Prom

We hear all sorts of stories about prom - from movies to youtube prom survival guides. Frankly, they seem to go either North of South. All I can say about my first prom.. was that it was wonderful. It was honestly nothing as I expected. Though it was a long day, I had one of the best days.

The day started with waking early for my music paper. Once that was over, I went back, gave my brother a celebratory hug, and got ready to go out. I went out with my brother, best friend, and mum to the hairdresser's the get some prom hair done, followed by some lunch at the usual artsy mall we often go to. When we arrived home, it was around 3 in the afternoon. I was busy finishing up the cards and printed Polaroids as a little farewell gift for some of my favourite people. Rushing through it all but still pouring lots of heart into it, I managed to complete them as I sealed them into a little brown envelop I got on the day itself. 

And so the prom madness begins. Things felt as if it was falling apart and I felt the clock counting down on me. I had an hour to finish not only my makeup but my friend's as well; it was all of our proms that night. It was pretty stressful and mid way, I felt my hair begin to lose it's curls! Thankfully, my mum managed to help me fix it. 

We were running slightly late as I hurried to slip on my dress and as I was walking down the stairs, the bottom of my dress ripped and I tripped and fell. Once again, my mum was there to save my butt, thankfully. I then got a few prom pictures and had to rush off. As I got into the car, I had forgotten my bracelet, thus my mum helped me out and my pup was being cute and trying to jump into the car!

Finally, when I was in the car, I felt my heartbeat race against the speed of the car itself. I was utterly self conscious; with my hair, my dress, my makeup and everything! Though, it was slightly jam, we made it to my friend's place on time and I ironically, she ripped her dress as well so her mum was helping her sew it up. We had a good laugh in the car on the way to prom. 

As I commented "oh man, we're going to be late" when I noticed the clock was one minute to 7 o'clock, I realised we were at the traffic light right outside of the venue! Nerves flooded my veins as we got out of the car and walked in. 

My friend ran to me and gave me the warmest hug. We then got some quick photos, taken my some Mom's, then headed into the venue. I then realised I forgotten to put mascara on, so the mission of getting mascara began. We got our hoodies and found a place to sit first and said some hellos. A few of my friends were staying at the hotel itself for the night so I managed to sneak out into the room, with their permission of course, and scavenge for some mascara! Though it was really dried up, it was better than nothing. Then, clever ol' me got some of the mascara on my dress. Filled with panic, I was trying to get it off, especially since my dress was light pink! Thankfully, my friend got some makeup remover for me and everything worked out. 

When we got back to the venue, we were told to get food. My friend and I still laugh about this - my friend and I were picking food (salad and cold foods), commenting saying that the variety is poor but stuffed ourselves anyway, to find out that we only picked up the starters and there were two more food tables on the other corner of the room! I was holding my dress and being super careful, though mid way I finally let loose. "Perfect" by one direction played and I surprising had a good time harmonising to it. 

During the meal, there was a slide show put up on the projector or photos of our year throughout the year, and may I add that some of them were truly cringy, haha! Speeches were made followed by my principal's 12 minute one where she mentioned each of us individually, saying that I may be the country's "next top crooner". I still laugh at that till this day. We then went on stage to collect our leaving certificates and I received some of the nicest compliments I've heard; one of my favourites was that I looked so graceful as if I was a movie star who just happened to pop out of La La Land and  show up. Other compliments that made me smile was friends saying I look like a princess or simply tapping me by the shoulder to say how good I looked. Ah, my heart got all smooshy. 

Then, the photo taking began. Year photos, hoodie photos, class photos, subject photos and simply photos on our phones (regardless of the questionable lighting)! The photographer was so irritated by us as our coordination is still laughable; he asked whether we were graduating high school or Kindergarden! 

Once I finally got confortable enough to dance, I really enjoyed myself and the company. Some dance floor grooves included:

• Dive by Ed Sheeran 
• Despacito Remix 
• Closer by Chainsmokers ft Halsey 
• Sugar We're Going Down by Fall Out Boy 
• High School Musical by High School Musical 
• Other pop songs I vaguely remember like Cheerleader 
• A whole lot of random songs with weird drops 
• Some 80s songs (what I really enjoyed) 

The night ended with lots of hugs and saying goodbyes. I'm glad I got to tell the people I care about, how much they truly mean to me and a smile still peeps up on my face thinking about it today. I gave so many hugs and even got lifted off the ground for one of them! Also, some very genuine "Keep in touch, okay?". 

With love,

Cheryl