Lost in the Wilderness - The Forest of Evergreen Book 1 (5 page)

“All right.” Sophia made sure some thrill bounced off of her tone to compensate her best friend’s eagerness for the prom. Then, she took a quick look at Giovanni, and perceived his own enthusiasm for the event.

When they finally found an unoccupied table, Giovanni intervened in their chat.
 

“By the way, I’ll drop by your house later. Alex asked me to help him tonight,” he said as he put on the table a box of mocha cupcakes from his backpack. They were perfectly prepared, topped with espresso frosting that no one would dare to resist. (It was made by Giovanni’s mom for Sophia, and there was no denying that his mom truly adored her. And she even joked Elizabeth about an arranged marriage for their kids. After all, they belonged to the same line, in the business world.)

“Oh! I see,” the two girls reacted simultaneously as they sat opposite each other on a small square table. The guys could have arranged something for them.
 

Still standing before them, Giovanni asked what the two girls wanted to drink.
 

“Greek frappé,” Zarah quickly responded.

As for Sophia, she ordered cappuccino.

Briefly, Giovanni left them and went to the counter.

While waiting, Sophia and Zarah talked of the previous storm and their late session buying dresses for tonight’s prom.

When Giovanni returned with the girls’ orders in his hands, he sat beside Sophia and volunteered to open the box of cupcakes.

Sophia watched him do so while Zarah began sipping her favorite coffee.

“How’s Alex? I haven’t seen him these past few days.” Giovanni poked Sophia about his bandmate. He and Alex became friends when both of them joined a musical camp back in grade school. Being the lead guitarist, with Alex as the drummer of Zion, Giovanni’s every rehearsal with Alex augmented his fiery interest in Sophia.

“Alex’s fine, he’s always Alex,” Sophia answered in a low tone. But when she noticed that her brother was not yet coming to join them, she finally asked Zarah.

“He just texted me. He can’t join us. He’s still in his History class,” responded Zarah while going through the other messages from Alex.

In a flare, Zarah spoke again but in an irritable way. “Soph, please tell Alex to enroll in the same section this coming senior year, okay?” She let her time-bomb fury at Alex explode, before Sophia managed to calm her down.

Though there were still two months to go before the end of their junior year, Zarah still couldn’t believe that Alex was actually serious in enrolling in a different section when they had a mega dramatic and overrated fight back during their enrollment period for junior year.

“Yes, I will tell my brother.” Sophia handed a smile and took a bite of the cupcake. “Wow, this really tastes good—” She was saying, when she realized Giovanni’s warm look, directed at her, for he was very much entertained by her delicate bite of the cupcake. It was as if fireworks flashed in his eyes, and she barely noticed that Zarah was there. But the moment she recovered, she distanced her look straight away, before Giovanni’s glow could turn her or anyone completely into ashes.

Now, Zarah distracted them. “Hey, you guys. I think it’s time for Chemistry.”

With a splotch of embarrassment, Giovanni and Sophia agreed and rose from their seats, quick as a flash.

Thereafter, they went back to their classes, while postponing their conversation about their plans for prom.

As soon as their last class-period ended, Sophia and Zarah rushed to leave their school for the perfect dresses that would stun everyone for the night.

“I hope we find something that will fit us,” Sophia told Zarah as she drove her car.

“Come on, we’re both skinny and I’m pretty sure it would be easy for us,” Zarah smooth-talked, reapplying her red lipstick as she sat beside Sophia, in front of the car.

“It’s really funny that we’re buying our dresses four hours before prom,” Sophia conveyed, in irony.

“Well, it rained heavily for almost a week and most of the malls were closed.”

With a face fogged up, Sophia continued driving until they arrived at Nile, the country’s longest shopping mall that was named after the world’s longest river.

Hastening to the lady’s department, the two gave their best shot, to spot the best eye-catching dresses, in an instant.

In a minute, a scarlet satin dress enthralled Sophia’s awareness and it reminded her of the same color of a dress she received three days before her thirteenth birthday. Frustratingly though, she never knew who sent it and she never got the chance to wear it.

Waking up from reminiscing, she took a fond hold of the dress, positioned it in front of her, and looked at the mirror to see if it suited her. It was silken, with an obviously glamorous manner of couture, that would hint at a lady of vogue. It was tinted with glittering geometrical design, fair enough to compliment her radiant olive skin.

“It’s beautiful! It’s à la mode,” Zarah commended as she was holding her chosen dress too. It was plain black, backless, and daring.

Sophia no longer searched around for anything else. She knew it was the perfect one for her. Without second thoughts, she informed Zarah that she would take it.
 

Zarah agreed and together, they went to the counter with their chosen dresses.

They continued through the lady’s department and stopped at a boutique of cosmetics, mapping out for the perfect makeup colors that would definitely make themselves glimmer, all through the night.

Leaving the mall now, Zarah sang with vim and vigor until they approached Sophia’s car at the parking lot.
 

With a laugh, Sophia sang along with her.

They arrived at Sophia’s and pressurized themselves in her room. Zarah took a shower first and Sophia brought out her best friend’s pack of personal stuff. It was what Zarah used, everytime she decided to sleep over at their house.
 

They still had a couple of hours to prepare.
 

While waiting for the shower room to get vacant, Sophia devoted her time hanging their dresses and cutting out the price tags, like an
OC
.
 

Before long, a call from Giovanni distracted her deep-in-thought-stare at the dresses.
 

“Babe, where are you now?”

“I’m still here in my room with Zarah.”

“Okay! Just called to check if you’re ready. Can’t wait to see you, babe!”

While on the phone, Sophia saw Zarah coming out of the bathroom.
 

“Gio, can you call me again later? I just have to… prepare.”
 

“Right! See you later, babe.”
 

“Bye,” Sophia concluded in a hurry. Considering everyone’s growing anticipation, it only took her ten minutes to bathe.
 

“Hey, I’ll do your hair, okay?” Zarah told her. She knew Sophia very well. She never liked styling her own hair that much. On the contrary, hairstyling was Zarah’s interest and forte, no matter what everyone believed about her.

Sophia agreed with her best friend’s offer and waited until Zarah was done curling her cinnamon hair that complimented her glowing porcelain skin.
 

Then, Sophia put on her liquid foundation to contour her face, especially her cheekbones, and to prepare for the bold account of vibrant red lips and smoky eyes.

Zarah was astounded to see her best friend with such makeup on. It was rare for her to see Sophia that way. Afterwards, Zarah looked at her, in every angle, and started on the idea of making Sophia’s hair just as splendidly gorgeous.

Downstairs, Alex and Giovanni were already waiting; impatient, too, to see the girls, at long last.
 

Philippe and Elizabeth just got home from picking up Nadine in school.
 

“So… are, you guys, excited for tonight?” Elizabeth talked to the boys as she put her shoulder bag on the couch and sat.
 

“Mom, do you have to ask that?” responded Alex in wonder.
 

On the spot, Elizabeth laughed. “Of course! It’s the prom! I can’t believe I just asked that!”

“I wish I’m in high school too, Mom!” expressed Nadine, quite jealous that everyone’s all dressed up while she was in her boring uniform.
 

Elizabeth and Philippe just laughed at her.
 

“Wait, honey, and you will also get there.” Elizabeth tried her best to explain to her daughter.

“You look good,” Philippe applauded Alex and Giovanni. They were in hot tuxedos that triggered Nadine to ask for a picture with them.

The two boys, of course, agreed, tittering.
 

To keep the ball of ecstasy running, Philippe volunteered to take a photo of them while Elizabeth gleefully watched them in motion.

Sophia ended her makeup with a light blush-on to make it more natural. But when Zarah was done with Sophia’s hair, she was amazed to see Zarah pin-up the twirls that fell in waves, with a touch of class and with a few pieces that were pulled back, to give her face a frame.
 

“Wow, this is amazing, Zarah. Thanks!”

“You’re welcome.” Zarah pleasurably accepted the appreciation. As for her, she had her hair down with tousled waves, and full bangs swept over to one side.

They wrapped it all up with dazzling diamond accessories, from their ears down to their forearms.

Now, they were ready to go.

Then standing at the living room, Alex and Giovanni were, for a moment or two, mesmerized, as their girlfriends, at last, walked down the stairs.
 

Even Philippe and Elizabeth were stunned.

“Wow! How I wish I was wearing one of those dresses!” Nadine let her amazement show, and everyone chuckled at her.
 

Alex and Giovanni could not completely help but do stare at the two, forgetting to pin on their partner’s dress the corsage they had in their hands.

Elizabeth reminded them and also asked to take a photograph.
 

Alex and Zarah were photographed, first. But when it was Giovanni’s and Sophia’s turn, Elizabeth could not help but admire her daughter’s gorgeous look. Anyhow, she took three shots of them and even asked Alex and Zarah to join them.
 

Picture! Picture!
 

The last shot was when they compacted altogether and the camera was timed for ten seconds.
 

They were about to go when Philippe suddenly excused Giovanni, hoping for a private and fine conversation with him.
 

At his office, adjacent to the living room, Philippe unlocked a fragile chat with him.

“Giovanni, look…” Philippe sighed very uneasy. “I trust you, okay?” he said, with piercing eyes that curdled Giovanni’s stomach. “I really do! So bring her home on time, in one piece.”

“Thank you, sir!” Giovanni replied with an ashen smile, but he survived, and put on a bright one.

“Good,” Philippe smiled slightly, accompanying it with a light slap on Giovanni’s shoulders. “See that you do.”

Now, they were all set. They got into the limo breathlessly, and left.
 

When the two pairs arrived at the venue, everyone was busy taking a lot of photographs: selfies and all that. The music was so loud that everybody just wanted to dance and have fun.
 

Camera flashes were all over the place and the party rocked, as everyone expected it to.

Throughout the night, Giovanni never took his hands away from Sophia. It was a sign, forbidding any guy to dance with her. But it was prom night, and she could dance with anyone else, unless she declined.

Sighing, Sophia had nothing to do but sit down and watch her schoolmates who swayed, bumping each other, moving with the music. With the undesirable return of memories from Forest Green, she wished for a dance with Giovanni. Giovanni’s reason for being a bad dancer was not an excuse to her, at that point in time.

At last, the music went slow and Giovanni, after a long wait, finally asked Sophia for a dance. His touch on her waist, his dearest stare as he swayed with her—Sophia then began to feel the weight of Giovanni’s fondness. The music went on and changed pace. Then Alex meddled, informing Giovanni about their band’s sudden performance. They were given the chance to perform, and when they were on the stage, they dedicated their songs to their girlfriends.

It was the night of their lives for Sophia and Zarah. It was a long night where they did not notice that they were taking too many drinks. They spent the entire night enjoying every moment.
 

Plainly, it was an occasion that Sophia was desperate of, to drift away, to tear herself away from torrents of veiled melancholy that was almost drowning her.

The prom was now about to end. The excitement was still bursting, or perhaps they did not desire it to end, but the principal had finally spoken those pedagogic closing remarks. The discontentment was felt, but nevertheless, they all had to go.
 

“We’ll take the limo, okay?” Alex joked Giovanni.

“All right!” Giovanni assented.

Hastily, Alex and Zarah left them and went nowhere.

Giovanni looked dearly at Sophia. “I’ll take you home now,” he spoke, like his mouth was budding with beautiful flowers.

Sophia nodded, without saying any word.

“Hey!” Giovanni perked her up and hung his right hand on Sophia’s shoulders. “Did you drink too much? You seem so drunk,” he spoke, bubbly, as they made their way outside the venue.

“A little.”

“Just a little? I don’t think so.” Giovanni put on a small laugh.

“Don’t judge. I’m still myself, okay?” Sophia also laughed.

“Okay.”

Outside, while waiting for his car to be delivered by the family driver, Giovanni stared hard at Sophia, as if her face was glowing with the stars from above.
 

“You are a goddess,” he crooned, fascinated, as Sophia looked up at the glittery sky. “I’m sure Aphrodite will get jealous of you, even Snow White’s stepmom,” he progressed in a laughing way, hoping to brighten up Sophia’s face too.