56 ¦ Prom Night

                                    

                                          
Today was Saturday and the day of the prom. I had gotten ready with Jennie and a few of her friends at her house and we would be picked up by our escorts in half an hour. I didn't quite understand why it was necessary to meet with so many before a school event when almost everyone was going there individually anyway, but I had finally gotten carried away with peer pressure. 

Well, and now I was sitting here with Jennie and three more of her friends. They were giggling and laughing and talking about stuff I had no idea about. 

By now I was already regretting my decision, but I also didn't want to be the only one sitting around waiting for her to be picked up by her companion. Besides, it would have been stupid for Theo, too, who surely wanted to ride together with his friends. 

"Clara!" suddenly called one of the girls, whose name I think was Elea. She was small and somewhat Asian in appearance, just like me. "You haven't done your hair yet! Oh God, and no makeup either!" Immediately, the other girls' eyes were on me as well. 

I wanted to explain that I was actually already done and just wanted to keep my makeup simple, but by then I was being pulled onto a chair by Jennie and all four girls at once were messing with my hair and face. I didn't even get a chance to really fight back, so I quickly let it go. 

It took a little longer than half an hour for the girls to finish their work, so one of them had to let the boys in, who were waiting downstairs. When I looked at myself in the mirror, I was relieved at first that the others hadn't gone as overboard with the makeup as they had with themselves. 

My hair was pinned into a low chignon at the back of my head, and somewhere someone had conjured up a little pearl ribbon that was braided into my hair like a tiara. My eye shadow matched the color of my dress and I was very pleased with my overall appearance. 

When everyone else had also taken one last scrutinizing look in the mirror, we grabbed our things and finally made our way downstairs. I walked in the back and was the last to arrive downstairs. Theo stood on the landing and held out his hand for the last few steps before hugging me in greeting. I couldn't help but notice how handsome he was and how accommodating he was. Not for the first time, I wished I didn't have so much trouble getting involved with him. 

"Hey." I said a little shyly. "Hi" He looked at me smiling and raised a hand for me to turn under, which I did laughing. "You look incredibly pretty." He stated, making me blush. "Thank you." "I agree with him." Said Riki, who had come up next to me with Jennie. I punched him in the arm, knowing exactly how embarrassed that made me. 

"Shall we go?" Elea called from the door and everyone agreed in anticipation. Outside we split up because two couples didn't have a car available. Theo and I went with Elea and her companion. 

We two girls had immediately agreed to take a seat in the back seat and we talked incredibly much the whole way, which I had not expected at all. When we arrived at the school and got out, the others were already there, so we didn't have to wait in the cold but could go straight in. 

After we dropped off our jackets and stepped into the auditorium where the prom was being held, my mouth dropped open. I knew that a lot of money and effort always went into school events, but I still didn't expect this result.

The walls were hung with blue ceilings and the ceiling was also arched. In the center hung a glowing moon and stars twinkled everywhere. In the middle of the dance floor there was even a small fountain from which water actually flowed. A/N: lowkey drunk-dazed vibes

I couldn't get out of my amazement and almost didn't notice that the others had already moved on, but Theo pulled me along. We all lined up at the photo corner. While we waited and the others talked to each other, I automatically let my eyes wander over the crowd, looking for a dark mop of hair but Heeseung was nowhere to be seen. 

When it was our turn, Theo and I stood next to each other and smiled at the camera. The moment the photographer pressed the shutter, I saw Jay returning my gaze. I wasn't sure if my smile faded in the picture either, but when Theo looked at me, I quickly forced it back. 

We followed the others to a table in a corner and I sat down next to Elea. By now she had become my only point of contact among the girls, because I could talk to her really well and she seemed a little more open to me than the others. 

"So..." I murmured to her when I could be sure no one was listening. "How long does something like this usually go on?" She laughed out. Her laugh was pleasant and heartfelt. It only made me like her all the more. "Very direct." She stated, but didn't seem angry or anything, but rather showed understanding.

"Most of them stay that way until twelve. I think Theo is more the type to stay longer, but if you want to leave early, he'll drive you home. He'll probably be the only one staying sober anyway, and he'll have to drive everyone else home." She laughed again and I smiled as well. 

I looked to her companion who had one hand resting on her leg and was stroking the fabric of her dress with his thumb, seemingly oblivious. "Well then, I guess I'll just have to sit through this one." I grinned. She winked at me "I believe in you." 

We continued to talk for quite a while. As time passed, more and more people came to our table. Sunoo also joined us and the mood became more boisterous. I was sure that someone had put alcohol in the bowle, because some were staggering or mumbling. That was also the reason for me not to drink any beverages other than water or cola. 

After a while Theo asked me to dance, which I welcomed very much, because I had the feeling to have urgently needed a little movement. We danced for quite a while and my feet felt dead in the high heels when we finally took a break.

It was already quite late and some of Theo's friends had, as predicted, had a little too much to drink. Elea gave me a significant nod as I returned to the table and gestured toward the exit. "Will you come outside for some fresh air?", she called over the music and I nodded vigorously. I felt incredible and craved fresh oxygen. We told our companions and made our way outside.