Chapter 9

Prom was a couple of weeks away and Ashley and I had gone shopping. She picked out a dress that was dark purple. It was small at the top, but then it went out towards the bottom. It was really beautiful, and it fit her well. Then she helped me pick my dress out.

I had picked out a dress that covered me well enough to hide the bruises. It was long, navy blue, and it had a butterfly and flower up at the top in the corner. I also found a cute little jacket to match, that would cover up my back. I also made sure I bought the tallest shoes I could find, of course that I could still kind of walk in.

I told my parents that I was going to prom with Kevin. My mom was so thrilled and well Jerry, he had no reaction. He just stared at me blankly.

The weeks flew by and soon it was prom night.

"Oh my gosh! Where are my shoes? My purse? I can't find anything," I said running around the house looking for anything and everything.

"Calm down sweetie. Your shoes are under your bed, your purse is behind your door, and bring me your butterfly clips for your hair," my mom said.

"Thanks Mom. I don't know what I'd do without you," I said.

I went upstairs and found everything exactly where she had told me. I put my shoes on, grabbed my purse and hair clips, and headed towards my mom's room.

"Okay, I'm ready for you to do my hair," I said.

Then I sat down and closed my eyes trying to calm myself down. She curled my hair and pulled a little bit back and put it into a barrette. Then she put little butterfly clips around it.

"There you go. You look like a princess," my mom said. I slowly opened my eyes and looked at the wonderful job my mom had done. She smiled at me lovingly and said, "I have to leave for work soon. I won't be back until 10 a.m.. So please do as your father asks, and don't argue with him. Okay, sweetie?"

"Okay," I said.

Ding! Dong!

"Oh my gosh, it's Kevin! I need to go get my camera. I'll be down soon," I said heading to my room, as my mom went to answer the door.

"Hey handsome!" my mom said, as she let Kevin in.

"Thanks, Mama Joy," Kevin said sweetly.

I walked into the front room and stopped as soon as I saw Kevin. 'Oh my God! He looks so sexy. Good thing we're just friends,' I thought.

"Wow, you look gorgeous Janel," Kevin said while smiling at me.

"Thanks," I said trying not to blush. "You don't look too bad yourself," I said smiling at him. "Oh mom, can you take a picture of me and Kevin together?"

"Sure, now go stand next to him," she said.

We stood there and held hands smiling. I knew it would be a great picture and I would always treasure it.

"Well, we better get going. We wouldn't want the limo driver waiting any longer," Kevin said.

"What a limo? But. . .how could you afford it?" I asked.

"Don't worry about it. This is your night. So enjoy it and don't worry about a thing," Kevin said, smiling at me.

"Thank you so much. You don't know how much this means to me," I said, as I held his hand tighter.

"Bye Mom!" I said, as we headed out the door.

"Bye Sweetie! Have fun you two!" she yelled to us.

Jerry was in the living room watching t.v.. He didn't like the fact that I was going to prom, with Kevin of all people. He was mad that I was going with an older boy, even though I had known him all of my life.

We climbed into the limo and Ashley and Brian were already in there. They made such a cute couple. She had thanked me everyday for mentioning it to Brian that she liked him.

"Don't say a word. You and Brian have a good time tonight, and you're welcome," I said smiling at them, while getting into the limousine.

"Thanks Janel," Brian said.

We talked the rest of the way there, enjoying each other's company. Brian and Kevin kept Ashley and me laughing so much, we could hardly breathe.

"Okay, we're here," the limo driver said.

Both Kevin and Brian got out first, then they reached out their hands and helped us out. They were such gentlemen.

Then we went in and said hi to some of my friends, and some people that were friends of Kevin's.

"Kevin, why don't we get our pictures taken right away? So that way we can enjoy the rest of our night," I suggested.

"Okay, that sounds good. But let's find Brian and Ashley first, so we can take a group picture," he said.

I smiled at him, and then we went searching for them. They had already made it to the dance floor.

"Hey Brian!" yelled Kevin.

Brian looked over at Kevin, and Kevin motioned for them to come here. So Brian took Ashley's hand and led her off the dance floor.

"What's up, cuz?" Brian asked.

"Janel and I want to get our pictures taken and we want a group picture with you two," Kevin said.

"Okay," Brian said.

"Brian, let me go fix my hair before we take the picture. You guys go stand in line. I'll be back soon," Ashley said.

"Yes, that's a good idea Ashley. I'll go with you. We'll meet you two in line," I said, as we headed towards the bathroom.

The line was so long, well actually it was more like a huge group of people. I wasn't sure if we would even make it into the bathroom before the guys were next in line for pictures. But we managed to squeeze ourselves through and freshen up. Then we rushed over to where the guys were in line.

We decided that each couple would get a picture taken, then a group picture, and Ashley and I wanted a picture of us together.

For the couple picture, I sat on a balcony they had set up. Then I turned towards Kevin who was standing behind it. I looked up at him and he looked down at me. We stared into each other's eyes, and then the photographer took the picture. The next picture we took, Kevin was standing behind me with his arms wrapped around me, and our hands interlocking. The photographer didn't even have to tell me to smile. I was glowing the whole time. Then we took the group picture, and the one with Ashley and me.

After the pictures were taken, our couples split off. Kevin and I headed towards the dance floor, while Brian and Ashley went to say hi to some of their friends.

Kevin and I danced the entire night, no matter what song it was. The slow songs were obviously the best songs to dance to because Kevin held me close to him. I breathed in the scent of his cologne and the smell of just him. With his arms around me I felt like we were the only two people in the world. Everything seemed to be at peace, and for once in two years I finally felt safe.

I was staring into Kevin's gorgeous green eyes, while we were dancing our last slow song, just thinking about us.

"Janel," Kevin said, staring into my eyes.

"Yeah," I said.

"What are you thinking about?" Kevin asked.

"Nothing. I'm just enjoying being in your arms," I said smiling at him.

"Oh," he said.

He went to kiss me on the lips, but instead he kissed me on the cheek. Then I rested my head on his shoulder.

Unfortunately, the night ended too quickly and soon it was time to go home. Of course, you wouldn't exactly call my house a home. It felt more like a prison cell, always being locked in my room and fearing my so called dad. Home to me, was anywhere with Kevin.

We got off the dance floor and searched for Brian and Ashley. They were already waiting for us outside by the limousine. We got in and Kevin told the limo driver to drive around the city. It was so beautiful at night with all of the city lights on and the air was fresh and crisp.

We sat in our couples across from each other. The ride was quiet, while Brian held Ashley and Kevin held me. No one wanted to break the magical silence that enchanted us. I just enjoyed being in the arms of someone who cared for me.

Then the limo driver had to break the silence by saying, "We're here."

Those two words broke the spell that enchanted us and cast a new one. Those were the words that meant that I had to go back to my prison cell and live in fear.

Kevin got out and then helped me out.

"Night, Brian and Ashley. Thanks for a wonderful night," I said.

"Night Janel. We'll see you Monday," they said.

The limousine drove off to take Ashley and Brian home.

Kevin walked me up to my front door. We stood there staring into each other's eyes. Neither of us really sure of what we were feeling for one another. Yes I love him, but how. As a friend or something more. I wanted to love him as something more, but I wasn't sure what he felt for me. And then there was Jerry to worry about. He might become upset and hurt Kevin, and that's the last thing I wanted to happen. I figured that I had better break the stare before I did something that I would regret later.

"Kevin. I want to thank you for one of the best nights in my life. Everything was perfect. You made me feel like a complete princess by showing up in a white horse and being my knight in shining armor," I said smiling at him.

"Well I'm glad that I could rescue you. I really enjoyed myself tonight, also. This prom was better than mine," Kevin said.

"Why is that?" I asked.

"Because this time, I was with you," he said.

"That's so sweet of you to say that Kevin. Well, I better go inside now, it's kind of cold out here," I said.

"I'll keep you warm," Kevin said.

I smiled at him and said, "I know you would. Well thanks again for a wonderful night and being the perfect date," I said walking to the door.

"Wait! Don't I get a good night hug?" Kevin asked, hurt.

"Of course, Boo," I said.

I walked over to him and we hugged each other. I held him as tight as I could. I took in one last deep breath of him and then let go.

"Night, Boo," I said.

"Night, Pumpkin," Kevin said as I walked in.

I closed the door behind me and walked over to the window. In the dark, I watched him walk across the street to his house. Just before he went in, he looked back at my house and then went in. Right then I knew we were meant to be together.

Once he went in, I realized that Jerry was still up and a friend of his was over.

"So did you have a good time?" Jerry asked, as I headed up the stairs.

I was hoping to get to my room before he noticed I was home, but it was too late. I could tell they were getting closer, by the stench of the beer. I slowly turned around to face my dad.

"Yes, it was fun," I said.

I stared into my dad's cold eyes, as he said, "Now it's time for our fun."

Jerry and Mike, his friend, came up to me. Mike grabbed my arms and held them behind me, while Jerry put a rope around my neck.

"What?! What the hell are you doing?" I asked frantically, as he began to tighten the rope.

"You were not told to speak, so don't. Now let's go up to your room," he said.

Mike let go of me, but Jerry kept the rope around my neck. We went into my room and Jerry threw me down on the bed. He took the rope off of my neck and tied it around my hands, so I couldn't defend myself from their hitting.

They began to hit me, destroying my beautiful dress. They laughed and had a good time, while they continued to drink their beer. With the first hit, I decided that as soon as they left I was going to run away.

After they had their fun beating me they took the rope off of my hands. Then Jerry wanted me to have sex with Mike.

"Okay, now you're going to have sex with Mike, since you like to sleep with Kevin all of the time," he said.

Both of them came over to me, so I began to struggle with them. I tried as hard as I could to keep them away from me.

"No, please. Jerry don't make me," I begged.

Then he slapped me across the face with all of his might. My head turned and I looked over to Mike and pleaded with him.

"Mike, please. Don't make me, I'm begging you," I said, crying to Mike.

There was no emotion in his eyes as Jerry hit me once again.

"Okay," I cried.

I gave up to them because I decided that it would be better if I were alive, instead of dead. After that, all I remember is crying and feeling as though I were being suffocated with their presence.