With a swipe of lip gloss in shimmering peach
A final curl of her long caramel locks
Slipping on the satin heel
She dashes downstairs to be with
Her parents. She loves them,
But they are not quite what she hoped for
They won’t be her date to the cotillion

A silent car ride to her friend’s house
For pictures and appetizers
Because they were too lazy to go to dinner beforehand
Cameras and cell phones click
Freezing our laughter as we trip through the yard
A remembrance of our dresses for the dance

This car ride is filled with an electricity of excitement
Screeching with the other groups as they meet on the steps
She secretly glances around, hoping
He’ll be there, but he isn’t
She is just going with the girls, the people she adores
But not the one she’d love to adore

A dim gymnasium with pumping music
Fills their minds and they jump and sway
Dancing to the song, feeling the beat
Enjoying themselves and the presence of others
Tonight is homecoming, a treasured high school gem
That would gleam a little brighter
If there was a certain someone special to share it with