When We Were Young

XV: photograph

"You left her alone for five days, this is getting ridiculous!" I whisper-yell into my phone, leaning on the railing of an abandoned staircase of the school.

I had just finished first period, where Tate looked absolutely wrecked. She had clearly been crying before she got to school and was completely unable to focus during the entire chemistry class. Gray had still not spoken a word to her over the past five days.

I was surprised he even picked up my call today.

"She's pregnant, Maverick. Pregnant. Not accidentally broke a vase in the house or stayed out too late. Her life and another life will be greatly affected by her actions, this is not something to take lightly."

I sigh. It's hard because I understand both of their perspectives. However, Gray has taken it to a whole other level by completely shutting his sister out.

"You may think of us as little high school seniors, yet to see the world, but we've been through shit too, Gray. Especially Tatum." My hand clenches my phone harder. "What happened, happened and you're allowed to be angry. Tate made a mistake and she understands that. Her mental well-being is paying for that mistake everyday. She doesn't need you to be a constant reminder of what this mistake cost her. She understands. Now, she needs people who love her to be there for her and to support her. She needs her brother."

There's a long silence. I'm about to ask if he's still there when he grits out, "I'm at work. Go to class, Maverick."

Then, he hangs up.

---

Later today, Tate and I are walking to the parking lot, where the school buses come to pick us up.

I usually drive my car home, but today, I decided that I'd take the bus with Tate to her apartment and spend some time with her there. Clearly, she needs it after what's going on with Gray.

The bright yellow school buses are lined up by the curb and I'm looking at the bus numbers posted on the side to find the one we're supposed to take. Out of nowhere, Tate pulls my arm and points somewhere in the distance of the parking lot.

I peer in that direction and see big, golden letter balloons, one T and one R, placed in front of a car. There's a person standing in front of the balloons with a neon yellow sign that has the word "PROM?" spelt out in black block letters.

Were promposals starting already? Prom isn't for another 2 months.

Rolling my eyes, I snark, "Who has the initials T.R.? Making us single people--"

Before I can finish my thought, Tate is running towards the promposal. I open my mouth to yell after her, but I realize there's no point. She's already far up ahead, so I spring after her, grabbing tightly on the straps of my backpack for stability. What is this girl doing?

My own question is answered when I approach the guy. It's not just some random girl's boyfriend, it's Gray.

He's grinning widely, albeit a bit sadly, at the two of us when we approach.

Others have also started gathering around us, pulling their phones out to record for their Snapchat stories. I would be annoyed, but I'm too confused and mesmerized at the situation that was unfolding in front of me.

Upon closer inspection, the neon sign did not just say "PROM?", there was also cursive writing at the bottom that I could barely make out. "I've been an idiot... let me make it up to you?"

"Tatum, Maverick, my two best friends in this whole entire world. " he projects, his grin getting even wider, if that's even possible. "Will you go to prom with me?"

Tearing my eyes away from him, I look over at Tate. Her green eyes are shining and I see a tear spill out. Refocusing on myself, I realize that I must look the same way.

The past few days since we found out about Tate's pregnancy combined with my offer to pay some of her tuition has created a lot of tension for the three of us. More tension than ever before in our relationship. Even though neither of us wanted to admit it, we were scared that we'd never be the same again.

This reminds us of the friendship we'd built over a decade of time.

"Yes!" Tate shouts, jumping in the air and running to wrap her arms around her brother. Gray drops the sign and picks her up, spinning her around.

I smile at the scene and let my own tears run down my face.

These two can overcome anything.

Around me, I hear some "Awwww"s, some "It's so cute that her brother would do that for her!", and some "Wait, isn't she dating that Tommy guy?"

Gray puts down his sister and kisses her on the forehead, whispering something that's just for Tate. He then turns to me.

"What do you say, Rick?" He raises an eyebrow and smiles. "Prom?"

Wordlessly, I move to hug him, burying my head against his chest. I feel his arms come around me and rub my back soothingly and I realize I'm crying.

The stress of these past few days lifts off of me and I finally feel safe.

Gray's certainly been hurtful to me and we're going to have to talk about it beyond just this moment, but for now, I let myself feel at home with him.

The crowd around me cheers and claps.

Self-consciously realizing what I'm doing, I push myself away from Gray. I see splotches of wetness on the light blue shirt he's wearing underneath his bomber jacket and look up to his face. He's still smiling.

Gray pulls me against his right side and Tatum against his left, messing up both of our hair a bit with his hands. "Tate, whatever you need, I'm here for you."

Tate smiles up at her brother, then at me.

"And Mave," he continues. "Thank you for sticking by us, even though I make it really hard to."

True appreciation shines in his eyes and I can't help but say, "I love you guys."

The crowd eventually disperses, chattering excitedly amongst themselves.

I feel a little uneasy that we were the first promposals this year because I don't love the attention, but there'll probably be another one tomorrow that'll have people completely forgetting about ours.

We're pushing the balloons into the back of Gray's car when he tells us, "I have one more surprise for Tate."

She perks up at this and excitedly rubs her hands together, "What is it?"

It's good to see her in a good mood again.

Gray moves to his trunk and opens it up. Out of it he pulls a beautiful light pink dress covered by a long plastic bag.

Tate and I both gasp as he straightens it and lifts it up for us to see.

It's absolutely stunning. It's off-the-shoulder baby pink floor length dress with lace on the shoulder part as well as a flowery-lace design running down the bodice onto the skirt that fans out a bit.

A new set of tears was welling up in Tatum's eyes as she gingerly touched the plastic outside of the dress. Before she even said it, I knew that she loved it. It was everything that she wanted out of a prom dress from what she's told me. Pastel, sophisticated, flower design.

"This was mom's prom dress." He brings it closer to Tatum. "She'd want you to have it."