Ashley’s POV:
I grinned, biting my lip to hold in a giggle. Before sliding into my seat, I reached up to brush my lips against his, even though I knew he would think I was teasing him from the action. And who says I wasn’t? “You’re the only one I think about, too, babe.”
Sterling’s POV:
“You would have looked amazing either way,” I said before bending down to kiss her forehead gently. I didn’t want to have to waste more time on wiping her lipstick from my lips. I could do that enough when I got home. “Are you ready to go?”
Lucas's POV:
"I'd better be," I grumbled, my cheeks turning pink. "Now let's go make a dramatic entrance."
Eden's POV:
I nodded, reaching out to touch the spot Sterling kissed. I'd read a lot about forehead kisses and just how sweet they were, but I'd never understood it from this side of love. I understood it today.
"Your lips aren't red anymore, so let's go."
Ashley’s POV:
“Oh, yes. Let’s. We can show off to the other students my amazing boyfriend’s dancing skills tonight!” I declared with a grin.
Sterling’s POV:
I smiled down at her as she touched the place I’d kissed her. She really was adorable, no matter how much she tried to deny it.
“Of course. Let’s go take the crowns of king and queen, shall we?” I chuckled as I opened her door for her.
Lucas's POV:
"Well, I will be slow dancing with you, so I'm afraid they won't see my amazing skills," I brought the engine to life, and after making sure Ashley had her seatbelt on, I drove.
Eden's POV:
I laughed, hugging myself, the cold wind blowing against my uncovered arms. Talking with Sterling made me forget the type of dress I was wearing, but the cold wind reminded me again. I rubbed my arms unconsciously before I thanked Sterling for his chivalry and sat in the passenger seat, putting on the seatbelt before waiting for him to join me in his heavenly soft car.
Ashley’s POV:
I laughed lightly and glanced over at him. “There will be other songs that aren’t slow, you know,” I reminded him with a smile.
(I forgot Sterling’s response… Hold on…)
(Actually… Let’s just skip.)
Eden’s POV:
When Sterling parked his car, I gripped the seatbelt tightly. It wasn’t that I was scared. I was just… feeling like an outsider. I’d never gone to such parties. I’d never interacted with anyone. Hell, I had never even worn such a dress before.
Yet here I am, in my boyfriend’s car outside school where I’ll be going to prom. It was really hard to imagine fitting in. I had never fit in school before and I doubted I would fit in this event.
I noticed Sterling looking at me and I realized he had finished parking.
“Oh,” I quickly removed the seatbelt and opened my door, stepping out slowly so I wouldn’t trip. I waited for Sterling to join me.
Sterling’s POV:
I smiled softly at Eden and stepped out to walk her up. Making my way to her, I offered her my arm. “Are you ready? We don’t have to go in yet if you’re not.”
Eden’s POV:
I looked at Sterling, then at the arm he was offering me before I took it without objections.
“No,” I shook my head. “It’s not that I’m not ready. People… just tend to stress me out.”
Sterling's POV:
"Well, I'll be right by your side if you need anything. Unless you need to use the bathroom. I'll let you have your privacy for that," I joked with a chuckle, trying to lighten the mood as we stepped up to the school.
Eden’s POV:
Right before we entered, I closed my eyes and took deep breaths.
It was going to be okay. I wasn’t going to get frustrated. We weren’t going to pick fights.
It was prom. It wasn’t a battlefield. I could do this.
I opened my eyes again after one more deep breath and felt myself turn into the Eden I was more familiar with.
We entered and almost immediately I felt eyes on me. Countless confused, shocked and fearful expressions all staring at me. And honestly, I treated their stares the same way I treated them at school.
I looked ahead and paid them no glance.
“It’s very humid in here,” I commented. “Even though the party just started.”
Sterling's POV:
I hummed and smiled over at her, ignoring the looks as much as she was; although, I was doing it because I could hardly take my eyes off of her. They didn't bother me, anyway. I was used to being in the spotlight, seeing as I happened to be one of the most popular guys in school. Ashley has told me multiple times, though, that I am probably the most popular guy, but I still didn't think so.
"It is. Would you like a drink? We could go get punch," I suggested.
Eden’s POV:
“Water’s fine for me,” I answered, hugging Sterling’s arm tighter. I looked down slowly, trying to find my brother and Ashley, but the mass of bodies blocked my view. “Er, do you see Luke and Ashley anywhere?”
Sterling's POV:
I glanced around the room, my height making it easier for me to see above heads than Eden. The couple in question were off to the side of the room, though I couldn't quite see what they were doing.
"Yeah, they're over there," I said, pointing them out to her. "But I have no idea what they're doing…"
Eden’s POV:
I cursed my short height in my head. It was so easy for Sterling to see. He was 6’2 after all. My 5’5 self could stand on her toes and still not be able to see anything past the shoulders.
“Well, we’ll leave them be for a while then,” I said, looking up at Sterling. “Do you have anyone you want to greet? From what my mom drilled into my head, I’ve gathered people like to take pictures with their friends at such events.”
Sterling’s POV:
I glanced around again with a shrug. “I mean, if you wanna meet some of my friends, sure. Or we could go get our pictures taken.”
Eden’s POV:
“I’m pretty sure your friends don’t want to meet me,” I said dryly. I hadn’t really met any of Sterling’s friends. At least, not personally. “You can go greet them. I can intrude in Luke and Lee’s moment.”
*Sterling’s POV:**
“No, no. I’m sure they’d like to meet the girl who stole my heart,” I chuckled a bit, pulling her closer and kissing her cheek gently. “C’mon, we can take pictures with them.”
Eden’s POV:
I raised my eyebrows, allowing Sterling to lead me away. What would I do when I greet them? I wasn’t particularly fond of meeting new people. On the other hand, I hoped I wouldn’t come across as rude. I once read a friend’s approval was really important. Sterling had Lee’s. I didn’t have any.
“Wouldn’t they feel awkward?” I asked him, intertwining our fingers together as we walked. “Wouldn’t the whole exchange be awkward?”
Perhaps it was safe to say that I was indeed nervous. I knew most people didn’t like me. I start off as rude. I’m straightforward, so people dislike me. Most of them know me as someone who wouldn’t hesitate crushing someone if it goes their way.
It was safer not to meet Sterling’s friends and than having them not like me. Sterling, however, wanted me to meet them, it seems. I didn’t want to disappoint him.
Sterling’s POV:
“Nah, they’re pretty chill. I’m sure they’ll like you,” I assured her, turning to look at her softly. “We don’t have to go meet then if you don’t want to.”
Eden’s POV:
I shook my head.
“No, that’s not it!” I bit my lower lip, gripping his hand tighter. “You know my reputation in school. What if they think I’m not good enough for you? I know I’m not, but that would really be like a slap to the face…”
Sterling’s POV:
I stopped immediately and turned her to face me. “Eden… I do not want to hear anything about you nor being good enough for me. You are amazing and a wonderful girl. I’m lucky to have you.”
Eden’s POV:
“I’m sorry…” I said quietly, raising his hand and gently pressing my cheek against it. “Sometimes I wake up in a panic, thinking it’s all a dream before I take my phone and realize it’s not. Other times, I worry about going to sleep and waking up to harsh reality.”
Those times, I really want Sterling next to me. His arms around me, giving me peace. When I realize he’s not next to me… it takes a while to calm down. Knowing that he’s out there, and that he’s mine, calms me down.
Sterling’s POV:
I looked down at her softly before leaning down and pressing a gentle kiss to her lips, not caring if I got lipstick on my lips again. With the hand that was on her cheek, I rubbed gentle circles into her skin.
“I promise you that one day, you will wake up and I will be right by your side. Someday, you won’t have to worry that I won’t be there for you. I promise you that,” I said firmly.
Eden’s POV:
I leaned into his touch, pressing my lips harder against his. I didn’t know what I did to deserve Sterling, but whatever I did, I was glad. I was glad that it was Sterling I was with in this moment and not someone else. I was glad it was Sterling that made me feel like I was high, made me feel like I was flying.
“I’m glad you’re mine,” I whispered. “Can you not be anyone else’s? Be mine forever.”
Sterling’s POV:
“I will. I’m yours forever, just as long as you are mine. Don’t let anyone take you from me. Don’t let anyone draw you away,” I pleaded, kissing her again. I paused for a moment, then decided it was probably too soon for what I wanted to say; what I longed to tell her.
Eden’s POV:
Oh my God, this man was perfect. He was too good to be true, which was why I was so glad I was his girlfriend and not someone else.
“Honestly, Sterling, who else would be able to stand my constant changes in mood, if not you?” I murmured softly, cracking a small smile. “Why would I look the other way when I can stare at you? I promise you, you’re the only one I want and the only one I’ll always want.”
Sterling’s POV:
I pulled her closer to me, crushing our lips together hard. Gosh, I loved this woman… I loved her with all my heart. And I never wanted to let her go.
“Gosh… Eden McArthur, you are one of a kind… And I’m so glad that you’re mine,” I murmured against her lips.
Eden’s POV:
I hummed in reply, too caught up in the kiss to respond, snaking my arms around his neck and standing on my toes the best I could.
The heels I wore helped a lot in being at least a little closer to Sterling’s lips, but I still wanted it to be closer. I loved it when he crushed our lips together. I loved it when he practically devoured me in moments like these. It sent gentle shivers down my spine.
There was something I wanted to tell him, but I wanted to wait a while. I wasn’t sure if it was truly what I felt. I didn’t want to say something I didn’t feel wholeheartedly and have it ruin our relationship.
“I love it…” I started into the kiss, gripping his shoulders tightly. “When you kiss me like that…”
