All I Want For Christmas Is You

Nine

The gym was transformed into a magical wonderland. Twinkling fairy lights draped across the ceiling and round tables covered in white cloths and glittering centerpieces lined the edges of the room. I stepped into the gymnasium, my heels clicking faintly against the polished floor.

The prom was already in full swing. The room was a spectacle of twinkling lights, silk-draped tables, and laughter bouncing off the walls. Groups of students clustered together, filling the space with chatter and energy. Some swayed to the music on the dance floor, while others lingered in circles, couples entwined in a way that screamed exclusivity.

I hesitated near the entrance, scanning the crowd. I didn’t recognize most of the faces—either they were underclassmen or kids I’d never interacted with. My heart sank slightly as I realized just how isolated i’d been throughout high school.

Taking in the sight my dress felt a little too tight, my presence a little too small. I smoothed the fabric nervously and clutched my small bag closer, drawing a deep breath.

I wasn’t supposed to feel this alone, not tonight.

Spotting an empty table near the back, I made my way over, my steps measured and careful. The table was already half-occupied by others who, like me, seemed to blend into the background. I recognized some of them—students i’d shared classes with but never spoken to.

Setting my bag on the table, I slid into one of the seats and opened my journal. The familiar scent of paper and ink was a comfort. For as long as I could remember, writing had been my escape. I opened to a blank page, ready to jot down my thoughts, hoping the act would make me feel less like an outsider.

But my eyes wandered before my pen could meet the page.

That’s when I saw him.

Adrian Barfield stood near the punch table, talking to a group of friends. Even among the crowd, he stood out like a lighthouse against the night sky. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and effortlessly confident. His sandy-brown hair caught the light just so, the slight wave adding to his rugged charm. The angular cut of his jaw and the piercing blue of his eyes gave him a magnetic presence that seemed to command attention.

My heart skipped a beat.

We had been in the same classes for years, from middle school through high school. I knew his voice as well as my own; we'd answered questions in the same room and passed notes forward in the same rows. But to him, I might as well have been invisible.

He wasn’t just handsome; Adrian was untouchable. Captain of the football team, the school’s pride, and the center of every girl’s fantasy, including my own. And here I was, a wallflower at the prom, clutching my journal like a shield.

My lips curled into a rueful smile. If I were braver, I’d write a story about him—not the real Adrian, but the one I’d built in my mind. The one who’d ask me to dance, look into my eyes like they held the secrets of the universe, and tell me I was the one he’d been waiting for.

But that was just a story.

The pangs of hunger after watching Adrian’s every move like a creep finally drove me from my seat. My tablemates had dissolved into the crowd, leaving me alone with my thoughts. Standing, I smoothed my dress once more and made my way to the snack bar.

The table was laden with trays of finger foods and glistening punch bowls. I grabbed a small plate and picked at the offerings—tiny sandwiches, skewered fruit, and cookies that looked prettier than they probably tasted.

The punch, however, proved a disappointment. My first sip brought a grimace. Someone had spiked it, the sharp burn of alcohol biting at the back of my throat. Setting the glass down, I opted for water instead, silently wondering why people always ruined perfectly good punch.

Returning to my table, I stopped short.

My seat was empty, but so was the space where my journal had been.

Panic bubbled in my chest. I scanned the surrounding tables, my eyes darting to the faces nearby. Had someone taken it by accident?

My fingers trembled as I peeked under the tablecloth, hoping it had slipped onto the floor. Nothing.

My mind raced, recalling the last thing I’d written. I’d been jotting down my thoughts about the night, about Adrian. Mortified, I bit my lip. If anyone had picked it up and read those words…

I shook my head. No. It’s fine. It’s probably lost in the chaos. I’ll just leave before anyone can say anything.

As I contemplated my escape, one of the teachers took the stage, her voice amplified through the speakers.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to announce this year’s prom king and queen!”

The crowd erupted into cheers and applause. I’ll just leave after they announced prom King and queen my resolve to leave momentarily forgotten, I already knew the outcome. Who else could it be apart from Adrian and his girlfriend?

The teacher’s voice carried over the noise. “And this year’s prom king is… Adrian Barfield!”

The gym filled with thunderous applause as Adrian was shined with a spotlight.

“And now, our prom queen…” The teacher’s voice lingered for effect. “Katherine Mills! Come right up and take your crowns guys!”,

The gymnasium erupted into cheers and applause as Adrian Barfield ascended the stage, his movements a blend of confidence and ease. I couldn’t tear my eyes away. He moved with the same confidence i’d seen on the football field, his presence electrifying. The spotlight caught the gold accents on his suit, emphasizing the striking lines of his face. I watched from my lonely corner where I stood as the teacher placed the prom king crown on his head.

But my stomach sank as Katherine, Adrian’s girlfriend and the head cheerleader, ascended the stage. She was radiant in her glittering dress, the perfect match for Adrian’s charm. They looked like they belonged on top of a wedding cake, a perfect picture of high school royalty.

For a moment, it felt like the entire universe revolved around Adrian, and maybe it did. People like him seemed to exist in a realm of endless possibilities, a world where the stars aligned perfectly to light their paths. I couldn’t help but marvel at how he stood there, poised and glowing, as if the future itself was waiting at his feet.

“He’s moving to the city after graduation,” someone said near me trying totalk over the loud cheers of the crowd. “He’s got a contract lined up to play professional football. Can you believe that?”

I kept my eyes on Adrian, though my heart sank at the words. The professional world was calling him, promising him a life I couldn’t even begin to imagine.

“Must be nice,” someone else added, a touch of envy lacing their tone.

It wasn’t just nice, I thought. It was otherworldly. Adrian wasn’t just another high school student; he was a phenomenon, someone who could command the attention of an entire room without even trying.

And then there was me—just another face in the crowd, a background character in Adrian’s life.

As the teacher handed Adrian the microphone, I braced myself for the inevitable. He would thank everyone, flash that million-dollar smile, and the crowd would erupt again.

Instead, Adrian’s voice was quiet, almost hesitant. “Thanks, everyone. It’s been… an unforgettable ride.”

The applause came, but I noticed something beneath his usual charm—a flicker of something unspoken, maybe even discomfort.

Beside him, Katherine Mills, the newly crowned prom queen, didn’t look as radiant as I expected. Her forced smile faltered when Adrian barely acknowledged her. His body language was cold, and distant, as if the connection they once shared had dissolved into nothingness.

“They broke up,” someone whispered behind me.

“Really?”

“Yeah, apparently he ended it. I heard he didn’t think she was ‘serious’ enough for his future. Makes sense, though. He’s headed to the big leagues. Why stick around for someone like her?”

I frowned at the assumption. It was easy to paint Adrian as someone who thought he was too good for a small-town cheerleader, but I remembered the Adrian who had given me a pencil in middle school. The one who smiled at me and didn’t make me feel invisible for a fleeting moment.

But then again, was I grasping at straws? A pencil wasn’t a declaration of kindness; it was an insignificant gesture, a drop in the ocean of his life.

The dance resumed as Adrian stepped off the stage. I stood in silence, the whispered conversations swirling around me like a storm. I clenched my hands, scolding myself for caring about something as trivial as a pencil. It wasn’t like Adrian remembered me or even knew my name.

I glanced back at the snack table, debating whether I wanted another sandwich or to try her luck with the spiked punch. I felt my resolve to stay waning. So I reached for my phone in my bag ready to call Roy. I was ready to call it a night and head home.