I pulled up to Scarlet's house in my Mustang, the low rumble of the engine vibrating through the quiet night. My hands tightened on the steering wheel as I glanced at the warmly lit house. Taking a deep breath, I killed the engine and stepped out, straightening my suit jacket. Before I could knock, the door swung open, and Scarlet's dad greeted me with a firm handshake.
"You must be Max," he said with a nod. "Come on in. Scarlet's almost ready."
"Thanks, sir," I replied, stepping inside. The place had a cozy, welcoming feel, with family photos lining the walls. He motioned for me to sit on the couch.
"So," he started, leaning back in his armchair. "Scarlet talks about you quite a bit. You're the one with that Mustang outside?"
"Yes, sir," I said, trying to sound confident. "Spent a lot of time fixing it up."
He nodded with a slight smile. "Good to see a young man who knows his way around a car. Takes dedication."
Before I could respond, I heard soft footsteps descending the stairs. I looked up, and my breath caught. Scarlet appeared at the top, wearing a flowing burgundy dress that hugged her figure perfectly. Her hair fell in loose waves, framing her face, and when her eyes met mine, she gave a shy smile.
I couldn't move or speak. It was like the world narrowed down to just her.
Her dad cleared his throat, snapping me out of my trance. "You might want to tell her she looks nice."
I swallowed. "You look… incredible."
Scarlet's cheeks turned a light shade of pink. "Thanks. You look pretty good yourself."
After exchanging a few more words with her parents, we headed out. I opened the car door for her, still slightly dazed. As we drove to the prom, Scarlet kept glancing over at me, a soft smile playing on her lips.
The venue was bustling with music and laughter, lights strung up to create a dreamy atmosphere. We danced to a few songs, Scarlet occasionally teasing me for my two left feet. Eventually, the fast songs faded, and a slow ballad filled the room. Hesitantly, I pulled her close, my hands settling at her waist while hers rested on my shoulders.
"You're not bad at this," she whispered.
"Maybe I just needed the right partner," I replied.
She laughed softly, resting her head against my chest. I felt my heart thudding in my ribcage, and I couldn't help but smile.
After a while, we stepped outside for some fresh air, finding a quiet spot under a tree. Suddenly, a familiar tightness seized my chest, and my hands began to shake. I clenched my jaw, trying to fight the panic.
"Max?" Scarlet's voice was full of concern. She stepped closer, cupping my face. "Hey, look at me."
I focused on her eyes, and slowly, the tension eased. She wrapped her arms around me, holding me tightly until my breathing steadied.
When I finally pulled back, I managed a shaky smile. "That's… the first time I managed to stop it before it got worse."
She smiled warmly. "You did great."
The rest of the evening went by in a blur of dancing and laughter. When it was time to leave, I drove her home, glancing at her every few moments, still trying to wrap my head around how perfect the night had been.
When we pulled up to her house, I got out first, walking around to open her door. Just as I swung it open, Scarlet stumbled forward, catching herself on my chest. Her hands rested against my shirt, and I instinctively wrapped my arm around her waist to steady her.
We both froze, faces just inches apart, her breath warm against my skin. Her eyes flickered to my lips, and I could feel my pulse racing. Without thinking, I leaned down, and she tilted her head up. Our lips met softly, hesitantly at first, then deeper as the world around us seemed to fade away.
When we pulled back, she bit her lip, smiling up at me. "You're full of surprises tonight."
I chuckled, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. "You just make it hard to think straight."
She giggled softly and squeezed my hand before stepping back. "Goodnight, Max."
"Goodnight," I replied, watching her disappear inside. As I drove away, a stupid grin spread across my face. I knew I'd never forget this night.