Someone Like Noel

Homecoming: Part 1

It's the big night--everyone dancing, drinking punch, making out--just the usual things you do at a homecoming dance. Everyone was having the time of their lives.

As for me, I'm sitting at home in my basement alone, watching Netflix. I'm not at the dance because I don't have a date (aka boyfriend) and my friends totally ditched me!

Anyway, I bet you're thinking: "Who is this crazy person talking to me?" Well, I'm going to answer that for you. My name is Alexis Vanderwaal. I'm a student at Maygone Academy.

I live in NYC with my mom. My parents got a divorce when I was a sophomore at Miami Beach Senior High. I was walking home from school with my use-to-be BFF when I saw him.

I saw him making out with one of his co-workers in the backseat. When he saw me, he tried to make me swear to keep it a secret, but I told my mother every single thing.

She divorced him immediately, packed up everything--including me--and moved us to NYC. I lived here ever since. I was in the middle of an episode when the doorbell rang.

I wonder who would be here at this hour. I looked at the time: 8: 15--it was already 15 minutes into the dance. It couldn't be for my mom 'cause she works late on Saturdays.

I paused my show and went upstairs. When I opened the door, you will not believe who I saw! Noel Westcott? He's a student at my school.

He's the loner kid there, no friends, quiet. Rumor has it, he got two tickets to the dance, but never went and had no date. When I looked in his eyes, I saw something I've never seen before.

I saw compassion rather than hatred. He was also staring into my eyes, but then quickly looked away. We stood there for a minute in silence. Suddenly he asked something I didn't expect.

"Would you like to go to homecoming with me?", questioned Noel.

I was too stunned to give an answer. He noticed, shook his head, apologized, and started scurrying away. I walked all the way outside and touched his shoulder.

"Wait."

He slowly turned around looking at the ground.

He mumbled, "You don't have to if you don't want to."

"I would love to."

"I know it was a stupid thing to do--wait, what?"

"I would love to go to homecoming with you."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Wow that's great. Uhm, I'll come back in about 30 minutes. Is that OK?"

"Yes."

"Fantastic!" He ran back to his house to get ready. I chuckled a little bit because I've never seen this side of him. I closed the door and headed upstairs to my room.

Alright, so I have 30 minutes to get ready for a dance I was totally not planning on going to. I guess I'll just make it simple--nothing too bold--just do regular makeup and a simple dress.

30 minutes later...

I'm just finishing up curling my hair when the doorbell rang again--must be Noel. I unplugged the curlers, grabbed my purse and walked downstairs. As I opened the door, Noel faced me.

His eyes were so wide looking at my whole outfit. I laughed lightly, then he looked into my eyes. He did something I never thought he would ever so in his life--he smiled.

"Wow you look amazing!", he exclaimed excitedly.

"Thank you, so do you."

He coughed, "So are you ready to go?"

"Yea."

Noel moves over to the side holding out his hand. I smiled at how cute he was being and put my hand in his. He led us to a.........stretch limo?! I stopped dead in my tracks and looked at it.

Noel turned towards me asking, "Is something wrong?"

I shook me head on the verge of tears. This was perfect. It's how I aleays imagined I'd go to homecoming. I accidentally let a tear slip and wiped it away quickly.

Noel noticed and comforted me, "Aw, you're crying."

"I'm sorry, it's just that no one has ever done this kind of thing for me."

"You know, I was really surprised to hear you weren't going to homecoming."

"Well I would've if my friends hadn't ditched me when I had no one to go with."

"Well, I'm here."

"And I gratefully appreciate it."

Noel walked over to the limo door and opened it, motioning me to get in.

10 minutes later...

We just came up to the doors of the school. We were just heading in until Noel stopped dead in his tracks. I turned around and looked at him solemnly and grabbed his hand.

"What's wrong, Noel?"

"Nothing, I, uh, I don't think I should be here. This was a mistake."

"No it wasn't. You're just nervous. Everything's gonna be fine. I promise." I kissed his cheek to calm his nerves and lightly pulled his arm to get him inside. This should be interesting.