Before You Say Goodbye

CHP 33: PROM? WITH ME?

After a few more days and months had passed since Catherine's death, everyone had tried their best to move on and started to accept whatever had happened.
Of all the people in the group, Michel bunked the maximum lectures and had even forgotten to smile, joke, laugh, and have fun. He didn't even crack his so-called 'unfunny' jokes anymore. Felix had never expected to see Michel like that. Michel and Catherine were among his very first friends in high school. Seeing Michel in such a way shocked Felix at first but then, he pulled himself together and decided that he needed to be strong in order to help Michel recover. Felix couldn't afford to lose both his close friends just like that and hence his main objective became taking care of Michel and getting him back to his own cheerful self.
Kate never had the chance to form a very close bond with Catherine and the two spoke to each other comparatively less, but a loss like this had disturbed even her. Jennifer used to tear up with the thought of all those times she'd bullied Cat and had made her life miserable. But then, she also reassured herself that she had done something good for her as well. After the clearance of all misunderstandings and Cat liking her idea of gifting her a flute and even giving her that very Tight hug, Jennifer felt she had done at least something nice. Although Catherine could play the flute just once, it contained all the love of her friends, their smiles, their happiness, memories. Jennifer was just glad that Cat could at least play it once. After all, only the soul only goes up to heaven or hell, all the materialistic things remain here itself for the loved ones to take care of and cherish the moments and touch of the departed one.
After Michel, Cheryl was the one most hurt and affected since she'd lost her best-est friend and that too, like this. But, Oliver had tried his best to support her and get her out from the same vicious cycle of sadness grief anger, and agitation. He saw how low Cheryl was and he was always there for her. Every single night she cried for Catherine, every day where she missed Catherine's presence, Oliver was there, trying to cheer her up. Though it is impossible to fill in the void of someone's loss, we can always try to fill it up a little with our love and care. Oliver tried his level best to do everything to help Cheryl move forward in life. Although he did all this, he never managed to gather the courage to tell her why he did it; it was because of his love towards her, it was because he wanted her to be alright. He never spoke about how much he felt for her, but he did show some of his affection through his actions towards her. But, Cheryl was in no mental condition to think of love or relationship at the moment. For her, Oliver's actions were mere gestures of a best friend helping her recover from the loss of a loved one. There were countless days and nights where they spoke about how such a loss affected them, how drastically their lives had changed after that day.

"Hey! Any plans on prom?" asked Oliver suddenly showing up when Cheryl was dispiritedly packing her backpack, lost in thought.
"AH!" Exclaimed Cheryl as she hadn't expected anyone to be there or just appear out of nowhere.
"Oh...Sorry. Didn't mean to startle you."
Cheryl nodded and said, "Hmm. No, no plans really, at least not as of now. I'm thinking about it, I'll discuss it with the girls soon. What about you?"
"Nah..nothing. I received a call from Kate, she's said that Michel agreed on coming to the prom and..." Cheryl interrupted before he could complete, "Woah! That's great. It'll do Mike some good to come and have some fun. He's been so down the past months. I just hope he'll enjoy prom"
"Yes. I hope so too. Also, about the formals, I'll discuss with the boys and see what they're gonna be wearing".
Cheryl nodded as she kept the books in her backpack.
"Umm... Cheryl? Can we sit and talk for a while, together?"
"Yeah sure, Jennifer and Felix are also comi..."
"Just two of us? please?"
Cheryl felt a bit odd when Oliver made such a specific request and that too, out of nowhere. But, she still agreed.
"Yeah...Okay as you say" responded Cheryl.
Cheryl called Felix and Jennifer informing them that she would be leaving early with Oliver and that they'll talk about the prom on their CHATPAD group (instant messaging system).
Cheryl and Oliver went towards the stage area, where rarely anyone came, and hence, it was quite empty.
"Have a seat," said Oliver.
"Umm...Thanks...Oli? What's this about? You're okay, right?" asked Cheryl, gently touching Oliver's arm.
"No... I mean yes! .. okay. Please don't say anything and let me finish. I.. umm... I.. wanted to ask you out for prom but couldn't because I don't have that much courage in me and I don't know what you'll think of me if I just asked you like this...that too, after all that has happened! I know you're pretty and anyone would definitely want to go to prom with you and I should've asked you in a better way because you deserve a lot more. But...yeah okay...Will you..uh.. will you go to the prom with me?" Blurted out Oliver at an amazingly rapid speed.
Cheryl was completely taken aback at first but then, she started laughing and giggling, "Oh my god Oliver *Chuckles * You're such a sweetheart! This is the most nervous I've ever seen you. Why're you getting so worked up? You're too cute man! Haha". When Oliver didn't say anything, Cheryl stopped chuckling and looked straight into Oliver's blackish-brown eyes, and said "Come on Oli! You've been with me through thick and thin. You know me better than anyone, and you do know that I care about you. To be very honest, you've become one of the most important people in my life. Something feels incomplete if I don't see you one day. It's like something's missing. Though, I swear your jokes are completely lame but I love them anyway. You are my best friend Oliver! Thank you for everything! You're the BEST!"
Upon hearing all this, Oliver expected a kiss on his cheek, but the moment ended with a hug only. Nonetheless, he was extremely happy to know what Cheryl felt about him and how important he was to her. That hug made him love Cheryl even more, a hug of trust, a hug which said I AM AND WILL ALWAYS BE THERE FOR YOU, FOREVER. Oliver's cheeks flushed red. He was speechless and just kept staring at Cheryl with wide eyes.
"Omg, Oli haha! I'd never expected bad boy Oliver to be so shy. And yes, meet me on time at prom! Don't be late, I hate late partners! Be on time, or I'll go with someone else" laughed Cheryl as she merrily left the room.
"Was that a yes? She said yes! She'll go to prom, PROM WITH ME!? Yesss!!" said Oliver to himself.