It was prom week in Ladenville High School and the joy and ecstasy of the students could be felt and heard everywhere even in the air.
Banners were placed all around the school halls and hallways showcasing the contestants running for both Prom King and Queen as elections were underway.
Luna alighted the school bus and made her way to the school building, her favorite seat in class on her mind. She had taken extra care to wake up early enough to make it to school on time just to secure her favorite spot in the class.
Totally oblivious to the prom buzz going on around her, she expertly made her way down the hallway while avoiding various dangling prom decorations with surprising deftness.
She had closed off her mind to ever attending prom night a long time ago and had settled with the fact that no one would ever pick her as a date and definitely not her crush, everyone's favorite, Joshua, for whom she had summoned up the courage for weeks to ask him to be her plus one.
He had read her text and left it that way, on read.
And it really hurt.
"Stop thinking of Joshua," she said to herself and stomped her way to class.
Boys are annoying. Joshua is annoying.
Pretending to be really interested in her all the while stringing her along. He'd probably go to prom with one of those girls that always clung to him like leeches.
Prom is in five days time and yet no offer from anyone at all.
Being the class' nerd sure has its disadvantages.
At least she'd spend the night binging Netflix till she falls asleep and wakes up to do the same all over again.
That was the perfect plan.
Joshua and all the boys in this school can do whatever they please for all I care, Luna thought as she stepped into her class only to stop short abruptly in the doorway.
There was a bag on her favorite seat, a bag she couldn't recognize.
Of all the seats stationed about in this big classroom, it's my seat this person chose. She thought angrily.
"Ughhh!" She groaned and smacked her forehead with her left palm repeatedly, barely resisting the urge to stomp her foot in frustration.
"I'm just going to put the bag on another seat and pretend I never saw it," with that plan in mind, she made way towards the seat and was already reaching for the bag when someone caught her hand and pulled her towards him.
"Whoa!" A familiar voice laughed.
I should have known, Luna thought angrily.
"You're in my seat," she informed him through clenched teeth as she glared at Joshua's handsome face.
His smile only widened. He was teasing her and she knew it but knowing it only infuriated her.
She hadn't forgotten nor had she forgiven.
Seeing that he only preferred to stare down at her and give her his winning smile – like that would even make a difference – Luna flung her arm out of his grip and pushed his bag to the floor unceremoniously before sitting.
After watching her closely for a moment, Joshua heaved a sigh and bent to retrieve his bag.
"I knew you'd be mad," he began, "so I came prepared," the sound of the zipper of his bag could be heard as he unzipped his bag.
Luna's answer was a scoff as she bored a hole in the wall beside her, determined to look at anywhere but Joshua's face. It was getting difficult by the second and she knew she'd soon lose the battle.
"These are for you," Joshua placed a small bouquet of flowers, a box of cupcakes and the latest paperback novel from her favorite author on her table and finally, she turned her head to look up at him then down at the contents on her table.
Her anger dissipated immediately, leaving her speechless.
Joshua beamed a smile as he noticed that the gifts had done the trick.
"I know I have been a jerk to you, Luna," he took her hand again and held it warmly, "but I'm here to ask you to give me another chance," he said softly.
Luna's eyes were already getting wet, there was nothing she could do about it even if she wanted to.
"Will you be my plus one for the prom, Luna?" Joshua literally begged her with his eyes.
After trying to catch her breath, Luna croaked a tiny, "yes,"
"Whoo!" Joshua exclaimed in pure excitement.
He had feared Luna would send him out of her sight. She wouldn't understand him even if he told her that he had been unable to give her the perfect reply and that leaving her on read wasn't intentional.
"I'm so sorry I hurt you," he apologized.
"I forgive you,"
"Ayoooo!" A fellow classmate called out to the rest of the class which drew shouts and applause as the duo shared a warm hug.
It was going to be the best prom night yet for Luna and this was better than the perfect plan of staying indoors watching Netflix.
- THE END...