Prom?

It came to me in a dream last night. The answer I had been looking for all year. Who I was going to ask to prom. Britney Cantrell. She's been in all my classes for the last three years and I think all I've ever said to her was, "hi." But that ends today. Today I'm going to walk over and introduce myself. I have exactly two weeks to get to know her. They said girls need a month to get ready for prom, right? Hell, I don't know. But it will be one month away in two weeks. So, do I wear the [[blue collared shirt cargo shorts->blue collared shirt cargo shorts]]? It will make me look nice like I'm ''trying'' to get her attention. Or the [[white shirt and jeans->white shirt and jeans]]? I'll appear more relaxed, like I'm more myself, and just stopping by to say, "hi."

Dressing quickly, I snatched up my bookbag and rushed downstairs to snag some breakfast. Like she read my mind, my mom was standing just inside the kitchen with a pack of pop-tarts. "Thanks," I said with a smile as I accepted the toaster pastry and rushed out the door. "Eric," she called out. I glanced back at her, and she made a heart shape with her hands. My mom is such a [[dork.->dork.]]

When I arrived at school, there were students everywhere. We still had twenty minutes before class. Some of us like to come early to see our friends. Looking around the courtyard, I spied Britney with a few other senior girls I can't remember the names of. I took a step in her direction but was stopped by someone calling out my name. On the opposite side stood Kelsea Klemmings. My best friend since Kindergarten. She was beaming and waving me over. Shit, do I [[blow off Kelsea,->blow off Kelsea.]] or [[wait to talk to Britney?->wait to talk to Britney?]]

When I arrived at school, there were students everywhere. We still had twenty minutes before class. Some of us like to come early to see our friends. Looking around the courtyard, I spied Britney with a few other senior girls I can't remember the names of. I took a step in her direction but was stopped by someone calling out my name. On the opposite side stood Kelsea Klemmings. My best friend since Kindergarten. She was beaming and waving me over. Shit, do I [[blow off Kelsea,->blow off Kelsea. ]] or [[wait to talk to Britney?->wait to talk to Britney? ]]

I looked back over to where Britney and her friends and blew out a breath. It was now or never. I hitched my bookbag up further on my shoulder and made my way to the gaggle of girls. Soft giggling started as I approached them. "Hey, Britney," I said. The giggling became louder and Britney hissed, "stop it!" at her friends. "Hey Eric, you... um, look nice today," She said with a cringe. "Oh," I said as I looked down at my outfit. "I uh... like to be comfortable I suppose." She gave me a tight smile, "so I see." I cleared my throat and ignored the giggling girls around [[me.->me.]]

Kels looks really excited about something. I should probably check it out. Besides, I have first period with Britney. Waiting twenty minutes isn't such a big deal. Kelsea was hopping up and down by the time I made it to her. "Whoa there Easter Bunny, what's got you all hyped." She pulled out two concert tickets from the front pocket of her hoodie. "Guess who scored Panic! At The Disco tickets!" she screeched. "No way!" I snatched the tickets, "you're kidding right?" "My uncle Charlie gave them to me as an early birthday gift." My excitement sunk when I saw the date, [["that's the same night as prom.->that's the same night as prom.]]

I looked back over to where Britney and her friends and blew out a breath. It was now or never. I hitched my bookbag up further on my shoulder and made my way to the gaggle of girls. Soft giggling started as I approached them. "Hey, Britney," I said. The giggling became louder and Britney hissed, "stop it!" at her friends. "Hey Eric, you look nice today," she said to me with a smile. "Thanks, just something I threw on." I cleared my throat and ignored the giggling girls around [[me.->me. ]]

Kels looks really excited about something. I should probably check it out. Besides, I have first period with Britney. Waiting twenty minutes isn't such a big deal. Kelsea was hopping up and down by the time I made it to her. "Whoa there Easter Bunny, what's got you all hyped." "First and foremost," she said with a laugh. "What the hell are you wearing?" "They're just clothes," I said while rolling my eyes. "Got a job interview after school?" "Leave my clothes alone. What's your news?" She pulled out two concert tickets from the front pocket of her hoodie. "Guess who scored Panic! At The Disco tickets!" she screeched. "No way!" I snatched the tickets, "you're kidding right?" "My uncle Charlie gave them to me as an early birthday gift." My excitement sunk when I saw the date, [["that's the same night as prom.->that's the same night as prom..]]

"Yeah," she said with a giggle. "But it's not like we're going." When I didn't respond she let out a soft, "oh." "Wh... with who?" she asked cautiously. "Well," I began. "I've decided to ask Britney Cantrell." Kelsea nodded her head at my answer then took the tickets from my hand. "I really would like to go but..." "I get it," she said with a sad smile. She turned away from me and took off for the front door of the [[school.->school.]]

"Yeah," she said with a giggle. "But it's not like we're going." When I didn't respond she let out a soft, "oh." "Wh... with who?" she asked cautiously. "Well," I began. "I've decided to ask Britney Cantrell." "That explains the outfit I suppose," she said. "I thought it might be nice to put a little effort into what I looked like to try and snag the girl, ya know?" Kelsea nodded her head then took the tickets from my hand. "I really would like to go but..." "I get it," she said with a sad smile. She turned away from me and took off for the front door of the [[school.->school..]]

Well, that sucked. I'm not sure why she seemed so upset. There will be other concerts. But there's only one prom. I figured it might be smart to fix this now instead of waiting for [[later.->later. ]] Or since there was still a little time before school started I could make my way over to Britney and [[say hi.->blow off Kelsea.]]

Well, that sucked. I'm not sure why she seemed so upset. There will be other concerts. But there's only one prom. I figured it might be smart to fix this now instead of waiting for [[later.->later.]] Or since there was still a little time before school started I could make my way over to Britney and [[say hi.->blow off Kelsea. ]]

I looked over to where Britney stood with her friends and sighed. She would have to wait. Kelsea was more important right now. I jogged after her and found her on the backside of the school. She was standing against the wall pouting. "Kelsea," I began, but she held up a hand to cut me off. "I get it," she said. "It's not the first time you've chosen a girlfriend over me." "But I've never..." Her sad smile and a small nod of her head had me stop. [[I've made her feel like this before?->I've made her feel like this before? ]] [["What are you talking about?"]]

I looked over to where Britney stood with her friends and sighed. She would have to wait. Kelsea was more important right now. I jogged after her and found her on the backside of the school. She wiped her face when she heard me approaching and tried to play like she hadn't been crying. I was crushed. I made her cry. "Kelsea," I began, but she held up a hand to cut me off. "I get it," she said. "It's not the first time you've chosen a girlfriend over me." "But I've never..." Her sad smile and a small nod of her head had me stop. [[I've made her feel like this before?->I've made her feel like this before?]] [["Fuck, Kels, I'm so sorry.]]

"So, you ready for the test first period?" I asked her. "Not really," she answered. "I forgot to study." I pulled my book bag in front of me and pulled out the notes I had for the class. "Want to borrow my notes?" I asked. She looked around at her friends and smirked at me. "Or," she began. "Since you're the smartest guy in our class, you could just let me sit next to you and copy your answers." The idea of cheating didn't sit right with me. But I really liked this girl and my goal was to take her to prom. In order to do that I needed to get on her good side. "Okay," I said. The bell rang, and everyone started scurrying towards the door. [["See you in class!"->"See you in class!"]] she called out as she walked away.

"So, you ready for the test first period?" I asked her. "Not really," she answered. "I forgot to study." I pulled my book bag in front of me and pulled out the notes I had for the class. "Want to borrow my notes?" I asked. Her smile was wide, and she nodded her head and said, "You're a lifesaver." As I handed them over the bell for class rang. [["Walk me to class?"->"Walk me to class?"]] she asked.

By the time lunch rolled around a week later, I was walking on air. Britney was paying attention to me. We've had actual conversations, and I think she actually likes me. I was taking her out tonight to see a movie. I couldn't be more excited about it. Kelsea sat down in the open seat next to me. "I was saving that for..." "I know!" she snapped at me. "Everything okay?" I asked her. "No, yes," she said with a sigh. "I don't know." "What is that supposed to mean?" "You've forgotten about me," she answered. Shit. [["Kels..."->"Kels..."]] [[I haven't forgotten about you]]

By the time lunch rolled around a week later, I was walking on air. Britney was paying attention to me. We've had actual conversations, and I think she actually likes me. Although, there have been a few moments where I couldn't figure out if she was being mean or playful. I was taking her out tonight to see a movie. I couldn't be more excited about it. Kelsea sat down in the open seat next to me. "I was saving that for..." "I know!" she snapped at me. "Everything okay?" I asked her. "No, yes," she said with a sigh. "I don't know." "What is that supposed to mean?" "You've forgotten about me," she answered. [["Kels..."->"Kels... "]] [[I haven't forgotten about you ]]

"You must be Kelsea," Britney interrupted as she placed her tray on the table. "Yeah, hi," Kelsea responded. "It's great to finally meet you Eric talks about you all the time. You seem like a really great person." I ducked my head Kelsea turned to look at me. "You talk about me?" she asked. I shrugged my shoulders trying to appear nonchalant. "Yeah," I told her. [["You're my best friend Kels."->"You're my best friend Kels."]]

"You're in my seat," Britney snapped, and she dropped her tray down next to Kelsea. "Oh, right," Kelsea responded. "You're Kelsea, right? It's great to finally meet you. Eric doesn't ever shut up about you," She said. She gave Kelsea a once-over and shrugged her shoulders. "Personally, I don't know what he sees," Britney said with a scoff. I ducked my head when Kelsea turned to look at me. I was embarrassed and didn't know what to say. If I [[defended Kelsea->defended Kelsea]] Britney might call off our [[date->date]] tonight. But if I didn't speak up, I could really hurt my best friend.

"Kels you know you're my best friend, right?" When she smiled at me, it was sad. But she nodded her head. The bell rang over our heads signaling the start of the school day. "Go on Romeo," she said. [["Don't you have class with Juliet?" ->"Don't you have class with Juliet?" ]]

"You just always seem so distant when you're seeing someone," she said. "Kels, that's not gonna happen again." When she smiled at me, it was sad, like she didn't believe what I was saying. The bell rang over our heads signaling the start of the school day. [["Walk me to class?"]] she asked. I nodded my head and held out an elbow just like I always did. She looped her arm through mine, just like she always did. It got us a few funny looks, but we didn't care.

Dinner and a movie with Britney had been great. We laughed a lot and had so much in common. We were sitting outside her house now in my Honda Civic. I loved this car. I bought it myself with my own money from working at the diner for the last two years. I was proud of this car. "Most guys our age don't even have their own car yet. How did you manage?" Britney asked suddenly. I smiled because I loved bragging about my baby. "Earned the money myself with my part-time job." "That's so cool! So, part-time job huh? That means you're gonna be getting us a limo for prom?" "Assuming I ask you," I joked. "I'm sure you're planning a fabulous prom-posal as we speak," she said. Britney leaned over the console and kissed my cheek then whispered, "good night." My brain was still stuck on [["prom-posal."->"prom-posal."]] Fuck.

"Brit, knock it off," I said. She looked at me and raised her eyebrows in disbelief. "You're kidding right?" she asked. "There's just no need to be rude," I said with a sigh. "It's fine Eric," Kelsea said. "No, it's not," I said. "She doesn't need to talk to you like this." "You can't be serious?" Britney said and stomped her foot. I rolled my eyes but before I could comment about her acting like a child she huffed. "Fine," she said. "Her or me." Kelsea excused herself just as I said, "easy, her." Both girls looked at me in disbelief. "Her?" Britney screeched. "Me?" Kelsea said in disbelief. "Yup," I said nodding my head. "[[Kelsea,->Kelsea,]] every damn time." "Fine," snapped Britney. "I always knew you were in love with her anyway."

Dinner and a movie with Britney had been great. Well, when she hadn't been on her phone that is. It gave me time to remember that look on Kelsea's face when I didn't stand up for her. I've felt like shit all night. Now, we're sitting outside Britney's house in my Honda Civic. I loved this car. I bought it myself with my own money from working at the diner for the last two years. I was proud of this car. "Do you have to drive such a relic?" Britney asked suddenly. I ignored her jab at my baby and just shrugged. "You better have a limo for prom," she said. "Assuming I ask you," I joked. "I'm sure you're planning a fabulous prom-posal as we speak," she said. Britney leaned over the console and kissed my cheek then whispered, "good night." My brain was still stuck on [["prom-posal."->"prom-posal."]] Fuck.

Prom? By: Lana Grimes A story about a boy who builds his relationship with a girl he likes in order to ask her to prom. Even though the perfect girl was by his side all along. [[Following my dreams... Literally.]]

Britney and I were leaving the theatre when we saw Kelsea walking by. I called out to her with a smile and Britney scoffed. "What's wrong?" I asked. "Look, I get it she's your friend. But do we really need to include her on this date?" Britney whined. "Hey guys," Kelsea said as she approached. "How was the movie?" "Are you stalking us?" Britney snapped. "What?" Kelsea said confused. I needed to put an [[end to this quick->defended Kelsea]]

I was super nervous. Mrs. Clark the drama teacher said I could use her green room for one hour then I had to make sure it was back to normal for her evening rehearsals. Jackie and Natalie were in charge of getting Britney in here. I dug out the old Christmas lights from the attic at my house and looped them around the ceiling. I bought a dozen roses from the grocery store and pulled off the petals and spelled out ''PROM?'' If I was renting a limo, I needed to keep this a simple as possible. I thought it was awesome. My mom helped me out a bit and made three of Britney's favorite snacks. [[Chocolate covered strawberries.]] [[Peanut butter fudge.]] As well as [[vanilla cupcakes.]]

The next month seemed to fly by. I got back to my normal routine with Kelsea. Movie nights, once a month laser tag, dinner with each other's families. When I had to work, and she was off she would hang out at the diner and have dinner with me on my break. When she had to work, and I was off I'd bring her food on her break and eat outside the boutique. Externally nothing had changed. Internally, though. I found myself thinking and daydreaming about her. About if the dynamic between us. I could see now how everyone always assumed we're a couple. Just change 'hang out' to 'date' and it's the same exact thing for us. We skipped prom and opted for the concert. I'm standing behind her, and my hands are sweaty as hell. I feel like my heart is about to beat out of my chest. I decided last week this was the perfect place to kiss her. The noise and the chaos around us would hide any negative backlash, if there will be any that is. I took a deep breath and turned her around by her hip then laid my lips against hers. She gasped but quickly began to kiss me back. I can't believe I wasted so much time when the woman of my dreams was always by my side. The End This was ending 1 of 3. Start back to [[Following my dreams... Literally.]] to read one of the other endings!

Britney walked into the green room and her eyes grew wide. I smiled at her from across the room behind the petals on the floor. She walked over to me and plucked the strawberries from my hands. "So?" I asked. "I suppose," she said as she bit into her treat. My smile faltered a bit, that's it? I did all this, and I get an, "I suppose." I blew out a breath slowly trying to calm my nerves. It was still a yes, so I guess I'll take it. "Now clean this up," she said as she was walking away. "Well, that went well," I mumbled and flipped on the light to clean up the [[mess.]]

Britney walked into the green room and her eyes grew wide. I smiled at her from across the room behind the petals on the floor. She smiled kindly and flipped the switch on. "Wait, you're ruining the ambiance," I said quickly. "Eric," she said while carefully stepping over the rose petals. "I brought your favorite," I said as I held out the peanut butter fudge. She chuckled and shook her head and said, "that's not my favorite." "What?" "I can't go to prom with you, Eric," she continued. "But, why?" I ask confused. "Because you don't really want to be with me." "That's kind of the point to me asking you, Brit." "Peanut butter fudge is [[Kelsea's favorite.]]"

Britney walked into the green room and her eyes grew wide. I smiled at her from across the room behind the petals on the floor. She walked over to me her mouth open wide in shock. I chuckled a little when she squealed as I handed her the plate of cupcakes. "So?" I asked. "Yes!" she yelled before putting her treat down on the table and jumping into my waiting arms. "A thousand times, yes!" I laughed and twirled her around. A part of me couldn't believe she said yes! I blew out a breath slowly trying to calm my nerves. She gently pushed away from me. Her smile was brighter than the twinkling lights above our heads. She looked around and I watched her face as she took in everything. "It's a shame we have to clean this up," she said. "I took pictures." "Awesome! Now, let's straighten this up, so I can get to rehearsal." I kept sneaking peeks at her as she helped pick up the room. I couldn't believe I was going to prom with this [[beautiful soul]]

This whole night has been hell. No, this whole damn month has been a mess. Britney changed her mind about her dress six times, ''SIX'' times. Three times the color was the exact same. All were named differently, but I swear to god they were the same freaking color. Then the limo pulled up to her house tonight, she was standing on the front lawn with Brandon Walker. Her parents were taking their pictures. I was played. Now I'm sitting here in the corner like a loser. I can't believe I let this happen to me. I was contemplating making my way over to the spiked punch and drowning my sorrows when a vision in purple stepped into my line of sight. [[Holy shit!]]

This whole damn month has been a mess. Britney changed her mind about her dress six times, ''SIX'' times. Three times the color was the exact same. All were named differently, but I swear to god they were the same freaking color. As I twirled her around the dance floor, I couldn't help but feel like something was missing. "You okay?" Britney asked quietly. I nodded in response but wasn't sure if it was the truth. I wondered if Kelsea was having a good time at the concert. What she would say if she saw me in this penguin costume. Britney's giggle brought me out of my thoughts. "What?" I asked. "Dennis Kramer just stepped on Rose James's skirt." I hummed in response not really caring about the drama behind me. Kelsea would probably die laughing about it though. Kelsea. What the hell was I doing here? She's all I've ever really been able to think about. Why the hell wasn't she the one here in my arms? "Britney, I'm sorry. But I've gotta go." "She's a lucky girl," she said with a knowing smile. [["Thanks."->Kelsea's favorite.]]

Scalpers outside of concert venues are rip offs. It took me a whole paycheck just to get in here and the show is half over. My eyes scanned the crowd. This was going to be impossible. I remember her bragging about her tickets being in the pit. So, I headed down to the ground floor of the venue. The place was insane and there were so many people. I got stopped at the pit entrance and asked for a pass. Shit. I offered the guy a fifty and thankfully it worked. It took a half-hour of elbowing my way through people to find her. Without thinking I grabbed her arm and spun her around. She gasped and almost hit me, but I just smiled at her. "What are you doing here?" She yelled. Instead of answering I pulled her in and kissed her. When she kissed me back, I knew I had made the right choice coming here. This is where I belonged. The girl of my dreams was always by my side. I just hate that it took me this long to realize it. The end This was ending 3 of 3. Start back to [[Following my dreams... Literally.]] to read one of the other endings!

"What are you doing here?" "Heard a rumor this morning that Britney was playing you. I needed to make sure you were okay." "You could have just called, Kels," I said with a chuckle. She shrugged her shoulders in response. I had so many questions, but none of them wanted to leave my lips. Looking at her standing in front of me in that pretty dress made me realize how stupid I had been. I had the most beautiful girl on my arm the entire time. The girl of my dreams was none other than my best friend. I smiled at the thought and stood up. "Can I have this dance?" I asked reaching my hand out for hers. "I thought you'd never ask." My senior prom didn't turn out as I had envisioned. It was better. The end. This was ending 2 of 3. Start back to [[Following my dreams... Literally.]] to read one of the other endings!

"Then what the hell do you call it?" Kelsea asked. "I message you all the time," I said to her. "It's not the same," she mumbled. "We talked about this." [["Kels..."]] I said gently.

She rolled her eyes at me. "I haven't," I insisted. "Then what the hell do you call it?" she asked. [["Kels... "]]

She gave me a sad smile. "Maybe I'm just being a little dramatic," she said. "It just seems like whenever you find someone you're interested in; I get left behind. Especially if they're not okay with you having a female bestie." I sighed and pulled her into a hug. This girl meant the world to me. "You know what the difference is?" I asked her as I pulled away. She shrugged her shoulders. "You're still here." She snorted and rolled her eyes. "Okay," she said. [["Walk me to class?"]]

"Why didn't you ever say anything?" I asked her. "Well," she said with a sigh. "I didn't want to come off as pushy or annoying. I wanted you to be with me because you wanted to. Not because I whined about you not spending time with me." The way she said that made my stomach flutter. It was weird, I've never thought of Kelsea as anything more than a friend. Yet here I am suddenly wondering what it would actually be like to be with her. I shook the thought out of my head, that was just crazy. "This time is going to be different," I told her. "I promise." "I'll hold you to that," she said and gave me a small smile. "Why don't I walk you to class?" I offered. [["I'd like that."]]

I split my time between Britney and Kelsea as best as I could. Britney always seemed distracted by her phone when we hang out though. It was getting really annoying. We were leaving the movie theatre when I heard her suddenly scoff in disgust. "Everything okay?" I asked. "Must she always follow you around?" She asked. Confused, I looked in the direction she was and saw Kelsea. I felt a smile widen on my face. She was leaving the Ice cream shop next to the theatre. Picking up her dad's favorite rocky road sundae if I had to guess. Before I could say anything Britney was stomping off in her direction. "Can't you get your own boyfriend?" she snapped at her. Kelsea turned to look at her with wide eyes. "Excuse me?" she asked. "You heard me," Britney said. "I've had enough of you hanging around all over Eric." "Now wait a minute," I said trying to interrupt. "Newsflash sweetie," Kelsea said to Britney. "You don't own him. He can do whatever he wants with whoever he wants." Britney gasped and turned my way. "You need to decide right now who's more important to you," she snapped at me. "Her or me?" I shrugged my shoulders and said, [["Kelsea."->Kelsea,]] Britney's jaw dropped open before she screeched and stomped away.