✿⋆·˚❀˚·⋆✿ The Thread that bind Us ✿⋆·˚❀˚·⋆✿

Unlikely Prom Dates

Noah White sat at his usual spot in the library. He was buried in a novel, its pages worn and creased from countless readings. Yet, his mind drifted, the words blurring as thoughts of Risa Anders pushed their way to the forefront. Her laughter echoed in his ears, bright and melodic, a sound that bring him a painful reminder of what he had lost. He glanced up from his book. Risa stood at the center of a small group, her off-shoulder top shimmering under the fluorescent lights, a radiant sun among dull, gray clouds. Jason, a tall, athletic boy with an easy grin, leaned close, his hand resting possessively on Risa's shoulder. Noah's stomach twisted at the sight. "Just ask her," he muttered to himself, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. The idea of going to prom with Risa had clawed at him for weeks, yet every time he summoned the courage, he found himself paralyzed by doubt. He pushed his chair back, the screeching sound cutting through the hum of conversation. He took a deep breath, heart racing as he approached Risa. This was it. He had to do this.
"Hey, Risa," he started, his voice barely above a whisper. She turned, her eyes sparkling with a mix of surprise and something he couldn't quite read. "Noah? What's up?"
He opened his mouth, ready to plunge into the depths of vulnerability. "I was wondering if—" But before he could finish, Jason slid into the space between them, a confident grin plastered on his face. "Hey, Risa! Have you thought about prom yet?" His hand tightened on her shoulder, and Noah felt a sharp pang of jealousy slice through him like a knife.
Risa's face lit up. "Oh! I was just thinking about it."
Noah's heart sank. The moment was slipping away, the chance to ask her disappearing into the air like smoke. He clenched his fists, frustration boiling over. "Actually, I was just—"
Jason interrupted again, leaning closer to Risa, his voice dripping with charm. "I was thinking we could go together. What do you say?"
 A laugh bubbled from Risa, light and airy. Noah turned away, battling the urge to scream. Instead, he blurted out the first thing that came to mind, desperate to reclaim control. "Well, I wanted to ask if you knew where Amber is. I was thinking of asking her to prom." The words hung in the air, and Noah felt the weight of their implications.
Risa's eyes flickered with confusion, and for a moment, he thought he saw disappointment flash across her face. "Amber?" Risa echoed, tilting her head slightly. "Yeah, I think she's around here somewhere."
Just then, Amber appeared from behind a stack of books, her quiet demeanor always seeming to blend into the background. She glanced between Noah and Risa, her eyes wide with surprise. "Noah? You're thinking of asking me?"
 "Uh, yeah," he stammered, suddenly feeling the heat of embarrassment creep up his neck.
 Risa's smile faltered, and Noah's heart sank further. He had wanted to ask Risa, yet here he was, clumsily trying to salvage the situation by seeking comfort in the familiar.
 Amber's expression shifted, a mix of hope and uncertainty swirling in her eyes. "I mean, I was thinking about going to prom, too." Noah felt the weight of her gaze, and for a fleeting moment, he considered how easy it would be to say yes. But Risa's laughter lingered in the air, pulling him back into the chaos of his own emotions.
 "Great! So, we'll all go together, right?" Jason chimed in, oblivious to the tension swirling around them.
 "Um, yeah, sure," Noah replied, his voice strained. "I'm sure that would be fun." The words felt like poison on his tongue, and he forced himself to meet Risa's eyes.
 "Fun." Risa echoed, her voice tinged with disappointment.
 Noah turned away, the heat of the moment suffocating. He could feel the weight of their stares, the unspoken tension thick in the air. He had come to ask Risa to prom, to take a leap of faith, but now the ground beneath him felt unsteady, the path ahead uncertain. As Jason and Risa chatted animatedly, Noah slipped away, retreating to the sanctuary of the library. His heart ached, and he felt foolish for allowing himself to hope. Risa was out of reach, a star in a sky he could never touch.
Amber's voice broke through his thoughts, soft and tentative. "Noah?"
 He opened his eyes, finding her standing a few feet away, her hands clasped nervously in front of her. "I know it's not the same, but... I'd really like to go to prom with you."
Noah met her gaze, seeing the sincerity in her eyes. "I... I don't know, Amber. I wasn't really—"
 "Just think about it, okay?" she interrupted, her voice small. "I know it's not Risa, but I'm a good time. I promise."
He nodded, the words hanging heavy in the air. As she walked away, he could feel the weight of the decision pressing down on him. The jealousy had twisted into something darker, a gnawing feeling that Risa would always be out of reach. Noah sank back into his chair, the book lying forgotten in his lap. He stared out the window, watching the clouds roll by, each one a reminder of the distance between him and what he truly wanted. The next few days dragged on, a blur of classes and awkward encounters. Noah tried to focus on his studies, but every time he glanced in Risa's direction, his heart would drop. 

 The prom loomed closer, a ticking clock reminding him of the choices he had to make. Risa's laughter echoed in his mind, entwined with Lily's quiet presence, creating a storm of conflict within him.