A night To Remember, A Night to Forget

It was a sunny day, and Jennifer Stanson was outside soaking up the suns wonderful rays, hoping to receive the perfect tan. She smiled to herself thinking how wonderful the Senior prom would be tonight. Her class voted her as queen, and the most popular boy in her class Michael, was voted as king. Jennifer was ecstatic. He'd asked her out only yesterday, and she hadn't had the chance to get as close to him as she wanted... Yep-tonight was the night, she thought. It was going to be wonderful...

About 4:00pm she had her dress on. It was a gorgeous hot pink trumpet dress. Her hair was in an elegant updo, and the only thing missing was Michael. He was supposed to arrive at her house to go take pictures together. The doorbell rang.
"I'll get it," Jennifer yelled. "Wait, never mind!" Jennifer quickly summoned her mother to get the door. She ran back up the stairs, and waited for her mother to open the door.

"Good evening, Mrs. Stanson," Michael politely said, handing her a singe rose.
"Why, thank you, Michael. It is Michael right?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Well, Jenny will be down in no time, you can come in if you'd like."

Michael accepted the invitation, and looked up to see Jennifer slowly floating down the stairs towards him. He smiled, and bowed. Jennifer reached the bottom, and slightly curtsied.

“You look-incredible,” he whispered.
Jennifer slightly blushed, and whispered, “You don’t look to bad yourself!”
He smiled back, and took her hand. She was amazed at his demeanor. He was calm, sophisticated, mature, and just flat out perfect. He’d impressed her mother, and that was difficult for as many guys as she’d dated.

They traveled across the road to the city’s park. It was jam packed with Seniors.
“I want the pictures to be under that gazebo, it has everything!”
Michael agreed and they posed six different ways. Then it was off to the party!

Jennifer followed Michael into the building where they got their pictures taken again, and then put their things down. The music was blaring, and lights of every color were flashing.

“This is awesome,” Jennifer screamed!
“I know! Wanna get something to drink?”
Jennifer nodded, and they went to get some punch. When they reached the punch, the principal of the school got up on stage, and the music quieted down.
“Can you hear me now,” she joked.
The crowd screamed loudly.
“Well-I know what you’re all waiting for, so I won’t waste time on saying anything but have a great time tonight, and stay safe! Now-the class King and Queen…Ok-for King of the class 2004 is…Michael Metter!
The crowd roared, and Michael ran up on stage, and the principal placed the crown on top of his head. He gave a thumbs up to everyone, and smiled. For Queen of the class 2004 is….Jennifer Stanson! The crowd went wild again. Almost everyone wanted the two to win. Jennifer ran up on stage, gladly excepted the crown, and kissed Michael. The two gave silly waves, and Michael picked Jennifer up, and carried her off the stage.

By the end of the night, almost everyone had way too much to eat, drink, smoke, but it was the most amazing prom ever! Michael, and Jennifer piled into a limo with a few others, and started off going home.

“Wow! What a night,” Jennifer said smiling.
“I know, it was a blast,” he agreed kissing her.
Suddenly, the car was swerving back and forth. Jennifer screamed, and the next thing she knew, she was lying down somewhere with her parents holding her hands.

“Mom! Mom, what’s going on! Where am I? I can’t see,” cried Jennifer. Her parents tried to calm her down, but when the doctor came in and spoke of her maybe never seeing again, she was hysterical.

“I’m blind! How can I be blind! What happened?” Jennifer was amazed at how the tears flew down her face even though she couldn’t see. Her parents explained she’d been in a car accident. The driver was drunk.

Jennifer froze. “Michael! Where’s Michael!”
There was no answer.
“Someone tell me! Where is Michael?!

Her mom bravely spoke. “Michael’s dead, sweetheart. No one survived but-”
“But me…,” Jennifer finished.
Jennifer didn’t speak the rest of the day, and refused to eat or drink anything. Her friends came to visit, but she refused to speak or acknowledge their presence. They finally all left. Some felt pity, others were angry. Jennifer didn’t care.

The doctor came in the next morning and said she was able to leave. However, she couldn’t return to her normal school. She had to learn how to be blind. Jennifer refused again.

“You have no choice, Jennifer,” the doctor explained. “It’s only two months, and you will go.”
The doctor was right. Jennifer was forced to go. She had a therapist, and learned how to function as a blind person.

It was the end of her sessions, and she wasn’t happy either way. Now she had to go back to school-and face all those people. Everyone who didn’t understand, everyone who would never understand what she felt. And they would pity her. She hated not being dead like everyone else. It wasn’t fair.

It was morning, and Jennifer dressed herself, and made her way down the hallway to the kitchen where her mother provided her with her breakfast and lunch. Her mom drove her to school, and started to get out.

“I got it, mom, Jennifer said shortly. I don’t need help.” Her mother stopped, and told her good bye and to be careful.

Jennifer was walking up to the sidewalk when she tripped. She caught herself, but she knew this wasn’t going to be easy. She could feel everyone’s eyes on her as she walked. She tripped again, but this time, someone caught her. She shook the help off, and turned red.

“Sorry, I was just trying to-” the person said.
“Well, I don’t need any help,” Jennifer hissed.

In her first few hours, she allowed the principal to guide her to her classes. Lunch was going to be a different story. None of her friends had come to say hello, how are you, or anything. She walked into the lunchroom, and gulped. She held her apple tightly having no idea where to go, when she felt someone grab her arm. She did not resist as the person guided her to a table.

“You looked a little lost.”
“Who are you,” Jennifer said, changing the subject.
“Tom. Tom McGuire.”
“Who? Oh wait, we’re you the one who fell in the pond at the park for prom pictures,” Jennifer said dryly.
“Um, yeah.,” Tom said, glad she couldn’t see him turning red.
“That was dumb. I’m blind and I haven’t done anything dumb like that yet.”
Tom cringed at the harsh comment, but went on. “So, anyways, I thought maybe if you’d like some help getting around and all-”

Jennifer cut him short again. “No, I don’t need any help. I don’t need your help now, or ever. I don’t need anyone’s help!” She began to get up. Her foot got caught by the seat, and she began to fall, but Tom caught her again.

“Are you sure,” he questioned again. Weakly, Jennifer accepted. The next following weeks went by quickly. Tom helped Jennifer with her classes, homework, getting around to social gatherings, and slowly Jennifer began to rely on him for everything.

“Tom, could you do my homework for me tonight, I have to get to this party, and it’ll take way too much time,” Jennifer asked.

Rolling his eyes, Tom agreed. He didn’t want her to get him wrong. He loved helping her. He’d had a crush on her since he could remember, and finally he was spending time with her, and growing to like her even more. The trouble was, now she was just taking advantage of him, and she obviously didn’t love him the way loved her.

“Yeah, sure,” he finally said.

Jennifer smiled. Tom loved it when she smiled. He thought of a song Tim McGraw sang…Just to See You Smile, and knew that he was in the same situation. He’d do anything to see Jennifer smile, even if it meant his misery, and him not ever getting her.

Then Jennifer added, “Oh, and my mom’s busy, so could you give me a ride?”

“Yeah, whatever,” Tom said a bit harshly.

Jennifer frowned, “What’s wrong? You seem a little upset.”

“Nothing, I have to go,” was all Tom said before he got up from the lunch table, and left her alone.

“Tom? Tom, where are you?” Jennifer was stunned. He left me, she thought. How could he be so selfish. He knew she couldn’t get around! What was he thinking?! That night, Tom did do her homework for her, and he took her to the party. However, the next day, Jennifer found herself very alone. Tom wasn’t there to take her to her classes. He didn’t find her at lunch to sit with her. He never even said hello once. She was very puzzled, and angry. At the end of the day, she made her way outside, and sat under a tree.

Tom walked out of the school, and seen her along under the tree crying. His heart ached. He knew he’d promised himself not to talk to her today, but now he couldn’t help it. He slowly walked out to the tree, not sure what to say. Jennifer heard the crackle of someone stepping on leaves coming towards her, and she straightened up.

“Tom,” Jessica sniffled.
“Yeah,” Tom said, shifting his weight.
“Where have you been? I’ve been so lost without you! I had to ask dorky Ken Ryly to carry my books.”
“I was-I was just busy doing my own thing.”
Jennifer seemed to take offence. “What do you mean, your own thing?!”
Tom began to get angry. “What do I mean!? For once today, I got to have some free time because I wasn’t doing your homework, or helping you do stuff with your friends! You don’t get it, Jen! I like you! I like you a lot, and I wanted to help you, but you’re so selfish! Did you ever once think of me? Did you ever once consider why I spent so much time being patient with your crap!!! Did you?!
Jennifer’s face was stunned, and even more teary eyed.
“You know what, just-forget it. I have to go.”
Jennifer motioned for him to stop, but he’d ran off, and it was too late.

Over the next few days, neither of them spoke. It was the end of the week, and the end of the day, and Jennifer was leaving the school grounds when she bumped into someone.

“Sorry,” the person muttered.
“Tom,” Jessica managed to spit out.
“Yeah, it’s me. I’ve got to go,” he said walking on.
“No wait,” Jennifer cried, trying to stop him. He did stop.
“What, Jen?”
“Tom, I’ve done a lot of thinking over the past few days. It hasn’t been the same without you and-”
“I don’t want to hear it, Jen. I’m not going to be your personal assistant anymore.” Tom began to walk away again, and Jennifer panicked.

“No! Don’t go, Tom! That’s not it! I miss you, I-I love you. I miss you so much, and if you just give me a second chance, I’ll prove it to you.” Jennifer began to cry, and fell over a large crack in the sidewalk.

Tom was stricken. He’d never thought he’d hear those words! She seemed genuine, and his heart was aching for her to be with him finally after all this time.
He ran over to her. “Are you all right?” His face was full of concern, and his voice clearly conveyed it. Jennifer smiled a bit. “I love you, Tom! Be my boyfriend?”
Tom smiled and laughed. “I think I’d like that. I think I’d like that a lot!” Jennifer smiled, and tears of joy began to run down her face. Then she felt Tom’s lips against hers, and she felt a tingle she’d never felt before with anyone. As they parted from their amazing first kiss, Jennifer’s eyes widened.

“What’s wrong,” Tom said worriedly.
“N-nothing’s wrong-it’s just that-I think I can see you!”
“What, you can see me?!
“I can! I can! It’s blurry, and dark-but I can see! Oh my gosh,” Jennifer screamed! Tom and Jennifer shared another passionate kiss, and he rushed her to the hospital to tell them about her sight.

Over the next few weeks, Jennifer’s sight improved greatly. She could see color, her parents, her friends, the sky, but most importantly, she could see Tom. Tom, the guy that had always been there for her, and she’d never been observant enough to notice. All along she’d had the wrong guys, the wrong thinking, and the wrong view of what made life, life. She was very happy, and when she turned 19, Tom asked for her hand in marriage. She gladly excepted! They moved into a cute cottage home, had two kids named Michael, and Jenna, and lived a very happy life together.