“Ugh. You’re useless!” a small voice sounded. The owner of the voice, a young girl of about ten, rolled her eyes as she spoke.
“What would you know about it?” came an annoyed response. This voice’s owner was a young man of eighteen.
“More than you.” the little girl taunted.
“Beat it, squirt.” came the response.
The little girl hopped down from her spot on the bed and ran to the doorway. “Moooooom… Nick’s yelling at me!”
“Leave your brother alone, Liv.” their father said as he approached, then leaned against the doorway, watching his son struggle with a tie. “Go help your mother.” he said, patting Liv on the head, and watched her scamper off. “Need some help with that?” he asked, directing his question to Nick.
“Please.” Nick said, sounding defeated.
Kevin walked towards his son, and helped him with the bowtie. “Nervous?”
Nick nodded. “Kinda, yeah.”
“You shouldn’t be.” Kevin said calmly.
“I know. I just…” Nick sighed. “I’ve never dressed up like this before. Hell, Dad, I’ve never even worn a suit around him. And what if things go bad? What if…?”
Kevin chuckled. “You’re thinking too much, kiddo. Just try to have a good time.” he said, as he finished tying the bowtie and stepped back.
“Well? What do you think?” Nick asked.
Kevin took a moment to take in the image of his formally dressed son standing before him, then sighed a little as he realized his son wasn’t a kid anymore.
“Dad?” he asked, concerned.
“You look good, Nick. I think your mom is going to cry when she sees you, and I think Ryan’s going to have his hands full keeping you to himself.” he said with a smile.
Nick smiled. “Thanks Dad.”
As his Dad left the room, Nick turned back to the mirror, and tried to refrain from running his fingers through his hair. He hadn’t been entirely honest with his Dad about why he was nervous. Tonight was a big night for Ryan, in the sort of pass/fail test way. He had to get he and his date past his parents, and play act his way like a typical hetero date in front of them, and Nick was worried they might see through the charade.
Linda was likely to not scrutinize past the surface, but John? He’d been an Army chaplain and did scrutinize. Hopefully Ryan and his date were up to the task. Nick sighed. He’d find out soon enough, he supposed. With that sobering thought, he headed downstairs.
“Oh…my…god…is that my little boy?” Amber said, her hands over her mouth, and tears welling in her eyes at the site of her son.
“Mom, don’t cry.” he said, walking over to give her a hug.
“I can’t help it.” she sniffed, hugging him tightly, careful not to get tears on his tux. “I’m just realizing my little boy is all grown up.”
Mom?” he said.
“What is it sweetie?” she responded.
“Air.” he said, jokingly pretending as though his breathing was getting cut off. She playfully swatted him.
“Ow.” he said with a smile, rubbing his shoulder, even though it hadn’t hurt.
“You’re going to be late.” Live mocked.
“Oh! Let me get some pictures first!” Amber said, pulling out her phone.
Nick sighed and posed, but after the tenth or so picture, he glanced at his Dad, giving him a look that clearly asked for help.
“Alright now, Amber. Let Nick go meet up with his friends.” Kevin said, pulling Amber into the living room. “We promised to take Liv to the movies, remember?”
“Remember mom?” Liv said. “You promised we could go, and I could have a sleepover with my friends.” she pouted.
“Yes, yes – I remember.” she said with a sigh. “Alright, Liv – go get ready.”
Liv ran off to get ready, while Nick grabbed his keys. Kevin pulled him aside, keeping his voice low. “Listen, kiddo – I’m not stupid.”
“What?” Nick said, blinking at his father.
Kevin just gave him a smile. “Check your camping gear. I added something you might need.”
“Umm…okay. Why so cryptic?” Nick asked. Kevin just thumbed over at Amber, who was presently rifling through her purse. “Ohh…” Nick said as it clicked, then flushed red a little before hurrying out the door towards his truck.
It was a sleek, black pickup, dual cab, with a toolbox stretched across the bed behind the back of the cab. It had formerly belonged to his father, but when Kevin got a new truck around the time Nick got his license, he gave Nick the old one for use. Not only that, but it was well-kept, and ran great.
After a moment to unlock the vehicle, he was behind the wheel, and headed to his high school, where prom was being held. It was there that he was supposed to look for his friends. Ned and Rick were dateless, as was he, but Ryan would be attending with Amy, a lesbian classmate of theirs.
They weren’t easy to find. The gymnasium was packed, but eventually he found them over at some seating that had been set up.
“About time you showed up, loser.” Rick jested.
“Mom didn’t want to let me out the door.” he explained.
“Makes sense.” Ned commented.
“Anyone seen Ryan?” Nick asked.
They both shook their head. “Stalker, 6 o’clock.” Rick said while raising a drink to his lips.
Nick groaned, and shortly thereafter, he felt a tap on his shoulder. As he turned, he took in his stalker, as the guys liked to call her. She was petite, standing at around 5’7”. Her medium blonde hair was swept up in a loose bun, her brown eyes sparkling at him, adding to her smile. She wore a long, floor length dress of Robin’s egg blue. “Hello Jenna.” he said, forcing a smile.
Her smile got bigger, if that were possible. “Hi Nick.” she gushed. “Wanna dance?”
“I’m waiting for someone.” he replied.
“Oh, don’t be silly.” she said, taking his hand as she dragged him out to the floor, ignoring Nick’s protests. “One dance won’t hurt anything.”
“Jenna, stop.” he said, a little forcefully. “You can’t keep doing this. Find another partner.” he pulled his hand out of hers and walked back toward his friends, leaving her on the floor.
“She’s never going to get it, is she?” Rick asked.
“She’s only been chasing you since grade school, man.” Ned chimed in.
“I’m worried about things escalating one of these days.” Nick said with a sigh.
“Where the hell is that nerd?” Ned wondered aloud. Rick smacked him, while Nick pulled out his phone to try calling him, but only got voicemail. He frowned. Well, maybe his parents were being difficult – he just hoped it wasn’t anything more serious than that.
Throughout the evening so far, there had been requests and dedications for the DJ, and when the DJ went on break, one of the school’s bands would play, and Nick was asked to sing. So he sang a couple of tunes, before finally talking to the guys about throwing out a dedication of his own.
“Okay guys, this next song is a dedication of my own.” he said with a smile. “They know who they are.”
His smile brightened when he noticed Ryan making his way through the room toward Rick and Ned, Amy following behind to meet up with her real date, Megan. Nick caught Ryan’s eye as he began, launching into his version of Selena Gomez’s Love You Like A Love Song. It had significance to the two of them, as that was what had been playing when they shared their first kiss.
Near the end of the song, he stared straight at Ryan when he sang the lyrics
No one compares
You stand alone to every record I own
Music to my heart, that’s what you are
A song that goes on and on
With the song over, and the DJ about to begin again, he headed over to the guys, and the first thing he did was greet Ryan with a hug.
“What took so long?” he asked.
“Mom wanted pictures. Dad wanted to lecture.” he grumbled. “That’s why I couldn’t answer your call.”
“Are you safe?” Ned asked. Nick sighed – Ned, ever the one to not read the room. Still, it was a question that weighed on all their minds.
“Yea, I think so.” he replied.
“Good. That’s what matters.” Nick said, giving Ryan a kiss. “Now, let’s get out there and dance.”
“Yea, Jenna’s already tried stealing him.” Rick added.
“My Nick.” Ryan said, putting an arm around Nick possessively.
Nick smiled. “Let’s enjoy what’s left of the night.”
“And then, after-party!” Ned cheered, before they all headed to the dance floor.
~
When the official prom was over, people left to migrate to the after-party, Rick and Ned among them. Ryan and Nick walked lazily through the parking lot, toward Nick’s truck, watching as other couples left or caught rides.
“You know – I really don’t want to head to the after party.” he said, and arm through Nick’s.
“Good, because I had something else in mind.” Nick said, smiling at Ryan.
“Like what?” Ryan asked.
“Do you trust me?” Nick countered.
“That should be an obvious answer.” Ryan smirked.
“Then trust that I’ve got something planned, and that I think you’ll like it.” Nick smiled, disentangling his arm from Ryan’s as they approached the truck. As they were about to climb in, they heard the clacking of heels running toward them.
“Hey Nick! Wait up!” came a panting voice.
“Oh no…” Nick muttered under his breath.
“She better not.” Ryan said, looking in the direction the voice was coming from.
“I’m so glad you haven’t left yet.” Jenna said when she caught up to them, panting. “I thought you’d leave without me.”
“What do you mean ‘without you’?” Nick asked her as he turned around.
“Well….you’re going to take me to the after-party.” Jenna said, blinking, and sounding innocent.
“I wasn’t headed to the after-party.” Nick replied.
“You’re not?” she asked, seeming genuinely confused. “You usually head to the after-parties.”
“After games, yeah. But not tonight.” he pointed out.
She pouted slightly, then sighed, and walked over to the other side of the ruck where Ryan stood, and began climbing into the passenger seat.
“Just what the hell do you think you’re doing, Jenna?” Ryan asked, both surprised and irritated.
“I still need a ride, if you haven’t noticed.” she said.
The boys both looked around, and, sure enough, the parking lot was practically empty.
“Alright, fine.” Nick said, not wanting to leave her stranded and alone. “But this is the last time, understand?”
Ryan sulked as he moved to climb into the back seat of the cab, his mood soured all the more by Jenna’s bright smile.
Nick waited for everyone to buckle up before driving out, taking the quickest route he knew to get to the after-party, in order to get rid of Jenna all the faster. She was sidelining his plans, and he was worried it might end up ruining the night.
The after-party was being held at UNLV’s Student Union – who had set that up, Nick wasn’t sure. All he knew for sure is that it wasn’t sponsored by the high school, and none of the senior class wanted to risk holding an after-party at their homes when they were so close to graduation.
Nick pulled up near the main doors, and put the truck in park before turning to Jenna. “There you go. Remember – last time I give you a ride.” he said.
“I know, I know. You’re such a sweetie, always bailing me out.” she smiled as she unbuckled. She then did something that surprised both boys – she leaned over and kissed Nick. It wasn’t a quick kiss either, but one that lingered, and clearly stated she wanted more, more that he could have if he wanted it.
Once the initial shock wore off, he pushed Jenna away, and looked almost angry, though he kept his voice level. “Jenna, I told you – I’m gay.”
“Du musst nicht.” she responded, blowing him a kiss as she got out of the truck.
Ryan climbed out of the backseat and into the front passenger seat, buckling up. “So, what’d she say?” he said as they got back to driving.
Nick stared at the road ahead, saying nothing until the campus was well behind them. “You don’t have to be.”
“I don’t have to be what?” Ryan asked.
“That’s what she said.” Nick said, his voice quiet.
“If I were you, I’d file a harassment report at the very least.” Ryan responded, a bit of bitterness to his voice.
“We’ve got a little bit of a drive.” Nick sighed. “How about some music, and we just forget about Jenna for now?”
“Sure.” Ryan responded, and settled back into the seat.
Nick reached over and turned on the radio. Soon the cab was filled with the selections of the satellite radio DJ, with the occasional radio talk, as Nick drove further through the city, and then eventually leaving the city lights behind altogether.
“Where are we going?” Ryan asked, clearly puzzled.
“You’ll see.” Nick said with a smile, and kept driving, eventually pulling off the road into a small parking lot – one that took a few minutes for Ryan to recognize, as he was not used to seeing it in the dark.
“I thought we weren’t meeting up with the guys until tomorrow?” he asked.
“That’s still the plan. I just thought we’d get a head start.” Nick smiled, then go out of the truck. Still confused, Ryan joined him, watching for a moment as Nick grabbed supplies from the back before he joined in to help gather supplies and carry them to the campsite with Nick.
By the light of camp lanterns, they set up the tent and other items, listening to music from Nick’s phone on a portable speaker as they worked.
“Now what?” Ryan asked once they were finished.
“I have something else in mind.” Nick said with a smile. He took a moment to stretch slightly, then offered a hand to Ryan to help him up.
“What?”
Nick held up a finger and picked up his phone, switching to a specific playlist he’d set up for them. Soon the opening strains of Ellie Goulding’s Love Me Like You Do began to play, and Nick swept Ryan into his arms, and began to dance with him there under a clear sky full of stars.
They danced through a couple of slow songs before Ryan leaned his head against Nick’s chest. “I’m so glad you aren’t leaving.” he said.
Nick just held Ryan close, wanting to hold on to this moment, this memory. He didn’t want to destroy it by mentioning he would be leaving that summer.
“I love you, Ryan.” Nick murmured, kissing the top of Ryan’s head as he leaned against him.
“I love you, too.” Ryan said, looking up at Nick with those words.
When the song ended, Nick picked up the phone and stopped the music, in order to save the battery on his phone. “Shall we?” he said, looking at Ryan.
“Shall we what?” Ryan wondered.
“Get some rest. The guys are supposed to get here early.” Nick explained.
“Y-yeah.” Ryan said, as he just realized that there was only one tent.
“Nick held the opening to the tent open for Ryan, who headed inside, and then he followed. There was some room to stand, so the two of them took a minute to undress, to finally get out of their tuxedos and set them aside so they didn’t get damaged. From there, they took a minute to get the sleeping bags zippered together before climbing inside.
The two of them held each other for a while, before love and hormones took over. It was that night they consummated their relationship. Three years of built-up love and passion was released that night, there in a tent under the stars. When all had ended, they held each other until they fell asleep.