October 10th, five years ago (almost six years ago), I was getting ready for my very first date with Rhys Jones.
Our highschool formal.
We were friends, who had known each other for about a year and to this day I still only have theories as to why he decided to take me. I have never been silly, I knew there were a couple of other girls wishing to accompany Mr Jones to the biggest event of our final year at school.
From what I recall two asked through friends, and he said no because he didnt know them. One asked him, while telling me that I should ask him, so we ended up suggesting it to him on the same day. I think she was thinking if she had two people ask him, he would be in a situation where he needed to make a decision and she could easily take me. I will always remember the way one girl spoke as though she was already going with him, and her friend was going with someone too... they both looked at me and one said 'who could Vicky go with?' (said in all seriousness) and they proceded to list out some names and laughed... haha very funny... no one wants to go with the girl in the wheelchair. (I know it is a tragic cliche to harbour sore feelings from highschool... and I don't... I just enjoy writing what happened next. Its like a real life fairytale).
This drama with the other girls was mostly forgotten on the night, except when the girl who spoke as though she was already going with him asked to borrow him for some photos. I smiled and said yes and thought 'delicious.'
Anyway back to this time tomorrow five years ago, I had just arrived home from having my hair and makeup done, and had put on my dress that made me feel like a princess, with a tiara and all. I put on the perfume that mum and I had bought in Paris. I loved my nails, I loved my makeup and hovered in and out of the bathroom checking my makeup. I almost freaked when some mascarra brushed from my lashes to my cheek. I was waiting for Stef to show up with her camara (I really only wanted her there because she was repeating grade 11, but I could never go to my formal without seeing her) absolutely praying she would show up before Rhys so I'd have someone to talk to. Someone normal. Someone who's persence on this day was expected and I knew exactly why they were showing up... Why did he pick me? Stef did show up first, which calmed me right down. I didnt think then, but I know it was hard for her to show up that day...
He showed up with his mum and sister Clare, lucky Clare was organised or else he wouldnt have had one of those flowers that men put in there pockets. I remember him bending down on his knees and putting on the Wrist Corsage, it felt like it took forever... with everyone watching... it was like we were a display at the zoo or something...I was so embarrassed! We had photos done and left in mums van to Sarah's place where we would catch a limo.
Mum has a big old white van, that she leant us for the night. So with Rhys driving, in his top hat, and me in the front passenger seat wearing my princess dress and tiara, feeling really out of place... off we went. I would have liked to have passed us on the road... it would have looked rediculous.
We headed towards Sarah's place. Being a lady I waited until we had definately passed a certain point at least twice, before accusing my date of being an idiot, lost and asking him where were the directions he said he had... in his school bag... ok.
So I had to call a hysterical Sarah and ask for directions to Skips and tried to keep her calm, all the while cursing Rhys for not admitting he was lost and for driving so he didnt have to call Sarah ("you cant drive and talk on the phone").
We showed up late, there was
Skip and Carl,
Sarah and Mardy
and Rhys and I.
And Rhys, myself and Skip were late to Sarah's place. Now Sarah, being crazy, had booked the limo to come so early that, even though three of us were over a half hour late, we were still way early to the formal itself.
The limo driver was a bit cranky, despite Mardy's pragmatic efforts to keep him in a conversation. So the six of us stood infront of the limo, skulled some pink wine, had some photos taken and hopped in.
17/18 year olds in a limo is a great thing. Mission: where is the TV? was a failure, but all in all it was a fun trip.
When we arrived, we walked around the area where the drinks and snacks with the families would take place, while Rhys was trying to master linking arms with me with one arm and swirling his cane with the other, as we walked an old friend of mine (male) came up and said to me: "you look so much better than I ever thought you could". Ouch. A teacher who'd known me well since grade 8 came up and said "I barely recognised you, you look amazing." That's better.
I remember sitting at the side of the room and, as I was getting up, a man whom I had never seen before offered me a hand up, I was so scared, he looked like the monopoly man... I got away from him as fast as possible and hid near my daddy. The top hat that monopoly man was wearing really should have been the clue to what I later found out... he was Rhys' father.
His family didn't even know me but they still insisted that I be in the family photo... years later it was weird to see, when I went to his nan's house to have dinner, there I was on display... she's had a photo of me since 2002, next to all the other photos of her grandchildren.
When it came to seating at dinner: We still blame a certain couple (who will remain nameless) for taking our spot at a table with all the couples we would hang out with at lunch. I was asked if I wanted to sit with some girlfriends I knew who were dateless or leaving their dates for dinner to sit at all girl table, but I decided to sit with Rhys, resulting in me being the only girl at a table of 10. It was fun, I've always enjoyed the company of boys, I think they're funny and less work than girls.
Rhys and I picked on each others edicate, 'no conducting at a dinner table' and he did all the gentlemanly things, like pulling out my chair and making sure I had water (or did I have to kick him under the table to get him to fill my glass?...I cant recall).
My eyes weren't really on Rhys all that much, but I can tell you Matt ate Shanes entree.
We only danced together for one song, Vitamin C's graduation song. I remember he whispered to me something like 'So this is it?' I ignored him, because I couldnt think of anything to say back.
I remember hoping that we would be friends after highschool, I knew we were applying for the same university, I hoped we'd still be friends because I had had a great time with him, I felt comfortable around him and he made me feel safe. But most of all, he made me feel normal. We would be friends after this, we'd have to be...
after all he chose me
Our highschool formal.
We were friends, who had known each other for about a year and to this day I still only have theories as to why he decided to take me. I have never been silly, I knew there were a couple of other girls wishing to accompany Mr Jones to the biggest event of our final year at school.
From what I recall two asked through friends, and he said no because he didnt know them. One asked him, while telling me that I should ask him, so we ended up suggesting it to him on the same day. I think she was thinking if she had two people ask him, he would be in a situation where he needed to make a decision and she could easily take me. I will always remember the way one girl spoke as though she was already going with him, and her friend was going with someone too... they both looked at me and one said 'who could Vicky go with?' (said in all seriousness) and they proceded to list out some names and laughed... haha very funny... no one wants to go with the girl in the wheelchair. (I know it is a tragic cliche to harbour sore feelings from highschool... and I don't... I just enjoy writing what happened next. Its like a real life fairytale).
This drama with the other girls was mostly forgotten on the night, except when the girl who spoke as though she was already going with him asked to borrow him for some photos. I smiled and said yes and thought 'delicious.'
Anyway back to this time tomorrow five years ago, I had just arrived home from having my hair and makeup done, and had put on my dress that made me feel like a princess, with a tiara and all. I put on the perfume that mum and I had bought in Paris. I loved my nails, I loved my makeup and hovered in and out of the bathroom checking my makeup. I almost freaked when some mascarra brushed from my lashes to my cheek. I was waiting for Stef to show up with her camara (I really only wanted her there because she was repeating grade 11, but I could never go to my formal without seeing her) absolutely praying she would show up before Rhys so I'd have someone to talk to. Someone normal. Someone who's persence on this day was expected and I knew exactly why they were showing up... Why did he pick me? Stef did show up first, which calmed me right down. I didnt think then, but I know it was hard for her to show up that day...
He showed up with his mum and sister Clare, lucky Clare was organised or else he wouldnt have had one of those flowers that men put in there pockets. I remember him bending down on his knees and putting on the Wrist Corsage, it felt like it took forever... with everyone watching... it was like we were a display at the zoo or something...I was so embarrassed! We had photos done and left in mums van to Sarah's place where we would catch a limo.
Mum has a big old white van, that she leant us for the night. So with Rhys driving, in his top hat, and me in the front passenger seat wearing my princess dress and tiara, feeling really out of place... off we went. I would have liked to have passed us on the road... it would have looked rediculous.
We headed towards Sarah's place. Being a lady I waited until we had definately passed a certain point at least twice, before accusing my date of being an idiot, lost and asking him where were the directions he said he had... in his school bag... ok.
So I had to call a hysterical Sarah and ask for directions to Skips and tried to keep her calm, all the while cursing Rhys for not admitting he was lost and for driving so he didnt have to call Sarah ("you cant drive and talk on the phone").
We showed up late, there was
Skip and Carl,
Sarah and Mardy
and Rhys and I.
And Rhys, myself and Skip were late to Sarah's place. Now Sarah, being crazy, had booked the limo to come so early that, even though three of us were over a half hour late, we were still way early to the formal itself.
The limo driver was a bit cranky, despite Mardy's pragmatic efforts to keep him in a conversation. So the six of us stood infront of the limo, skulled some pink wine, had some photos taken and hopped in.
17/18 year olds in a limo is a great thing. Mission: where is the TV? was a failure, but all in all it was a fun trip.
When we arrived, we walked around the area where the drinks and snacks with the families would take place, while Rhys was trying to master linking arms with me with one arm and swirling his cane with the other, as we walked an old friend of mine (male) came up and said to me: "you look so much better than I ever thought you could". Ouch. A teacher who'd known me well since grade 8 came up and said "I barely recognised you, you look amazing." That's better.
I remember sitting at the side of the room and, as I was getting up, a man whom I had never seen before offered me a hand up, I was so scared, he looked like the monopoly man... I got away from him as fast as possible and hid near my daddy. The top hat that monopoly man was wearing really should have been the clue to what I later found out... he was Rhys' father.
His family didn't even know me but they still insisted that I be in the family photo... years later it was weird to see, when I went to his nan's house to have dinner, there I was on display... she's had a photo of me since 2002, next to all the other photos of her grandchildren.
When it came to seating at dinner: We still blame a certain couple (who will remain nameless) for taking our spot at a table with all the couples we would hang out with at lunch. I was asked if I wanted to sit with some girlfriends I knew who were dateless or leaving their dates for dinner to sit at all girl table, but I decided to sit with Rhys, resulting in me being the only girl at a table of 10. It was fun, I've always enjoyed the company of boys, I think they're funny and less work than girls.
Rhys and I picked on each others edicate, 'no conducting at a dinner table' and he did all the gentlemanly things, like pulling out my chair and making sure I had water (or did I have to kick him under the table to get him to fill my glass?...I cant recall).
My eyes weren't really on Rhys all that much, but I can tell you Matt ate Shanes entree.
We only danced together for one song, Vitamin C's graduation song. I remember he whispered to me something like 'So this is it?' I ignored him, because I couldnt think of anything to say back.
I remember hoping that we would be friends after highschool, I knew we were applying for the same university, I hoped we'd still be friends because I had had a great time with him, I felt comfortable around him and he made me feel safe. But most of all, he made me feel normal. We would be friends after this, we'd have to be...
after all he chose me
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