It started with a kiss

You and Sam had rooms booked at the hotel where the end of school Prom was this year. A Georgian style hotel. You and Kaitlyn turned up in a company car your Dad had for the week- A Mitsubishi GTO. Very nice but hilariously it had two tiny seats in the back. Kaitlyn therefore rode in the front with your Dad and you squashed yourself across both rear seats in a full suit.

Your dad escorting Kaitlyn out must have been some sight- she was he belle of the ball but then they had to spring the front seat forward so you could crawl out like a well-dressed fucking Gollum.

You certainly had your eye on the 'precious' though.

Lily, Holly, Alex, Daisy and some others came in the slightly clichéd stretched Limousine but all absolutely smashed it in terms of looking fierce and glamorous. Lily saw you and waved- a faint smile on her face but your relationship with Kaitlyn had come as a shock to her. She didn't say anything but you felt you'd closed a door on something unspoken between Lily and yourself and in truth you had. But it was too late now. Wasn't it?

Dad took a dozen more pictures and there's still one of you and Kaitlyn standing in the hallway of your house that they won't take down. You don't really want them to.

Non-alcoholic punch was served and lots of friends complimented one another on their outfits, had selfies with fave teachers and watched other friends arrive in all sorts of wacky transport from Harley Davidsons to old 1950s buses.

You and Kaitlyn got away briefly before taking your places for the meal. There was a manicured little ornamental garden with a fountain and a gravel footpath. Croquet pitch off to one side too. You found it deserted and walked hand in hand before turning to one another. It was perfect. She was perfect and you noticed for the hundredth time the little dark flecks in her light hazel eyes. You kissed her and she melted into you her soft manicured fingers tracing your jawline.

She smelled (and if you close your eyes you can almost still smell it now) incredible. Jasmine and honeysuckle with something sharp and exotic mixed in. Her lips were skinnier than Lauren's or Lily's but had an urgent, innocent quality that you don't suppose you'll know again.

Noises nearby meant your stolen minute was at an end for now and you headed inside to take your seats for the meal.

"Kait, d'you wanna check out my hotel room later on?" You asked with a serious look that left neither of you in any doubt what you meant.

"I can't wait." She blushed (although you couldn't see it for the makeup and her natural tan).

That's how you picture Kaitlyn now. Blushing in her peppermint dress with the fountain gushing and the honeysuckle plants framing her. A fairy princess.

But life is no fairytale and Kaitlyn doesn't even speak to you anymore.