Secret crush

Chapter twenty - Prom time

Hunter's POV:

The prom is coming soon. I still can't believe that Ellie will be with me. She is the only girl I wanted to go with. Molly was never an option. I think she is with Jackson now. I don't care. They could've put in some effort if my old friends wanted to be with me. My friend is doing this. I have changed a lot since I started going out with her. Being in the same place as her will be great. Her bucket list is smaller than mine. There was only one main thing. I never plan to watch the sunset, but I might do it with her. She is a girl. I'm not surprised that this is on her list. The question is what will happen after that. Dating her was never part of my plan. I don't think it'll be that bad. I know she has priorities, and I'll respect that. That is more important than me. It's enough that she will come to the prom with me. I can't wait to see her in a dress. She will be so pretty. I talk as if I have a crush on her. My only regret is that I didn't speak to her earlier. At least I fixed this. It's better late than never. We might have more time when we go to Miami. I'm getting excited about this. I plan to come back, but I have the feeling that I'll like it there. I won't be alone. I hope that we can have fun being there.

Prom is today. I'm getting excited about this. I can go out with Ellie. Well, she will probably need more time to get ready. I will check on her. I can go out with other people. I don't have many friends. My old ones are not an option. There is a reason why I didn't make more. High school almost ended. I might never see these people again. There was no point in having more. Ellie is a different story. Both of us being in the same university is a coincidence. I won't lie. I'm happy about it.

I woke up an hour ago. I don't have to go to school today. My parents took a week off. They might go out soon. I was in my bed for a while. Later, I went to eat. I texted Ellie to check on her. She has a free day. I asked to see her dress, but she said no. I guess I have to wait until tonight. At least she agreed to go out with me. Mom has already set the table. I feel so hungry, even though I had dinner last night. I sat down and started eating. This is so good.

- I love this food.

- I can tell. You are in a good mood today.

- How can't I be?

- He is more excited to see his date in a dress. Am I right? - my dad asked

- You are not wrong.

- Are you sure you two are only friends? You go out often. - my mom said

- Positive. I don't think Ellie will want to go out with me.

- Why?

- Ellie has other priorities. I'm not one of them.

- Have you ever asked her?

- Yes. Ellie has prioritized herself. That's why she never cared what people said about her. She wasn't hurt because she didn't care.

- Maybe she had a reason to do it.

- I never asked.

- You can learn a lot from her. No offense, but I like her more than your older friends.

- I'm not offended, and I know it. You are not hiding. - I said, chuckling

- Why would I do it? This girl has nothing in common with them. She can be carefree but knows where the limit is.

- I regret not switching earlier.

- It was meant to be this year.

- Why? Mom, we are only friends.

- So what? That doesn't mean you can't go out with her.

- What? That is not a date.

- What if she had said no? Would you go?

- I don't know. Maybe.

- Hunter. Let's be honest. You will go only because of her. - my dad said

- That is not true at all.

- Are you sure? What about Molly? - my mom asked

- Heck no. I will never go with that girl. Also, she is with Jackson.

- Already?

- I think she did it because of me. It's not like I care.

- Because your eyes are on Ellie.

- You need to stop with this.

- Why? I'm not lying.

- You are not telling the truth, either.

- What is our plan for the day? - my dad asked

- I will go out with Ellie later.

- Can't you wait until prom to see her?

- I don't have other friends.

- You could've had.

- You know why I didn't do it. There was no point.

We ended it here. I don't want to talk to my parents about the same things. I texted Ellie to see where I should meet her. I have no problem going to her house. She was already outside, so I told her to wait for me. We went for drinks and later for a walk. I'm glad that she has some time for me. I thought she would need the day to get ready for prom. She is not like the girls who take hours to get dressed. Honestly, I'm happy about this.

- I thought you would need the day for yourself.

- For what? All I have to do is put a dress on. It won't take me an hour.

- Some girls take time.

- I'm not like them. Also, I'll be there for a few hours. Why should I put so much effort?

- Other girls should be jealous of what you said.

- Why?

- Because they always care about how they look. You don't do it.

- I have other priorities. People don't go to university or a job based on their looks. Well, most of them.

- True. How did you become who you are today?

- With a lot of patience. I was getting offended by the comments people made about me. I tried not to care, but it was impossible. It's not nice to hear that you are the school nerd and part-time w***e.

- You what? They did this.

- That was in middle school.

- How does a middle schooler know what this means?

- Don't ask me.

- Nothing of this happened to me.

- You are lucky. Puberty was in your favor.

- What? That is not true. You are pretty as well.

- Do you think this?

- Yes, I do. You are pretty even when you don't put effort into this.

- Thanks.

We stayed outside for some time. Later, I left her at home to get ready. It's better if I do the same. I went to pick her up around 6 pm. My jaw almost dropped when I saw her. I imagined so many things, but nothing like this. She is stunning. That might be the only time I'll see her dressed like that. We walked to school. Luckily, she is not in a long dress. Otherwise, she will mop the floor with it. I grabbed her hand as we walked inside. The decorations are good. The team did well.

- They have done a good job this year.

- You say it as if you have been here before. I mean, at this event.

- I have heard complaints.

- Someone will complain here as well.

- You can still sign up for prom queen.

- No, thanks. I'm over these things. A plastic crown won't define who I am.

- I still regret that I didn't talk to you earlier.

- It was your mistake.

- True.

- Oh, who do we have here? Hello, Hunter. You look nice today. - Molly said

- Hello, Molly. Do you want something?

- I won't mind a dance with you.

- I'm sorry, but I'm taken.

- By who? I don't see anyone.

- Then open your eyes. - Ellie said

- I can't believe you are here.

- Why wouldn't I be? The prom is for everyone.

- Yes, everyone with a fashionable taste. Where did you get this dress? The trash can.

- This shouldn't bother you, but it does because it was enough to get his attention.

- Do you know how much this one costs?

- Do I look like I care? You will wear it for a few hours and never put it on again.

- I might wear it to my wedding.

- Poor boy who has to live with you. I will pay him to leave you.

- Do you see how she is talking to me?

- So? You were doing the same to her. It's payback time. - I said

- It's good that I left you.

- Bye.

- I didn't think she would leave.

- Well, I told her I was taken. Can I get a dance?

- I can't dance at all.

- Neither do I.

That was a win for me. I'm glad that Ellie decided to come. The Prom queen was Molly, and the king was Jackson. I wonder how many times they voted for themselves. I never did. I wanted to vote for Ellie, but she wasn't on the list. I understand her. Prom queen and king are not what they used to be. Now, it's an event for fashion and popularity. That's why I didn't sign up. There was no point. Call me a creep, but I can't take my eyes off of her. Ellie looks great.

- Don't make it too obvious.

- Oh, hey, Lesley.

- Hello. How did you convince her to come? I never thought I would see her here.

- I don't know. She accepted straight away.

- You must have been a good boy. - she said, chuckling

- Maybe.

- You like her, don't you?

- I won't say it like that. I like the way she is dressed now.

- Only now?

- The girl is getting dressed like everyone else in school.

- Is it only that?

- For now, yes. Many things can happen in four years.

- Why do you say that? Will you be at the same university as her?

- Yes. That was a coincidence. I had no idea she would go there.

- I don't think it's a coincidence at all. Everyone noticed the change after you ditched the idiots and started hanging out with her.

- Really? I'm the same person.

- But you used to do what they told you. Now, you can be yourself. Ellie doesn't want anything from you.

- Maybe.

- Hello, Lesley. How are you? Where is your date? - Ellie asked

- I decided to come alone.

- No one asked you.

- Oh, they did. I declined every offer.

- Why would you do that? The boy over there is staring at you for more than ten minutes.

- I know, but I don't want to be around everyone. Have fun. - Lesley said and left

- What happened?

- Nothing.

- You can stop staring at me. It's creepy.

- Will I have another chance to see you in a dress?

- Probably no.

- See? I'll enjoy every second of it.

- I thought it would be boring, and I wasn't wrong.

- Can I make it better?

- How?

- You will see.

We stayed until around midnight. Technically, we went for a walk. The night wasn't that bad. It's not like I expected something to happen. Ellie was with me. That is what should matter. The good news is that we'll be at the same university. I probably won't see anyone else from high school again. It's not like I want to do it. Not when it comes to a few people. From now on, I will do what she does. I can start taking care of myself. That's how Ellie never got bothered by anything. It took her time, but she did it. Maybe I can do the same thing. I hope that we can keep our friendship.