THE ONLY EXCEPTION (BOYXBOY)

Chapter Thirty: MLK

Mildred’s POV:

I leaned against the wall watching him make his way over to me. I was nervous. I hadn’t asked him to go with me because I just assumed he would ask me. Prom is happening tomorrow and he hasn’t spoken one word to me. I was starting to freak out when he asked me to meet him here.  Bryant made his way through the throngs of people to greet me with a… fist bump… what the fuck?!

                “So I need to write this paper for British Lit and you’re the only person I know who rocks at British Lit. I was wondering if you had time today could you give me a few pointers to put me on the right path so I can turn this in and finally be done with Mr. Balkowski’s class.” Did he just say what I thought he said? He wanted me to help him with his… British Lit… he wasn’t going to ask me to prom…. I was going to be all alone and pathetic… Oh…My… GOD…

                “Yeah sure… what’s your subject?” I asked with a false smile. I didn’t want him to see how fucking crushed I was. It felt like my insides were melting.

                “He gave me Romanticism. I wanted to write about Medieval Literature but he wouldn’t switch me… like I want to write about a bunch of guys skipping about reciting poetry.” While Bryant when on and on about his hate for is subject I couldn’t get over my devastation. He wasn’t going to ask me. ..I felt like such a fool. Did I really think a change of hair and clothes would make Bryant like me? Yes… yes I did. He was very vocal on approving of my change. He told me he like me this way instead of the other.

                ‘He said he like you this way but did he ever say he liked you?’ My conscious asked me. I let the question repeat in my mind. It was right. Not once had Bryant said he liked me… Now I was really sick. I’d been throwing myself at him and he didn’t even like me the same way I like him. Where is that hole in the earth to swallow me whole? I blindly followed Bryant into the library and up the stairs to the study rooms. I was so engrossed in my own misery I hadn’t noticed that when he opened the door there was candlelight. Only when he shut the door behind me did I realize what was going on.

The furniture had been moved out and replaced with fake grass from the drama department. There was a red and white picnic blanket spread out on the floor and on it was a wicker basket. Tissue paper flowers were taped to the wall and various potted plants were scattered around the room. There was a massive paper tree along the wall and 3-D birds sitting on the branches.  I turned to Bryant to see him watching me with a very meaningful stare.

                “I’ve been trying to figure out how to approach this. I didn’t want to be like every other guy… I wanted this to be special because you’re special. This isn’t just about prom… this is about us…. I wish you would have come to me before…. I would have protected you if you had let me… but I understand why you didn’t. Now that you don’t have to worry about him anymore I want to ask you something. You can say no and I’ll be cool with it…. Mildred Rene Evans… will you be my girlfriend?” Is this how it feels? Is this how love feels like? I was speechless. I didn’t want to mess up the moment. Bryant stood there watching me as tears gathered in my eyes.

                “What do you say Milly?” I couldn’t stop myself if I tried. Jumping into Bryant’s arms I kissed him… hard. I’ve never wanted anybody as much as I wanted him. Pulling back I looked into his eyes.

                “Yes… yes… yes… GOD YES!!” Hugging me back Bryant re-established the kiss. All I have to say is… TAKE THAT BITCHES I’M GOING TO PROM!!!

Laurie’s POV:

                “So do you think we can pull it off?” I whispered.  Lori Helms and Olivia Weston sat across from in in the Biology lab. In order for our little plan to work I needed to get Katlin that crown. The only way to do it was if I had help from actual members of the prom committee.