Forever [COMPLETED]

Chapter Twenty Three

The countdown to the end of senior year was the hottest topic around. Finals ignited stress, graduation dress ideas flooded group chats, and cap and gown measurement emails were hitting student inboxes. There was a lot to keep up with and very little time to figure it all out.

Yet, the one thing that remained consistent in Dana's hectic life was Chandler. Coffee in the mornings, pep talk texts between classes and a cute grin whenever he saw her. It often made her forget there was an entire world around her.

Even though she still had time to be a supportive girlfriend through exam crams and senior skip days, there was still one thing Chandler couldn't clear from her mind: Prom.

Promposal to be exact.

He hasn't said two words to her about it. He had a poker face that would make even the best secret keeper break a sweat. She didn't know if he was going to do something extravagant during lunch or keep it intimate after school. Every moment with him left her on the edge of her seat. She began to wonder if he even knew what was coming up.

Jessica was the second person eager to discuss plans with Lana not too far ahead of her.

"So we all know he can pluck a song out of thin air but why hasn't he plucked a grand promposal out of those fingertips of his?" Jessica crossed her arms over her chest as a glare made its way across the lunch room to Chandler.

Dana grimaced as the thought of something public gave her anxiety. She hoped Chandler knew her better than to put her on the spot in front of her classmates.

"I don't know. I think maybe he might be thinking of a great way to tell me-"

"Tell!?" Lana almost choked on her water. "You mean show? Right?" Dana's lips formed into a straight line. "This is Prom! You have to put that shy crap to the side and let him show the world that you're the one he loves. Keep it to yourself and his ex will think he could give a damn less about you." She grumbled. "You saw Ethan's promposal?"

Jessica groaned. "Yes! You showed us the video a million times."

"That's beside the point. Chandler and I have been dating for months. I mean, it's kind of spoken for itself that we're going together. The whole school knows we're dating so it's obvious that we would be going with each other."

Lana scoffed. "She's not listening to me. She didn't hear a single thing I said."

"She didn't," Jessica doubled on it.

This left Dana in a tough spot. She tried to not stress about it on top of the other things on her plate but her friends did have a point. It was their last year and the longest time she and Chandler would see each other again was nearing the corner. So when Chandler walked her to class later that day, she couldn't help but bring up what was eating her alive.

"Uhm, Jessica and Lana blatantly think you're failing as a boyfriend. Prom is in two weeks and you haven't like... asked me or anything."

Chandler let her hand go to face her with a raised eyebrow. "They think I'm failing as a boyfriend?"

Dana nodded quickly. "In her book it's illegal to not have asked me to prom by now. Like... the dramatic way like Antwan and Bria."

"There's was very illegal actually. Fireworks on campus is risky. You want me to be... risky?" Dana gulped. "You're changing on me."

"No, not at all. But ... are you planning anything?"

He leaned down to meet her height. "We will see." He gave her a kiss and before she knew it they were right in front of her class. "I'll be right out here to get you... like always."

Three days later, Dana got the text during her last class.

Chandler Beckett
Can you meet me in the band room after school? I need help with something. I think my guitar freaking broke.

She didn't even question it. He was always in the band room or the library. Probably tuning his guitar to harshly or fixing the mic stand again. But when she pushed the door open that afternoon, she stopped cold.

The lights were dim. The room was empty — almost. A string of fairy lights lined the floor, leading toward the small stage at the back. On top of the stage sat Chandler's guitar in perfect condition, a single stool, and a small sign that read:

"Press Play."

Her heart thudded as she walked over and tapped the speaker.

His voice came through the moment the song started — not recorded in a studio, just his raw voice and acoustic guitar.

I've played a lot of chords, written a lot of lines
But none of them sound right unless you're standing beside
So Dana Carter, this song's for you—
Because prom wouldn't mean a thing if it wasn't with you.

Right on cue, the door behind her creaked open.

Chandler walked in wearing a hoodie with a random college logo on the front, holding a bouquet of her favorite flowers and a poster that read:

"Will you dance through one more night of high school with me?"

Dana's hands flew to her mouth. She was laughing. And crying. And somewhere in the middle of both.

"Yes," she managed through the emotion. "You big dork. Yes!"

He grinned as he set the poster aside and pulled her into a hug.

"You like it?"

"I love it." She buried her body deeper into his.

"No one else got a song," he whispered. "Just you."