The Winter Formal


As an 8th grader, dating a high school boy definitely came with a few perks. One of those perks was, I got to go to high school dances. That winter I was excited to attend my first; The Winter Formal. Mom took me shopping, and we found the perfect dress; a long, teal, velvety gown complete with rhinestone halter back. My stomach is in knots as I walk around the corner for my big reveal.

“Uh, hey baby,” Justin says in his spot on Butthead impression.

“Hey yourself,” I say back.

Justin looks dashing in a black tuxedo, white shirt, and matching teal vest. He slips a lovely corsage on my wrist that is full of tiny white roses. For the first time in my life, I feel like a lady, instead of a girl. We have a few lovely moments together before everyone else arrives. 

Our crew consists of Brian and Emily, Cliff (Justin’s pal) and his date Kristine, my girlfriend Stephanie, and her boyfriend Steve. As photos are winding down and everyone is ready to head out for dinner I realize that I’ve forgotten to give Justin his boutonniere. “I can pin it on real quick,” I say unaware of the daunting task at hand. In less than 10 minutes, I manage to poke my finger twice, and almost stab Justin in the neck.

“Hey mom, can you please help me with this thing?” I ask, “my finger is bleeding.”

Twenty minutes later, Justin’s face is red and sweat is dripping from his forehead. In mom’s attempt to help, she manages to make matters worse. Not only does she stick Justin three times, she also breaks the flower off the stem, and sacrifices a ridiculous amount of straight pins.

“Come on Ayers, forget about it,” Brian complains, “it’s just a stupid flower.” Justin motions for his mom (Vicki) to give it a whirl. “Oh great,” Vicki says, “Now it’s my turn to screw it up?”

“We’re going to be late for dinner,” Stephanie says, “I’m so hungry.” As everyone is walking out the door (leaving us behind) Vicki yells, “wait, I think I’ve got it.”

In less than five minutes she pins the mangled boutonniere on Justin collar (without poking him) and reenforces the white rose back onto the stem; it looks perfect.

Justin never cared much for dancing so when he asked me to go to the dance, I was a little surprised. Tonight he seems different; not his usual anti-dance self. He is eager to have a good time and seems proud to have me on his arm.

After arriving at the dance Justin takes my hand and leads me straight onto the dance floor. The dimly lit room glows like a winter wonderland. Up until that point my experience with school dances was a bunch of kids gathered in a school gymnasium. The room was barely decorated and stunk of old gym socks. This dance is quite different.  I am blown away by the elegance of the night and feel like I am in a dream.

The Mariah Carey song Butterfly is blasting from the speakers as we make our way onto the dance floor.

“Spread your wings and prepare to fly, for you have become a butterfly,”

While swaying back and forth to one of the most cliche songs of the year Justin, Mr. rock star himself, looks at me and says: “You look fantastic in your dress and I’ve never seen your hair look better. But you could be wearing sweatpants and still be the most beautiful girl in the room.”

On our way home Brian suggests we have a farewell ceremony for Justin’s mangled boutonniere. It is late and the streets are empty, so we stop at the highest point of the Hathaway Bridge. Brian and Justin have a grand idea to act out the famous bridge scene from Monty Python.

Brian: Stop. Who would cross the Bridge of Death must answer me these questions three, ere the other side he see.

Justin: Ask me the questions, bridge keeper. I’m not afraid.

Brian: What… is your name? What… is your quest? What… is your favorite color?

Justin: I am Justin Ayers, I seek the Holy Grail, and my favorite color is blue. No…Yellllll….

Brian grabs the boutonniere from Justin’s coat and tosses it into the Gulf of Mexico. It is the perfect ending to a perfect night.

Come back tomorrow for Part Six: What Goes Around Comes Around

 Click here for The Justin and Jessica Chronicles: Part Four – Falling in Love