The school year was drawing to a close, and excitement buzzed in the hallways as everyone talked about one thing: prom night. It was the final event before graduation, and Christine knew it was the perfect moment to confess her feelings to Alex. The thought of it made her heart race, but she was determined to tell him how she felt.

At lunch, Christine found Rachel at their usual table. As she sat down, she leaned in, her voice just above a whisper.

“I think I’m going to tell Alex how I feel… on prom night,” Christine confessed, her nerves bubbling up.

Rachel's eyes widened with excitement. “Oh my God, Chris, that's amazing! But wait—” She leaned even closer. “—you need to ask him to be your prom date first! What if someone else asks him before you get the chance?”

Christine hadn’t thought of that. “Do you think I should?”

“Are you kidding? You have to, before he’s booked! Go, now!” Rachel urged her, practically pushing her out of her seat.

Christine hesitated, but she knew Rachel was right. Taking a deep breath, she mustered up her courage and walked over to where Alex was sitting with his friends, Bruce and Bryan. She could feel her palms getting sweaty, but there was no turning back now.

“Hey, Alex,” she said, her voice a little shaky. “Has anyone… already asked you to prom?”

Alex looked up, surprised but smiling. “No, not yet.”

That’s when Bruce and Bryan couldn’t hold back their laughter.

“Yeah, right! It’s not like you haven’t rejected half the school already!” Bryan teased, nudging Alex.

Bruce chimed in. “He’s probably waiting for a certain someone to ask him first... someone with long golden hair who makes his pupils dilate.” He shot a mischievous glance at Christine.

Christine’s face turned bright pink, and she quickly stared down at the floor, embarrassed. She could feel her cheeks burning, and the blush was quickly spreading to her ears.

“Cut it out, guys,” Alex said, his tone serious as he shot them a warning look. He reached out, grabbing Christine’s hand. “Let’s go talk outside,” he said, pulling her gently.

Christine followed, still blushing furiously, trying to avoid the stares and laughter from Bruce and Bryan behind them.

Once they were outside, Alex turned to her, his eyes soft and full of affection. “So... would you like to go to prom with me?”

Christine’s heart fluttered. She nodded shyly, still too embarrassed to meet his eyes. “Yeah… let's go together.”

Alex smiled, clearly relieved. He reached out and squished her cheeks playfully. “I couldn’t help it. You just looked so cute right now,” he said.

Christine gave him a questioning look, causing Alex to stiffen slightly, unsure of what she was thinking.

“I’m sorry, Chris,” he quickly added. “I just thought your cheeks looked really soft.”

Christine raised an eyebrow but smiled mischievously. “Come here,” she said, signaling for him to lower his head to her level.

Alex hesitated. “Are you going to slap me?”

Christine giggled. “No, silly. Just come here.”

Reluctantly, Alex leaned down, bracing himself for some kind of payback. But instead of a slap, Christine leaned in and brushed her cheek softly against his. The warmth of her skin sent a jolt through him, and he froze.

“Yours are softer,” she teased, pulling away with a playful smile before walking off, leaving Alex standing there, blushing harder than ever before.

___________________________________

Christine couldn’t stop smiling as she rushed through the hallway, prom posters in hand, heading toward the Cultural Club to help with the final preparations for prom night. Her heart was light, and she couldn’t believe how smoothly things had gone with Alex.

As she turned the corner, she bumped into Lara, who gave her a curious look. “What’s up, Kay? You look like you’re blushing,” Lara said, half-laughing.

Christine bit her lip, hesitating. She had wanted to tell Lara earlier, but now it seemed like the perfect moment. “I don’t know how to say this, but I’ve finally realized my feelings… and I don’t think I can hide them anymore.”

Lara’s heart leapt at Christine’s words. Finally, she thought. She had been waiting for this moment for so long. Her excitement bubbled up as she responded eagerly, “Then don’t hide, Kay. You should be honest about your feelings.”

Christine smiled, her heart feeling lighter. “I think the same, Lara. So... I’m going to confess to Alex on prom night.”

Lara’s expression faltered. “Alex?” The name hit her like a punch in the gut.

“Yeah, I’ve decided,” Christine said, her voice full of conviction. “I think I’m ready to tell him.”

Lara stood frozen, her mind spinning. No, this can’t be happening. Not Alex. Not now. But before she could say anything, Christine glanced at her phone.

“Sorry, I’ve got to run to the Cultural Club,” Christine said hurriedly. “I’ll see you later, okay?”

Without waiting for a response, Christine rushed off, leaving Lara standing there, her fists clenched. Panic surged through her as she replayed Christine’s words. She can't confess to him. She belongs to me. She just doesn’t know it yet.

Lara’s eyes darkened with determination. She needed to act fast—before it was too late.

_______________________________________

After asking Christine to be his prom date, Alex couldn’t shake the feeling of anticipation. As soon as he got home, he tossed his backpack aside and flopped onto his bed, his mind racing with thoughts of Christine.

The way her cheeks had turned a soft pink when he held her hand, the way she nervously glanced up at him—it all made his heart race. He grabbed his phone and sent a quick message to Bruce.

Hey man, I need help with something for prom night.

Bruce replied almost immediately. You? Asking for help? Must be about your “golden-haired sweetheart.”

Alex chuckled at the message, but a warm flush crept up his neck. He wasn’t going to deny it. Christine had become so much more to him, and prom night felt like the perfect moment to make that clear.

Yeah, I want to make the prom night special for her. Think you can help me pick out a nice present for her.
I got you covered, man, Bruce replied. We’ll find something that’ll blow her away.

As the afternoon passed, Alex couldn’t help but think about what Christine would wear. He imagined her in a stunning dress, her long golden hair cascading down her shoulders, her smile lighting up the entire room. He needed to make sure everything was perfect for her.

Meanwhile, Christine was just as caught up in the excitement. After leaving school, she immediately headed to the mall with Rachel by her side. Rachel had been beyond thrilled when Christine told her about Alex, and now she was fully invested in making sure Christine looked stunning for the prom.

“You have to get something that’ll knock Alex off his feet,” Rachel insisted as they wandered through the rows of dresses.

“I just want to find something I feel good in,” Christine replied, though the thought of seeing Alex’s reaction to her in a beautiful dress sent a wave of nervous excitement through her.

Rachel rolled her eyes playfully. “Come on, Kay, you know he’s already head over heels for you. But this is prom! You should feel like the queen of the night.”

Christine smiled shyly as Rachel pulled a sparkling mustard yellow dress from the rack. It shimmered in the light, elegant yet simple. “Try this one on. I have a good feeling about it,” Rachel urged.

Christine stepped into the fitting room and slipped the dress on, smoothing it over her waist. She gazed at her reflection, feeling a surge of confidence she hadn’t expected. The dress was perfect—it hugged her figure gracefully, and the color brought out the soft glow of her skin.

As she stepped out to show Rachel, her friend’s eyes widened. “Kay, you look incredible. Alex is going to lose his mind when he sees you.”

Christine blushed, imagining the moment she would walk into the room on prom night, Alex’s gaze locked on her. She twirled in front of the mirror, feeling the fabric of the dress swirl around her legs. It was perfect. This would be the dress she wore when she confessed her feelings to Alex.

“I think this is the one,” she said softly, a smile tugging at her lips. Rachel nodded enthusiastically. “Definitely.”

____________________________________

Back at home, Alex stood in front of his closet, pulling out a sleek blue suit he had just picked up. He ironed it and kept it aside. He took out his white shirt and started ironing it as his thoughts drifted to Christine.

He couldn’t stop imagining the way her eyes would sparkle under the lights at prom. The idea of holding her close during the slow dances, of sharing quiet moments together—he wanted everything to be perfect. He had been waiting for this night, and now, the anticipation was building.

As he was done ironing his clothes, Alex smiled to himself. He was ready. Ready to tell Christine just how much she meant to him.

The preparations for prom continued on both sides. Christine, now armed with the perfect dress, felt her excitement growing with each passing moment. This was it—the night she had been waiting for, the night she would finally confess her feelings for Alex.

And Alex? He was counting down the hours, eager for the moment when he could take Christine’s hand and make it clear just how much he cared for her.

Prom night was going to be unforgettable.