Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience. TITLE: Alex and Melody - A Love Story PART: 7 of 10 -- Prom. AUTHOR: Big Al KEYWORDS: MF rom nosex SUMMARY: Melody's 19th birthday will be a more momentous occasion than she realizes! No sex until the 8th chapter. ********** The car rolled up into the Graces' driveway, and Melody hesitated before turning the door handle and leaping out. "You're planning something, aren't you?" She fixed him with a knowing look. Alex laughed and leaned in to kiss her. She sighed happily as their lips brushed and deepened the kiss, melding her soft young lips with his. Her small teenage hands grasped his face, pulling him close, and their noses brushed. His breath hitched in his throat; she made him drunk with her kisses, the fragrance of a young girl who loved him filling his entire world as they made out. When finally they parted, faces mere inches from each other, Melody crooked her plump mouth in an adorable mirror image of the grin that so often adorned his own face. "You didn't answer the question," she whispered huskily. He chuckled breathily. "Well... it is your birthday." Today, May 25th, was not only the last day of school, but also Melody's 19th birthday. "You're going to make me wait till tonight, aren't you?" she said, grinning. "You tease!" She kissed him again, then hopped out of the car and dashed up the sidewalk, turning to blow him a final kiss before disappearing inside the house. Alex sat there for several moments in a slight daze. Her scent still filled the car, and a foolish grin of happiness spread across his face. He loved that young girl, with all his heart and soul, and wanted to spend every moment - waking and sleeping - with her. The only reason they weren't spending the entire day together was that tonight was the Pioneer High School prom, and each of them had to get ready. Of course, Alex had a few more preparations to make than Melody knew... Early that evening, around 5 o'clock, a black limousine pulled up to the Grace home, and Alex stepped out of the back, nodding to the chauffeur before he walked up to the front door and rang the bell. Jeanne answered immediately, smiling broadly at him, and as Alex came in, he sucked in his breath. Melody was waiting for him, posing resplendently in her pink ballgown. It was a single strap dress, with a pink lace rose upon that shoulder, with beautiful gold-threaded embroidery stitched into the material. Glittering pink slippers adorned her lovely feet, and a crown woven of real flowers - pink of course - adorned her shining sunny ringlets, which had extra bounce tonight. She giggled at his dumbstruck expression, and said, "I know, I'm beautiful." "You're gorgeous," he corrected her, and bent down for a kiss. She obliged him, upturning her plump pink lips for the peck that just barely lingered for an extra moment. She wore no makeup nor perfume, yet her beauty and scent overpowered him. "I love you, blossom." The busty young girl's cheeks reddened slightly - and cutely - but she was clearly pleased. "I love you too, chipmonk. You look dashing, " She put an overwrought aristocratic air on the last word. Despite the touch of humor in her voice, she was clearly quite taken with his appearance. He was clad to the nines in a formal tuxedo, with a pink vest that matched the soft tone of her gown perfectly. Alex grinned at that, and pulled the box with her corsage from his coat pocket. "Oh!" Melody yipped, and dashed into her bedroom to get the boutonniere she'd gotten for him. Her boyfriend chuckled fondly, and had the corsage out of the box and ready in the five seconds it took Melody to come back. Both corsage and boutonniere were a pink flower, of course, and Melody's vivid blue eyes held his as he first slipped the corsage onto her little wrist and she then pinned the boutonniere to his lapel. "I love you, Melody," he murmured, and she wrapped her arms around his lower back, pressing her cheek into his chest. "I love you, too, Alex," she said blissfully as he placed his big strong arms around her in kind. Jeanne surprised them then by snapping a photo of them in that position. "It's a... Kodak minute," she hazarded a guess at the proper phrase. Melody giggled, and Alex, smiling, nodded. "Yes it is." They obligingly submitted to Jeanne's flurry of camera flashes, before Alex offered his young girlfriend his arm, and they walked out to the limousine. The chauffeur was a smiling chap who doffed his hat at them as he held open the limo door and then shut it behind them. They settled comfortably into the plushly cushioned seat, and Alex put his arm around Melody as she nestled into his side. "Mmmm," she whispered as she upturned her face to him. He turned his face to her in kind, and their noses were an inch apart as her delicious breath blew hotly on his face. "I love you, Alex," she said, her eyelids fluttered half-closed. He touched his lips gently to hers, and slowly they feasted on each other's mouths, relishing the taste and sensation, till the limo stopped in front of Hannah's house. Their faces pulled apart, but they remained snuggled into each other's sides as Hannah and her date - Brian - climbed in, and sat opposite from them. "Hi Hannah!" Melody said brightly to her best friend. Both Hannah and her date were beet red. Hannah had become such a sensation since her beautiful appearance at the Christmas dance, that along with her intelligence, she'd become one of the most eligible bachelorettes at Pioneer Academy, although the shy girl had managed to remain mostly unaware of it until last month, when random guys - from all four years at Pioneer High - began asking her to prom. Brian, the acne-faced senior, had asked her first, and utterly dumbstruck, Hannah had accepted. She had been extremely redfaced and embarrassed for nearly a week, and even more so once she had to turn down all other offers, especially Roger's. She looked wonderful now, her brown hair dolled up into shining chocolate ringlets that fell about her bare shoulders. A soft lavender dress embroidered in silver thread adorned her young body, and a matching shade hued Brian's tuxedo vest. As at Christmas, she had traded her glasses for a pair of contacts. "Hannah!" Melody said accusingly. "You put on makeup!" Hannah blushed deep scarlet. "Just a bit of blush," she murmured. "And lipstick," her newly turned 19 year old best friend added. Hannah looked like she wanted to sink into the floor, but Brian said, "I think she's beautiful." The shy brunette perked up at that, and Alex and Melody enthusiastically agreed, despite the latter's reservations about the makeup. They were driven to the most elegant restaurant in town, Olympia. With soft violin music playing, they were seated. Alex, despite his love of shrimp-laden fettucini alfredo, passed on the pasta dishes and ordered a filet mignon; his reasoning was to avoid noodle slurping. Melody had no such reservations, and ordered a dish of angel hair pasta smothered in olive oil, vegetables, and shrimp, much to Alex's amusement. She saw the look he gave her, and cocked her head. "What?" She looked so innocent and loveable and angelic, not even aware that she did, that he was momentarily mesmerized and unable to answer. The 19 year old giggled, and proceeded to play footsies with him under the table as they ate. Brian and Hannah made conversation, sometimes awkwardly or shyly, but always gamely. Their converse really picked up once they started making good-natured fun of Alex & Melody's "goo goo eyes" and such to each other in hushed whispers and chuckles. When dessert came, Alex & Melody shared a single, outrageously large slice of Death by Triple Chococolate cake, while Brian and Hannah shyly shared a bowl of ice cream. Once the teacher and his young girlfriend reached the last two bites of their cake, they grinned at each other and fed each other the last bites. "That is sooooo sickening," Brian rolled his eyes, but chuckled. "Sickeningly cute," Hannah agreed. Melody grinned at that, and to complete the disgusting cuteness of their dessert, rubbed noses with her handsome boyfriend, before smacking their chocolate-covered lips into one another's. Alex picked up the check, but Brian insisted on paying for his and Hannah's meals. Studying him for a moment, the teacher recognized the teenager's pride, and relented. The limo ride to the prom was longer, for Olympia and the Hoteliers du Grande were on opposite sides of town. The two couples chatted animatedly with each other to pass the time, but more than once, Brian looked at the snuggling teacher and student and wondered if they were going to have sex tonight, like so many other couples undoubtedly would. Oh, he knew he and Hannah weren't going to; she wasn't ready for that, certainly not on a first date, even if it was prom. But Mr. Croft and Melody had been dating for months and were clearly in love, and he wouldn't have been surprised if they had been boning already. Alex & Melody had in fact discussed the topic a couple months ago, he reclining in his backyard hammock, with Melody nestled on top of him. "Alex," she had asked, with a slight hesitation unusual for her, "have you ever had sex?" He had surprised her by kissing her gently and shaking his head. "No. I'm old-fashioned - I'm waiting until my wedding night." Melody's eyebrows had shot up. "Really? I didn't know you went to church." She'd stuck her tongue out at him playfully. Her beloved teacher had laughed. "I don't. But I want my lovemaking to be something special, that I share only with the one I share my entire life with. A joining of bodies and hearts that reflects the love and commitment we share." She had sighed blissfully. "That's so romantic." But meanwhile, most of Pioneer High assumed that the teacher was boning his favorite student regularly, and Brian was left to his speculations as the limo pulled up in front of the Hoteliers du Grande. They were 5 minutes early, and Melody took Alex's arm as she got out, then nodded encouragingly at Hannah to take Brian's arm; and together the two couples strode into the lobby. Helpful signs pointed out the way to the dance hall, where other early couples were mingling. Low music was playing softly as a prelude to the event itself, but no one was actually out in the dance floor yet. As Alex gave their tickets to the volunteer at the door, Melody tugged lightly on his arm and tilted her head in that adorably cute way she had. "Wanna beat everyone else to the punch?" she said, smirking, her eyes twinkling with adventure. In reply, Alex pecked her lightly on the lips and led her out to the very center of the dance floor. He placed his hand on her waist as she laid her right hand in his left, and together they waltzed to the piano strains wafting from the speakers. Then a jagged bouncy beat blared out, and Melody squealed, "Woooo!" as she and Alex began doing a faster dance, spinning and twirling as their feet found the time to the new song. Scattered applause encouraged other couples to join them on the dance floor, and before long the prom was in full swing. Melody clung to him like he was the edge of a cliff, Alex reflected, her eyes smiling radiantly with young love. A glistening sheen of sweat dappled her forehead as they danced, and he laughed with the sheer joy of it all. She was a vision of loveliness, like a Disney princess come to life, and her shining locks spun as he twirled her beneath his arm. Hannah and Brian were doing some dance that Alex didn't know but that most of the students here did, and Roger and his date were there too. Roger had been a bit put out that Brian had asked Hannah before he could, but he seemed very pleased with the pretty girl who had accepted his date. They danced every dance Alex knew, and several he didn't, but even when he had to make up the steps - and looked fairly ridiculous doing so - Melody thought he was the most handsome man in the world, grinning and laughing and gazing at her with such love in his puppy brown eyes that her young heart swelled. Even Hannah was coming out of her shell in the thrill of it all, tangoing with Brian even as they stepped all over each other's feet, laughing. The hours melted away into the night, and when Principal Harris called for attention, Alex & Melody were the last to notice, and kept waltzing before realizing that all eyes were on them, waiting for them to stop. Chuckling and blushing, they stilled their movements, and Mrs. Harris good-naturedly clapped for them. "Well, I suppose it is fitting," the elderly woman said. "Pioneer High School, I'm pleased to announce the results of your voting: your king and queen are... Alex Croft and Melody Grace!" Cheers and applause went up, followed by laughter at the couple's dumbfounded expressions. "This is awesome!" Melody yelled at him to be overheard as they went to the stage to receive their crowns. "I didn't know teachers could be nominated," he yelled back. But inside, he was very very pleased; he hadn't thought he could make this night any more special. A spotlight shone on them then as they left the stage, and slow, soft strains fairly aching with deep feeling began playing as they fell into a slow dance, holding each other closely as they rocked back and forth. You are the light That's leading me To the place Where I find peace Again Their lips brushed each other's as they rotated, and they barely noticed when the other couples around them began dancing again as well. Principal Harris snapped a photo of them in that moment, and Melody grinned into their light kiss before burying her face in his chest, filling her nostrils with the masculine scent of him. How can I stand here with you And not be moved by you Would you tell me How could it be Any better than this? Alex caught Mrs. Harris' eye, and she touched a finger to her nose, smiling conspiratorially. He glanced around the dance floor, making one last double-check that everything was in place, before simply relaxing and holding the teenage girl he loved closely to him as the song played to its end. 'Cause you're all I want You're all I need You're everything Everything Would you tell me How could it be Any better than this... Melody sighed blissfully as the music trailed off. Alex grinned down at her, a crooked smile full of fondness and delight. The birthday girl looked up at him, and he nodded his head sideways. She followed his gaze- "Mama?" Her voice was baffled as she espied Jeanne Grace standing in front of the stage, dabbing away happy tears with a handkerchief. Her bafflement increased as she realized the spotlight was still on the two of them, and Mrs. Harris took up the stage microphone again. "May I call for silence, please?" the wrinkled principal said, a barely repressed undercurrent of glee in her words. "Mr. Croft would like to say a few words." Truly curious now, and wondering if she was in for the birthday surprise he had all but promised, she turned her gaze back up at her boyfriend, who stepped back for a moment, looking uncharacteristically bashful. "Happy birthday, Melody," he said, and his baritone thrummed through the silence as the other students looked on, some of them in on the surprise, most of them not. "I want to be with you on all your birthdays, for the rest of your life." He knelt to one knee, and pulled a little box out of his tux. The 19 year old girl's eyes were huge, and her mouth fell open as he opened the box to reveal a golden ring inset with a sparkling, crystal clear diamond. "I love you," Alex continued, his voice fervent. "I want to wake up with you every morning for the rest of my life, and fall asleep with you every night. I want to be your husband and the father of your children." He paused slightly, sounding as breathless as Melody felt. "Melody Marie Grace... will you marry me?" Her eyes were welling with tears of surprised joy. She opened her mouth to speak, found her throat too dry, swallowed, and tried again. "Yes. Yes, Alex I will!" Thunderous applause and wild cheering followed on the heels of her answer as she leapt into Alex's arms and kissed him passionately. Alex had never been happier. He clutched this gorgeous young girl - my fiancee, he thought, hardly able to comprehend it - to him as she kissed him like he'd never been kissed before. After several heartstopping seconds of the best kiss he'd ever had, she pulled back slightly, saying breathlessly, "On one condition, Alex." "What's that?" he said, smiling, his own eyes filling with tears of happiness. Their eyes were inches apart as she looked soulfully into his own, a twinkling in her sapphire orbs. "Kiss me again." And then Melody topped the previous kiss, making out with Alex as passionately as only a teenage girl who just got engaged could. ********** COMMENTS: Like many authors, I love hearing positive feedback and suggestions! If you like, email me: big DOT al DOT author AT gmail DOT com NOTE: All characters are 18+