A Thing Called Love

Homecoming - Part 2

POV RICKY

HOMECOMING DAY

- Dad, I'm concerned. It smells like my bedroom in here!

Right now, my own dad is laying down on the couch, almost depressed.

- Why aren't you at rehearsal?

- Why aren't you at work? - I fired back. - And there's no rehearsal today.

- I'm... taking a mental health day.

- This is your fifth one in a row.

- That... That's like a mental health week.

Then I open up the windows and try to get the living room cleaned up.

- Ten more minutes, then I'll get up! - Dad mutters, bothered by the sunlight.

- Hey, Mom's not coming back, this is the way it is now. Okay?

- No. It's not okay. - he answers.

- I don't like it either, but, I... I really can't look at you like this. You need to, like, take a shower, rejoin civilization.

- I don't exactly see you putting yourself out there post-breakup.

- That, good sir, is where you're wrong, because I am going to Homecoming tonight!

- No kidding. With who?

- With Juliette.

- Do I know her?

- No, she's new at East High for almost a month. She's also part of my drama club friends!

- Hmmm... - he mumbles suspiciously. Even him?

- And I'm taking Big Red to his first ever dance. He's going with Ashlyn Caswell.

- Oh, boy... - he laughs.

- We're in this together, okay? - I reassure him. - Think of it as a... a bro pact

- Does this mean I need to make a dating profile? - he jokes.

- First, make your bed. Baby steps, Dad. Baby steps!

Then I spend the last hours training some dance moves with Big Red (or at least trying) and getting ready to go to Juliette's house and pick her up for the dance.

I'm with my rented suit, my curls wet and soft, and I put my best perfume. I just hope that she doesn't get bothered by the smell, 'cause it's rather strong.

And speaking of her, Juliette just sent me a message.

💬 You remember my address, right?

💬 Yes, don't worry. I'm going right there now!

💬👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

I smile just to seeing her texts. She is so cute. 🥰

Maybe it's just the moment, I think.

I go downstairs and see my Dad all dressed up and ready to go out for a little bit.

- Whoa, look at my boy!

- Yes, I know, I'm beautiful!

- Good luck on the dance, son.

- Thank you, Dad. Take care, okay?

- Same to you.

We hug each other, and I go to my orange beetle car.

- Bye!

- Bye!

Then I follow Juliette's address and finally arrive at her house. It's big, with a yellow-y color and two floors, with a big backyard. As I get out of my car, I look to a bright window and I see two silhouettes in a rose-colored room. Probably it's Juliette's room, because she mentioned that her second favorite color is pink (her number one color is the rainbow).