Memories That Fade Like Photographs

A few weeks have gone by and I’m starting to fall in love with Baltimore more and more each day. I still write in my journal, but not as much to my parents anymore. It’s become a private notebook. My thoughts, my feelings, and ocasionally there will be a letter to myself or my parents whenever I think about what had happened last summer. I miss them terribly, but I have to move on sometime, right?

Anyway, next week is the week all high schoolers have been waiting for. The time for school spirit, the time to pick out dresses, shoes, ties, shirts, you name it. Yes, it’s that time of the year. Homecoming.

Down in Atlanta this day wasn’t really as big as it is here. Yes, we still had the same ideas and everyone still dressed in ridiculous outfits, but we were more concerned about the dance rather than the game. I mean, my school did lose every homecoming game ever since 1999. Dulaney has actually won some of their homecoming games, well that’s what Kara and the guys have said, but I’m just not too fond of the whole football thing. Personally, Atlanta’s homecoming wasn’t really fun, so what could be different than Baltimore’s?

“Oh my god, I can’t believe Homecoming is next week! I wonder how Rian will ask me?” Kara gushed as we stood at her locker. The guys haven’t been seen this morning, but we both received a text from them all saying they’d see us in class. So, I guess we had nothing to worry about.

“I’m sure he’ll do something special. The kid is head over heals for you.” I smiled as she shut her locker and we headed down the halls to our history class.

“You think so?”

“Yeah, he doesn’t shut up about you when I bring you up. I litterally had to shove food in his mouth when he came over for dinner on Saturday.”

“He’s such a sweetheart.” She smiled as we walked into the classroom. Rian nor Alex were sitting in their seats and we gave each other a questioning look. They did say they would be in class today, but where were they?

The bell rang and we were quickly told to get into our seats. Kara turned to me once we sat down and said, “Where are they? They all messaged us saying they’d be here.”

“I don’t know, this is really starting to”- I didn’t get to finish because our teacher, Mr. Baker, told me to quiet down.

Once the entire class settled down and was quiet he greeted us a good morning and was received a groggily one back by the many tired students. “Well, since we’re starting to work on the Medieaval times for the next three weeks, Mr. Gaskarth and Mr. Dawson had something they wanted to share. As much as it doesn’t go with the subject at least they’re trying.” Mr. Baker sighed as he went to sit at his desk. When he sat down the door opened and Alex walked in wearing one of the most ridiculous outfits I’ve ever seen.

“Here he, here he. All rise for royalty is upon us. Sir King Dawson has arrived and has a question for his fair maiden Kara Diakoulas.” Alex spoke in a strong British accent, obviously not fake.

I rolled my eyes and laughed as everyone else stayed seated. Alex rolled his eyes and finally yelled at the class, “Hey, stand up so Rian can walk in, please.” Mr. Baker started to silently laugh and I knew this was his idea right away. Everyone laughed once they realized what was going on and stood up to please Alex.

“Thank you.” He sighed and then opened the door and let the next person walk in. And to our surprise, Rian was on top of a horse. Well, it was a horse costume, and probably Jack and Matt were dressed in it, since you could here Jack giggle and Matt quietly telling him to stop making noises. Rian was dressed as a king, riding on the make believe horse. And once they were over to me and Kara, Rian hopped off the two who had broken apart once he got off.

Matt started couging and glared at Jack saying, “You couldn’t hold it, could you?”

Jack innocently smiled, “I don’t know what you’re talking about?”

“Boys, you may leave now. Your passes are here.” Mr. Baker said to them as they walked to his desk and left. But before Jack left, he quickly said, “Bye Kara, Bye Lucy! I love you!”

Kara and I looked at each other and rolled our eyes but then Kara’s attention was drawn upon the boy next to her as he coughed.

“Kara,” he smiled, “I have something to ask you, but I want to ask you threw a poem, so please, don’t laugh…” Rian pulled out a sheet of paper from his pants and unfolded it to read his poem.



“Awe!” all the girls in the class said in unison, besides me and Kara. She looked at me with excited eyes and I just laughed and gestured her with my hands to stand up. As she did this Rian hesitantly asked normally, “So, w-will you got to h-homecoming with me Kara?”

She smiled and kissed her boyfriend sweeetly on his lips.

“Of course I’ll go with you.” She spoke out loud so the entire class could here. We all cheered and they kissed one last time before Mr. Baker broke them up and told him and Alex to go change and get back to class.

When Kara sat back down we both squealed and then settled down and learned the rest of the lesson. As Rian and Alex came back the class cheered for them and they bowed in the front of the class before taking their seats. Rian and Kara had their own little world as they talked in class. I couldn’t help but smile at their excitement. I hope they have an amazing night.

“What’d you think?” Alex whispered in my ear.

I looked over at him and smiled, “It was really sweet. I’m happy for the two of them, and you,” I leaned in to whisper in his ear, “look sexy in tights.”

“Bullshit.” He said with laughter.

I started laughing with him and nodded my head, “Yeah, that was a complete lie. You and tights are not a great mix.”

“I’m glad you think so because there is no way I’ll ever do that again.”

“Oh boo, and I was hoping you’d where them all day.”

“Too damn bad.” He smiled.

I rolled my eyes and went back to listening to the lesson. I thought about Kara and Rian and how cute the whole asking her to homecoming was, but then I started to feel jealous of them.

Kara and Rian are the cutest couple in the world, but it sucks that when you’re single and you don’t have something like that. You wish someone would ask you in a sweet way, but you know it’ll never happen.

I know it’ll never happen for me because I’m the new student and I don’t have a boyfriend. Maybe I just shouldn’t go? I think that would be the best solution.



“You’re what?” Kara exclaimed when I told her that I wasn’t going to homecoming. At the end of the day she kept going on and on about where we should buy dresses, shoes and accessories. She also went on about what colors would look good on both her and Rian, and what she should do to her hair. Then when she looked at me and started saying what would look best on me, I just had to break it to her.

“I’m not going to the dance Kara.”

“And why not?”

“I just don’t want to go. It’s not really something I should go to. I barely know anyone, and it would just be awkward for me.”

“But you know us! And you can meet more people there! Come on Lulu, it’s your senior year, have a little fun! Who gives a shit if you don’t know anyone? As long as you’re having a good night with us, you’ll feel fantastic. Please go!” Kara begged.

I shook my head, “No, Kara, I’m not going. And there’s nothing that will change my mind.”

“We’ll see about that.” She mumbled as we seperated to the designated doors of her car. I let her comment go and let it just hang. Kara and I were heading over to Rian’s to watch the boys practice.

Once we arrived, we both unbuckled our seat belts but before I got out Kara locked the car door. I turned and gave her a questioning look but before I could ask anything she said, “What’s the real reason you don’t want to go?”

“Do you not believe the anwer I’m giving you?” I quesiton her.

“No, I don’t. Now tell me.”

“Kara, I just don’t want to go, there’s no reason besides the fact that I just don’t want to go.”

“Lucy…” she trailed off whining.

“Kara…” I mimicked her.

She sighed and unlocked the door, “You’re off the hook for now. But you will end up going.”

“No, I won’t.” I sang as I walked up the front steps with Kara following closely behind me. We didn’t knock on the door since we both had keys, that and the fact that the door was wide open. I shut the door behind me and followed Kara downstairs to the basement where the guys were already playing a song.



“Wow, that one was good. What is it called?” I asked with a smile.

Alex turned towards me with one of the biggest smiles ever as he answered, “Hometown Heroes; National Nobodies. Did you like it?”

“Like it? I love it. Even though I didn’t hear the beginning, but it was still pretty amazing.”

“We could play it again if you want.” Alex jumped after my last statement. The guys all gave him a quizzical look before Matt spoke up, “We have no time Alex. You need to practice your other songs for your preformance for Friday. And since you cancelled three practices then no, we’ll practice it if we have time, understand?”

“Damn, I’ve never seen Flyzik so bossy. I like it.” I smiled as he thanked me.

“Please don’t compliment him, it’ll only make him worse.” Zack groaned as he plopped himself on the couch.

“Anyway, is this Friday a big preformance?” I asked.

“Well, it’s technically Saturday, but we leave Friday night since it’s in Vermont.”

“Vermont? Why so far?”

“We have to build a fan base some how.” Rian said as he pushed Zack’s feet off the couch to sit down.

“Now I understand. So, what”- I was about to say, but was cut off with Kara yelling, “Lucy isn’t going to homecoming!”

“What?!” all the men in the room yelled, turning their heads towards me. They all had confused expressions and then started bombarding me with questions.

“Stop! Shut up, back away! And ask me one at a time!” I yelled at them all and they backed away and waited for me to speak some more. “Okay, Matt you go first.”

“You should go Lucy, you’ve never partied with us before and it’s senior year. We want you there. Please go.” He begged me but, I moved on to the next person.

“Zack.”

“I know I don’t go to your school, but there’s this one girl that I really want to ask and she goes to Dulaney so I might be going depending on her answer and I need my old friend there with me. I barely see you as it is!”

“Rian.”

“Why don’t you want to go? Honest truth, and I won’t take the whole ‘I just don’t want to go’ bullshit.”

“You and Kara both, my god. I don’t want to go because I don’t know anyone and it’ll be awkward for me. There are you two happy? Jack, go!”

“Lucy! You need to go! I need a dancing partner and I really, really wanted to dance with you!” he whined.

I rolled my eyes and sighed. They were all starting to get to me. “Alex. You’re turn.” I said as I looked at him. His eyes were dead set on mine as he spoke. “It’s up to you Lucy. I’m not stopping you from something you do or don’t want to do. Your decisions, your life… Although, it would be nice to have you with us.”

I sighed and sat down on the couch that was no longer captivated by Zack or Rian. I laid my head down and closed my eyes, taking a few moments to think and slowly breath. When I came up with my answer I told them, “Fine, I’ll go.” I can’t believe they got to me.



“Okay, how about this one?” Kara asked as she tried on the bazillionth dress today. After the guys convinced me of going to the dance, Kara dragged me out of the house and to the mall. We’re now looking for our homecoming dresses and so far the only person who has tried on the dresses was Kara.

“I don’t like the color on you.” I said honestly. The orange dress wasn’t the best for her. In all honesty it reminded me of a pumpkin.

“You’re probably right. How about you go pick out my dress then. You seem to know what’s best.” She smiled as she headed to the dressing room to change into a different dress.

I walked around the store and grabbed a few dresses but there was this one that caught my eye. It looked perfect for Kara. So, I put the other dresses away and grabbed that one and walked back to her dressing room.

“Try this one on.” I said as I slipped it over the top.

“This is cute, but I don’t know. It looks a little too much, don’t you think?” she asked, second guessing the dress.

“Kara, I swear if you don’t try it on I will hit you so hard. You’re getting this dress if it looks amazing on you.”

“Fine.” She said as I heard her starting to put it on. I smiled in succession and told her to show me when she’s done trying it on. I walked out of the fitting rooms and over to the rack closests to the door. I looked through all the dresses on the rack and then found this one gray dress. It was really cute and it was the only one there. I grabbed the dress and checked the size and surprisingly it was my size.

“You should get that dress.” Kara gushed when she stepped out of the fitting room.

I looked up at her and smiled widely, “And you’re seriously getting that dress. You’re fucking gorgeous!”

She smiled and stepped onto the podium to look at herself in the triple mirror and she turned in a circle and smiled even wider. “Yeah, I’m getting it, but seriously you’re getting that dress.”

“I don’t know? I mean I love it, but I haven’t even tried it on yet.”

“Get your ass in my dressing room then!” she exclaimed as she pushed me to the room. I laughed as she shut the door behind her. I hung the dress up and started taking off my clothes, when I stripped off my jeans I grabbed the dress and slipped it on. I looked at myself in the mirror and smiled. The dress fit perfectly and it was even gorgeous on.

I walked out of the dressing room and when Kara saw me she made the same face I did when she walked out, “Holy fucking shit. That’s gorgeous on you. Look!” she said as she grabbed my hand and we both stood on the podium. When I turned to see the back a saleslady came by and smiled at the two of us.

“Oh my, you two look gorgeous in your dresses. I’m assuming you’ll be buying?” she asked.

“Yes.” We said in unison.

“You two are lucky. We didn’t have many of those dresses in stock, especially the gray one. Just put back on your regular clothes and I’ll ring you two up over at the counter.”

“Thank you.” We smiled and went to go change. After changing we bought the dresses and left. Knowing that I was going to homecoming was a great feeling. Maybe it might not be as bad as I thought it would be?



“All finished Miss Jefferson?” Mr. Hansen, my English Honors teacher asked me.

You see, today I had to go into school a bit early today because yesterday I stayed behind in Music to help out with the next class. I completely forgot about the test we had, so when Mr. Hansen contacted Aunt Kay, I had to go in and take it in the morning.

If I said I wasn’t tired, I’d be lying. I’m super exhausted but with a bit of a coffee that Kara will bring me when I see her. I owe her big time!

“Yes, Mr. Hansen.” I said as I got up and handed him my test.

“I’ll see you in class later Miss Jefferson. Have a nice day.” He said as I walked away.

“You too!” I called out as I exited the room.

There was only about five minutes till the bell rang and I still needed to get to my locker. When I got there I was shocked to see Ross there. I smiled politely at him and said good morning, which I received one in return.

“So, I heard you weren’t going to homecoming. Why’s that?” he asked.

“Oh, well actually Kara and the guys convinced me to go. So now I am.” I said as I grabbed my things.

“Do you have a date?” he hesitantly said.

“No, I don’t.” I spoke slowly, seeing where he was headed with this.

“Well, I was wondering since you don’t have a date, maybe you wanted to go with me?” he confidently said. I shut my locker door and sighed before I turned to him.

“Look Ross, you’re a great guy and I’m sure some girl would love for you to ask her, but I just- I barely even know you. I’m sorry, but I have to say no.”

“Well you would’ve gotten to know me if you didn’t blow me off everytime I asked you out.” He mumbled to himself, but I pretended not to hear him. “You know what, it’s okay. I’ll just ask another girl. There are tons of girls who would kill to go with me.” He said, probably assuming I’d be jealous.

I nodded my head, “Again, I’m sorry. I’ll see you in French.”

“Whatever.” He said as he stormed off.

Once he was gone, I widend my eyes and blew a big breath out. Then the guys and Kara came around the corner and the first thing I did was run to them and thank Kara for the coffee she brought me.



“So, where exactly is it that you’re taking me?” I asked Alex, once he litterally carried me to his car after school. I was going to go with Jack to visit Zack, but Alex said he wanted to take me somewhere. After I told him that he could take me another time, he picked me up and threw me in his car. I wasn’t mad at him because it was actually kind of cute.

“I’m taking you out on a date.” He said confidently.

“A date, but we aren’t even dating.” I smiled.

“Fine, then it’s two really close friends going to get a milkshake together.”

“Milkshakes? Are we in the 50’s?” I laughed.

“No, but this place is really fucking good.” He smiled once we parked.

We both got out of the car and when we met at the front he took ahold of my hand and laced our fingers together. As we stepped inside, I shivered from the sudden breeze. It wasn’t a resturaunt, but it was definetly an ice cream parlor. We waited in line until it was our turn and Alex asked me what I wanted. I shrugged my shoulders and he smiled. He turned to the cashier and ordered for us. He got two large milkshakes; one chocolate mint oreo and the other chocolate strawberry. Once given our shakes we went and sat at a booth at the far end of the parlor.

“How was your day today?” Alex asked once I sat down. Instead of him sitting in front of me, he sat beside me.

I laughed, “Besides spending it all day with you, it was wonderful.”

“Harsh.” He gasped but went back to his usual self and asked, “So, which milkshake do you want to try first?”

“Uh, the strawberry one.” I smiled as he slid it over to me. I took a ship of it and thought in my head. I thought it was good, but I still had to try the other one. So I pushed it aside and grabbed the mint one. When I sipped that one I fell in love with it. I put the two drinks next to them and examined them. As Alex went to grab the mint one I slapped his hand away and took it myself. I started to drink it, but Alex started to take it away from me.

“Lucy!” he whined. “Give it to me! That’s my favorite milkshake.”

“Hold on, I just want one more sip.” I laughed.

“But you’ll drink it all!”

I stopped drinking the delicious milkshake and put it back on the table. I grabbed the straw from the other drink and put it in the mint drink.

“We’ll share both of them then.” I smiled as I put it in the middle of us. I looked up at Alex and he smiled down at me.

“How nice of you… I take it you like it?”

“Well Alex it seems that we have the same taste in milkshake.”

“We’re gonna have to finish both drinks, you know?”

“I’m going to have a tummy ache.” I pouted.

“I’ll make you feel better.” He smiled as he leaned it to take a sip of our now shared milkshake.

After we finished the drink, it became silent between us both. When I looked over at Alex he was looking down at his hands nervously. I started getting worried, so I placed my hand on top of his and asked, “Alex, are you okay?”

He looked at me and still looked extremely nervous. “Well, I’ve been wanting to ask you this for a while. But I’ve been holding it off and I don’t want to wait till last minute…”

“What are you talking about?” I question.

He took an inward breath and asked, “Lucy, will y-you be my d-date to homecoming?”

I looked at him in pure shock. Only because no one has ever asked me. Especially since he was nervous. He looked too cute, and he took me to an ice cream parlor and everthing! This is the sweetest thing anyone ever did for me!

I was about to answer but Alex sadly looked away, but I pulled his face back towards me and I kissed him. He didn’t hesitate to kiss me back, but when he slowly pulled away he rested his forehead to mine and smiled with his eyes closed. Then he asked, “So, I take that as a yes?”

I giggled and kissed him again, “More like a hell yes.”

“That was cheesy.”

“Don’t make fun of me.”

“Okay.” He smiled.

“Alex?”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“Asking me like this. It might not seem like much, but thank you.”

He kissed my lips and then pulled away and smiled brightly at me, “You’re welcome Lucy.”