Talia, naturally.

She was the girl who had started it all, and she had promised to make prom memorable no matter what. I waited for her to finish her first dance with Rachel, who then yielded the floor to grab some punch.

I put my arms around her waist in a loose embrace, and started to whisper my confession in her ear, "Talia, since I met you..." She cut me off.

"Shh. Enjoy this feeling."

Talia had found a classic look that accentuated her supermodel figure. A sleek, black, ankle length dress, which cut a diagonal line over her bust to expose one shoulder of glittering bronze. That splash of skin promised more than bearing any more possibly could. Long, elegant black gloves and silver jewelry completed the ensemble. Her body felt solid, warm, exciting.

She broke the silence. "Hard to believe that less than a year ago you were too shy even to ask a girl out."

"You told me to live up to my potential. I feel like I'm doing that, right now."

"Oh God! You're quoting me, now? OK. It's my turn to deliver. You won't be leaving here alone. It's a deal."

Thanks to Talia, I hadn't been alone in almost a year. I've had the best friends in the world.