I made a mistake.
Let me explain. My teacher, Mrs. Jones, had went up to me and asked me after class if I wanted to help decorate the prom. She'd said she was struggling to get enough kids to help, and she mentioned that Ben was helping with it as well, so I felt cornered to say yes. I didn't know that if you decorated the prom, you were somewhat obligated to go to it.
Yes, I know. Prom is this big thing with high schoolers; it's almost a rite of passage. Once you've been to your first prom, you danced and drunk, you spent all night going from after party to party, you were considered to have finally had the real high school experience.
But, I just didn't really care about all that. I'd made plans with the rest of my group to just hang out and watch old horror movies the night of prom, as we'd all agreed that it was a waste of money, anyway. Seriously 20 dollars or more for a ticket? That's kind of stiff for cheap snacks and a crowded gym with a bunch of sweaty teenagers.
And now I'm practically forced to go to it. I told Richie and he'd laughed at me at first, but he reassured me that he'd get the rest of the gang to go join me at the prom, which made the weight on my chest lighten a bit.
Richie grinned, "I'll ask Eddie Spaghetti to go with me, too! And I know Ben and Bevvie would go together." He hummed, "Pretty sure Billy will have a date by then-that Audra chick he likes, probably."
I nodded, "Okay, I guess."
Richie pouted, "What about you, though? Is Mike 'n Ike gonna get to go?"
I threw a deadpan expression his way, "No, thanks for making my situation abundantly clear."
Richie beamed, "Don't worry, Stan the Man! You can dance with me and Bevvie! I know Haystack won't mind, and Eddie's punches don't hurt that bad."
I rolled my eyes at his annoying positivity, "Whatever. It doesn't matter. Dates aren't all that important."
Richie gasped, putting a hand to his chest, "Are you saying you don't want to dance with me, then?!"
"No, Rich, that's not what I'm saying."
He gave me another one of his grins, "I knew it! Noone can pass up the Tozier flair!" He threw an arm around my shoulders, "Nah, but we'll figure out some way to make it a good night for ya."
I wasn't sure what he meant by that, but I didn't ask, as my headache was growing just thinking about it.
The days passed by too quickly, and prom night finally came. Ben and I were setting up the gym with a few others, and we were close to done. A good thing, as there was only an hour until prom started.
I still had to get changed into the suit I'd rented. Ben and I had the smart idea to take our clothes to the school so we could get changed after set up was done and we wouldn't be in the rush to go home and back.
We walked to where we stashed our clothes, and got changed in the bathroom. Ben came out wearing a simple black tux, complete with a long red tie. He smiled sweetly, "Beverly's wearing red, too."
I gave him a short smile back, already dressed in the light blue suit I picked out. I didn't wear a tie; I didn't like how they press against my throat, making it more difficult to breathe. I already feel claustrophobic in this place, anxiety soaring as I realized that I'd be one of the only people here without a date and I'm so awkward at these sort of things.
I took a deep breath, remembering the breathing exercises Mike had taught me once upon a time. (It was the first panic attack of mine he'd seen, and he reacted so calmly, putting his hand on the small of my back and gently telling me to breathe in and out, in and out.)
I sat with Ben at one of the tables we set up, talking quietly about this and that. He mostly rambled to me about how nervous he was feeling about this. I sat and listened, happy to serve as the receiver on a conversation like this for once.
People began to show up, and I felt more self conscious just sitting here, talking as music was turned up, lights turned down. Richie and Eddie came in eventually, hand in hand. Richie was wearing a black suit with a pink bowtie. Eddie wore a salmon suit and a black tie. I guess they were going for a reverse matching kind of thing.
Beverly came in after them, running to Ben. She was wearing a flashy red suit jacket, and a pair of slacks-she'd grown out of wearing dress for the most part. Bill and his date, Audra, who was wearing a nice, sapphire-blue dress.
I looked around at our group. They were all paired up, and they were happy with their partners. Don't get me wrong, I lo-like Mike a lot, but it does suck that he can't be here.
An hour or so passed, and I had a good time with my friends. We stayed in a large circle for the most part, sticking together until some of the slower songs came on.
I went back to our table, sipping on some of the punch while my friends danced together, despite some protests by them that I could stay by them. I felt hands on my shoulders, and I said in a bit of a monotone voice, "Richie, c'mon, go back to Eddie."
"I mean, I would, but I don't think Eddie or Rich would like that."
I smiled, recognizing his voice, and turned around, "How did you get in? I thought they only let students from here attend." I noticed the nice outfit he was wearing-the slacks, the red button up, and black blazer-and blushed slightly.
He knelt down to meet my level since I was sitting. He took my hands in his own, smiling gently, "It took a bit of haggling, but I signed a permission slip or two, talked to the principal, and he let me come." He then said, more sheepishly, "Sorry I was so late; I had to finish feeding the animals before changing."
I shook my head, smiling, "No, no, it's fine. I'm just glad you're here."
He stood, pulling me up with him, "Let's join the others then, eh?"
He led me to the group, all in pairs yet close together, and set his hands around my waist, pulling me in for a hug. He pressed his forehead to my shoulder, laughing a bit as he said, "I can't dance, man."
I returned the hug, feeling a laugh rise up from my chest, "Neither can I."
Mike moved his hand on top of mine, lacing our fingers together, and held them to the side. His free hand went to my back, and his face was buried in my neck, (why is it that he always seems to find his place there?)
I closed my eyes, listening to Mike's soothing humming in my ear. The song ended, immediately followed by a faster paced one. Richie spotted us, grinning, "Hey Mikey, you made it!"
Mike reluctantly moved away from me, directing a soft smile at Richie, "Yeah, I'm here."
"Sweet!" Richie exclaimed, hand holding Eddie's, "Now Staniel can thank me for telling you about it!"
I rolled my eyes, "I'd already assumed you'd had something to do with it, Rich."
Richie shrugged, "Still. Owe me a favor."
Mike leaned against my shoulder again. I felt at ease, all of the people I care about around me, and the rest of the world disappeared as we laughed and danced-well, the others danced, I didn't.
The crowd slowly went away, rumors of an after party rose and they all went to that.
Eventually, it was just the eight of us. Mike quietly said to me that he had to go home before it got too late, seeing as he had to go farther than the rest of us.
His father had given him his truck when he got old enough to have a license, so he didn't have to bike, but it did make me nervous having him drive with how dark it was already getting.
Mike squeezed my hand, "Want a ride?"
I nodded, just wanting to spend more time with him, and we walked to where he parked.
The drive was slow-intentionally, I think-and I could hear the radio softly playing a song I didn't know. The sky was almost pitch black, dotted with stars. The road was dark, illuminated slightly by the yellow glow of headlights.
Mike parked in front of my house, but I didn't get out. He unbuckled, moving over to bump my nose with his. I snorted, and his grin just grew, "Good night, Stanley."
I felt my face heat up a bit, "Okay, good night, Mike." I pecked his cheek, giving him a soft smile. I got out, waving to Mike one last time.
Maybe going to prom was worth it after all.