“I don’t believe in prom.”

“That’s just because you haven’t met the special someone” Liam countered with a grin.

Oh, little did he know, he was very, very, very incorrect. 

“Mm..” I responded, not exactly sure how far I wanted to go down the date conversation. 

I surveyed the lunchroom. It was bursting with activities. Seniors being the closest thing to royalty and dictatorship, Juniors looking like Death himself.. Sophomores bouncing in and out of the cafeteria. And Freshmen in the corners huddled together. 

I noticed Liam hasn't said any sort of response. I turned my head seeing his eyes trained on someone across the room. Another senior, who he had been crushing on since sophomore year. That guy was Erik Legar. Probably the closest opposite to Liam, that I knew of. I smiled a bit.

“Liam, just go ask him before you lose your shot.” I said, his head immediately shook, a shy smile on his face. “Toni said he has a date already.”

I considered this, letting out a sigh. That basically left me and Liam without dates. I didn’t mind, but this was his last year here. 

“Plus,” Liam sat up, picking up his water bottle. “I wouldn’t want to go on a date if he was in love with someone else, kinda like with you and Toni.”

I tensed up, staring at him. “Who’s she-”

His eyebrows were raised in mock surprise, his smile hidden behind his water bottle.

Damn.

Liam placed his water down. “Jeremy, why haven’t you asked her out yet?”

“She has a boyfriend.” I mumbled. “And she’s your sister, you’ll smite me if I try anything.”

Liam didn’t realize that Toni had shown zero romantic intentions towards me. She wasn’t interested in me, plus.. Her boyfriend was the most important thing in her life. The only time we’d ever shared any sort of feelings, was.. When we accidentally kissed. When we were 10 years old.

Yeah, it was awkward.

The other thing was that Toni was Liam’s twin brother. Liam, Toni and I had basically a family friend relationship. I had met them when I was four and they were five. It was just for a brief time spent together. Then when I was in 1st grade and Liam and Toni were in 2nd, they really became my friends.. Both the twins standing up to the bullies, then it sort of just evolved to Liam inviting me over to his house where the three of us would play pretend games in the treehouse..

I smiled a bit at the memory before I saw her. She was sitting with him.

Things changed by the time we got to middle school. Particularly when they got to 8th grade and I was in 7th. Them being one year older than me caused me to miss out a lot, but the thing was, Toni had drifted apart when she started dating Christian.

But, it was only after my freshman year where she started talking to me again and we’d become friends again. Not as close as we once were, but also not as distant..

“That’s a fair point..” Liam considered snapping me out of my thoughts.

“It’s not just that, I know she’s happy, Lee. She looks at him like heaven on Earth..” I said softly before sighing.

“It’s the same way you look at her.” Liam considered. I felt my cheeks redden, as Liam giggled softly.

“S-Shut up. It’s worse when I’m a junior crushing on a senior with a boyfriend.” I mumbled. He rolled his eyes before getting up and tightly wrapping his arms around me.

“Look. If you can’t find a date, I can go with you.. As friends! As friends.” He clarified quickly. I grinned. Liam had to be the one to clarify that, since he was the one into guys. 

“I’ll think about it.”

He smiled at me before waving goodbye and walking out of the cafeteria. 

I sighed before I locked eye contact with her. She stared back at me. I turned away smiling a bit feeling the warmth in my cheeks before I looked back up at her. She half smiled at me, before she turned back to her friend group.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I tapped the steering wheel of my car. Er- I guess it was my brother's car.. He had only allowed me to use it today and to pick up Liam.

I debated getting out to go get him.. Or go honk.. I didn’t want his parents to think I was dating him… but.. I didn’t want to be rude either..
I sighed before getting out of my car and walked up to the brightly colored door. I hesitated before knocking on the door. I heard some light voices before the door opened. A young girl with dark skin, and a light brown hair opened the door.

“Oh, Hey, Jeremy!” She smiled a bit as I waved awkwardly.

“H-Hey Kiran.. Um- Is Liam here?” I asked awkwardly.

“Wait.. You're his date?” 

“Friend-date.” I clarified.

“I thought you were taking Toni, but he’s getting ready, you can go up to his room though.” She offered, stepping aside so I could walk in.

I thanked her before walking in and standing by the stairs, nervously waiting.

“Augustas?”

Without thinking I simply looked up my cheeks reddened as I looked at Toni walking down the stairs. A soft rosy pink dress hugged her figure. The sleeves and the top a bit frilly, as it was an off the shoulders type dress. It had a small lace flower tied around her waist before the skirt poofed out. Not too poofy, but it gave the impression that she was a princess..

Her hair was brushed and tied in a braided bun, her red bangs framing her face. Her face mostly free of makeup, excluding her lip gloss and light blush..

“T-Toni.. You look..”

“It’s a bit much, I know..” She said sheepishly, tightly gripping her hands.

“No no.. You look amazing.. Like a princess..” I said with a smile.

“I can always count on you for compliments, Augustus.” She grinned.

“Jeremy.” I corrected her.

I looked away from her before she walked towards me straightening my coller. “You clean up nice, yourself.” She said with a smile.

I felt the warmth in my cheeks before I looked away. She went over to Kiran enveloping her in a hug before they both started an easy conversation. I took a deep breath trying to compose myself-

“Jer?” 

I turned around a smile growing on my face. I already knew that Liam wasn’t a big fan of suits, because of how he was tugging on the sleeves, but he looked up at me with a shrug. 

“Is this fine..?” He asked nervously.

I chuckled softly. “You look amazing, Lee.”

He beamed a bit, wrapping an arm around my shoulder, looking a bit awkward since I was taller than him by a lot (leigt tho, Liam is like 5’6-5’7, Jeremy is fucking 5’11 . - .)(and toni stands awkwardly to the side at like 5’3-).

“This is going to be the best friend date in the history of friend dates!” Liam exclaimed, as I rolled my eyes a bit.

Before we left, their parents wanted a couple of pictures, just because it was the twins senior prom, They both hugged each other for some pictures and then dragged me into them all three of us goofing off for the last one.

Both Liam and I filed into the car as I got ready seeing a long black car with the bright headlights parking behind me. I let out a deep sigh, knowing that, one way or another, I would enjoy this night.. As long as she did as well.

I drove off, as we let the music fill the silence. 

Spotify was currently taunting me with ads and the depressing songs. 

Finally we pulled into the parking lot as I tapped on the steering wheel.

“You okay..?”

“Just nervous.. Lots of people.. And many of them will be drunk by the end of the night..” I admitted

“I know..” Liam admitted nervously. “But, It’ll be okay..”

I smiled nervously before we got out of the car walking into the school..

Yeah, now I know why I didn’t believe in prom. You get a bunch of.. Interesting rainbow of dresses, suits, dancing and of course, being.. Weird..

I felt Liam tightly grip my arm, as we both chuckled at the scene. “Okay, now I know why you wanted to stay home.” He admitted.

I laughed a bit. “Meh, it just gets crazier each year.” I shrugged as we both sat off to the side on some open bleachers. 

“Well, let's just try to enjoy tonight..” He said, as we stared off to the many people dancing, my thoughts taking over.

~~~~~~~~~~~

It’s been about 2 hours, It was mostly boring. We mostly sat to the side, Liam and I only dancing once, but we were both worn out from the blinding lights, the loud music, and of course, the screaming. 

“I’m going to go get some fresh air..” I said.

“Don’t get lost.” He responded as I carefully moved past people not trying to bring attention to myself.

I made it out the door as I finally got a glimpse at light that wouldn’t give me a seizure. I leaned down against the lockers as I took a few deep breaths before I heard footsteps. I turned my head seeing Toni staring at me.

But, this was a stark difference..

Her hair was out of her bun, just brushed back and held back with a simple headband. She wore an oversized jacket over her dress, and I noticed that even though her face was now clear of makeup, her eyes were a bit puffy and her nose was a bit red..

“Antoinette..?”

She stared at me, tightly gripping her own arms. “I’m fine..”

I slowly walked towards her, as she flinched back a bit. “It’s okay..” I assured her softly as I placed my hand on her shoulder. I seemed to have slightly triggered something, because in a second her head fell onto my chest, her loud sobs filling the empty hallway.

I flitched for a second, before I gently wrapped my arm around her. “C’mon, let's sit down..” I mumbled as she nodded her head. We walked down the hallway before she sat down against a ray of lockers. I followed after her, not wanting to push her to talk about something she wasn’t comfortable with.

Didn’t seem like I had to say much, her head was still against my chest, her sobs picking up but then slowing down. I wrapped my arm around her, gently stroking her hair trying to give her all the time she needed..
“I-I’m sorry..” She mumbled into my shirt.

“Don’t be.. You did nothing wrong, Cel..”

Her breathing finally slowed down, as she let out a small shaky breath. She stayed in my embrace before she gently pulled away. I looked at her tear stained cheeks..

Just a few hours ago she was happy… but now.. She looked like she was in pain.. “Toni.. listen.. I don’t want to push you.. Your life is still your life.. But.. I want you to know that I’m right here, I’m here to listen and to offer you a friendly ear.. I just want to be able to help..” I offered. 

She looked at me, before she turned away running her fingers through her hair. “I’ve been a god forsaken idiot..” 

“Don’t say that..” 

She let out a humorless laugh. “It’s the truest statement on this god forsaken planet.”

“Toni..”

“Jeremy.”

I sighed a bit, turning to her. Her legs were tucked under her dress as she played with the lace flower.

“What happened..?” I asked finally as her eyes stared down. She smiled but there was no humor in the situation, no happiness..

“Well, I just found out my lovely boyfriend has been fucking these other girls for about 95% of our relationship..” 

I stayed silent, I knew she’d never joke about something like that, but I turned to her, she shrugged at me. “I guess I deserved it, I mean.. It’s all about vain and it’s all about who’s prettier.. It’s all about who wants to sit still and look pretty.. That’s all what this school was about..”

“No.”

“No?”

“No. You don’t get to say that. You don’t get to say you deserved to have your heart broken and be cheated on by some blond with fake hair extensions.”

She stared at me, the silence over taking us as she let out a laugh. “I didn’t realize you were capable of saying anything not nice..” She admitted.

“I say it because it’s true. No one deserves it.. Especially not you.. And I know it’s not much.. But I’m sorry..” 

“It’s alright-”

“Let me finish.” I asked, raising my hand up. She stared at me, but nodded.

“The Toni I know is a smart and brilliant girl. She’s a girl who has big dreams to be an architect. She’s a girl who doesn’t need a man to get what she wants. Even with everyone all dolled up. She still manages to outshine everyone with her beauty, talent, and smarts. But she is more than just a pretty face. She is a passionate girl. She.. is the most amazing girl I have ever met..” 

She stared at me, her smile fading a bit. I ran through the words once more in my head, and wanted to maybe kick myself.. 

“I-I’m sorry- I- That wasn’t- I didn’t” I stuttered trying to get a word out.

“Let me give you a tip..” She said, putting her finger to my mouth. “You're cute when you're confident, like a few seconds ago.. Not so much when you try to lie..”

“I overstepped my boundaries.. I’m sorry..” I mumbled, before she shook her finger.

“Just be quiet for a moment, Jer..”

“Okay..”

We both stayed silent as I stared into each other's eyes. Many emotions were playing across them. She slowly leaned forward pressing her lips against my cheek.

I felt my face heat up as she pulled up a tired smile. “How differently could things have gone if I had just used my brain and hung out with you..?”

“I-”

“I should’ve just gone with you and Liam to prom.. God knows maybe tonight wouldn’t have been so bad..” She mumbled.

I then got an idea.

“Close your eyes.”

She raised her eyebrow but she did so. I quickly took off her corsage that she was currently wearing before slowly taking off her lace flower that was basically a bow on her dress.

“Heere, what are you doing?”

“Just keep your eyes closed!” I saw her shake her head with a smile before I got to work. I took off the boutonniere that I was wearing. Trying to be quick and efficient I tied the lace flower with the boutonniere and made a sort crappy homemade corsage.

Even five minute crafts would be proud of me.

“You can open your eyes now.” I finally said as she opened her eyes looking down at the little gift in my hand.

“Antoinette Celeste.. Will you go to the remainder of this prom with me…?”

She stayed silent for a minute, before she nodded her head, her eyes filled with tears. I smiled, slipping the corsage on her left hand as I helped her stand. 

“Now, shall we go dance?”

“I want to take some pictures with my date and my brother first.” She said. “Plus, I’m a god awful dancer.”

“I’ve seen you dance, you aren’t so bad.”

“Maybe when I’m not dancing in heels.” She rolled her eyes with a smile before we walked back in, the lights giving my brain a tiny seizure.

Toni’s eyes were trained on two people dancing, I gently wrapped my arm around her. “Don’t pay any attention to them. If he couldn’t see the best in you and treat you better, then he doesn’t deserve you.”

She looked up at me and smiled. “It’s nice to hear you say these kinds of things.. It’s nice to have you by my side..” She looked up at me.

“Is that a proposal?” 

She laughed softly, gently kissing my cheek. “Don’t hold your breath, Heere.. But maybe.” 

We triumphantly found Liam talking with some people. We dragged him over to dance with us, like idiots. I imagined staying home with Liam playing video games. I imagined eating dinner with Kei and my parents. I imagined being here with Liam sitting off to the side. Never did I imagine to be dancing with my best friend and a girl who was giving me a chance..

💕💫💕

I've had this idea in my head for a while now, so, yeh-