When a 14-day dating challenge erupts between skeptical Blossom and her secretly smitten best friend Hunter in the waning days of 1999, their easy friendship is plunged into a maelstrom of teenage angst, unrequited affection, and the terrifying poss...
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~ ~ ~ 1999
The cacophony of teenage chatter and car engines faded as Hunter carefully guided the black Honda Civic into a tight parking spot in the crowded high school lot. It was a Saturday night, and the air buzzed with excitement for the annual school dance. Tonight had a special theme, one inspired by an upcoming meteor shower: a "Galaxy Gala," as the posters plastered around the school declared. He got out the car and swiftly ran over to her side, his hand brushing hers as he opened and held her door. Then, with a flourish, he offered his arm.
Blossom, a girl who typically favored comfortable jeans and oversized band tees, felt a flutter of something akin to butterflies in her stomach as she accepted. She had chosen a beautiful blue dress that clung to her in all the right places, her blonde hair was curled in tight ringlets that made it look more voluminous than usual. Hunter looked handsome in his own right, wearing a crisp patterned button-down shirt tucked into fitted slacks, a black blazer layer on top. He met her gaze, his own eyes reflecting the galaxy that awaited them, and she knew she was in for another magical night with Hunter.
They walked together, hip to hip, towards the gymnasium doors. The usually drab space had been transformed with shimmering silver streamers, projections of swirling nebulae, and twinkling fairy lights, all in an attempt to evoke the vastness of space. The line to turn in their pre-purchased tickets snaked its way around the gymnasium lobby, but it moved steadily, the anticipation in the air palpable. While waiting, they exchanged hellos with some familiar faces – a friendly nod to the captain of the debate team, a quick wave to a girl from English class – the small social interactions a reminder of their place within this complex high school ecosystem.
After handing over their tickets to a bored-looking chaperone, they navigated their way to the photoshoot area. Janet, Blossom's best friend since the second grade, was striking a pose with Todd, her on-again-off-again boyfriend, their smiles plastered on for the camera. They waved, Todd's eyes flicking to the side in his usual half-hearted manner and Janet's practically sparkling with glee. Blossom and Hunter stepped in a few minutes later, the flash of the camera a bright punctuation mark on the beginning of their night. "I can't wait to see how those turn out on Monday," Blossom said, her hand finding Hunter's again.
"Me too," he agreed, his thumb gently stroking the back of hers.
"Let's go greet some faces!" Blossom declared, a burst of energy coursing through her, pulling Hunter along with her. Their first stop was Janet and Todd, Janet bouncing on her toes as she immediately launched into a recap of the drama from the previous evening, when Blossom had confessed her feelings for Hunter in the pouring rain. Todd, as usual, remained mostly silent, nodding occasionally, seeming somewhat out of place. Hunter didn't mind, he was content just watching Blossom's face light up as she recounted their love story to her best friend, his heart doing a little somersault.
Elena and Nick soon joined them, the two practically glued together. Blossom couldn't help but roll her eyes; her sister's public displays of affection were certainly on the extreme side. A loud cheer suddenly erupted as Janet's favorite song, "Everybody" by the Backstreet Boys began to play loudly through the speakers. She grabbed Todd's hand, attempting to pull him onto the dance floor, but he resisted, muttering something about not being a dancer. Hunter, quick on his feet, offered to take her place, looking first at Blossom for approval. She smiled, feeling a warmth bloom in her chest at his thoughtfulness. "Of course," she said, and they took off, disappearing into the throng of bodies on the dance floor.
