The news spread like wildfire—prom was just three days away. The college halls buzzed with excitement as students debated dress colors, matching ties, and who they hoped to ask out. I couldn't help but notice Scarlet laughing with a group of girls by the lockers, her smile lighting up the corridor. My heart pounded as I wondered if she already had someone in mind.
I never considered myself the prom-going type. The idea of dressing up and slow dancing seemed foreign, but something about the thought of seeing Scarlet in a gorgeous dress made it all make sense. Chris slapped me on the back, interrupting my thoughts.
"Yo, dude. You good?" he asked, eyebrow raised.
Evan smirked. "You look like you're planning a heist."
"I... I was just thinking about prom," I admitted, trying to sound nonchalant.
Chris grinned. "Thinking about asking Scarlet?"
I gave a half-shrug, not wanting to give them the satisfaction of seeing me nervous. "Maybe."
Evan leaned against the lockers, his tone playful. "You better move fast. She's probably got a line of guys waiting to ask her."
That thought made my chest tighten. I couldn't just wait around and risk someone else taking her. I took a deep breath and walked over to Scarlet, trying to ignore my heartbeat echoing in my ears. She looked up as I approached, her eyes brightening.
"Hey," I greeted, scratching the back of my neck. "So... prom is coming up."
Her smile was a little more reserved, but still warm. "Yeah, everyone's talking about it. Are you planning to go?"
"Actually, I was thinking... would you like to go with me?" The words tumbled out faster than I intended.
Scarlet's expression softened, and a light blush colored her cheeks. "I'd like that."
Relief washed over me, and I couldn't help but smile. "Cool. I'll... uh, figure out the details."
She chuckled softly. "Looking forward to it."
Back with Chris and Evan, I couldn't hide my grin. "She said yes."
They both laughed and patted my shoulder. "Knew you had it in you," Chris teased.
Later that evening, the three of us headed out to find something decent to wear. We ended up in a clothing store downtown, where racks of suits and dress shirts made me feel even more out of my element.
"Why are there so many colors?" I muttered, holding up a dark blue blazer.
Chris snatched it from my hand. "Dude, you gotta look sharp. You're taking Scarlet. Go for something that'll actually make an impression."
Evan pointed at a sleek black suit. "Try this one. Classic and not too flashy."
After a few attempts and a lot of rejected combinations, I finally found a suit that looked right—black with a subtle blue pattern on the tie. Chris gave a thumbs-up while Evan nodded approvingly.
"Now you just gotta survive the dancing part," Chris joked.
I rolled my eyes. "One step at a time."
We wrapped up the shopping spree, and I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and nerves. The thought of spending the evening with Scarlet was enough to make me forget the awkwardness of dancing.
When the day of prom finally arrived, I couldn't help but glance at the suit hanging by my closet. My phone buzzed with a message from Chris: "Don't chicken out tonight."
I took a deep breath. No way I was backing down. Not after coming this far.