Prom Night

“Woah. You guys did one hell of a job, Joey.” Matt said, amazed as they all entered the massive venue.

“It’s not bad. Good job, Joseph.” Jessica said, looking herself over in her phone camera.

“I’m not sure whether to take that as a compliment or to take it as an insult.” He responded.

“It’s a compliment. It genuinely looks good. Although the streamers could’ve been a different color. They don’t match the overall style.”

“Huh. I didn’t even notice that.” Joey muttered.

“Enough of Jessica’s nitpicking. Let’s just have fun, huh?” Chris said, raising his arms in the air.

“Hell yeah!” Hailey agreed as Adorn by Miguel started to play throughout the room.

“Michael! Let’s go dance.” She pulled him away from the group and into the sea of teenagers.

“Yo, Jordan! What’s up, man?” A boy, their age called out to him from the snack table.

This boy was Kenneth Richards. He was apart of Jordan's martial arts class.

“Kenny!” Jordan walked away from the group and towards him.

“Lookin’ good, dude. Who’d you come with to this fine event?” Kenny smirked, holding a cup of fruit punch.

“Hannah Washington.” Jordan answered.

“Holy shit! Look at you, man.” Kenny patted Jordan’s shoulder.

“Thanks. Who’d you come with?” Jordan grabbed two cups. “Was it Steph?”

“Yeah it was Steph. She asked me out last week. Wanted to keep it on the low, y’know?” Kenny took a sip of his beverage.

“It’s about damn time. You and her have been tiptoeing around that whole thing for too long.” Jordan joked.

“Yeah, well it’s been great seeing you here, man. Enjoy your night.” Kenny gave him a pat on the shoulder before walking away, likely back towards Stephanie.

Jordan turned his gaze to see Melanie and Sam dragging Hannah out onto the dance floor.

A sudden wave of discomfort hit him like a truck and he needed to get out of there ASAP.

“I need air, it’s too packed in here.” He said to his sister as he set down the two cups he was holding at the table the group had decided to occupy.

“Woah, what’s wrong? Y’alright? You’re sweating hard as hell.” She asked, concerningly.

“I need to get outta here. I need some air.”

Hailey nodded. “Call me if you need anything.” 

With her approving nod, he hurriedly rushed out of the room, shoving open the doors leading to the venue’s parking lot. He cursed angrily under his breath, and then he ran his hands roughly through his hair, muttering to himself as he walked down the stairs leading to the pier.

—————————————————————————
Dim lighting, loud music, a sea of teenagers.

Chris could see the discomfort Ashley was experiencing, he knew she wasn’t one to be out in crowds. She was always the type of girl to sit in her room reading some fantasy novels about some chump attempting to save a damsel in distress.

It wasn’t his type of pastime but he did admire her love for books.

He felt a hand slip on his shoulder. Turning his head, he saw Jessica giving him a grin.

“Ask her to dance. You know you want to.”

Before walking away and being sucked into the crowd, she gave him a wink.

Alright, Chris. You’ve gotten this far.

He turned his head to look at Ashley, who occupied the table the group had claimed.

He could hear the beating of his heart pounding in his eardrums as he looked at her.

“Are you ok, Chris?” She looked up at him with an awkward smile.

He snapped out of his trance. “Y-Yeah. Sorry. Got lost in thought.”

Ask her.

With a deep breath, he outstretched his hand to her.

“Would you like to dance?”

Her eyes lit up as she stood to take his hand in hers. “I’d like that.”

—————————————————————————

Hannah looked around the room.

Where’d hego?

“What’s wrong?” Sam asked.

“Where’s Jordan?”

“He’s probably off with the guys.” Melanie said.

“I’m gonna go look for him.” Hannah excused herself from the pair.

She made her way through the crowd of people, seeing couples dancing together to the music blasting through the speakers.

Scanning the crowd she found Leon and Joey chatting, no Jordan in sight.

“Sup, Hannah.”

“Have you seen Jordan?” She asked.

Leon looked around. “Last I saw him, he was at the snack table talking to Kenny. After that, I haven’t seen him.”

She sighed. “Thank you.”

There’s Chris and Ashley. Wait…are they dancing? Together?

“Sorry to interrupt your beautiful moment but have you seen Jordan?”

The pair looked at her with blushed faces.

“No, I haven’t seen him since earlier.” Chris shook his head.

“Dammit.”

“You should check the table.” Ashley pointed in the direction of their table.

“Or try your luck with Hailey. She usually keeps tabs on him.”

—————————————————————————

He paced back and forth internally beating himself up.

For Christ’s sake, Jordan. Get a hold of yourself. You’ve been doing this forever. How much longer are you going to hide your feelings from her? Just get it over with and tell her so you can finally be at peace.

With a sigh, he plopped down onto the bench and ran hands over his face.

He was so deep in thought that he hadn't hear the sound of heels clacking against the concrete approaching his vicinity. “Hey, are you feeling alright?" 

He nearly jumped out of his skin when he heard a voice from behind. “Son of a bitch!” 

“Oh my gosh! I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to scare you!” Hannah said, walking towards him with a giggle.

“Oh. Hannah. It’s just you.”

“Yup, just me, Hannah Washington.”

“Sorry I freaked out, you caught me off guard.”

“I noticed.” She said with two plates of cake in her hand. “I brought you some cake. I thought you’d like some.”

“Oh. Thanks.” He said, taking one from her hands.

“What’re you doing out here sulking all alone? Hailey told me you came out here.” She said, taking a bite of the cake.

“It’s nothing. Mind’s running a mile a minute.”

Hannah couldn't help but wonder by his tone if he was telling her the truth. Not like it really mattered anyway. He didn't have to tell her anything if he wasn’t comfortable doing so. She stepped forward before turning her back against the railing and leaning beside him as she continued to eat her cake.

Jordan snapped back into reality when he came to the realization that it was just them.

Alone. Talking. Sort of.

"You?" He asked, finally taking a bite of his cake.

"I guess I could say the same.” She replied ambiguously, also not wanting to divulge into it. 

They both sat in the quiet for a moment, listening to the party raging inside. Their friends, likely either dancing or getting into trouble as per usual.

“You look great, Han. I know I should have said it earlier but better late than never, right?” 

She could feel all the blood in her body rush to her face. She knew very well that he was genuinely complimenting her, but it somewhat felt like he was subtly flirting when he complimented only her. 

“I uh uh…Thank you. I really did try to do something different. Plus Beth and Sam were insistent about looking like…this.” 

“Well. I think you did great.” He gave her a gentle smile. “Honestly, you should wear your contacts more. You look hot without your glasses frankly.”

He covered his mouth with both of his hands and realized what he’d just said.

Oh wow, dude. Great going, you fucking dumbass.

Now she could tell he was really flirting with her. Hannah’s heart raced once the sentence processed in her mind. 

Did he just....

“I'm so sorry, Hannah. I shouldn’t have said that.” He profusely apologized. “It just slipped out.”

Hannah was still in too much shock to say really anything. Her face was about as red as a fire hydrant and her heart was practically beating out of her chest. The next thing the two of them knew, they were kissing. On the lips. Passionately.

The way it felt when Hannah’s lips crashed against his was nothing like he had ever pictured, let alone what he had expected from her. He didn’t know what to do as she tightened her grip on the collar of his shirt.

When his lips broke from hers, Hannah snapped back because it had all been so sudden and unexpected. 

Oh my god. What did I just do?”

His lips stung from the rush of it all. He just looked at her with his big, dumb but beautifully confused eyes as he soothed his sore lips with his fingertips.

“I-I’m so sorry, Jordan! I didn’t mean for that to hap-“

He shut her up by placing his hand on her cheek and interlocking his lips with her once again, only it was more passionate than the first had been.

She could taste a mixture of the cake and the fruit punch that he’d been drinking and he could taste the lip gloss that she had on. It was rather a sweet taste actually. Strawberry. He liked strawberries. Whether it was a coincidence or not, it didn’t matter within that moment.

As she pushed her body against his, she could feel his hands gently hold onto her neck. Their heart rates accelerated the more the moment continued to last.

When she decided that she had enough, she stepped back in utter disbelief.

“Hannah, I don’t want to ruin everything. I truly don’t but I need to get this out before it gets too late.”

She looked at him worryingly but regardless listened intently.

He let out a sigh and continued.

"Hannah, I love you. Truly. I’ve had this crush on you for so long and I can't keep it from you anymore. Every time we’re together, my heart can’t help but yearn for you. If this causes you to decide that you don’t want to be around me anymore then I wholeheartedly understand and accept that decision. I just thought it was fair for me to tell you. Even if it's too late."

She was taken aback. Her heart fluttered with his confession.

Jordan Alexander Lanshire just confessed to her. She’d always assumed he had a crush on a totally different girl but the way he just kissed her made it crystal clear that SHE was the girl.

He was actually everything that she believed Mike was.

 Jordan and Mike were total opposites and that caused them to often butt heads like two rams showing who’s the superior being. Jordan cherished Hannah’s feelings while Mike didn’t even acknowledge them. If he had then he would’ve put a stop to the prank in the first place.

Jordan was always a sweet guy, putting his needs second to those around him. 

She vividly remembered his behavior the night of the prank. He wasn’t a drinker because of his martial arts principles, meaning was sober that entire night and pissed couldn’t even begin to describe how he felt towards everyone involved, although his temper did eventually mellow out with Matt and Ashley, he never really got over how Jessica, Emily and Michael had heavy influence in it all.

When both he and Melanie went after her and Beth, something Mike didn’t even bother to do, she just assumed he did it because everybody else urged him to but it was Hailey who told her that he willingly went after them. 

The way he cared about her was through the roof and everyone in their circle could see it. She wasn’t sure how she never picked up on his crush on her, let alone what he saw in her. She was frankly such a slice of white bread compared to most other girls. He could’ve had ANY girl but it was her that he chose.

Sam, Beth and Melanie especially joked about how he looked at her and how oblivious she was to it because of her own crush on Mike. 

He deserved a girl that he could heavily relate to, not a girl who was extremely insecure about herself, stayed in her room and gave her hopes up dreaming of marriage with someone who didn’t give a single damn about her. 

He deserved so much better than whatever she was. So she asked the question. 

“Why? Why me? What’s so special about me?” She asked lightly.

“Everything is special about you, Hannah.” He held her cheek in his hand.

“Jordan, be serious with yourself. Me? I’m such a stale piece of bread it’s not even funny. I don’t really have anything special about me. You could have literally any girl in the world but you chose…ME?”

“You’re nothing like any other girl. At least not to me.” He answered, grabbing her hand. “You’ve got brains…heart...humor. You’re everything I’ve ever wanted in a girl, Hannah.”

She was taken aback. He saw things in her that she didn’t see herself and it warmed her heart.

“What’s goin' on, guys?" The pair were interrupted when they turned to see Leon standing there.

He looked Hannah up and down once before his eyes then fell to his best friend, a devilish smile appearing then. “Did I interrupt something?" He smugly asked.

"Nah, man. I was just coming back inside.” Jordan said, nervously putting his hands in his pockets.

The two knew if they didn't get it together they were going to give away what really happened but Leonardo Price was no fool. He knew damn well what happened, even if he wasn’t there to witness the moment. Or that’s what they thought at least.

“Y’alright, man? You look really on edge. Plus everyone was starting to get worried and by everyone I mean your sister.”

"What? Are you her personal assistant, now?" Jordan snorted.

“Hardy har, but seriously I just came out here to make sure you’re alright like the bestest bro I am.”

“Yeah, I’m alright. I was just about to come in.” He said, a smile on his face.

Looking back at Hannah, she stood dumbfounded, trying to process everything that had transpired.

“Hey.” He said, reaching his hand out to her. “C’mon. I wouldn’t want you to get cold out here.”

“I just need a minute. If that’s ok.” She said, fidgeting with her fingers.

“It’s perfectly fine. Take your time.” He said, walking away.

I just....kissed Jordan Lanshire. Not once but TWICE. And he confessed his love for me? Am I dreaming? Is this a figment of my imagination? What if Leon tells the others?

She sits down on the bench and nervously adjusts her dress.

Matter of fact...what if he tells the others himself?

“What’s up, Stargirl?”

“Oh! H-Hey, Hailey.” Hannah straightened up.

“Relax. I already know what happened.” Hailey said, leaning backward against the railing in front of Hannah. “I put two and two together.”

“Did you come to tease me about it?” Hannah blushed.

“Not at all.” Hailey adjusted her cuffs. “I came to congratulate you.”

“For what?” Hannah raised an eyebrow.

“I’m happy for you. Seriously it’s about time Jordan grew a pair. I seriously got tired of seeing him dance around his feelings like a baby.”

Hannah giggled.

“We bet five bucks worth for each kiss.” Hailey let a laugh out. "I bet that it’d be more than just one.”

“You guys bet on it?” Hannah gave a shocked expression.

“Oh most definitely! It was a monumental moment. I mean c’mon! Jordan’s been crushing on you since the very moment he laid eyes on you. We were surprised you’re this oblivious to not notice it.”

“I mean I always assumed that he had a girlfriend. He always talked about this girl but he would never explicitly say what her name was.” Hannah said.

“Oh Hannah Hannah Hannah. Dearest Hannah. You’ve been bamboozled.” Hailey placed a hand on the girl’s shoulder. “That’s because you were crushing on Class President Dumbass. Jordan's a total virgin. Never even kissed a girl. All because he wanted it to be with YOU.”

Hannah sat even more dumbfounded than before, not sure what to believe. “This doesn’t feel real…”

“Oh it’s real.” Hailey chuckled. “You and my brother kissed.”

Hannah hunched over and hid her face in her hands.

“Believe me, he’s just as shocked as you are.” Hailey placed a hand on her shoulder.

Hannah sat up and looked at Hailey. “Thank you, Hailey. You’re a lifesaver.”