Reverse-Harem Cafe!

XXXVIII. Decisions and Distractions

Prom? I nearly forgot it existed much less thought about it. I mean it's just another excuse for high schoolers to dress themselves up and freak dance on each other. The only reason I even consider going is because there's food and because Ulrich wants to go. So...I never prepared myself to actually be promposed to!

"Mae, will you go to prom with me?" Max asks, holding a bundle of bright coral colored roses and dainty white flowers. He's slightly blushing but smiles eagerly.

Processing what he asked me, I immediately cover my mouth with my hands, trying to hide the warmth that rushes to my face.

I don't know what to think but what I do know is that my answer could change a lot of things...because, the locker room door is wide open, meaning everyone in the cafe, including William who was just about to leave, heard what Max had asked me. I can feel their eyes focus on me, waiting for me to answer. Could this situation get any more awkward?!

Max, Ulrich, Jacob, and Ervin have all confessed their feelings to me and I'm pretty sure William has been acting kind of strange lately as well. Even though I can't clearly sort out my own feelings, I at least know that I don't want to screw up the friendships that I have with them. I give myself a minute to think over my words before delivering them with the hope that it is in everyone's best interests.

"Max, actually I-"

"Actually she's going to prom with me." Ulrich interrupts protectively and tugs me towards him by the wrist. "We made a promise." My cheeks flush pink at his sudden intervention. I did promise Ulrich that but only if one of us didn't find anyone else.

"Hey now drama queen, Mae might have changed her mind since then." Jacob suggests with a smirk and then turns to look me in the eyes, "Princess, wouldn't you rather go with me?"

"Uh I-"

From behind the counter, Ervin sighs with a shaking head, "Prom is so incredibly pointless. However if Mae should go with anyone, she would benefit most from going with me."

"Please nerd, she'd probably fall asleep if she went with you. The peasant would have the best time with me." William gestures to himself but upon realizing his own words, quickly adds, "N-not that I'm asking her to prom or anything.

Realizing their rivalry, all of the guys continue the dispute without asking for my opinion. Um hello? I'm a person too. After several failed attempts at voicing my thoughts, I give up and wait for them to tire themselves out. However the debate continues until interrupted by a new voice.

"Why don't you just all go together?" Toby asks while he sits at the counter, eating popcorn, as if he's watching some sort of movie.

We all turn to look at him with weird looks.

"I don't want to share!!" Max pouts, still in his kneeling position.

Ervin raises an eyebrow while readjusting his glasses, "Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it a taboo in our culture to have more than one prom date?"

Toby chuckles, "I didn't say you all should go with Mae, just go in a group."

There's a moment of hesitation as everyone thinks about the proposed idea. I silently pray that they agree. Going with everyone as a group would take the pressure of my shoulders to make a decision. Besides, the more the merrier, right? Ulrich looks at me a bit tentatively before saying, "If Mae is okay with it than so am I." After shooting each other competitive glares and coming to no other conclusion, the other boys finally nod in agreement.

"Don't worry Princess, even if you can't spend the entire night of prom with me, I'll make it worthwhile." Jacob whispers from behind my shoulder. Ulrich pushes him away childishly.