The next morning, Miles got up from his thorough sleep, ready for the next day. It was the last day of school before the weekend—meaning prom. Miles’ mother made sure he was ready, as they had finished getting everything for Prom and Wanda, as well as cutting his hair. He thought back to last night, as he remembered his mother’s request.

Miles and his mother just got home from the mall when Miles parked the car in the garage. Before he entered the house, his mother called him over to the boxes which were his father’s.

“Miles, I know he hasn’t been part of our lives for years now, but it would mean so much to me if you would wear these.” Miles’ mother reached up towards a large shoe box, pulling them down. She handed it to Miles and he opened them. They were cowboy boots. “These are what he wore to our wedding. If it weren’t for the fact you have his size feet, then I wouldn’t have asked. But since you do, will you, Miles?”

He started at the brown, leather boots, running his hand over the smooth material. Miles didn’t know what to say as he hadn’t wanted anything to do with the man who left his family behind. But this is a request from his mother, and really, he has no memories of his father and these boots. Miles is the only kid in the family to remember anything of his father; he left right after Claude and Molly were born. Besides, these boots barely looked worn—as if his father only wore them for the wedding. Miles nodded as he solidified his decision.

“Thanks, baby.” Miles looked up to see his mother had tears in her eyes.

He knew it meant more for her, and that made wearing the boots worth it. His mother did not ask for much, so he knew it would make her happy.

Miles took the time to lay in his bed, but then decided to get up for school. He went to the bathroom before his siblings could take the chance and showered. He thought of everything that needed to be done this weekend, as he needed to get the car from Evelyn, make sure prom is perfect for Wanda and work on Sunday. As he washed up, he knew it was going to be a long weekend but well worth it. He took a deep breath to relax before turning off the water. Once he dressed in jeans and a blue, cotton shirt, he headed to his room, hearing his siblings run towards the bathroom behind him. Miles went through his school things, making sure he had everything. He felt a little nervous about going to prom tomorrow, but he also knew tomorrow, he would be a ball of nerves. This is his first true date, and he hoped he made everything wonderful.

Once he heard his siblings were about done getting ready, he exited his room. “I’m about to head off to school now!” He called as he made his way to the front door.

“Hold up, Miles!” Molly responded as she huffed out of the hallway. “You couldn’t give us another five minutes? Too excited to go see Wanda?”

“Oh, shush, Molly. You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Dude, you two make googlie eyes at each other one more time, I might barf,” Claude piped in as he exited his room.

“Awe, c’mon, guys. It is not that bad,” Miles shook his head as all three made sure to put their shoes on before exiting the house. Miles watched as Claude and Molly rolled their eyes in unison.

“Like a bee to honey,” Molly sighed as she took the lead. Claude hustled along after her, and Miles trailed behind thinking about the last week. He and Wanda have been getting close. They sit together at all the lunches, talk to each other anytime Wanda goes to Telsaan—which is whenever Miles works—and even from the rides home sometimes.

“HEY MILES!” Miles stopped as he heard his name. Turning around, he found it to be the person in question. Wanda was running towards him as fast as she could. Once she reached him, she took a couple deep breaths as she looked out of breath. Her chest rose and fell as her lungs caught up again. “Hey, how’s it going?”

“I’m doing alright, how about you? You didn’t need to run, you know?” Miles responded as they started on their way to the school again. Miles looked to find his brother and sister were already at the end of the next block.

“I know, but once I recognized you, I wanted to walk with you.” Wanda smiled before she looked ahead. “It took me a minute since you cut your hair—military cut, huh?”

“Yea, my mom asked me to; she didn’t want me to look to shaggy,” Miles sighed as he ran his hand over his still existing hair.

“It looks nice though,” Wanda said as she looked at it some more. “I’m glad she convinced you. Gives you a new look I haven’t seen before.”

“Yea, it’s just different,” Miles sighed. “I’m still getting used to it.”

“Are you excited for the dance at least,” Wanda asked as she changed the subject.

“It should be fun. Are you though,” Miles questioned back.

“Yea, it will be well worth it. Besides, I found a pretty spectacular gentleman to go with.”

“Oh, yea? Do tell,” Miles played along as Wanda smiled at him.

“Well, he’s handsome, and charming, and sweet, and tall.”

“Tall? Is that what you like,” Miles teased as he gave her a gentle shoulder brush.

“Well, it does come in handy for dancing.”

“You have a point there.” Miles watched as Wanda laughed as they made their way up to the front doors of the school. It wouldn’t be long before their first class.

“I guess I’ll see you later,” Miles asked. Wanda nodded before heading off to her class, and he made his way to his. He was already ready for lunch.