a buffet style, and the food is awesome. Roasted chicken, fish, green beans, glazed carrots, potatoes, and a create your own pasta station. Of course, there is salad and bread along with everything else.

After dinner we dance. I can’t believe I’m on the dance floor, but Sam isn’t going to let me stay in the corner all night like I want to. So here I am on the dance floor making a fool of myself. Carter dances every slow song with me, and I must admit I really love being in his arms. I feel safe and secure in his arms. Our connection is so strong even though we haven’t been dating that long, but something tells me there is a reason for that.

After a few hours of dancing, they put out the dessert table, and I’m there in a heartbeat. I’m so hungry from dancing, and since I really didn’t get much of a chance to eat during the day thanks to Sam and her crazy schedule, I feel like I could eat another meal. I try a little bit of everything, and Carter joins me at the table. It’s just us. Josh and Jess left before the dessert came out. Tori is off making out with Jeff somewhere. Sam and Evan are on the dance floor. Apparently, all the couples have plans for this weekend which is why Josh and Jess left early.

I know Carter will want to leave soon. I’m a little nervous about this weekend because I don’t know what Carter is expecting. I can’t do anything till I know for sure he is my soulmate. I know Carter won’t force anything on me, but I don’t want to disappoint him. I’m confident I can find a balance that will make us both happy. The old me would be scared but the new me is much more confident. I’m coming out of my shell. I am a little nervous and anxious but that’s normal after all this is a big step for us. We have never spent the night together before.

A little more time passes, and we decide we are ready to leave. We say goodbye to our friends and make our way out. I feel my anxiety increase slightly. I know Carter won’t break up with me for not having sex with him, he’s not that kind of guy. If anyone is the bad person in our relationship, it’s me. I’m the girlfriend who keeps secrets, I’m a witch and I have a dark family history that I don’t even know fully about.

I don’t want to keep things from Carter, but I have to. I can’t tell him anything till I know he is my soulmate. It’s for my own protection. If Carter is my soulmate there is a much higher chance he will accept me for who I am, but if I tell him without knowing for sure if he is my soulmate, I run the risk of him rejecting me and much worse. Not all humans accept the magic world, some fear it while others pretend it’s just fiction, either way it hardly ever ends well for the magical party. If history has taught me anything it’s that it's better to be safe than sorry when it comes to tell humans what you really are.

We have to take a taxi back to Carter’s house to get his car. Then we stop at my house to get my stuff and for me to change. I’m starting to get uncomfortable with the dress on and I’m not about to drive two hours in it to the lake house. Carter also changes at my house. We load my stuff into his car, and we get Luna in the back seat. With that we are ready to start our weekend trip.

I told Carter I would leave Luna with Kenzie for the weekend, but he insisted she come with us, and for that I’m grateful. I know Luna has grown on Carter and he on her. That has to be a good sign, right? The soulmate book did say that a witch's animal companion wouldn’t like someone who wasn’t their owner's soulmate. Ugh this whole soulmate thing is driving me crazy.

I promise myself I won’t drive myself crazy trying to figure out the soulmate thing or stress thinking about. I’m going to enjoy my weekend with Carter and let things progress naturally. After the weekend I can focus harder on figuring out this soulmate thing.

By the time we get to the lake house it is late, and I take a shower to get all the makeup off and hair spray out of my hair. Carter brings our stuff in and takes Luna out for me while I freshen up. We curl up on the couch to watch a movie. I tell Carter we can share a room, at least I can give him that. He says we don’t have to, but I told him it was non-negotiable. He promises he doesn't expect anything this weekend which makes me happy. I think he could sense I was nervous about that. I’m tired, and so I curl up in his arms and let sleep take over me.