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I have been playing with his niece in the garden because he was nervous. The reason for this as any American would know is that tonight is prom and he was going with Claire.

I had originally been an introvert who only really read books and was reasonably smart. But once I had merged with Nicole, I’ve gained a lot more self-confidence. You see, I had a crush on Claire since we first met as kids.

She was smart, no not smart a genius. But she struggled socially, and she had another reason for that as well.

The reason nobody actually liked her was because she had burns from when she was a toddler and their house caught fire. It had went all the way down her back and for some reason people avoided her because of it. Her father was completely covered in burns from when he jumped into her room which was on fire and clutched her to his chest as he ran through so people often told their kids to stay away from that family. He thought it was stupid for people to treat each other differently because of how they looked but then again segregation still existed even after decades so it was not surprising.

While Mike was a shy introvert. Nicole had been popular growing up and had worked hard all her life but in her heart she had become bitter after slowly being ground down by devoting herself one too many times to someone who said they loved her. But that tiny bit of optimism that all young people carry was reignited when Mike started to talk to Claire more.

She tended to stay away from others but when he had asked her to prom about three weeks ago she had started to open up to him. Though he could tell she was still guarded.

And as much as the Nicole part of him resisted it he had fallen in love with her after a few times where he took her up the hill and they talked for hours about science and other things.

She was far smarter than him, the only reason he could keep up with her was the combination of intellects.

She had even picked up on the fact that he had two different ways of figuring out a problem. Which had freaked him out for a second before he had just ended up laughing.

He had ended up telling Jim about it and he just laughed and then reminded him that he had said Mike should have asked her out before prom.

He got up and decided to get dressed. He had decided to get dressed at his sister’s house since it was closer to Claire’s house. He picked up Annabelle and carried her back into the house and handed her over to lucy, who then asked. “You nervous?”

Jim just nodded while averting his gaze. He then turned around and headed up the stairs and got into his suit. And grabbed the Corsage made of Red Alstroemeria and headed out the door after bidding farewell to his sister and her husband.

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He hopped in his dad’s car and drove it to Claire’s House.

He knocked on the door and took a deep breath.

It open and There stood a man with a stature of six foot six and packed with muscle. I tried my best not to gulp as he towered before me.

“Hello, Mister Porter. It is a pleasure to see you.” I said with a smile on my face to which a grin appeared on his face as he welcomed me in.

He then put an arm on my shoulder and said in a whispered tone, “Thank you, son. For taking my daughter to the prom. But make her upset and I will rip your head clean off, got it.” He then took his arm away from around my shoulders.

“Yes, Sir.” I said with resolution.

He just snorted as then burst out in laughter.

“Dad, what’s wrong.” Came a voice from upstairs as I turned my head to see Claire poking her head out and a smile instantly appearing on her face.

(A/N: See her dress here: Image)

She came out onto the landing and made her way down the stairs. Her hair made into a pinup. With purple lipstick on her lips. Her dress was bright red with a high neckline and went to just below her knees.

As she reached the bottom Mike was fighting to keep his jaw from dropping by having a light smile on his face.

He offered her his arm as he said. “Uhhh…Hi.”

She giggled slightly as She took his arm and spoke. “Hi.”

He took her to the car and opened the door for her.

As he drove he began to notice her becoming nervous so he just turned to her and smiled.

She smiled back.

As they arrived at the school, and he got out and opened the door for her before offering his arm again. She took it and they began to walk across the parking lot. As they reached the gymnasium door. They began to hear the noise coming from the within.

She froze and Mike looked over to her and asked, “Are you okay?”

She just shook her head as a tear escaped her eye. Mike then asked, “Claire, what’s wrong?”

But she just burst into tears and unhooked his arm before running away down the footpath.

Mike just stood there for a few seconds as memories of Previous abandonments flashed in his mind but he shock his head knowing that Claire had similar problems.

He took off running after her and quickly caught up to her. Reaching out and touching her shoulder she stopped and turned around as he quickly stopped as well. She then screamed at him while tears dropped down her face smudging her makeup. “Stop it, You do not care about me you are just going to take me because you pity me like everyone else.”

And she took off again but she only made it a few metres before Mike grabbed her shoulder and spun her around before pulling her into a hug.

She was in shock for a few moments as she had never been this close to anyone other than her dad.

She tried to push him away, but he did not budge.

“Let me go!” She shouted.

“No, Claire. I will not, You are the smartest and most beautiful person I know.”

She slumped as she put her forehead on his shoulder and continued to cry.

Between sobs she said. “But I am unlovable my scars prove that.”

He then removed his hug he put hand on each of her upper arms and held her in front of him. He then said, “Whoever told you that, is dumb and I guess you are not as smart as I thought.” They both laughed as she stifled her sobs.

“They prove the opposite, that there is someone who loved you so much that they where willing to give there life for you.” They both stood there silent for a few seconds before she put her arms around his shoulders as he lowered his to her waist as she lent up and pressed her lips against his.

They kissed for a few seconds before separating and Mike Continued. “I don’t know whether we are here because of god or the ties of fate. And I will not promise to be here for you forever but I know that right now, I love you. Now please just trust me and come dance.”

She nodded before responding, "Thank you for loving me. I love you back okay." Before wiping the tears from her face with a handkerchief and readjusting her corsage.

They kissed one more time before heading towards the dancehall.