The Relationship Status (1)

Stephanie

When all hope seemed lost, the back gym doors swung open and I saw Donnie with his hair big and messy and expression that looked like he knew he was in the dog house but at the same time happy to see me. My expression was a little different. How about we picture a teenage girl feeling like she was dumped on one of the most important nights of her life. Now you should probably get a good description, but add a fist.

But then when he finally ran over to me, he gave me a look where I knew exactly why he was late.

"Mark..." I angrily mumbled. And he nodded disappointedly. He took my hand and quietly led me to the dance floor with the others.

"Donnie, I just -- "

"Shh..." He pushed my back a little so I practically laid on his chest and my chin rested on his shoulder as we swayed back and forth. And after a few minutes, I'd realized he was so calming and comforting and at that very moment I knew I wouldn't have wanted anyone else to hold me like that except him.

After the slow dance was over, we looked into each other's eyes and for some reason, I felt him feel like he was gonna tell me, "I love you." or at least kiss me. I really felt it! But before either of us could do anything, those good ol' gym doors were full of surprises again and this time Mark came into the room to probably ruin our lives even more than he already does. I was already furious at him for making my own prom date late. Sure, Donnie definitely helped me calm down for the time being, but feeling of anger and frustration fled back in again, but this time, a little differently.

"Hey, Stephanie! Did you miss me?" He came over and made Donnie and I cringe in unison.

I just wince and say, "Hold that thought, boys!"

And I stomped up stage and while another upbeat song was playing, I told Joey (since apparently he was dj-ing) to cut the music.

The whole place went dead. I stood confidently on stage in front of hundreds of tuxedos and gown and dresses of all sorts.

I made a sarcastic smile and spoke into the microphone, "Hey Mark! Kiss my a**!"

And Joey miraculously knew what song to play when the random lyrics popped into my head.

"Donnie Wahlberg brings all my feels to the yard. Mark thinks, he's better than him. Yeah right! Donnie's way better than him. He could teach Mark, but he'd have to spend." The crowd went nuts over it. I saw Jennifer in the distance screaming and freaking out and I saw Donnie and Jordan with their mouths wide open but in a surprised happy way. Then they high-fived and laughed at Mark.

I gave a peace sign gesture in hand and dropped the mic in the other (somehow perfectly) and slowly walk off the stage like a graceful queen.

I went back over to Jenn, Don, and Jordan while people still cheered in the background.

"That. Was. HYPE!" Jennifer was jumping up and down.

Jordan said, "Wow! Stephanie! I didn't know you made a hit single!"

I happily rolled my eyes, "Omigosh, Jordan. I'm no Madonna, but if the tune to my little 'song' somehow becomes a hit in 2003, I'm gonna be scared..."

We all looked at each other and said, "Nah!!" and laughed. I looked over Jenn's shoulder saw Mark running out of the building with punch a bunch of punch that people threw on him. Beat that, Mark!

On the way out the door Jordan said he'd walk Jennifer home and that we'd see them tomorrow night for the big game since there wasn't really any school except to show up for the game that Donnie would be playing that night.

We said our goodbyes and then Donnie said we should go for a little walk before he took me home. Oddly enough, he led me to a semi dark alley that was sorta near the high school to talk privately.

I got kinda nervous 'cause I didn't know what was gonna happen next. So, I just waited and watched what he would do, first.

We started to slowly walk a little deeper into the alley and he said, "That rap was pretty rad, Banks." He said as he started to gently push me against the brick wall of the alley. Almost as rad as you..." And that's when I could finally check off "made out in an alley for what felt like forever" off my list of things I haven't done.

And boy did he feel good.