Archive of Our Own

You never liked these things. Prom was never your thing. You weren’t exactly popular, and you didn’t really have any friends but one interested in the event, and yet... Your gaze moves to the vibrant girl it is always drawn to whenever you see her in the halls, or the gym or auditorium, and especially when you shared classes. She was so talkative... You liked hearing her. You’d sit at your own desk, head in your hand, just watching her talk animatedly to those sitting around her. She always got quiet when class started, always listening and writing so diligently.

Just once you wanted to snag a seat next to her and hear her talk to you directly, but... It never worked out that way. You’re here anyway, at prom, because you heard she was going. You knew she would, though. It’s just her sort of thing. You always thought prom was just some flashy way for them to make money, by selling their overpriced tickets and pictures here, but... For her? To see her all dolled up? You’d make enough bucks for any ticket.

You always showed up to those plays you never really cared much for either when you heard she would be starring in it (you often found yourself bored, though there was one you really, actually liked), even if the role was small. Your eyes would be eager and searching for her bright and smiling face. She was so good at putting on an act, it was no wonder she was often starring in so many of them. She’s always hanging around and on the arm of that boy you always felt never really cared for her. In fact,...

You feel a chill down your spine at how often you caught him staring at his sister like you feel he should be looking at Lily, his supposed-to-be girlfriend. Part of you always felt it was just a cover-up. You heard they weren’t actually siblings, just adopted, but... It’s still weird. Especially since he has a girlfriend. Part of you wants to kick his ass for that. You feel he largely ignores her, letting her cling to him for appearance’s sake, which isn’t fair to her. If he has some weird fascination with the bright, red-headed girl Poppy, then let him have his weird fascination and leave Lily out of it.

That girl is always full of sunshine and rainbows, the most chipper person you’ve seen around the halls. A stickler for the rules, maybe, and sometimes a little odd, but... Your face feels warm and you rub the back of your head, watching her stand alone at the prom, looking sadly at her phone. Maybe you’re into it. Maybe your type is the straight A, preppy girl who’s always telling the rowdier of classes to “shut it”. It surprised you the first time, seeing a more bitter, angry side of her than the usual big smiles and cheerful high-pitched voice you’re so used to hearing. She was hard to miss even when you weren’t looking at her.

You would hear her voice, and your gaze would be drawn. And her laugh... Gosh, you loved hearing it. Her hair is typically up in a sort of chignon type look, or up in three braids with one often larger than the other two. Honestly, you don’t think you’ve ever seen her with her hair down and out of those braids. It’s always dyed this dark and light purple, the braids giving it the look of those pastel marshmallow twist treats. And she’s always got that shorter, curled cute strand that hangs down in her face and those two that hang down in front of her ears.

You think the real color of her hair is brown, like the woman you’ve always had a hunch never really liked kids that you often see Lily with in the early mornings. You’ve always just assumed Ms. Gracie was her mom. Which checks out if it is true. They do act an awful lot alike. She seems fond of Lily, though, from what you can tell. Probably just annoyed with the asshole kids she has to put up on the daily... Lily is wearing the type of dress you just expect from her. It’s beautiful, all bright colors and oddly fitting with the lighter stripes of her hair.

It’s white and pink with lighter pink in the straps and length of her skirt with yellow stars spread about it, the most notable one at her middle. You also see the small star necklace around her neck and the dangling charm stars in her ears. You’re wearing a tux with a tie because that’s just your style. You’ve never really liked the idea of wearing dresses and acting like a girl. Younger you was much more excited to be crawling around the floor in shorts and pants because it just wasn’t fair you couldn’t run, jump, climb, and play because someone might see up your dress... Or because you’d get your nice shoes and clothes dirty. Fuck that.

You hated having to worry about sitting right, with your legs together and not open because someone might see your underwear. Ugh. But her? You think most of what you’ve seen her in is dresses or clothes that are obviously labeled for girls. Often star patterened, sometimes with bows, but sometimes bright and others dark- more fitting the darker strands of her hair. And it has always had this... Somewhat tomboyish look at times, with her sometimes wearing things that take you by surprise. But she always has this way of walking or mannerisms that just screams prim and proper. It’s cute.

You’d rolled your eyes when that one woman told the girls of your class they needed to be wearing cute dresses to prom and not normal clothes or otherwise, and delighted when she gave you a ‘stern’ look upon seeing you in a tux. You still smile with pride just thinking about it. Fuck you, bitch. You wear what you want, and you take pride in destroying other people’s expectations of you. You paid for your ticket. So what if it made their little school look bad. Boo hoo. Grant money kiss-ups... Still, you huff and frown at seeing her look so forlorn, your gaze looking around for this Oliver bitch with a glare.

Just admit you like your sister more and dump her already!! You’re breaking her heart... And you can’t stand seeing it happen from the sidelines when you love her so much. Her smile, her laugh, the way one of her stockings is never pulled up all the way, that one part of her hair that is never pulled back tight and hangs more down in her face than that little curled tip bang does,... That little fang it looks like she’s got on the left side. And of course he’s standing over there with his little posse, eyes on Poppy in a pretty gown that matches her eyes and makes her red hair pop.

Your eyes narrow and you let out another huff, your gaze moving back over to Lily after a moment. Your gaze softens as it lands on her, and you swallow thickly. Despite having been her secret admirer for a while, you’ve never... Really had the courage to approach her. But seeing her by herself...? Seeing that look in her gaze as she grips her phone a little tighter, gaze moving up to dart around a little with that small set frown on her features? The way she looks like she’s regretting ever coming? How could your feet not begin to move on their own in her direction? How could you not want to come forward and offer her company?

You’re not sure if she’d appreciate your company, but... You tug a little on your collar and draw in a breath, letting it out as a quiet sigh as you brace yourself for whatever reaction she might have by being approached by you.

You raise a hand in greeting, slapping on a smile as you call out loud enough for her to hear, “Hey there, Lily!”

She shakes her head lightly, blinking in surprise as her gaze raises and suddenly, she’s smiling, and you’re feeling like time just stopped. Heat rushes to your face and you almost forget to step closer. You swallow thickly, hands going to your pockets. Or, they would have if you had any. Instead, your fingers curl into your waistline. She waves her hand at you.

“Oh- Hey! I don’t think we’ve... Actually talked before.”

She glances away, brushing back one of those loose strands behind her ear. She’s still smiling though, and looks almost sheepish- you think. You hope. You can’t help the lopsided smile on your face, the fondness in your gaze. Her gaze flicks back, dark, so dark her eyes look black from a distance. As mesmerized as you are, you still catch her moving her phone into the small purse at her side. It’s a cute thing, but not useful for carrying much.

“Where’s Oliver? I almost always see you two together.”

You look around, acting like you don’t know where he is. The motherfucker. Er, sisterfucker? You don’t know, that boy’s weird... He’s got... Issues beyond just the Poppy thing. Always seems to find himself in the counselor’s office. It’s odd Lily would be dating such a boy, in your opinion... Part of you wonders what kind of life he had before... He was adopted after all, and he just acts like a boy that’s been through some shit, or going through some shit. Still,... It doesn’t give an excuse to treat Lily like this!! Your gaze darts back to her when she almost seems to flinch at those words. Ouch. Way to make a first impression, you.

“Oh- He’s- He’s with his friends.” She says, looking around just like you did, but seeming to not know where he is for real, and almost seeming panicked at that realization.

What a shit thing to do. If this was out in the world and not at school prom, you’d be scared she’d get abducted or something. You raise an eyebrow at her, leaning your frame a little to one side.

“And not with you? You’re not with him and his friends?”

“Oh- Well, it’s- Uhm,- You see,-” She’s glancing around, clearly floundering for an answer, giving a nervous laugh.

“Hey,” You say softly, making her pause immediately, gaze flicking up to you.

You could get lost in those eyes... So much so it’s a little difficult to remember what you were going to say. You extend a hand.

“Since he’s not here right now, you wanna dance? Just us girls?” You give a small wink and head tilt. “It’d be a shame to waste the night not doing so when you’re wearing such a nice dress.”

You’ll never forget the look on her face when you said that, the way her eyes crinkled at the corners when she smiled, glancing aside briefly and then back, taking your hand. You’re not sure how that worked, really. You would have told anyone who approached you like this to fuck off. But her? She let you lead her out on the floor, seeming almost delighted that the night wasn’t wasted, that she’d get to dance in this dress and enjoy herself, like she was supposed to tonight. Leave it to teenage boys to drop the ball and not want to make their girl happy. You’re sure he would have done it for Poppy...

You lead her across the floor like she’s a fairytale princess, and you her beloved prince. But that’s fairytale shit. You’re just a girl in a tux madly in love with this beautiful girl in a dress. You didn’t even do anything fancy to your hair, just keeping it out of your eyes. You can’t stop yourself from sending a smug little look Oliver’s direction when you catch his eyes.

“So,... How come you’re not wearing a dress? I thought Mrs. Clancy told us girls to wear pretty ones.” She says, almost sounding teasing, perhaps accusatory, you can’t tell.

You have to stop yourself from rolling your eyes at the reminder of that stupid statement. You would have not even shown up here if it wasn’t for Lily. Fuck what Mrs. Clancy thinks about you not wearing one.

You instead shrug a shoulder, glancing off and trying to appear nonchalant with an, “Mmh, what can I say? I prefer this to dresses, but for the right person,... I could be convinced.” You say, giving her a look with eyelids a little lowered and lips up in a soft quirk.

Her eyes narrow a little, a near smug little look appearing in the curve of her lips.

“So where’s your date then?”

Your eyes do an arch as you look aside.

“Oh, me and a friend came together, but we’re really here for different people.”

She leans in a little, looking even more smug.

“And who might your ‘different person’ be?” If you’d had the hand free, you would have tugged your collar a little, though you do give a little surprised cough to which she raises her eyebrows a little as if waiting for your response as she gives a little, “Hm?”

You feel your blush deepen as your eyes can no longer hold hers.

“W-Well,-” Is about all you get out before Oliver is finally coming over.

“Lily,” He says suddenly, drawing both of your attentions.

He extends a hand and Lily immediately lets go of yours with an, “Oh!” and taking his hand immediately.

You feel like your heart just went cold even though you know they’re still dating, and she’s not your girl.

“Why don’t you come join me?” He asks, throwing on a ‘charming’ look that makes your eyes narrow at the whiff of bullshit he’s exuding right now.

Lily brightens immediately though with a girly raise of her shoulders and a broad smile, eyes crinkling at the corners.

“Of course!”

Before they turn, arms moving to lock together at the elbows, he sends you a brief displeased look, obviously not happy with you making him look bad. Well, worse than he already had, you should say. Leaving Lily by herself already was not a good look. You just added onto that. You merely make a gesture for ‘eyes on you’ and turn, your night ruined and you ready to leave this overpriced ticket event you would have never attended if not for the girl of your dreams. You give a wave to your friend when he catches your eyes, and you head out, hands in your pockets, clenched into fists at the thought of Oliver’s face. Jerk.

You spend the rest of your night drinking your favorite carbonated drink and beating up monsters in your favorite N64 game.

-

You make an effort to steal a seat next to her after that. Your lips quirk and you raise a hand in greeting like it did at prom.

“Hey, Lily.” You greet before taking the seat next to her.

She looks at you in surprise for a moment and then gets this look that makes you blush. You can feel the heat rise to your face. It’s like she’s onto you... Are you that obvious?

“Hey,” She greets, still looking at you like she knows a secret you don’t. “You usually don’t sit up here. Something change your mind?” She leans her arm on the desk, looking at you with her palm covering her mouth, her fingers curled inward.

Your eyes move in that nervous arch away again, fingers scratching lightly at and then running through your hair as you feel your face burn hotter.

“Just... Wasn’t brave enough to come talk to you before...” You admit.

It sounds like she’s leaned in a little when you hear her ask, “You never told me who your ‘different person’ was.”

You go stiff, the look on your face certainly showing off the surprise and near horror at that. You feel like your face is in flames, and you open your mouth to start with, ‘W-Well,-’ again, but you’re saved by hearing the heavy classroom door click shut and the teacher start loudly, “Alright, class,”

You let out a breath, sinking down somewhat in relief, noticing a little too late that you’re very likely being very obvious. An, ‘Oh shit!’ look passes quickly over your face before the teacher’s talking drowns out your thoughts. You don’t really like sitting near the front, but for her? It’s doable, even if the teacher sends you a look for stretching your legs out and leaning back with your arms behind your head during the lectures. You raise your eyebrows at them, diligently taking your notes even if it’s not what you typically do. You just want to get out of here, really. You don’t care about grades, nor college.

You wanna hop straight into the workforce and forget college debt is even a thing that exists. But... Your gaze flicks briefly over to her, tongue sticking out a little as she writes with a pencil with an oddly fitting pink and white star shaped pencil eraser. She really loves stars... There’s even sparkles on her purple pencil. They must be meant to be stars too. You let out a quiet sigh, returning your gaze back to your own paper and picking up your own plain pencil as the notes on the whiteboard change.

It’s almost easy to forget her boyfriend even exists when you’re talking to her in classes he’s not present in as well, your hand tangling lightly in the hair near the right corner of the back of your head as you look at her, smiling and making conversation. You always give this near stressed grin and glance away whenever she brings that topic up again. You avoid her in classes Oliver is also in, and you avoid him when it’s just you and him in the class, though he tends to have his friends around him, at least one.

Most notably, he talks to a boy named Theodore who you know is not in your grade like he is, so they’re only really together in certain extracurricular classes. He always sits next to Poppy when she’s in the same class, who you often see next to a girl who hangs around a boy you know has an often severe temper when she’s not around to soothe him, or a boy who can be a bit rowdy but you think is a pretty cool guy. He helped you in math class once, offering his notes when he knew you missed, and you thought him a sweetheart ever since.

He tends to hang around a stockier built boy who doesn’t seem to say much unless spoken to or frustrated. You don’t actually know them, but they made you feel included whenever you sat nearby, and you thought that was nice of them. They were just nice. You think it pisses Oliver off, though. He never looks happy when they’re around Poppy, as if he feels like he’s the only one she should be around. Your friends are few and far between in the classes you have, schedules just never lining up that well, so you’re often sat by yourself when Lily doesn’t have a class with you that Oliver is not also in.

Though you do share a few classes with the friends you do have, and you sit next to them when they’re not giving alphabetical or random seats.

“Oh! Hey, ___!” You hear in the hall one day and turn with a small, “Oh,” of your own.

Your eyes brighten at the sight of Lily, a smile starting to appear that stalls when you realize she’s clinging to Oliver’s arm, and he does not look happy looking at you right now.

“Hey,” You say, a little less enthusiastically, with a near nervous grin.

“It’s so nice to see you! Are we heading the same direction?”

“Uh, yeah, I guess.” You say, falling more in step with Lily’s side, moving in front when the hall becomes too crowded for the three of you side by side.

Oliver says nothing while the three of you walk, his hands in his pockets, but Lily- as ever- is a chatterbox (not that you mind). You mostly listen, though you do respond when it’s called for or you have something to stay. Soon enough though-

“Oh! This is my class. Bye ___, bye Ollie,” She says, gazing up at him as she says bye to him, her eyes becoming a little lidded in a manner that almost hurts your heart.

You feel like such a relationship wrecker, and you’re not even really doing anything to get in their way.

“Bye, Lily,” He says, and she waves to him as she heads inside.

You move from your side of the door frame, elbowing him lightly and saying loud enough for him to hear, but not her as she walks to take her seat, “Treat your girl right or dump her, dunce. It’s obvious you like Poppy better anyway...”

You feel the way he stiffens, and look up at him even though you know he’s sending you the nastiest of looks.

“Mind your business.” He tells you simply, stalking off the opposite direction of the stairwell you currently need to head towards to get to your own class.

-

“So, Lily L. Green, huh?” You tease. “Missed opportunity to have your hair be green instead.” You show off your teeth in a playful grin.

She gasps, as if she’s appalled by the very suggestion, her hands shifting in a very girly manner of shock. It’s cute.

“No way! Do you know how silly I’d look with green hair? Purple suits me much better, don’t you think? I honestly can’t imagine myself with a different color...” She says, taking one of her braids to run her hands over- one hand once and the other twice- before lifting it up to show you soon after as if in emphasis. “Can you imagine this in green?”

Your lips quirk on one side- mouth closed now rather than open.

“Yep, shamrock and neon.”

“Ew! I’d look like I was permanently prepared for Saint Patrick’s Day!”

You shrug a shoulder, still smirking

“Hey, it’d keep you from being pinched.”

She pouts cutely at you, glaring slightly.

“That’s not allowed anyway.”

“True.”

She crosses her arms at your agreement with her, clearly wanting to argue further.

“The purple does suit you.” You admit.

She raises her chin, eyes closed, still offended by your suggestion of green, it seems.

“Thank you.”

“So,... How’d you and Oliver get together anyway?” You ask, genuinely curious.

“Oh-” Her demeanor immediately changes and you try not to feel a pang in your heart at the way she blushes and smiles, bringing a braid over her mouth. “I was his secret admirer and he caught me slipping a letter in his locker. Before I could stutter an excuse or dart away, he stopped me and asked if I wanted to date him, and we’ve been together ever since!”

You nod, taking this in and wondering if he saw it as the perfect cover-up opportunity. You wonder how many other people thought his behavior around Poppy was strange. You say nothing, at least until she drops her braid and turns to you with bright eyes and a curious smile.

“So tell me! Are you dating someone? Do you have a crush?” Her smile takes on more of a near sly look and you make a noise of shock, going into a wide-eyed state of panic.

“Well,” You start with a bit of a laugh. “There was this guy from grade school, but... Well, two I guess-” You say, rubbing the back of your head and looking away. “but,-” You shrug. “I don’t think I actually liked them, you know. I think it was just...” Your shoulders do a weird thing, kinda like another shrug as you tilt your head a little toward your left one. “Because it was expected of me. I picked one when I was younger and the other when I was a little older. I bought one a box of chocolates and ate them with some friends because I was too chicken, and the other didn’t like me anyway, so...” You trail off, shrugging again.

You give an amused noise at the memory.

“I gave him a box of those nasty Valentine’s heart candies that taste like toothpaste. Poor guy looked so confused.” You lean back in your seat, hands going to your hoodie pocket as you look up at the ceiling. “I think... I’m just not into dudes.”

“Is that why you danced with me at prom?” She asks, and you can tell she’s got her head in her hand again.

You can tell she’s smirking at you with that know it all grin before you even turn to her. You give a chuckle as you do so.

“You’ve got a boyfriend.”

She closes her eyes and nods with a smile.

She gives an, “Mhm,” that sound so dreamy...

“And you were alone that night. And you looked sad.”

Her eyes open suddenly, as if the spell is momentarily broken, smile still plastered on her features. She pulls back a little and gives a near nervous laugh. You can tell you’ve made her uncomfortable.

You glance over at her, pointing out, “You danced with me too, ya know.”

She gives a nervous chuckle this time, cheeks seeming redder as she raises a hand to run her fingers down the little strands of hair in front of her right ear that don’t fit up into her braids.

“Well,...”

Both of you sit up a little straighter when the teacher enters, door clicking shut with a clunk.

“I know it’s the end of the year, guys, but be a little quieter. I can hear you down the hall.” He addresses the class and the two of you duck down a little in your seat, him putting in Saved by the Bell and you and Lily going quiet as it plays.

You’re not really interested in it so you lay your head down, knowing how Lily gets sometimes with these sorts of things. The teacher expects quiet, so she’s quiet. Doesn’t stop you from sketching silly doodles for her on a scrap sheet of paper and passing it over though.

-

It happens a few days before graduation, and before summer break. And while you’re glad he finally did it instead of leading her on further, making her think he wanted a future with her that would last forever (she really does seem like the type to have such dreams), it still feels like such a shitty thing to do right close to those two things. It breaks your heart to see her so sad and upset, clearly having been crying though she tries to hide it. She’s not in a talking mood today, so you instead doodle a little version of her on a small sheet of paper, taking your time with each detail

“Let’s keep in touch after grad.” You write on the back with your phone number.

It’s not your phone number and instead the house, but... It’s not like you’ll be moving out right after graduation. You still don’t have a job. Or a car... You’ll figure it out though. It’s not like you can get a real job until you’re out of here anyway. You pass it over to her before the end of class, and she takes it. You see the way her shoulders hunch, head lowering and you feel a little sad that you feel like you made her feel worse. It surprises you though when she calls you about two days later, so close to the end of the year. You know it’s her, even when she sounds so much more somber than her usual chipper tone.

“Hey,” She greets, and you sink down to the floor with your back against the wall and corded phone in hand, saying, “Hey,” softly, as if you’re speaking to a small animal you’re trying not to scare.

“...You were serious? About keeping in touch?” She asks, and you think you hear a slight hint of hopefulness in her tone.

“Yeah,” You say, keeping your tone soft as you talk.

“...Are you wearing a dress to graduation?”

You curl the cord around your finger, a little surprised by the question.

“...Do you want me to?”

“We could take pictures together.”

You smile.

“I’d like that.”

“You would?” She asks, and you can just imagine the way she perks up at the tone of her voice as you close your eyes, wondering where she’s at in the house, or at home at all.

“Yeah. You wanna go color coded or do you want me to surprise you?”

She gives a thoughtful hum and as the silence stretches, you grin at a thought you get.

“Want me to show up in green?” You ask teasingly.

You hear her say, “Ugh,” sounding like she lowers her head away from the phone, though you don’t miss the way it sounds like it’s a shocked sort of amused instead of disgusted like you’re sure she wants to sound at the reminder of the green hair conversation.

You chuckle softly at her.

“Don’t worry, I don’t even think I have green dresses.”

“Then what colors do you have?” She asks then, seeming more serious and curious.

“Uhm,” You say in a high pitched, near melodic tone in thought.

You stand and move to go look, though you quickly realize you can’t move from the spot you’re in all the way to your room.

“Uh, can we take a rain check on me answering immediately? I kinda can’t leave the phone...”

“Huh? Why not?” She asks, sounding a little baffled at that.

“It’s kinda... Corded?” You say, a little embarrassed as you know she has a flip phone and you feel very poor in this moment.

But it’s really just that you didn’t really care to have one, no one you really wanted to text and why waste your allowance on the frivolous when you could spend it on things you actually cared for?

“Oh! Sorry.” She laughs cutely, like she’s embarrassed it’s something she didn’t even consider.

“Yeah,...” You say sheepishly. “But I’ll let you know tomorrow after we hang up what colors I have.”

“Okay! And it’s not that I don’t like green...” She trails off, as if it’s something she really wanted to clarify and has nothing else to say.

“I know.” You say, smiling a little in understanding. “I get it. It’s just not a color you want in your hair. Might get you picked on...” You trail off a little quieter, thinking of the insults that might come with her last name and hair being (G/g)reen.

“Mhm...” She says a little quieter, and before you can ask if something’s up or if she’s already been insulted in that manner, she quickly changes topic.

You let it go but it’s something that lingers in your mind until her mom calls her down for dinner and she says, “Oh! I gotta go, bye!”

“Bye, Lily.” You say, waiting until she hangs up to put the phone up and walk to your room to find your meager dresses.

It’s not like you don’t have any, it’s just... Not something you spend money on and more of things you’ve been gifted or handed down to you from relatives who they no longer fit and might fit you instead. Honestly,... It’s been so long since you last looked, you don’t even know if any of them still fit you or not. You decide to try them on as you find them before marking down what colors they’re in and what kind of patterning they have and present the list to Lily two days before graduation. She looks shocked even before she announces it.

“Wow! I’m surprised. These don’t really sound like your style.” She looks up at you, grinning a little sheepishly with closed eyes as she says, “No offense...”

“None taken.” You respond, one arm resting on the back of your seat. “They’re not, really. Or, just not something I wear on the regular here at least...”

You did occasionally wear dresses, but it’s just... Tiring being asked who you’re dressing up for whenever you go somewhere since... You don’t really dress up. You nearly sigh at the thought but hold it in, not wanting to make Lily think anything of it. She sends you a near teasing grin, eyebrows raised and eyelids a little lowered.

“But you’d do it for me?” She asks, as if she already knows the answer.

You blush and rub the back of your neck.

“I mean,...” You start at a normal volume and then get a little quieter as you glance away, “Yeah, probably.”

She places down the list and claps her hands together softly.

“Oh, there are so many things I’d like to see you in.” You make a small noise at that, your mind going places it absolutely shouldn’t. “You’re always wearing modest shoes and pants. I wanna see you in something more girly for once!”

Man, you’re gonna have to shave. Ugh. It’s for her, though, you remind yourself. She places her jaw in her hand, elbow propped up on the table.

“What all kinds of clothes do you have anyway that you don’t wear to school?”

You glace around, giving an, “Uhm,...” as you think. “Well, all sorts of things really.” You shrug. “I’m sure I can wear something ‘girly’ for you.”

“Like a skirt, or a dress?” You can see the teasing grin she sends you and you give a playful scoff and eye roll.

“Fine, fine, skirt now, dress for graduation.”

She beams, sitting up straighter in her seat.

“Deal!” She looks back at the list, her expression steadily falling as the milliseconds pass. “You know,... You’re the first person to ever want to color code with me. Not even Oliver,...”

Your expression falls into one of sympathy as you tilt your head a little to look at her face as she lowers it somewhat, one of her braids nearly falling down over the side of her face.

“Hey,... I’m sorry. About him, I mean.”

She draws in a breath, shaking her head.

“It’s alright. I just...” Her lips quirk wryly. “Guess I didn’t want to see it at the time...”

“Of course you didn’t. He was supposed to be your boyfriend.” Your shoulders slump as you give a scoff. “I told him to let you go if he really didn’t feel that way about you, but I didn’t think he’d do it so close to graduation, the jerk...”

She blinks in surprise, eyes widening and mouth setting into a small little line.

“You...?” She trails off, and you give her a sad, understanding look.

“Why else would he leave you alone like that at prom if he really didn’t care about you?”

She lowers her head and looks away, rubbing her arm.

“I... Was it... That obvious to everyone?”

You shrug, shaking your head.

“I really don’t know, but...”

She gives a soft laugh, eyes closing. It’s not genuine though.

“Was I really... The last one to notice? To come to terms with...-”

“Listen,... Maybe I just noticed because...” Your hand goes to the back of your head, rubbing as you blush and look away. “Well,... I’ve always noticed you.”

When you glance back, you’re stunned to find she’s already looking at you. There’s such a shocked look there, and... Deep in those eyes,... There’s something that makes you blush deeper and look away with a fond smile as you tug lightly at the hair gathered at your nape.

“Hey, I know it might be a bit soon to be thinking about something like this, but... If you ever decide you want a girlfriend instead of a boyfriend,... I’m your girl.” You send her a lopsided smile, gaze a little nervous but open, heart on full display here.

Her lips part and then her eyes close, shoulders pulling up closer as she leans her head down, chuckling lightly. And when she looks at you again, her lips are a gentle curve and her eyes... Wow. You feel like it takes your breath. Her smile widens and she gives you a more confident look.

“I’ll think about it.” She shifts in her seat, looking back at the paper, but only for a moment before she peeks back over and you feel your heart thump in your chest, a soft sigh leaving through your nose.

Lily looks back forward, though you can tell she’s not reading the paper.

“I guess that finally answers my questions though, about who your ‘different person’ was and if you were crushing on anyone...”

You chuckle sheepishly, eyes closing and making a similar motion she did earlier with her own chuckle, your hand going to the back of your head again to rub.

“You got me.”

When your eyes peek back open, Lily is sending you a coy look.

“I had a hunch...” She says, her head tilting a little to the side for emphasis.

You can only smile, face feeling warm.

“Was I that obvious?”

“Oh yeah,” She starts, making you sink down a little in your seat, “not many girls wearing tuxes asking other girls to dance at prom, especially knowing they have a boyfriend. Don’t think I didn’t notice the looks you gave him and me when we were still together.”

She gives you a look and you click your tongue at her in shock, blushing and giving her a bashful look. You look down at your desk, snapping your fingers playfully.

“Shucks...”

“But it’s alright. You’re lucky I swing both ways.”

Your eyes widen, head raising and shoulders going down a bit. You look at her, shocked.

“You mean...?” You trail off quietly.

“I’ll think about it.” She says simply, with a smile and then looks back to the paper, her thumb moving over the wood turned paper sheet. “But, for now we need to settle on dresses.” She states and you swallow thickly, sitting up right in your seat.

“Right, right.” You agree with a nod.

“Hm...” She brings a hand to her mouth in thought. “Too bad you don’t have anything star themed...” She says, actually looking over the options again.

“Well, I had one with those fake clear jewel things, but it’s too small. I wore it to grade school graduation.”

“Ah, darn.” She says with a soft pout, looking over the options again.

“Hm...” You trail off, pondering, thinking to a specific dark dress with glitter spots as you gaze upward. “What about glitter?” You ask, looking back to her.

She looks up at you from the list and blinks.

“I can do glitter. What color?”

-

And so, that’s how you end up kinda matching with darkly colored glitter graduation dresses, taking pictures together before and after the ceremony. Except... As you go to sit down for the after pictures on those little stone benches along the hallway here as everyone else is pouring outside, your and Lily’s eyes both widen at the sound of something ripping.

You look at each other and you say aloud, “Oh God,...” Lily almost chews her lip but stops herself, her lips shimmering with lip gloss. “How bad is it?” You ask.

“Uhm...” She trails off, looking behind you. “I don’t see where it ripped.”

Hesitantly, you stand and stiffen when you hear another rip sound.

You hear her say, “Uhm,” again but this time more like she realized where it was.

“Oh God,” You repeat.

She outstretches her arms, waving them as you turn your head to look at her, still sitting. “Now, now, don’t panic! It’s just...” She brings a hand to her mouth briefly. “You know how it had a slit in the back?”

“Yeah?”

“It’s a little higher now.”

“Oh. That’s it?”

“That’s it.”

“Nothing’s out that doesn’t need to be?”

“No. It’s fine.”

You let out a breath, relaxing somewhat, eyes closing briefly in relief as you say, “Okay...”

“But maybe we should head back now.” She suggests, voice a little higher pitch as she stands and takes your arm.

You swallow thickly and nod.

“Yeah,... Let’s do that.”

You’re glad she’s not there at your family’s car when you sit in the back seat and hear it rip further, having waved goodbye to her near the front where her mother was parked.

“Talk to you soon!” She’d exclaimed, waving enthusiastically.

“For sure!” You’d said with a smile and a wave back, feeling yourself wave back with more enthusiasm than you would have at anyone else.

You make sure you’re fully in the backseat, using your graduation gown to shield yourself from the front just in case as you get situated enough to close the door. You sigh and lean back in the car, exhausted from the event. You close your eyes, happy to be headed home to shed your dress and fancy sandals with shiny sequins to go with your now ruined dress you’ll never wear again. The rip is almost up to your ass by the time you get home and inside to change, but you’re thankful your parents are spared that view- particularly your dad.

And you rush to the phone the moment it rings, calling out, “I’ll get it!” and then a quieter, “Hello?” once you answer.

“Woah, that was fast!” She giggles. “I wasn’t even sure you’d be home yet! That eager to talk to me, huh?” She teases and you smile.

“Oh, you know it.”

“You know, I was thinking... Wanna swing by the mall sometime? Maybe... Stop by and get some tea and walk around for a bit?”

From her tone, she sounds a little teasing but also... Shy? Your eyelids lower a little, a playful grin spreading across your face.

“Sounds like a date to me...”

She giggles.

“Hey! Don’t go getting any ideas!”

Her tone makes your legs feel a little weak, gaze softening. You lean an arm against the wall.

“Oh no, no. Just some... Girl time. Shopping. A girl’s trip.”

“Mhm...” She sounds like her lips are pressed together, as if- by her tone- she’s trying to hide a smile.

“Just us?”

“Yep.” She says, p popping just a bit, sounding more like a, ‘yepah’.

“Still sounds like a date to me.” You tease quietly.

“Stooop.” She drawls, making your face start to feel like it might freeze if you keep smiling like this. “It’s just-”

“Yeeess?” You drawl yourself.

“It’s not like that, okay?”

You nod though she can’t see it, eyes closed, though you do give an, “Mhm.”

“Really though, I...” She sounds like she sighs and you listen because she sounds like she’s about to get serious. “You’re the only person who wanted to keep in contact over phone...”

You blink in surprise.

“Really?”

“Really,” She says though she doesn’t sound particularly happy about it.

Instead it seems... Forlorn.

“But I thought...-”

“Yeah, well, just because I talked to people doesn’t mean we were friends.”

You frown at that, feeling a little sad at how she sounds a little bitter. Must be hard... Having a lot of one-sided friendships...

“I’m sorry...”

“No, don’t- Don’t. I’m sorry. I know you like me and I... I think I just liked the positive attention. You made me feel like...”

“Like you were wanted?”

“Yeah,...” She admits, sounding like all the air leaves her, continuing quietly, “even when I was with Oliver...”

“We don’t have to be-”

“No, no, I don’t want to string you along like he did me!”

“You’re not though. We’re not even-” dating, you want to say.

“But I don’t want to make you think you have a chance! That I’ll date you for sure, I-”

“Lily,” You start, “I like you-” for you, we don’t have to date.

“I know! And-”

“It’s alright.”

“It’s not, I- I’m a mess!”

“You’re still getting over a breakup.”

“I know! And I- I’m scared!”

“Don’t be. We’ll work it out-”

“BecauseIlikeyoutoo!” She says so fast it takes you a moment to process.

You blink, silence stretching.

“...What?”

“Because I like you too, and I-” She starts loud and then cuts off, sighing before saying quieter, “I don’t wanna mess this up.”

“You won’t.”

“You don’t know that!” She accuses.

“Look,” You start, pulling your arm from the wall to put it up in a gesture she can’t see, “we’ll go out where you want, keep it casual, and see where it goes from there.” You suggest, changing the phone over to your other ear. “Listen, I know you really liked Oliver and you’re still recovering; I don’t expect you to wanna barrel into another vulnerable situation like that so soon... But I fell in love with you for real and,... Even if we’re not forever romantically, I like being your friend too. So, we’ll work it out- if you’re comfortable with that, that is.”

“Yeah, I-... Thank you, ___. For real, I-”

“Agree we’ll hang out sometime soon?” You suggest and she gives a small noise of amusement at your light teasing.

“Yeah, I just- Thank you. For being there, being a good friend and... Considerate. I... Never had a real friend before, much less a girl that was interested in me like this...”

“Ooh~ I’ll be your first girl love?” You tease, eyebrows waggling as you take on a sing-song like tone.

She chuckles softly.

“And I’ll be yours too, right?”

You can’t help but pick up a sort of hopefulness in her voice.

“Yeah,” You say, smiling fondly. “What are we gonna wear? Are we gonna match?”

“You know,... I think you looked really good in a dress. And that skirt you wore for me...” You hear her teasing tone and throw your head back.

“Oh God, you’re gonna make me dress up more often, aren’t you?”

“Is it really making you if you asked?”

You can hear the smile in her voice. You nod your head from side to side in concession.

“True, true, you got me there, just... Not used to feeling so girly.” You admit with a shrug of one shoulder.

“It’s not a bad thing...”

“You’re right. Especially when it’s for you~”

“Then it’s settled! What kind of clothes do you have?”

“Uhm-” You start, glancing in the direction of your room.

“...Oh! Oh, right. Corded phone.”

“Yeah...” You rub the back of your neck sheepishly, feeling like your home is so old fashioned now that phones no longer require cords.

“...Maybe I should just come over to your house.”

You’re so stunned by that offer that your eyes widen and your head shifts downward and forward, shoulders pulling up a bit.

“Huh?!”

“You don’t like that idea?”

“No, no,” You say hurriedly, waving a hand in a hurried back and forth motion she can’t see, not wanting to give her the wrong idea, “it’s just... I’m surprised is all.” You move your hand to the back of your head. “Sure, I’ll ask my folks.”

“Great! I can’t wait!”

You smile, love struck by the joy in her voice.

“Me either...” You say softly, though a thought hits you then. “Hey, so when can I see you with your hair down?”

“My hair down...?”

“Yeah.”

“Uhm, well,... You do realize that if I come over now it’s not going to be... Well, straight.”

“Well, I’m not either, so...”

“Ppff- I’m serious!” She manages between laughs.

“Yeah, well, so am I.” You say with a small smirk. “Come on over with frizzy or curly hair, I don’t mind.”

“So your parents said it was okay?” She asks, sounding almost nervous.

“No, I haven’t asked yet.”

“Well, ask! I wanna come over!” She exclaims, unable to keep the laugh from her voice.

“Okay, okay, I’m going.” You laugh. “Be right back.”

You start to place the phone down.

“And tell them I said, “Hello”!” She shouts before you can.

You smile.

“Will do.”