How to be Cool

Lesson #29: No Flash Photography

I was currently regretting all my life decisions as I stood in front of my mirror, trying to figure out how I had managed to incorrectly button my shirt three times already. I had debated calling Derek multiple times to call off going to prom, but I knew I was being dramatic and Lydia would have skinned me alive for not showing up. Derek probably wouldn't have cared, but I'd be dead if Lydia found out. 

After the forth try, I finally got all the buttons in the right holes and tucked my shirt into my pants. The last thing I had to do was get the tie around my neck, which thankfully only took two tries. After determining I looked decent enough, because there was no way I'd look even remotely as amazing as Derek freaking Hale, I laced up my shoes, grabbed my phone, and headed downstairs to meet my dad. 

"Dad, I'm about to head out! Where you at?" I called from the bottom of the stairs, noticing the lights were off in the living room. 

"In the kitchen!" dad answered. I followed his voice to the kitchen where I was met by not only him, but my boyfriend as well. They were sitting at the table together, talking quietly. Derek was dressed in his suit and looked incredibly sexy, like mouth watering kind of sexy. I couldn't stop staring at him, even though my dad was literally sitting right there watching the whole interaction. When he saw me with my mouth hanging open gawking at my boyfriend, he chuckled. "You look nice, son."

Derek turned around to look at me, his eyes raking up and down my body as his smile turned into a smirk. "Really nice," Derek echoed, licking his lips. I felt the heat rush to my cheeks as Derek stood up to greet me, planting a kiss on my cheek.

"Thanks, but I'm nothing compared to-" I cut myself off, gesturing to Derek. "This," I mumbled, still red in the face. 

Derek chuckled, smoothing a hand over my tie. "Don't be stupid, Stiles. You look great. I'll only look good because I'll have you on my arm." Sliding an arm around my waist, he pulled me flush against his side, holding me hostage as my dad scooted his chair away from the table and whipped out his camera out of nowhere. "Take the picture, Noah, I've got him!" Derek said, squeezing me as I tried to wriggle out of his grasp. 

"Stiles, you better smile or he's never letting go," dad threatened, holding the camera up, his finger hovering over the button. 

"You guys tricked me!" I cried, giving in anyways since there was no getting out of Derek's arms. I sighed heavily, slumping against his side as I put on my best fake smile, which quickly turned into a real smile when Derek kissed the top of my head and whispered I love you into my ear. It was the closest thing to an apology I'd be getting since I specifically told my dad, Derek, and even Lydia that there would be no pictures tonight. 

Dad snapped about ten pictures before Derek finally let me go. I thought about snatching the camera from my dad and deleting the pictures, but then I'd just get held down again, so I didn't. Instead, I just hugged my dad and promised I'd be home by one in the morning. Derek hugged him too, though I didn't realize they'd gotten to that stage yet, and then we were off. 

-

Though this was my first prom, I still had never been to any formal dances before. Derek was a senior, so it was his second time going to prom, but he never had a date before. At least, not anyone as hot as me, as Derek pointed out on the drive to the school. Despite not having any experience with dances, I was still beyond excited to be there. I still had Derek's dancing lessons fresh in my mind, since I never got to use them at that party weeks ago.