That Good Pain in your Stomach

Prom?

Lukas

Today is the day. Philip said he would be fine coming out as a couple whenever I felt that I was ready. Well, today I am ready. I have everything set up. Rose even helped me.

I almost came out while giving Philip a ride to school. I was going to drive up to the front of school and give him a kiss on the front steps. However, when we were just about to go to the front, Philip tapped me on the shoulder repeatedly. I stopped the bike and we both took our helmets off. "What's wrong?" I asked him.

"I'm fine getting off here, Lukas."

"Really? Are you sure? You know I don't care anymore if people think we are friends." He stepped off the bike and I grabbed his hand trying to encourage him to get back on.

"I know, but everyone at school knows that I'm gay. I don't want anyone making comments at you about me wrapping my arms around you."

"Philip, I don't care what they say. Just get back on the bike."

"Really, Lukas. It's fine. Just take the helmet. I'll walk." Without looking around us, I pulled Philip in by the front of his shirt and planted a soft kiss on his lips. Once he pulled away, he said, "Wow, we're making progress. You didn't look around to make sure no one saw."

"Shut up," I said, kissing him one more time before grabbing his helmet and riding to the front of the school. I walked up to my locker and met up with Rose. "You know the plan right?"

"For the millionth time, Lukas, yes, I know the plan. Just make sure you and Philip are where the two of you need to be."

I rubbed my sweaty palms against my jeans. "I know. I'm sorry. I'm just nervous."

"Hey, Lukas," one of my buddies, Michael said walking up to me and Rose. "I've been meaning to ask why you guys broke up. It couldn't have been on bad terms. It looks like you're still friends."

"It's nothing big, Mike. We just don't have a lot in common." He shrugged it off and walked away. I looked over at Rose to see her trying to stifle her laughter. "What's so funny?"

"It's just that I think we broke up because we had one very big thing in common. We're both into guys."

"The way that I see it, you want to have a heterosexual relationship while I want a homosexual relationship. Therefore, we just have nothing in common anymore." She pushed me playfully on the shoulder.

"Whatever, dork. I have to get to homeroom." With that being said, she took her leave down the hallway.

I sat in homeroom, tapping my pencil against the table impatiently. I absently said, "here," when I heard my name for the day's attendance. I couldn't think straight. I'm so nervous to how my friends will react. Under my desk, I sent a quick text to Philip.

Meet me at my locker after homeroom. I need to talk to you about something xxx -Lukie

I looked across the classroom and saw Philip take out his phone, read the text, and look up at me. I winked at him. He smiled and texted his reply.

Sure. Is everything ok? xxx -Philly

Yeah. Everything is fine. I just need to ask you something important. xxx -Lukie

He just looked up at me, smiled, and nodded.

It was now after homeroom. I looked down the hall and saw Philip leaning against my locker looking around for me. A screech came over the intercom and everyone in the hall covered their ears. Then Rose's voice came over the speakers. "Good morning Red Hook High School. Someone has a very important question to ask. I'm going to ask everyone in the Senior Math Hallway to stand by the lockers and leave the middle of the hallway clear." The students parted and left the middle of the hallway clear. "Now, will Philip Shea please step forward and stand in the middle of the hallway?" Philip looked so cute when he was confused. He probably thought someone was going to prank him. He stepped forward. "Now, will everyone face the end of the hallway? Lukas Waldenbeck would like to ask Philip something." Everyone turned to me, confused. Then they read what the sign said in my hands. There were whispers everywhere.

I slowly walked over to my boyfriend. "Seriously?" he whispered when I was close enough. I could tell he was trying not to cry.

"Well?" I asked, looking down at the sign in my hands, the words Will you go to prom with me? staring back at me.

"Yes, Lukas. Of course I'll go with you." I threw the sign to the side and pulled him into me for a deep kiss. There were some applause around us.

We weren't far from the front office so I wasn't surprised for hear Rose over the intercom. "By the sound of applause, I can only Philip said yes! Which means Lukas and Philip are going to prom together! Congrats, guys!" After hearing that, more students rushed into the hallway to see if it was true. I was still kissing Philip. I think it's safe to say that I'm officially out of the closet. And I couldn't be happier.

For the rest of the day, Philip and I walked to all of our classes together, holding hands. "How long were you and Rose planning this?" Philip asked once we were standing by my bike.

"Well, I actually started planning this right after that night we spent together at the motel while hiding from Ryan."

"Seriously?" I nodded. "That was 3 months ago."

"I know. But afterwards, we were talking about what we would do about us, like if we were going to tell people. Then I started planning how I wanted to tell people. About a week ago, I decided that this was the perfect time to go through with the plan."

He just smiled and pressed his lips to mine gently.

At the prom...

Philip and I had our arms wrapped around each other, gently swaying to the music. A pain I've been feeling since I met Philip decided to resurface. "Philip, my stomach hurts."

"Are you okay? Do you want to go home? How much of the spiked punch did you have?"

"Philip, stop worrying. It's a good kind of pain."

"What?" I loved when he was confused and his eyebrows crinkled. It was so cute.

"I really love it when you're acting oblivious. I'm trying to say that I love you, Philip."

"Really?" I just nodded and kissed his forehead. "I love you, too, Lukas." I beamed brightly and pressed my lips to his.

Thank you for reading! Please comment with any prompts you would like me to write about.