Tips For Life

Number Six

 "Lily."

 I grunted. Who was saying my name?

 "Lily."

 "Hmm?"

 I opened my eyes to the dark of my tv room. For a moment I was confused. Who had been saying my name? I lifted my head and started to sit up. I felt the weight of Wyatt's arm and it all came rushing back to me. The football game, the drive, the movie. I must have fallen asleep.

 "Hey." I said. My voice was scratchy from sleeping.

 Wyatt chuckled. "Hello there, Sleeping Beauty. The movie's over and your parents got home a while ago."

 I suddenly felt my face getting red. "My parents?"

 Wyatt laughed again, seeming to read my mind. "Don't worry, they were fine with it. I believe they labeled this 'cute.'"

 I laughed. "What time is it?"

 "Now?" Wyatt looked around the room. "About eleven."

 "Shouldn't you get home?"

 Wyatt shrugged. Or at least, I thought he shrugged. It was dark, and hard to tell. "You know how it is. My parents don't care. I spend nights over here all the time, remember."

 It was true. Wyatt's life at home left much to be desired. That was one of the reasons he was over at my house so much instead of the other way around. He slept on this very couch a lot of the nights during the summer, and even more during school. I knew everything that went on in his house, so I understood. So did my parents.

 "Well okay then." I didn't feel like getting up. "What now?"

 "Want to watch another movie?"

 "Would that require any movement from me?""

 Wyatt laughed. "Not if you're comfortable."

 "I am." 

 "Well, I could set it up then." 

 "But then you'd move and I'd have to move..."

 He laughed again. "Well then, what do you want to do?"

 "I dunno."

 So we stayed like that, with my head on his lap and his hands playing with my hair.

 "So...." I began, breaking the silence. "Who are you asking to prom?" 

 He leaned in close to my ear and whispered, "It's a secret."

 "Oh, come on!" I said, sitting up. 

 "I have to ask them first."

 "I'm your best friend, it's not like I'm going to tell anyone!"

 "I know, but-"

 "No buts! You made me go to that footbal game! Tell me who it is."

 He gave me an exasperated sigh. "You know, you're really annoying?" 

 "So you'll tell me?"

 "Do I have a choice?"

 "No."

 He stood up and walked over to his backpack. Is he going to show me her picture, I wondered. He came back over and handed me a piece of binder paper. There were skulls and hearts sketched around the edge and words in his messy but legible handwriting in the middle. 

 Will you go to prom with me? 

 Yes: Smile

 No: Do a backflip

I couldn't help it, I had to smile. "Me?"

 "Yes! I was planning on asking you later, it would have been a lot more fancy than this, but you wouldn't leave me alone."

 I stood up and gave him a hug, the paper still clutched in my hand. 

 "Is that a yes?" He asked, the smile evident in his voice.

 "I smiled, didn't I?"

 Number Six: Give high school events and fancy dresses a chance.