(y/n)'s POV

I looked around at the yelling, cheering, and singing kids around me.

I hated school dances, they were far too loud, someone always snuck in liquor and spiked the punch, getting me tipsy, the music was bad, and people always took it as an excuse to make out in public.

I had no clue why I came to this dumb thing. Maybe Katherine wanted me to since it was part of the scheme to get Jack to fall in love with me or whatever, but we didn't need a whole dance for that. I was always too private for this stuff.

I felt a tap on my shoulder, turning to see Crutchie. He was signalling for me to follow him, and he started to hobble out of the crowded gym into the hallway. I obviously obeyed and followed not far behind, taking a deep breath in relief when we were out of the dark gym and bathed in the harsh, fluorescent light of school hallway.

"You looked a little overwhelmed, you okay?" He asked once everything was quiet and he'd given me a couple seconds to breathe.

"Yeah, I just hate school dances. And crowds. And loud places. This is really not my scene," I joked uncomfortably.

"Then why's you even here?" He asked, leaning in with his signature wide smile.

"Because, Crutch, all our friends were coming and Kath wanted me to join, and Jack asked me to be his friend-date. Plus, I'd kinda forgotten how bad I get with crowds," I explained, and he nodded along. He smiled, the lights making his silver, glittery suit sparkle brightly.

"Well then, what about I grab a couple'a our friends and we can hang out here? Or you an' I could go crash a 7/11." He offered sweetly. I shrugged.

"You can just get Jack or Kath or someone, I don't wanna bother anyone else," I told him, and he grinned, pulling me into a hug (which was awkward with his crutch but nevertheless he still gave the best hugs).

"I'll be back." He said before making his way back into the crowded gym. I shrugged, sitting down criss-cross applesauce on the dusty floor. It was fine because I was wearing slacks, not a dress, anyway.

I listened to the music that was softened by the distance from the DJ and the walls in between us, smiling softly as Love Story by Taylor Swift came on. Cliche.

I sat there, staring at a wall for a minute before I heard footsteps in the hall. I didn't bother to look, since I couldn't hear the distinct sound of the crutch. That was, until someone stopped in front of me and held out a tanned hand, and a slow pan upwards revealed it was Jack in all his attractive glory, hair messed up from running his fingers through it.

"Crutchie told me you weren't havin' a good time, what's that about?" He asked softly. I took his hand and he helped me up, apparently tugging my body too hard since now I was pressed right up against his chest, looking up into his green eyes.

"Yeah, I don't like dances much," I explained half heartedly, distracted by this... look on his face. I couldn't read it, but I knew that him looking at me like that made me feel like the only other person in the universe.

"Well then, how 'bout we go drive somewhere and hang out there? I was bored here anyway. Plus, you are my date." He shrugged, not taking a step back yet. The cheeky grin on his face made me feel all warm and fuzzy, so I couldn't resist his offer.

I nodded wordlessly, realizing that our hands were still entwined when he used his to drag me down the hallway and out of the school.

"Where exactly are we going?" I finally found my voice after he dragged me to the passenger seat of his car and started to go around to the driver's side. He opened the door and climbed in, prompting me to do the same.

"We's gonna go to a park and look at the stars. It's a clear night tonight, and you look like you could use some peace and quiet," He informed me with a huge smile once I closed my door and buckled up. I looked over at him with a soft smile.

"You're great, ya know that?" I asked reaching my hand over to rest awkwardly on his knee. I saw his face light up red and I smirked at how I made the debonair Jack Kelly blush. What a cutie.

"Yeah, pfftt, I, uh... what are you doing?" He stuttered out. I grinned warmly.

"Nothing, is this a problem?" I asked, genuinely concerned. Making him flustered was fun, fair game, but I didn't wanna actually make him uncomfortable.

"No problem! Not at all!" He squeaked with his face going even redder that before.

"You're not just saying that, are you?" I asked softly. He shook his head rapidly while still trying to drive.

"Of course not! I- uhhh, I like this. I like us," He whispered back, sparing me a glance. We sat in silence for a while, just drinking in one another's presence.

The nice clothes we still wore were now a bit ruffled, with his dark gray button up needing adjustment and having a couple more buttons free, allowing a bit of his tanned chest to show, probably because the gym was oddly warm normally, with the added prospect of body heat and dancing.

Meanwhile, my blouse was holding strong since there were no buttons, but my pants were wrinkled and dirty from sitting on the dusty ground.

"We're here!" He announced proudly after a few minutes of neither of us speaking, rushing to climb out of his old car. I grinned fondly and made my way out on the passenger side, noticing that this was that one park near my neighborhood that couples normally went to for dates, and I heard there was a common sex spot back further into the trees.

I glanced over at him. He was waiting for me, holding his keys in one hand and extending the other out to me.

I closed the door and he locked them, stuffing the keys back in his pocket as I took his large hand in mine. It was hot, and a tad bit clammy. Was he really that nervous? To assure him, I leaned into him while we walked so my shoulder brushed his upper arm. He looked down at me with that look in his eyes again, one that made me realize that I really wanted to kiss him. I squashed the urge down frantically. He took me here as a friend, nothing more.

He lead me silently to a spot with dozens of normally bright flowers and a large boulder. He sat down on it, and I followed suit. Darkness was blanketing the earth, only broken by distant streetlights and the moon and stars, with their cold, far-away light.

I smiled at the sight before me, feeling a gentle gust of wind blow my hair out of my face and in the opposite direction of Jack. It truly was spectacular here.

"You look beautiful tonight," He said suddenly, breaking the peaceful silence. I looked over to him to see that he was watching me intently, his eyes switching their focus from my eyes to my lips. I subconsciously leaned in, bumping shoulders with him.

He then turned full on towards me, moving his hands to my waist where I could feel them shaking a bit through the thin fabric.

I turned towards him fully, too, hesitantly threading my fingers through his soft hair, where I played with it.

"You make me really nervous, you know," He whispered, eyes darting down to my lips.

"No need," I murmured before fully closing the gap, fluttering my eyes shut and pressing our lips together just enough that I could taste his mouth. He tasted like a strangely amazing mix of coffee and peppermint, and I melted into him. I felt his arms pull me in by the waist, so I scooted towards him. I pulled him down closer to my level, using my one hand being on the back of his head to my advantage. The other rested comfortably on his shoulder.

After I pulled away slightly, he tried to chase my lips but I rested my forehead against his instead, looking into his eyes.

"That was amazing," I whispered.

"Please tell me that ain't some part'a that scheme with you n' the fellas," He said breathlessly, and I could feel his chest rising and falling against mine. I shook my head slightly.

"I know it's weird, and sounds straight out of a cliche romcom, but through all those hyjinx I... I really fell for you, Jack. I've been putting off saying it because I was always scared you'd think I'm manipulating you or something but I- I think I'm in love with you," I whispered shakily, looking all over his face for some sort of hatred or disgust. Instead, his face broke out into the biggest grin I'd ever seen.

"That's the best thing I've ever heard, (y/n). I think I'm in love with you too," He whispered, gaining confidence.

"With that being said, will you, Jack Kelly, be my boyfriend?" I asked with a little giggle.

"I was just about to ask you the same thing," He said as he nodded, swooping in to kiss me again.

(1603 words)