Rainy Nights

Rainy Nights: part 6

It was a regular day, as regular as Elaine's days got that is. She walked into school and to her surprise, the main hall was completely empty. Usually it was buzzing with hurried students and staff at this hour, but there wasn't a soul to be found.

Elaine walked down the vacant halls, looking around, looking for someone, anyone. She peeked into classrooms, even the teacher's lounge. Nothing.

Suddenly a voice grabbed her attention.

"Elaine! Over here."

Emmie turned a corner. Elaine was sure she had checked that hall before...

"There's a surprise for you in the auditorium." Emmie said, like it was the most normal thing in the world.

Elaine could only stare at her. "Where is everyone-"

"Don't worry about that," Emmie sushed her. "Just go to the auditorium."

Elaine could only respond with a confused nod.

What was going on?

The heavy auditorium doors creaked as she pushed them open. It was a separate building from the rest of the school, it was mostly used for dances, but the graduation ceremonies and other miscellaneous activities were held here too. Right now, it was half decorated for the Prom. One side of the room was perfectly put together with banners and balloons and signs. On the other side, decorations were haphazardly thrown up and on the ground. A ladder was leaning against the wall and tables and chairs were scattered everywhere.

But Elaine's attention was focused on the main stage at the end of the room.

"Ethan...?" Elaine managed to say.

Indeed, in the otherwise empty building, Ethan was standing up on the stage all alone. Could this be the "surprise" Emmie had mentioned?

When he didn't respond, Elaine took a step closer.

"What are you doing here- and where is everyone?" she asked.

Ethan shuffled closer to the edge of the stage, he still didn't say anything, though he looked nervous.

Elaine stepped closer again. "Is everything alright?"

Suddenly Ethan looked up. "I need to tell you something."

Elaine's mind filled with only the worst possibilities. What was so important that they had to meet in the auditorium like this?

"Well..." she finally said. "What is it?"

Ethan gestured for her to come join her on the stage. And that's exactly what she did.

She was right in front of him now. She noticed Ethan's red cheeks. Her curiosity was growing by the moment.

"I'm just gonna say it..." Ethan said, stalling.

There was a pause, then their eyes met. "I really like you." Ethan said.

Elaine could barely process his words. Had he just said what she thought he said?

This couldn't possibly be happening.

"Elaine." Ethan suddenly said.

She kept staring at him, expecting him to say something, but he never did.

"Elaine!" he said again, but louder this time. "Elaine get up!"

"Elaine! Get your lazy ass up before I drag you out of bed myself!" it was her mother.

Elaine's eyes shot open. She rolled over, trying to hide from the light coming in through her window. Then she remembered her dream. She buried her head under the covers. She was dreaming about him now?