Becoming Mrs. Bryant

𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐘 𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐑

May

"Do you think we would've fit in better if we had worn prom attire?" I asked, to which Lewis shook his head "no." Well, It's not that we weren't wearing prom attire, because we were dressed somewhat formally, but we were undoubtedly closer to casual than we were formal. "Why do you think that?" I asked.

"Because we were students at this school last year babe" Lewis reminded me. "The kids here know good and well who we are. Why do you think there's been stares and squinting?" I nodded, "true," I replied, "are you nervous about being here?"

"Why would I be?"

"Well, you know" I tried to ease into it, "with all that's happened, I just figured coming here would be another hurdle to jump." I expected Lewis to get a little pissed off because the topic was somewhat sensitive, but he just nodded and scanned the room.

"I thought about that" he finally confided in me after a moment of silence, "trust me I did. But, these are a bunch of high schoolers. Even when people were doing good and staying out of trouble like Nova and Aubrey last year, people had something to say about them. They're gonna talk regardless."

I smiled, "glad you're not affected by it, babe." I looked over to my left where Jason had previously been. He was dressed in a red tux with a black tie. He wore very dim shades and even had dress shoes. He was dressed as if it were his prom without a doubt. However, he wasn't there now.

"Where the hell did Jason go?" I asked my boyfriend, who was a lot taller than me and would therefore be more successful in scanning the room. "Back corner," Lewis said as he seemed to spot him. "Near the punch bowl. He looks paranoid as hell."

I laughed, "he's the last person out of any of us that should be paranoid." Lewis nodded in agreement, "based on our knowledge" he concluded.

I looked at Lewis. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing really" Lewis shrugged, "it's just, there's been a lot of secrets this year. I mean between us, Nova and Nick, Nick and his family, Aubrey and Nova. Who's to say that Jason isn't harboring any skeletons in his basement?"

"I'm not sure" I answered, "Jason is a big mouth."

"Being a big mouth is an everybody else thing" Lewis insisted, "not a personal one. For example, you outed Maddie's pregnancy to everybody but tried to keep your STI as low-key as possible."

"Oh, so I'm a big mouth?" I folded my arms, and a surprisingly patient Lewis shrugged once more. "Being a big mouth isn't a permanent trait" he made me aware, "It's a come and go. Everybody's a big mouth at times. As of late, Jason isn't one."

"Well, I still don't think he has a secret" Lewis nodded, "neither do I. But I'm also not counting that out. He looks real nervous May, like worried."

"Should I go ask him what's up?" I wondered aloud.

"I'll do it" Lewis insisted, looking in Jason's direction still. "Man to man, you know? See if he's straight. In the meantime, you wait here for the rest of the group." I licked my lips as I looked on, "roger that."

Lewis

"Aye man!" I said as I patted Jason's shoulder from the side, unexpectedly—causing him to do a massive flinch. "Uh, I was gonna ask if you were good" I began, "but now seeing how you just reacted, I'll take that you aren't. What's up?"

"Nothing" Jason sighed, rubbing his eye. "I'm just insanely tired, Lewis. Two hours of sleep type shit." I lightly chuckled. "If it's any consolation, I can drive on the ride back home." Jason cracked a smile, "thanks, man."