Forty-One

February 2020

One of my last wishes is to attend prom.

Prom.

The night where you get to see the true beauty of everyone. An exciting, fun, memorable night for all of the students, specially me.

Every prom night I get to hang out with my friends freely. I can dance and eat and have fun and actually, get wild also. So, in my limited time left, I want to experience all of it.

My favorite night of the year, I want to live and experience it for one last time.

The event starts in less than 3 hours so I could really use some rest first before going out in there and have fun. But, not that very fun because if I go all out I could totally achieve my last breath there.

So, just fun but with limitations.

At my desk while I stare blankly outside the window, I get to think about everyone that is getting ready by now. I could imagine the girls with their best friends doing something like make up or panicking what dress to pick. Well, some might still be on last minute shopping.

While the girls get ready, I'm sure the boys are just there chilling and playing some games with their consoles just like my brothers right now.

With the thoughts roaming in my head, I heard my door creaked open, so I automatically looked behind and saw my mother peaking.

"Hey, Mom." I greeted her with a smile.

"Hey, hon, I am just checking in on you." she explained. "Aren't you supposed to get ready?" she followed up a question.

"Mom, the event is at 6:00 so I'm pretty sure I'm good. I could still change clothes in less than 10 minutes." I chuckled after. She slightly smiled and entered my room.

She sat on Archer's bed and observed my room. I watched her sit there and observe, until I spoke to break the silence. "Everything alright?"

She immediately looked at me. "Yeah." she shortly replied. "I was just...uh...looking at the stuffs in your room."

I then looked around in my room too and went back to look at mom. And there, a tear suddenly fell from her eyes. She immediately wiped it away, not knowing that I saw it.

"Mom." I whispered and went beside her, limping. Then she started sobbing while still looking at my stuffs. "Mom, hey." I called her in a whisper. She then looked at me, still having tears in her eyes.

I looked at her face directly. "What did I say about crying? Avoid that, remember?" I reminded.

"I know, son, but I'm sorry. I couldn't help it."

"I'm still here, Mom. Don't cry on me now. To be honest, don't ever cry. I know it hurts because I, too, am hurt. But, there's nothing we can do now. We gotta accept it."

"Maybe there is, hon. Maybe we could still go to the—"

I held both of her hands firmly to stop her from shaking. "Mom, listen to me." I said. "There's nothing we can do now, okay? It's there we gotta accept it. We can't deny what the fate provides us. And mine, is this. My time given is only short, but still, I could use a little more of it. So, I'm here, spending it. Enjoying it."

She couldn't respond or talk, instead she nodded and smiled at me. We both hugged each other afterwards.

It sucks that you have to see your mother like that. Suffering silently. It just gets me every time I see them like that. I don't want them to cry over me. I know it can't be prevented, it's inevitable. But still, I just don't want seeing them like that.

While walking on our way to school, the sound of beats and the rays of colorful lights coming through the stadium of our school, caught my attention. I could already feel the vibes of the night.

"You okay?" Alexander chimed in from my back. I gave him a quick nod and smiled then looked back to the stadium. "It's gonna be a good night." he added. We both proceeded on walking until we get to the event place.

The stadium is full of colors. You'll see girls looking pretty in their nice shiny dresses and guys looking dope in their marvelous suits. There is a big silver glittery ball on the two sides of the stage and a DJ on one side.

Foods and beverages are located on the left side of the stadium. Seats and tables on the right side and, of course, a big dance floor on the middle. Just like every prom nights that you commonly see on TV shows.

My observing of the stadium was interrupted when I heard Irish's voice coming from one of the tables. Alexis separated from us and went to his friends while Alexander and I bought our way from the entrance to our friends' table.

They were all looking beautiful and handsome. It's like I just had friends that came from a wonderful kingdom. Their dresses and suits were looking royal.

"Holy shit, I didn't know I have friends from Narnia." I joked while I take a seat. Alexander placed my crutches behind my chair.

Looking at my friends, I suddenly recognized an unfamiliar face sitting with us, beside Maddie.

"I didn't know we have another friend." I said, staring at the guy. Alexander then also turned his attention to the guy whom I was talking about.

Alexander leaned forward on the table. "No offense, man, but, remind us who are you?"

Maddie was the one to answer. "Well, guys, this is Manolito. He is from Spain and he is..." she turned to look at the guy. "..mi novio."

"What does that mean?" I asked, confused.

"It stands for 'my boyfriend'." that Manolito guy spoke. My jaw dropped on the table.

"Did—Did I just heard that right?" I stuttered still looking confused at Maddie and his boyfriend.

"I'm pretty sure you heard that right." Alexander responded, also looking at the two. They all cracked a laugh and told us that their reaction was the same as ours when they found out about it too.

"Hola, I—I mean, Hi." Manolito talked. His voice was not that deep, but it is deep, but it's not that deep, but it's somehow deep. I don't know, I can't explain. His hair was colored in brunette and his eyes were dark.

"Mi amor, estos son Asher y Alexander. My friends." Maddie said. I didn't know what that meant but I think she is introducing us.

The guy held his hand to the both of us and we did a handshake. "Well, that is a big flash news." Alexander chuckled.

Knowing that Maddie has a boyfriend and we all just found about it now, it made the night more interesting.

All are now dancing to the DJ's music. They were all rocking it on the dance floor. Along with the beats of those wonderful lights makes the vibes more enjoyable. And I'm there, in the table, watching my friends have fun.

I'm going to miss this. All of it.

I'm gonna miss seeing this view. I'm gonna miss them just being themselves. Sometimes I just remind myself how thankful I am to have friends like them. I wonder what would happen to me if they weren't my friends.

Along with the hiphop beats that I am hearing, the sound and atmosphere suddenly changed. The song switched into a slow calming song. Actually, I recognize it.

The Good Side by Troye Sivan, one of my favorites.

The students started taking partners and they slowly danced in the medley. I see Maddie with his boyfriend, Manolito, swinging with the crowds. Irish with Alexander. And Justin with Cristina. They were all dancing and feeling the music.

Then I realized someone is missing. I turned around and saw Mika and Agatha. It turns out that they were there in the table with me the whole time. "Why aren't you two dancing?" I grinned at them.

"You know I don't dance, Ash. Besides I don't have someone to dance with." Mika answered.

"Well, do you wanna dance with me?"

"With you? No. I'd rather just stay here. You're not good at dancing."

"Ouch." I laughed. Mika and Agatha shared a laugh too.

"No, but seriously, Ash." Agatha aid. "We're good." They smiled and I smiled back to them. Agatha then pointed out his finger, "Maybe you should ask her."

I turned to look and see a girl in the table sitting alone too. It was Candice. I haven't noticed her since I came here, but now that Mika pointed her, I wanted to take the chance and ask her then.

"Are you sure you're gonna be fine here?" I asked them before I leave.

"We are." Agatha smiled. "Now, get your Juliet, Romeo."

I stood up from my seat and went Candice limping. I forgot that I still need my crutches to walk properly but I didn't want that now. I can still walk, well, barely but that should still work.

On my way to her, to Candice, she immediately noticed me and stood up. "Oh, hey. Where's your crutches? Why are you walking on your own?" she threw me a bunch of questions.

"I could still walk, Candice. Okay?" I chuckled a bit. "Why are you alone?" I asked.

"My friends are dancing. They're in there." she pointed to the dance floor. I glanced to the direction where she pointed and looked back to her.

"Well, do you want to dance too?" I invited her while smiling like a puppy.

Her mouth parted open and then closed. She kept looking back from me to the dance floor. "Yeah, sure." she finally answered.

That respond gained me a smile.

"But, you need to get your crutches. Safety first, Asher, okay?" she ordered. I nodded at her while still smiling.

"Yeah, sure." I said and went to the table to get my crutches.

Both of us went to the dance floor, joining the other students. I laid my hands on Candice's waist with my underarm resting in my crutches. She rested both of her hands in my shoulders and we both started swaying with the music.

I can't buff any words to say. We just danced and swayed along with the calm rhythm. She then spoke, "Are you enjoying the night?"

"Yeah." I responded, smiling. "So far, it's very fascinating."

The music vibes with us. Every move we make, every turn, every sway, the music follows. It's like we are dancing in melody. I had the same joy when Candice and I played on the arcade way back my last year's birthday. But, in this time, it's more romantic.

"Candice," I spoke. She looked at me in stern. "Ever since I met you, my whole life changed. The first time I saw you, I know that you will be the one that will be the cause of my happiness. And it's true. You are the cause of my happiness. And I am really glad that I met you. I'm glad that you're the girl that I'm in love with."

She was speechless. She just stared into my eyes while smiling. "I'm glad too, Asher." she said, breaking the silence that she was in earlier. "I'm glad that I met you too."

She then stepped closer and embraced me warmly. I moved my hands from her waist to her back to embrace her too. We hugged and stayed with that position while we still dance and sway. The dance lasted for at least 5 more minutes longer.

Then performance time came.

Some students have volunteered to perform their own talents. Some danced like Maddie and Cristina. My classmate Jane sang a song while Jason do the guitar. Mika, Candice, and Agatha also sang, but as a group, and they were amazing. They could literally form a band and start making their own songs.

Then it was my turn. As Mr. Eric called my name (he's one of the hosts for the night) I immediately got nervous while the crowd started cheering and clapping.

I walked my way through the crowd while Alexander guides me and got to the stage. I mouthed thank you to him and walked to the middle.

The view was very familiar to me. The moment from when Roller introduced me to everyone before the sports tournament, flashes back to my mind. The view is very much the same.

I held the microphone that is standing in front of me and spoke, "Hello." I muttered and coughed. "Good evening everyone. I will be performing a song—well, actually, this is the only song that I know to play in the guitar."

I heard the crowd laughing. "So, bare with me." I continued. "This is called Line Without A Hook by Ricky Montgomery."

Then I sang the song.

"I don't really give a damn about the way you touch me when we're alone. You can hold my hand if no one's home. Do you like it when I'm away? If I went and hurt my body, baby, would you love me the same?" While I sing my whole heart out, the crowd really helps me along with my performance.

I can see the satisfaction in their eyes. They liked the song. It's like I am a very lucky protagonist on some high school teen-drama movie that everyone loves. I kept on singing and smiling while the crowd swayed their heads, vibin' to the song.

Some even put their hands up and waved them along with the rhythm. Almost at the end of the song, along with the lyrics that my mouth performs, I locked my eyes to one girl that I caught smiling.

"...he's singing 'She's a, she's a lady, and I am just a boy'. He's singing, 'She's a, she's a lady, and I am just a line without a hook'

Baby, I am a wreck when I'm without you, I need you here to stay. I broke all my bones that day I found you, crying at the lake. Was it something I said to make you feel like you're a burden, oh. And if I could take it all back, I swear that I would pull you from the tide."

After singing the last sentence, I smiled and bowed. The crowd cheered and clapped and jumped and everything. They liked the performance. I am very happy and contented.

After my performance, it is time to announce the prom king and queen. I was nominated for prom king by, of course, my annoying brother, Alexander. But, I didn't vote for myself earlier when they handed the voting sheets.

I don't want to be prom king. It's not my place.

Everybody went silent and waited for the announcement of the winner. "So, according to the votes, our prom queen for tonight is..." Ms. Hazel did a cliffhanger-kind-of-thing announcement. "Bethany Agatha Harriet!"

All of us cheered and clapped. Her reaction says it all. She didn't expect to become the queen of the night. She walked to the stage as Mr. Eric started to announce the prom king.

"And, of course, a queen will always have it's king. So, to complete it off, our prom king for tonight is..." he did the exact same cliffhanger-kind-of-thing like Ms. Hazel did. "Lucas Asher Elcarpe!"

And there, I stiffened. Startled. I wasn't really expecting for this. The crowd also cheered and clapped but I wasn't really that happy. While walking to the stage I can see Agatha smiling and waving at me. I smiled back at her and went up to the stage.

Mr. Eric put the crown above my head while Ms. Hazel took care of the tiara for Agatha.

Both of us, Agatha and I, faced the crowd and smiled happily. But, I still wasn't feeling the happiness I think Agatha deserves a better king than me.

So, I came up with a decision.

I stole the microphone from Mr. Eric and went back beside Agatha. "So, um," I started. "Hello, again, everyone. I just wanna express my gratitude, well, I mean I didn't even expect to be nominated as a prom king until Alexander the bastard here put me in the list on the last minute."

The crowd chuckled. "But, uh, thank you. To all of you. Unfortunately, I think someone else deserves this spot. A better partner for the queen of the night." I turned to glance at Agatha, smiled, and looked back to the crowd. "So, I'm passing this crown to someone that really deserves it. And a better pair for my friend here."

I walked down the stage, bought my way to the crowd and reached at the person that I am talking about. I pulled him to the stage with me and guided him to go beside Agatha.

I then placed the crown rightfully on the top of his head then held the microphone again, "Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce to you the royalties of the night," I spoke.

"King Cole Andrew Sauner and Queen Bethany Agatha Harriet!"

The crowd cheered and shouted happily. "Way to go, Agatha!" someone said. I handed the mic back to Mr. Eric then clapped while staring at the two. Agatha always had a big crush to Mr. Cole. She fancies him so much.

Both of them had their special dance at the middle of the dance floor while the whole crowd watched. I can see the happiness in Agatha's eyes and I'm happy with that. She once mouthed "thank you" at me while they dance.

The night was really good. I am very happy to be able to get this moment before my time runs out.