10 Days to Prom

The New Feelings

"Good job!", Dave said.

Rohan looked down at the desk, a bit shy.

"I still can't believe it! How could you? I mean you?", Henry said, with a confused expression.

"I didn't know what I was thinking. I just saw his face and...", Rohan said started banging his forehead lightly on the desk, as if it would take away the embarrassment.

"So was it the first kiss for both of you??", Dave enquired.

"For me, yep, for him I guess yes, since he said I am his actual first love.", Rohan said, his face still on the desk.

"Okay. What happened after your mom left?", Dave asked.

"Don't, it's cringey!", Henry said, waving his hand.

"Please tell me, Ro.", Dave said.

"Well...he was really happy, according to the face he had for the rest of the time. We both were kind of embarrassed so didn't really talk about the kiss.", Rohan looked up facing Dave, and continued, "And yes I felt changing the topic was best at that situation. We talked about our parents. I showed him the family album. He became a bit comfortable so we both were half sitting half lying on the floor while looking at the photos. And while leaving, I walked him to the bus stand. And there, before boarding the bus he gave a peck on my cheek and waved me bye.", Rohan ended and covered his face with his palms and bent down on the desk again.

"Aww...!", Dave said, "Oh Henry!! You can't imagine how happy I am for Ro!", he said in a very monotonous stance.

"That aside...Ro, your boy is here!", Henry said, seeing Mike at the classroom door.

Rohan looked up to see Mike standing near the door coyly. Three girls came to Rohan and one of them said, "There's someone who wants to see you.", and pointed at the door.

"See you later, guys.", Rohan said and got up.

"Wasn't he shy a moment ago?", Henry asked, confused at the sudden seriousness in Rohan's voice.

Dave shook his head in disbelief.

Mike smiled at him when Rohan reached the door. Rohan smiled back and said, "Chubby Micky seems to be in a good mood, today!"

"Guess the reason?", Mike asked, still smiling.

"It is me, isn't it?", Rohan asked, walking out in the hallway.

"Wrong!", Mike said, and giggled.

"Huh!? It's not me? Then what is it?", Rohan asked, genuinely concerned.

"I told mom about yesterday, so she asked me to take you to my place with me.", Mike said.

"Oh...umm...what??", Rohan stopped and looked at Mike, after the invitation sunk in his brain.

"Yep. You heard it right.", Mike said, gleefully, as if he won the lottery.

Rohan stood there looking at him. If he goes to his house, going to Mike's room will be inevitable. Another day of them alone in a room! He couldn't imagine what will happen. Rohan was already having a hard time controlling himself after Mike greeted him with that big smile and now he invites him to his place? Will he be able to maintain his coolness then? His thoughts were interrupted when Mike asked, a bit shyly,

"Oh...are you not free today?? You can come some other day, then..."

"No no... that's not it. Umm...I am free. I just...", Rohan couldn't finish his sentence when he noticed Mike staring at him, expectantly.

Rohan shook his head to throw away all the thoughts for a while, smiled and said, "Let's go to your place today!"

Mike's face went bright, he came forward, kissed Rohan on his cheek and said, "See you after school ends.

Rohan froze there, letting the kiss sink in. He placed his palm on his cheek and stood there for a while when he heard a girl say,

"Eww! What did I just witness!"

Rohan turned back to see it was Elena, along with Chris, walking towards him.

"Just when I thought I would ask you to come and have lunch with us.", Elena continued.

"Personally, I think that was cute.", Chris said, patting Rohan on his back.

"What's wrong with you, Chris?", Elena said, disgusted.

"Well...you know. I am the not the only person who is against you marrying Rohan. Come on, Ro...let's have lunch together. It's our last week together in school.", Chris said, tugged at Rohan's jacket.

"I am not talking about my marriage, right now!", Elena retorted.

"Oh yeah? Who said about hating Mike because she lost to him?", Chris asked, quickly.

Rohan was already back from zoning out, due to the argument between the twins. He laughed aloud and interrupted them,

"You guys...please stop! I can't even scold you for ruining my moment of self realisation."

"Realisation, huh? Do you also realise that there are other people who might not like seeing you guys being all lovey dovey, in school?", Elena said, with her signature head jerk and started walking towards the canteen.

"Don't jerk your head like that...you will sprain your neck someday, if you keep doing that!", Chris said and followed her, pulling along Rohan with him.

Rohan continued to laugh and kept walking.

---

"Whose bicycle is this?", Mike asked, on seeing Rohan arrive the school gate with one.

"Dave's. He going to Henry's place today, so they will go on Henry's bicycle. I will too, after I visit your home. That's why he lent me his. Hop on!", Rohan said, getting on it himself.

"Oh, so you guys are having a sleepover? I see...", Mike said and stared at Rohan.

"Yeah!! A few days back I bailed on them for a meet-up. I am compensating for that today.", Rohan said, smiling to himself while looking at the paddles. Then he realised Mike was silent.

"What's wrong?", Rohan asked, seeing him hesitate.

"Nothing, nothing. Let's go.", Mike said, quickly sitting on the carrier behind Rohan's seat, while imagining himself in a  sleepover with Rohan someday.

20 minutes later, after hearing the continuous directions to Mike's house Rohan halted his bicycle with a jerk when Mike said, "Stop. This is it."

Mike hit his face on Rohan's rough school bag. Alarmed, Rohan got down from the cycle in a hurry, turned around and  quickly held up Mike's face in his hands and said, "You alright?"

"Move. Stop being cheesy!", Mike said, pushing Rohan away, hiding his smile.

"Okay.", Rohan said, chuckling.