THE JOCK JUST WANTS THE PREP [ 1 ]

83 - PLANNING THE PROM

||NOAH||

Two days.

It has been a couple days including Monday and Brad still has yet to feel properly comfortable. I noticed that he could progressively now look at me, but if Annabel would be around, he would never engage in any contact at all as if uncomfortable. Sometimes, I really do feel sorry for Anna. All she wants is for Brad to forgive her or at least move on. Looking beside me, she has been really quiet as she worked on her math sheet. Contemplating, I gave a tap to her shoulder, "how are you doing?" I asked.

"I'm doing well, how about you?" She says, sounding surprisingly fine.

Blinking, I tilted my head, "so, what do you plan to do now?" I said.

She smiles, but a sad one before turning back to her paper, "for now, I wait and let Zack console Brad. If he never does accept my apology, that's fine. I deserve this," she takes a calming breath. Soon, her demeanor disappears into a stoic look. Frowning, all we can do is be patient and hope that Zack can help clear the conflict that buries within all of us.

-

School went by a flash instantly and the clock had just hit three-thirty pm. I was notified that I had to attend a brief meeting before I could settle to my own stuff after. I told the others that it might take a few minutes before I could meet up with them in the school library once I was done. I headed to the halls and into a classroom where a few students had already clustered around. Once everything got into order, our faculty member announced that prom is going to be starting next week. Everyone appeared excited and happy to be told that the event is nearing quite fast already.

Truth be told, I've never gone to prom here in Wolverine high. I've gone to prom once with Annabel in eighth-grade because I knew no one else to go with. It went fine; we managed to have a bit of fun, danced together, enjoyed the food, and spent the remaining time together out in the park before my parents called Danny to pick us up. That was the first and currently last time for now. I didn't know how to feel about the news, but I was a little bit inconvenienced and a little upset. Now wasn't the perfect timing...

"What should our theme be?" An attendant asked. Soon, the room filled with conversations and debates.

"What do you think Noah?" A girl wanted my opinion.

My head perked up, "oh... erm, what about something European vintage-inspired?" I said the first thing that came to mind.

They all gave a thought about it and came up with a few solutions, "what do you think of a German-themed prom? Since, you know?" A boy nudged his head. Thinking, I really am not knowledgeable of what prom is like in Germany, so I shook my head. They sighed and seemed to have moved on to a different choice, "should we just go with a typical French look?" They said. I just nodded, not really up to keep thinking any further. With that concluded, we continued to brainstorm for more ideas, well, they mostly did the pondering, all I could think of is, "would I be able to go to prom with Brad?"

-

"Are you serious?" James and Kate looked at me with wide eyes, Kate seemed a little bit more distraught.

"What's up with you two?" Felix eyes them like crazy people.

"Brad better gets his shit together, if he doesn't take you to prom I'm gonna punch him in the gut," Kate threatened.

"T-that won't be necessary..." I waved my hands nervously.

"Seriously though, it would be really sad," James frowned.

Heaving a breath, I just submerged myself onto my folded arms. "It's fine, really guys..." I broke into a weak smile, looking up.

"Noah..." Annabel saddened as she stared at me. I looked back at her, and my face faltered.

"Can't we do something?" Ethan pouted.

A moment of silence roamed around us before Annabel took the initiative with a serious tone, "I'm gonna message Zack to get on with convincing Brad," Annabel spoke and looked at everyone, "... How about this, maybe we can create a strategy after Brad and Zack have a talk to where he feels comfortable to now talk to Noah?" She asks.

"How?" Felix tilted his head.

"Hopefully before school ends tomorrow, Zack can comfort Brad and advise him to meet up with Noah somewhere," Annabel thought.

"Where's a good place for them to get back together even?" Kate said.

"How about the place where Liam works at?" Ethan brought up.

We all stared at him in confusion, "why there?" I asked.

"Considering that your rendezvous will take place after school, maybe Zack can suggest that they go get something to eat. Liam might be working and he can observe and help out from afar to make sure things go well when you two make up," Ethan explained.

Annabel and I looked at each other and were appealed by how thoughtful Ethan's suggestion is, "well, Brad did say it's a place that he likes to go to..." I murmured.

Annabel nodded, "okay then, with the base of the plot laid out, we need to work this through carefully to make sure it goes well," she says as the others agree to help. Seeing all of them negotiating to help me with my relationship, I feel really grateful to have them close. Smiling, I thanked them.

"Don't mention it, buddy, we want to fix this as much as you want to," Felix grinned.

"Yeah!" others nodded.

"Noah, just remember this..." Annabel spoke, placing her hand on my shoulder, "I just want you to be happy... okay?"

Staring into her eyes, I hugged her, "thank you..."