Noah stood alone in the boy's bathroom. He fixed his hair while checking himself in the mirror. As usual, he hated what he saw. He wore a suit that was far too big for him, in a blue color that washed out his pale skin. His hair, cut by the town barber, looked like a mix between a bowl cut and perm despite his best efforts to show the old man a picture of what he wanted on his phone.
Noah was eighteen, tonight was supposed to be the highlight of his otherwise unremarkable high school years. More importantly, this was supposed to be the night he would sleep with Allison for the first time. Noah wanted to feel confident and excited. Instead, on one of the biggest nights of his life, he felt like a joke.
And while Noah tried to downplay prom night, the truth was it had consumed his mind ever since Allison had said those fateful words.
"If you play your cards right Noah, I might let you get lucky after prom."
The idea of losing his virginity with Allison made Noah's heart leap with excitement. Allison was finally ready, he couldn't screw tonight up.
Noah stepped into the school hallway. A few students came and went from the gymnasium, while others loitered in the hall with their friends. Noah could hear the DJ still playing loud music, which meant the slow dances hadn't started yet. That was good, he could still manage to turn this night around. He would make sure his dance with Allison was one she would never forget.
Noah walked past several couples taking amongst themselves, avoiding eye contact as he made his way back over to Allison. She waited for him near the gym's entrance, staring at her phone in disinterest.
She was dark-haired and olive-skinned, with an athletic build that caught the eyes of everyone around her. It was funny, only a year ago Allison was a lot like Noah. Skinny, timid, and a social outcast. Then, over last summer break, she had bloomed into a beautiful young woman. She joined the cheerleading team and became part of the popular social circles, all the while dragging Noah along with her.
And with that newfound beauty and status, came a new Allison. One that held Noah to a higher standard, that made it clear she was uncomfortable with his looks, attitude, and nervous disposition. Things had changed, Noah knew that. But tonight, that was going to change. He was finally going to convince her he was still worthy of being her boyfriend.
Noah walked up to Allison. She looked up from her phone and inspected him closely, grimacing as her eyes trailed down his suit.
"I thought I told you to get cleaned up," She said dryly. Noah let out an uncomfortable laugh.
"Sorry, I really did try," Noah replied. Allison shook her head and laughed before offering Noah her arm.
"God, you're hopeless. Come on. We're going to miss the big dance unless we get in there."
"R-right, lead the way." Noah took her arm. Allison sighed.
"I told you, don't stutter, it makes you look like a wimp."
"Sorry..."
The two walked into the gymnasium, and as usual, the eyes of countless boys trailed over Allison. She looked back at them, smiling as she led Noah over to a table with a few open seats. He was relieved to see his good friend Brian waving them over.
"Hey guys! Over here!" Brian said enthusiastically, loosening his tie as Allison and Noah approached. As soon as Allison saw Brian, her expression lit up with excitement. She released Noah's arm and rushed over to him.
"Brian! Oh my god, you look so cute!" She opened her arms and wrapped them around Brian's neck, and he in turn wrapped his giant arms around Allison's waist, lifting her into the air. She squealed in excitement as he twirled her around.
Brian was a football player, standing over six feet tall with a body chiseled out of stone. He moved Allison around like she was a toy, making her laugh in a way Noah hadn't heard in weeks. He did his best to smile through it. Noah had to remind himself time and time again that Brian and Allison were just good friends. They had known each other well before Noah had ever met Allison, so he had no right to be upset about how close they were.
"You look beautiful tonight." Brian dropped Allison onto the ground, his eyes immediately eyeing her ample cleavage.
"Brian stooop!" Allison slapped Brain's chest. They stood close, laughing as Noah approached the table and cleared his throat.
"Noah!" Brian said with a big smile. He walked over to him and greeted him with a burly hug before taking a step back to inspect Noah. "Jesus, what's up with the suit?"
"I told my mom it was too big..." Noah replied weakly. Brian shook his head before looking at Allison.
"You approved this?" He asked her.
"Believe me, I told him to try and fix it. But as usual, he is beyond repair," Allison said with a laugh. Brian sighed deeply.
"I guess some people got it and some don't... well, if you need someone to take his place for the night, let me know." Brian smiled at Allison, and she smiled back. Their eyes locked, Noah felt his stomach churn.
"Noted," Allison said.
"I'm... I'm still here guys," Noah said weakly. His quivering voice made Brian and Allison burst into laughter.
"Relax Noah, we're kidding!" Allison always gave the softest smile after teasing him, it put Noah at ease. At least, to some degree. Brian glanced at the two for a moment, his confident smirk never leaving his face.
"Well, I mean, I was half-kidding. There's no way you can go out on that dance floor like that Noah, they'll laugh you out of here in a heartbeat." Brian said.
The DJ's loud music stopped. Slow music began to play overhead. Couples made their way to the dance floor, wrapping their arms around each other as the lights dimmed.
"Right on time," Brian looked over at the dance floor.
This was it, this was Noah's moment. He glanced at Allison, only to find she was avoiding his eye contact.
"H-hey Allison," He said.
"Yeah?" She replied. Noah pretended he couldn't hear the discomfort in her voice.
"Do... do you want to dance?" He asked her. Allison looked to Brian, who shrugged.
"Oh Noah..." Pity poured out of Allison's mouth.
"I-I've been practicing and..."
"I told you not to stutter!" Allison turned from Noah.
"I-I... I'm..." Noah couldn't get the words out, he felt sweat forming over his body. He just wanted to do this right, he needed Allison to see how great of a boyfriend he could be.
"I think Brian might have a point, Noah. Maybe it would be better if we waited for a little bit. Like until more people are on the dance floor? That way you won't stand out as much," Allison said. Noah felt his heart sink in his chest.
"Oh... yeah that... that makes sense..." He didn't know what else to say.
"It's for your own good man," Brian assured.
"Right..." Noah replied. As he spoke, two lanky seniors appeared from the crowd, waving at Brian.
"Hey! Travis, Larry!" Brian waved the two over, greeting each of them with a big hug. They were also a part of the football team, two tall athletic individuals who bled into the canvas of Herferd High's backdrop.
"Brian! See you already managed to find Allison," Travis said, fist-bumping Brian before looking at Noah. "Oh, hey man. Didn't even notice you there, nice suite by the way."
