I examined myself in the mirror, admiring Vera's handiwork on my hair. She swept it back with gel just like she did last homecoming, fueled with a newfound determination once I told her it drove Ethan wild. I had on the same basic black tux from homecoming, only now I adorned a deep red tie, the same one Ethan would be wearing to prom.

"You look so handsome, honey," Mrs. Clarissa came up behind me, brushing lint only she could see off of my shoulders and fussing with my lapels. I groaned in annoyance.

"Ethan's going to be here soon, where did Vera go?" I scooted past Mrs. Clarissa and into the hallway, wanting to get away from her micromanaging tendencies.

"She's in my room, I have to help her into her dress real quick. Why don't you head down and watch for Ethan, alright?"

I nodded, rushing down the stairs as Mrs. Clarissa disappeared into her bedroom. With so much pent up energy and nerves, I started to pace the kitchen as Benji watched on; his eyes moving back and forth like a pendulum as he stared at me. Mary squealed with laughter as she watched TV in the living room, startling us both as we quickly looked in her direction.

While we were distracted, Vera appeared at the top of the stairs, who, unlike me, seemed to thrive under Mrs. Clarissa's attention and fussing.

"Hey boys," she mused and winked, jutting a hip out.

Benji had a sour look across his face, and I just chuckled and shook my head, used to Vera's antics. I walked over to the landing as she hiked up her long, glittery black dress and carefully stepped down the stairs.

"You look beautiful, Vera," I smiled, and she smirked as she hung onto my arm.

"Thank you love," she pouted her cherry red lips. "You know, we'd make a pretty great couple if we weren't both so painfully gay."

I rolled my eyes, gently shaking her off of my arm. "You're ridiculous."

"I take that as a compliment. Your man just showed up, by the way," she said, acting indifferent as she examined her nails. I perked up and rushed over to the door, opening it wide to see Ethan getting out of his car, wearing a suit just like mine with his hair also slicked back. He was looking down as he rounded the back of his car, fumbling with his car keys. Once he finally got them into his pocket, he looked up and stopped dead in his tracks when he noticed me standing in the doorway.

"Wow," he breathed, a grin taking over his face. "You look amazing, Ivan."

I couldn't contain my smile anymore, finally letting it spread across my face as I rushed over to him and threw my arms around him.

"You look so handsome," I whispered, giving him a quick peck on the lips.

Vera groaned. "Can you two keep the affection down until we get my date? Not trying to third wheel at prom," she teased, huffing as she bent down to get on her heels.

I grabbed Ethan's hand and led him inside, where Mrs. Clarissa was sitting next to Benji with a hot cup of tea in her hands. Walking over to the counter, I presented Ethan with his boutonnière, and he laughed as he showed me mine. It was a big red rose with little white flowers surrounding it, and I could hardly contain my giddiness as I watched Ethan pin it to my jacket pocket.

"Alright! You know I need a picture of you three. Get your shoes on and stand in front of the steps," Mrs. Clarissa clapped after I finished pinning Ethan's boutonnière on, rushing over to get her digital camera.

"Oh my God we're going to be here for a decade," I mutter, and Ethan laughed, throwing his arm across my back.

Soon we were standing in a line in front of the porch, Vera to my right and Ethan to my left. Mrs. Clarissa crouched in front of us yelling "cheese!" obnoxiously, while Benji stood behind her in his plaid pajamas and bare feet sticking his tongue out at us.

"Okay, okay, I'm done- Aw, these turned out so good," Mrs. Clarissa stood, smiling as she flipped through the pictures. We all watched on in anticipation for her to give us the green light to leave. She looked up suddenly, giving us a mischievous grin. "You kids go have fun. Ivan- be back before eleven, and don't do something I wouldn't do!"

"Yeah, okay mom" I said in a teasing tone, but deep down I really meant it, and the teary look on Mrs. Clarissa's told me she knew it too. I threw a wave over my shoulder before I got emotional too as Ethan rushed to the driver side, I got into the passenger seat and Vera threw herself in back. "See you later!" I shouted before closing the door. Vera leaned forward, popping her head in between Ethan and I as she whined with a pout:

"Can we please go get my girlfriend now?"

~

"Why did we eat before going to the dance? This dress is skin tight and I'm bloated as hell now," Vera groaned from the back, Emma giggled and patted her stomach. I rolled my eyes, smiling in remembrance of the nice dinner we had at a restaurant in Seattle. Ethan and I had our own table, a little candle in the middle as he stole my fries and I tried my best to smack his hand away. Vera and Emma had a table for two close by, and while I love Vera, I really do, I was glad Ethan and I were able to be in our own little world.

"You are so in love it's disgusting- look at his face!" Vera laughed, leaning forward to stick her head in between the seats. "I remember that sleepover we had- yeah you know the one!" She cackled as I groaned, hiding my face with my free hand since Ethan was holding my left in his lap.

"Can we not do this Vera, it was so embarrassing," I complained.

"Wait, wait, now I need to know," Ethan laughed, glancing at my blushing cheeks.

"Ivan was convinced you didn't like him. I was telling him the entire time that you were head over heels for him and he never even noticed," she leaned back, sighing dreamily. "It was so cute. I love young love," she murmured, leaning over to kiss Emma.

"You know this now, but she was right. I was head over heels for you, still am," he winked, bringing my hand up to his lips. My face felt like it was on fire.

"Oh my God, we made it. We're actually at senior prom. I'm going to start hyperventilating," Vera started gasping for air and dramatically fanning her face as we pulled into the school parking lot. Emma just played into it and started fanning her also.

"You guys are so dramatic," I shook my head as Ethan parked. I unbuckled my seatbelt and was about to leave when Ethan's hand shot forward to grab my arm.

"No, no, let me get the door for you," he rushed, gathering his keys and wallet. I sat back with a goofy smile as I watched him round the front of the car.

"Emma, let me get the door for you, hold on," Vera suddenly said, stumbling out the door as her heel was hanging halfway off her foot.

"Babe, maybe I should get the door for you," Emma laughed, dabbing at her eyes so the tears didn't ruin her mascara.

"Emma, I'm a gentleman, let me get the door. I can't let Ethan be more chivalrous than me," she huffed, walking around the back of the car to the left side where Emma was.

Ethan shook his head at the girls before opening the passenger door, holding his hand out to me. I took it gratefully and let him haul me to my feet, however he took the opportunity to crush me to his chest.

Vera copied Ethan's movements and offered her elbow to Emma, but Emma had to plead with Vera to fix her heel first. That probably saved us a trip to the emergency room for Vera's inevitable broken ankle, so nice save Emma.

As we walked into the school, the air was filled with the excited buzz of students enjoying their last school dance before graduating. The energy was intoxicating, or maybe that was just the consequence of being able to waltz into the school as Ethan Matthews' prom date. The gymnasium was pounding with heavy bass, and I already felt myself grow tired.

"Let me know when you want to take a break, okay?" Ethan whispered as he leaned in, looking at me with his serious I'm concerned for your well-being face. I'd become very accustomed to that look.

"I can last for at least an hour or two until then," I whispered back with a smirk. "Maybe you need to let me know when you need a break."

"You're right, that could very well be the case," he smirked, as we were suddenly bombarded with Chloe from what seemed like all directions.

"Oh my God! You guys are here! Come on let's go dance!" She squealed, Chase standing next to her with a straight face. He had on a blush pink tie to match Chloe's dress, and I knew only someone like Chloe would be able to convince Chase to ever wear a tie like that.

I wasn't entirely sure if what we were doing could constitute as dancing, more like jumping and grinding, but I was nevertheless exhausted after an hour and a half of it. I grabbed Ethan's hand, giving it a squeeze, and he seemed to know what that meant as we made eye contact. Leaving the dance floor hand in hand, I was heading towards the tables set up on the side when Ethan tugged on my hand.

"Let's get some air, I need it," he jerked his head to the gym door that was being propped open with a concrete block. I nodded, following behind him as we slipped through the door without detection from the teachers who took their anti-grinding jobs way too seriously.

The fresh air was something I never knew I needed until I was surrounded by it, Ethan and I both panting and loosening our neck ties. Ethan took a seat at one of the outdoor tables, patting the seat next to him as I sat down and we looked out into the road where the buses come in. Now, it was dark, quiet, and not a soul in sight. I felt Ethan put his arm around me, and I leaned into his side as we sat there and listened to the leaves rustle and the frogs croak.

"Can you believe we made it this far?" I whispered as Ethan pulled me in closer.

"Yes. I never found it hard to believe, because I knew we would have found our way to each other in the end."

I hummed. "I guess I'm just a cynic then."

"You deserve happiness. You of all people deserve peace," he whispered into my hair.

I smiled. "Yeah, I'm at peace."

We both look up as the song suddenly changed from an upbeat pop song to one with a slower tempo, and Ethan abruptly stood, holding his hands out to me

"Come here, I want to dance with you," he coaxed, swaying ridiculously to the song. I laughed, shaking my head as I grabbed his hands and stood.

"I- I don't know where to put my hands," I admitted, just standing there still holding Ethan's.

"Don't worry about it, I'll show you," he grabbed my hands and placed them on his shoulders. "Your hands go here," he said while he put his hands on my waist, "and mine go here," he smiled adoringly at me. Ethan and I started to rock to the slow tempo, making faces at each other and trying not to laugh. After a while, the softness of the song ended up subduing us, our attempt at slow dancing long gone as we held each other tight and continued to sway side to side.

"Did you ever. . . think about leaving? That maybe without me in your life, things would be a lot easier and more simple for you?" I breathed, afraid to speak above a whisper.

"I hate it when you say things like that. It makes me sad," Ethan whispered back, squeezing me tighter.

"I'm sorry, you don't have to answer-"

"Never. The answer is never. You gave me the chance, remember? And what did I say?"

I sighed. "You said no, because you loved me."

"And I do," Ethan pulled away to look me in the eye. "I love you."

"I love you too," I sniffed, giving him a watery smile.

~

Whose got the tissues? Of course I gotta make everyone cry one last time.

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