80s/90s imagines + preferences

music class // danny pope

(A/N)
To everyone who is wondering why this is titled "Danny Pope" but I call him "Michael," please watch the movie Running on Empty. It's worth it :).
I listened to the songs Man on the Moon by Zella Day and After the Storm by Kali Uchis, so if you want some good vibes, I suggest you listen to those too.
-ONTO THE STORY-

It's the first day of school, 1988.
Honestly, this is the worst day of any 17 year old's life.
You walk through the halls, your overalls causing a rift in the crowd. You realize that you apparently didn't get the memo that people weren't wearing shit like that this year.
Suddenly, someone touches your shoulder. You look up to see a boy. You can tell that he's your age, he's pretty tall, definitely attractive, and is wearing cute glasses. He's holding a yellow slip.
"Hi."
"Um, hello." You say, a bit surprised that anyone is talking to you this year.
"I'm Da- uh, Michael. I uh, I moved here a few days ago and was told that you'd show me around?"
"Oh. They should really give people a warning about that." You mutter.
"Oh, um, you don't have to... I just..." He looks hurt and you can see the embarrassment forming in his eyes.
He runs a hand through his hair awkwardly.
"Oh, no, it's okay. I can definitely show you around." You offer him a smile and he sheepishly grins back.
"Thanks. And uh, I don't think I caught your name...?"
"Oh, it's y/n. Y/n y/l/n."
"Cute."
This is gonna be interesting.
"So what electives do you have?" You ask. He has to bend down a bit to hear you, which you think is kinda cute but of course you weren't going to admit that.
"Um... music and home economics."
"Home ec? I haven't seen a boy in that class since... um... ever."
He laughs, "Yeah, it was a little last minute."
"Other than your math class we literally have the same schedule. We could be walk-to-class buddies." You say, smiling.
"Yeah, or friends." He suggests.
You pretend to gasp. "Good point!"
When you make it to music class, you find two seats near the back. You pull out a notebook and he looks around his desk.
"Shit. Can I have a piece of paper?"
"Yeah, for sure."
"...And a pen?"
You give him a look, and he smiles, giving you a chance to really take in how gorgeous he is. He has soft blonde hair, his eyes are bright blue like the ocean on a sunny day, and his nose is just slightly upturned, giving him an adorable elvish look.
Before you know it, the words just slip out of your mouth.
"You're really cute, Michael."
You cover your mouth, in complete and utter shock at what you just said.
His ears turn bright red and he folds up his glasses, looking down at his converse.
"Thanks, y/n." He clears his throat.
"You too."
You laugh a little, rather nervously.
"You know, you don't have to say that. It's not like-"
"No, I mean it." He whispers as the teacher walks into the classroom. You stare into his blue eyes and he smirks.
You bite your lip to try to stop smiling and brush your hair out of your face.
"Thanks."
When class is over, you've learned two things. Number one, you can't dance to Beethoven.
Number two, Michael is a pianist.
"Holy shit, man, I mean, you didn't tell me you were that good." You say, setting down your water. You take a gulp.
He raises his hands in surrender.
"I mean, it's not really a conversation starter for someone I've just met."
"I think it is..." You murmur, your eyes smiling at him.
He grins and takes a bite of his sandwich.
"So, y/n, tell me about yourself."
"Hm... There's not much to tell. I moved here freshman year, I've never had too many friends, I like music class, I like to cook, I don't talk too much unless if I'm comfortable with people, etc. How about you?"
He looks at you.
"Well, I'm guessing you're comfortable with me then?"
You smile and nod, then realize he dodged the question you asked him.
You brush it off.
Finally, it's the last period of the day. Home economics. You and Michael were paired up and began to cook. You pretty much took over and couldn't help but notice that Michael stared at you the whole time, handing you ingredients.
- an hour or so later -
You walk, hands on the handlebars of your bike, as you and Michael laugh together.
"Y/n, I seriously can't believe that you burnt our cake. On the first day."
"Hey! You weren't even helping. You were too busy staring at me to do anything."
"You're absolutely right. How could I not?"
You continue to laugh until you realize what his sentence was implying.
You look up at him.
He's looking at you.
"Hey, y/n? I have something to tell you."
Your heart flutters and you stop, turning to look at him. Is this it?
"Yeah, Michael?"
"My name's Danny. Michael... it's just a nickname. It's my middle name."
"Oh," you say awkwardly. "Okay, Danny."
You begin to keep walking. You were hoping for something else.
"...And y/n?"
"What's up?"
As you turn towards him, you feel his hands cup your cheeks and he kisses you. The shock and adrenaline of his sudden movement fills you with giddiness. He kisses you somewhat aggressively, like he's sorry for not doing it earlier, but it feels good and you melt in his arms. He tastes like mint.
You pull away and touch your lips, smiling.
"Wow."
"Wow."
He walks you home in silence and you wave goodbye from your porch. When you get inside, you look out the window to see Danny, dancing down the street, smiling.

(A/N)
Hope you enjoyed! I think this is my favorite so far, but who knows, maybe I'll write a better one later. I think this is the last River Phoenix imagine, but if you want more, please let me know! Sending love, Camhhhh.

QUICK EDIT:
Thank you guys so much for almost 60 reads on this thing! I think I'm gonna start adding the word count in so you guys can see how much suffering I go through because I love writing so much. This one's word count is 1088 words.