The Switch (GirlxGirl)

Chapter 20: Tango

Song: Tous Les Mêmes - Stromae

So prom is always an exciting time in every senior's life, except mine. What is to be expected, though? For one thing, I'm a lesbian in a school full of homophobes and another, I'm dating a teacher who will most likely be attending prom with a designated staff member date. But the icing on the cake? I'm also dating a boy who couldn't care less about me. He hasn't even asked me to prom and the dance is three days away. Part of me is glad he isn't doing anything extravagant. Maybe he won't even ask me and he'll just go with his friends so I'm free to go with Kali and Avalon.

We're discussing our pre-dance plans at lunch in the library together when all of the sudden, Ethan walks in with flowers in hand and a rolled up poster. I look down and close my eyes, hoping this is just a horrible dream but no, he really is standing in front of me with his emotionless eyes. The poster reads: All my mates have dates, prom?

Kali audibly scoffs behind me and I can practically see her eyes rolling. The whole room claps for the happy couple, even the librarian who I would assume would've been upset about the noise. I look around and realise that everyone is awaiting my answer. I open my mouth to say something but nothing comes out.

"Look, she's speechless!" I hear someone from my right say, almost squealing. Avalon stands and walks out of the library and Kali pulls me up by my arm.

"She's not going with you." Kali says to him in a bitter voice as she starts dragging me away from the table, not forcefully but more protectively. I follow her obediently, looking back at Ethan with a worried look as if he were going to chase me out of the library. "Get a better tagline, asshole." Kali sniggers as we reach the doors and exit the room full of dumbfounded people.

I hold Kali's hand and tell her that I'm going to talk to him alone as he comes out of the library, staring at us expectantly. She lets go of my hand and allows us some space. I look to Ethan and pull him into a hallway near the library away from all the commotion.

"Look, I'm sorry. My friends just don't like you very much." I tell him truthfully as though he isn't already aware of their dislike. His lips purse as he holds back a comment and he only nods, giving me a weak half smile. I take his hand in mine and look into his dark brown eyes. "I would love to go to prom with you." I whisper and kiss his cheek, his cologne almost asphyxiating as I breathe in near his face.

"Awesome, I'll go tell my mates." He winks and leaves the hallway back into the main courtyard where we stood only moments ago. I sigh and run a hand through my hair as I lean against the lockers behind me.

"If you aren't going to at least go to dinner with us before the dance I'm gonna slap you until you get your wits about you." Kali stands in the doorway of the hall with her arms crossed, Avalon standing just as confidently beside her. I look at them and smile.

"Of course I am." I say matter-of-factly, grateful for their friendship now more than ever.

"I hope you're aware we're going to talk about this. It's obvious you're faking attraction and we're going to get to the bottom of it." Avalon says very seriously, which is a rare occurrence for my bubbly friend.

***

Saturday has finally arrived and presently, I'm sitting in Avalon's room with both her and Kali as we're finalising our plans and getting into our attire. Yesterday we went dress shopping together, a very firm tradition in our friend group for formals and events.

Kali is the first to get into her outfit for the evening and I have to say she looks amazing. The bright red jumpsuit with an open back is a welcomed contrast to her everyday jeans and tank tops. She twirls around for us to see and her tanned skin looks amazing, I'm honestly a bit jealous that my back doesn't look that good.