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  Can this night get any worse?

  When I thought that, my parents walked over to me with a camcorder and a big smile to boot.

  "I spoke too soon," I said to myself as I threw a mean look at Danielle. Danielle gave me an "I didn't-do-it-look" as she turned her attention back to her friends. I sighed as my mother came up to me with a big hug while my dad smiled at me.

  "What are you two doing here?" I asked angrily.

  "We couldn't miss you going off to prom sweetie. I mean this is your big night," my mom said with a twinkle in her eye.

  "Wow. Don't I feel special?" I said in a sarcastic tone.

  "We weren't going to stay long. We just wanted to see how you look tonight and maybe take some pictures," my dad said.

  I looked at my dad and sighed.

  "Whatever."

  As I looked at my dad, he looked at me with a guilty look on his face. Since I'd moved out, my father hasn't come by to see me. So much for starting a father-son relationship, I thought as my mom snapped some pictures on her digital camera.

  "Now let's get you and your beautiful girlfriend in a picture, shall we?" my mom said.

  "She's not my girlfriend," I said silently.

  Before I could say anything, my mom waved her hand for Danielle to come over. I rolled my eyes as Danielle sashayed her way over to me and my parents.

  "Hello Danielle. It's so lovely to see you," my mom said.

  "Likewise Mrs. Collier, It has been awhile. How did you know to come here?"

  "Your parents, of course. They were so happy that you two are back together they decided to invite us to your party."

  I shook my head at what my mom was saying. Danielle's parents are just like mine. They're one in a million. They were so much alike; no wonder they got along so well.

  "Of course I'll take a picture with your handsome son," Danielle said as she put an arm around me.

  As I tried to shrug my shoulder from Danielle's, my mom looked at me with a suspicious look on her face.

  "Come on you lovebirds. Show us those thousand watt smiles you two have," she said as she aimed the camera in our direction.

  As I tried to stomach being happy with Danielle, my dad looked at me with an I-know-what's- going-on look. I turned away from him. I really didn't need him to be a father right now, especially after I tried to establish a relationship with him.

  After the fifth picture, I decided it was time to stop. Danielle looked at me with an annoyed expression on her face.

  "What are you doing?" she asked.

  "Stopping this charade," I said as I walked away from her.

  As I was going to my car, my dad came up to me and grabbed my arm.

  "Get your hands off me," I said as I jerked my hand away.

  My dad looked at me and sighed.

  "I guess I deserved that."

  "Good you know that," I said as I opened the door.

  "Will you let me explain why I haven't come by?"

  "Why should I? All you're going to do is give me a bunch of lies. Dad I have tried and tried to establish some sort of relationship with you, but every time I do, I just get shot down. I don't know why I even get my hopes up with you, but I do because I love you and I want you in my life."

  "I want that too, but things have been kind of complicated lately."

  "Why is that?"

  "Your mother and I have been going through a lot and just before we came over here we were talking about getting a divorce."

  I looked at my dad with a raised eyebrow.

  "Why?"

  "Mike, there's a lot you don't know about our marriage. And right now is not the time to talk about it. What I do want to talk about is our relationship. Son, I want us to try and work things out. I want us to have the relationship that we deserve. And if you give me a chance, I will be there for you for as long as you need me."

  "This conversation is getting old Dad," I said as I started to go through my car for my prized possession at the moment, a bottle of scotch.

  "Son, if you let me explain..."

  "Explain what Dad! How you and Mom abandoned me! How I had to fend for myself all these years! Dad, I'm sick and tired of you trying to explain yourself for all the mistakes you have made. You haven't been there for me growing up and you damn sure haven't been there for me now when I need you and Mom the most."

  "What you talking about? Are you in some sort of trouble?"

  I started to laugh as I found the bottle of scotch and pop off the top. I started to drink the bottle with no regards for anything. My dad watched in disbelief as I continue to drink the liquor without taking a breath.

  "What are you doing to yourself Michael? When did you start drinking?"

  "Like you care. You and Mom haven't been at the house to figure out what I'm doing."

  "You might want to cut back on the drinking, Michael," my dad said in a worried tone.

  I took the bottle away from my lips and smiled.

  "If you insist. You want to know what's been going on with me since you last saw me?"

  My dad looked at me as he tried to take the bottle of scotch away from me.

  "I don't think so," I said as put the bottle behind my back.

  "There's a lot that happened since you last saw me. There's so much I don't even know where to begin. Let's see. I found out my girlfriend had feelings for her ex-boyfriend and now she's off to the prom with him and my ex-best friend. I also found out I slept with her best friend at a party that I don't remember because I was drunk, and the biggest story of all is that I'm a father to a biracial child. So did you get all that or do I need to repeat myself."

  My father look at me stunned as I started to chug on my bottle of scotch again. At this point, I didn't care if went to the prom drunk. At least I'd have some sort of fun tonight.

  "What are you saying Michael? You're a father?"

  "Yes Dad, I am. Remember Brandy? The girl you two hated."

  "I never hated Brandy. She was a nice girl."

  "Whatever. Turns out she has a two year old son that she never told me about until now. So congratulations, Dad. You're a grandfather."

  "Michael, maybe you should skip the prom. I really think you need to talk to someone."

  "Like who? I hope you're not talking about you."

  "Talk to anyone. Mike, I don't want you to go and do something stupid."

  "I think it's a little late for that."

  I sat down in my car and sighed.

  "It doesn't matter anymore because Charlie's happy now and I'm living my life."

  "You're miserable, Michael, and drinking is not the answer."

  "Don't try to be a father now! Where were you when I needed you?"

  My dad came up to me. He took the bottle away and gave me a serious look.

  "I know I haven't been there for you in the past, but I'm here now."

  I let out a loud scream as I took the bottle back from my dad and threw it on the ground. I could tell it startled some people as they turned around and looked at us.

  "Calm down, Michael."

  "Why should I? You're right, I'm miserable. I found out the woman I loved doesn't love me anymore! The one person that I thought was real to me was the one that lied to me. But you know what? Maybe I deserved to let the one good thing slip away from me. Maybe I deserved it because of all the lies I've told her."

  "Michael, no one deserves to get their heart broken. Maybe if you talk to Charlie then everything will be okay. For all you know, what you saw today was a misunderstanding."

  "I saw what I saw. She was happy with Derrick. Why do you care? You didn't like Charlie to begin with."

  "I never said I didn't like Charlie. In fact I thought Charlie was good for you. I saw a difference in you when you started dating Charlie. She made you happy. Anybody could see that. Maybe even your mom saw it. All I'm saying is if you really love her, then you need to find her and talk to her. Don't let her slip away from you. You never know what life could be with Charlie if you don't."r />
  I sighed as I put my hand to my face. My dad was actually right for a change. Instead of me drinking my problems away, I needed to face them head on.

  "Thanks Dad."

  "For what?"

  "For helping me see the light. So, you really liked Charlie?"

  "Even though we met under bad circumstances, she seemed like a wonderful girl. What I can't believe is that you're back with Danielle."

  "We're not back together. We're just going to the prom together."

  "Good, because I never liked her."

  I started to laugh at my Dad's remark.

  "But what you said is true. I'm a grandfather?"

  I smiled. "His name is Steve and he's an exceptional kid. He's smart for his age too. Hopefully you will meet him one day."

  My dad smiled. "I would love that son. But you know your mom is going to have a heart attack when she hears this."

  "I know but she has to realize that he's going to be a part of my life now."

  "I understand. But remember what I said. Try talking to Charlie. And please no more drinking tonight."

  "I won't," I said.

  Hopefully I won't, I thought as I went up to my dad and gave him a hug. Even though I was upset with him earlier, I couldn't stay mad at him for long. He's my dad and I love him. I knew it was going to take us some time to establish any type of relationship, but I was willing to be patient for it.

  After spending several minutes with Danielle and her obnoxious friends, it was time to go to the prom. My parents left after my dad and I had our talk. I didn't know if my dad's words were sincere, but right now all I wanted to do was go to the prom and have some fun. As we were all in the limo jamming to Kendrick Lamar, Danielle put her hand in mine.

  "How is everything? I noticed things were kind of tense between you and your father."

  "Everything is fine Danielle," I said as took her hand away from mine. Danielle gave a rejected look as she turned her attention to one of her best friends. My feelings started to deteriorate as the limo pulled up to the front entrance to the Marriott hotel.

  The day is just getting better by the minute, I thought as I looked at the familiar surroundings around me. Not only did I hear the song that Charlie and I made love to on the way to Danielle's, but this is the place that we took our relationship to the next level. As the limo came to a sudden halt, everyone started to get out, leaving me wondering if I want to go in or not. Danielle gave me an annoyed expression as she was heading toward the door.

  "Are you getting out or not?"

  "Just give me a minute."

  Danielle rolled her eyes as she went to the door. She turned around and gave me a look that scared me a little.

  "I really hope you're not going to act like this the whole night."

  "Whatever Danielle," I said as I followed her toward the door. Right then, I didn't have the desire to argue with Danielle. I just wanted this night over with.

  As we both got out of the limo, Danielle took my hand as we went inside the hotel. I tried to hesitate going in, but Danielle jerked my body over to hers as she practically dragged me toward the reception hall.

  "What is your problem, Collier?"

  "Nothing, Peterson. Now quit pulling me around like I'm one of your servants," I said angrily.

  As we went over to check in with our tickets, I saw Charlie walk in Derrick, Ashley, and Chris. She looked so amazing in her dress. It took all of my strength not to go over to her and give her a piece of my mind or to give her a passionate kiss, but I couldn't. Charlie made her choice to be with Derrick so I should respect that. Charlie looked over my direction to see me with Danielle. She gave me an unusual smirk as she walked over to the table with Derrick.

  "Thank you," Danielle said to the Art teacher, Ms. Chappell, as she handed her a ticket stub for our picture. She turned around to see Charlie and Derrick standing behind us. Danielle looked at the two and smiled.

  "Isn't this sweet, Parker's favorite couple decided to make an appearance at Belmont's prom. What give us the pleasure to have you two here?"

  "It's my prom too, Danielle. Or did you forget I go here too?" Charlie said.

  "I haven't noticed," she said as she walked past her. As she did, she gave Charlie a little bump, causing her to lose her balance.

  "Was that necessary, Danielle?" I said suddenly.

  Charlie gave me a 'don't bother' look, while Derrick looked at me angrily.

  "You need to check your girl instead of worrying about other people's business."

  "Well if you were any type of man, I wouldn't have had to say anything," I said while getting into Derrick's face.

  "Will you two stop?" Charlie said as she came in between us two.

  "Let's just enjoy our evening," she said as she went up to the table to check in. Derrick gave me a conceited grin as he followed Charlie to the table. I sighed as I grabbed my ticket from Danielle and went toward the reception hall.

  Before I could open the door, Danielle slapped my hand back so hard; I thought my arm was going to fall out of my socket.

  "What the hell was that back there?"

  "What's with the physical violence? First Charlie, now me."

  "Why are you wasting your time pondering over that slut? As you can see, she doesn't care about you. So why don't you stop acting like a punk and move on," she said as she pulled the door open and walked inside.

  I shook my head at what happened as I opened the door to reveal a very magnificent scene for our prom. The prom committee really went all out this time as the Marriott's reception hall was turned into a magical paradise. The theme for the prom was "A Night in Paradise" as the room was decorated with several miniature white twinkling lights and crystal chandeliers dangling from the ceiling. The stage was transformed into a moonlit night with a huge chandelier in the center and a dark blue background. As I walked over to one of the tables in the room, I sat down near the nicely crafted flower centerpiece and sighed. Charlie and Derrick were near the refreshment table talking and laughing like there wasn't a care in the world. I turned my head away from them as I tried to listen to Alicia Keys' latest song. Instead of getting my mind off of Charlie, it only made me miss her more. As I looked around at Belmont's senior class, it made me realize that after tonight, it will be our graduation. Maybe it was a good thing graduation was so soon, so I could leave Houston and go to Northwestern. Maybe going off to college was not a bad idea. That way I could start a new life, and leave everything that has happened from the past few months, behind me. I turned around to see Chris standing in front of me. I sighed as Chris sat down.

  "What do you want?" I asked in a hostile tone.

  Chris nodded his head as he looked at me.

  "I deserved that. I'm sorry I didn't tell you about the double date."

  "How could you? We're supposed to be best friends, so why would you double date with my ex and her new boyfriend?"

  "What should I have done, Mike? Ashley and Charlie are best friends, so of course they wanted to go to their proms together. I didn't mean to offend you but I have to think about my girlfriend and her feelings. It's not fair for her or me to be in this crossfire between you and Charlie. You two need to stop this constant battle before someone gets hurt."

  "Whatever man. I think I've had about enough drama to last me a lifetime, so believe me, I don't need any more."

  "I hope you're right, because it's getting out of hand."

  Chris is right, I thought as I looked over at Charlie. She was talking to Ashley when a couple of girls starting to give her dirty looks. My heart went out to Charlie. She didn't deserve to be shut out because of what happen with me.

  I turned around to look at Chris.

  "I thought you told me Charlie wanted to get back with me? It didn't look that way when she came up in here dangling on Derrick."

  "That's because she saw you with Danielle. Wise up Michael. You two are playing a dangerous game and eventually something bad is going to happen. What you two need to do is
talk out your problems. Maybe you two will come up with a solution."

  "How am I going to do that when Marberry is all over Charlie every second?"

  Chris smiled. "Leave that to Ash and me. We'll get Derrick away from Charlie."

  "Fine, I'll talk to her."

  Chris slapped me on the back as he got up from the table.

  "Go out to the hotel terrace in about five minutes. We should have Charlie out there then."

  I smiled as I watched Chris leave the table to tell Ashley what was going on.

  I hope this worked.

  Charlie

  As Jason DeRulo's "The Other Side" was playing full blast in the reception hall, my mind started to race at a thousand miles a minute. I couldn't believe I was back at the Marriott. I thought this would be mine and Michael's place, but it's not. It seems like every song I hear or every place I go, it makes me think of Michael. Now I'm at my prom trying to have the time of my life, but I can't. Not only because I'm not with Michael, but practically the entire senior class hated me. I had gotten everything from vicious looks to middle fingers pointed at me since I arrived at the prom. To make matters worse, Derrick wants to fight every guy who had something smart to say about me. Maybe he's feeling like that because of what happened earlier with Michael. I still can't believe Michael came to my defense. But why should I be surprised? He still cared about me. He just believed I'd moved on with Derrick. If I can get just one minute to talk to him, I can make him see that I'm not in love with Derrick. I never stopped caring for Michael. And I know I never will. I could tell Derrick was looking at me. I looked over and sure enough, he was staring at me.

  "What are you thinking about?" Derrick asked.

  "That both of our proms are tonight and after that it's graduation. I can't believe we're going to be on our own in a matter of weeks."

  Derrick smile. "I know. I can't believe I'm going to Texas A&M on a full scholarship."

  I put an arm around Derrick and smiled. "I'm really proud of you Derrick."

  "Thanks. You know I will be down on weekends, so maybe you and I can hang out."