John sat with Jude, Connor, Taylor and Daria at their usual spot for lunch. They were each enjoying their own meals: John a salad he made that morning, Jude some leftover meatloaf, potatoes and veggies, Connor Chinese food, Taylor some pasta and Daria a sandwich and chips she had brought from home.
"So, John," asked Taylor in her usual sly tone. "Are you taking Noah to the prom?"
John chuckled. "What kind of question is that? Of course I'm taking him. It's my senior prom; there's no way I'm not bringing him with me."
"Hey, I'm just asking," Taylor replied sheepishly. "No need to get all defensive."
"I know," John said, giggling. "I was just joking around. How about you guys for the middle school dance that'll be happening? Who all are you going with, besides the obvious one of my brother and his boyfriend."
"I'm taking Bobby," said Daria in a proud tone. "He's, like, insanely hot and I think we're gonna go out after the dance."
"She's an idiot," Taylor interjected. "He barely notices her. I was surprised he even knew who she was when she asked him to the dance."
"Oooh, you asked him?" John asked in a mocking tone. "I didn't know the dance was Sadie Hawkins."
"Shut up!" Daria said. "I had to ask him before someone else did!"
"Well, good luck getting him to go out with you afterward," Jude teased, causing them all to laugh.
Just then, the intercom rang with an announcement.
"Good afternoon, Anchor Beach," came Monte's voice. "It's time to reveal your nominees for Prom King and Queen."
The group of kids groaned loudly, annoyed that they had to sit through the announcement, as if any of them cared who was going to be nominated for Prom.
"Your nominees for Prom Queen are Alicia Plantz, Megan Renich and Katie Newton."
"Not as bad as it could've been," John said while Monte paused the announcement and students around them cheered. "At least they're not all full of themselves."
"And your nominees for Prom King are Tony Hopkins, Mason Lewis," Monte continued before pausing again. "And John Adams Foster!"
"WHAT?" John yelled, the shock traveling fast through his body. "Who the hell would have nominated me for Prom King?"
The others were beside themselves with giggles as John seemed to fume.
"Can I please come to your prom?" Jude asked, barely able to get the words out because he was laughing so hard. "I gotta see you with your crown."
John glared at him, but was unable to keep himself from laughing. "Oh, ha, ha, ha," he said in a sarcastic tone. "Seriously, who in this school would nominate me for Prom King? I'm not even that well known in the school."
"Oh come on, John, lighten up," said Taylor.
"Lighten up? And why would I do that? I have to parade myself around this school now because someone decided to play a practical joke on me." John stood up from the table. "I'll be right back." He then turned and ran toward the school.
"Wait, John!" Jude called after him, standing up.
"Let him go," Connor said. "He's gotta do this himself."
John stormed through the hallways, trying to ignore the faces staring at him as he hurried past them. When he finally reached Lena's office, he paused outside of the door, taking a few breaths to try and calm himself down. Once his heart rate had finally decreased to its normal level, he knocked on the door.
"Come in," Lena said.
John opened the door and strode into Lena's office. She was on the phone with someone, causing John to hesitate. She waved him inside. He stepped forward and stood next to one of the chairs in front of her desk.
"Yes, I understand," Lena said to the person on the phone. "You can email me directly and I can send you all of the information you need." She paused for a few seconds. "Yes, that's my email. Thanks for calling," she added, finally hanging up the phone. The phone was barely back on the receiver when John spoke.
"Prom King? Really?" he asked in an annoyed tone.
Lena sighed. "Yes, that's a good thing, John."
John turned and closed the door behind them before sitting down in front of Lena's desk. "On what planet is it OK for me to be nominated for Prom King?"
"What do you mean?" asked Lena, sounding shocked. "Why wouldn't it be OK for you to be nominated for Prom King?"
"Because I don't want to be nominated for Prom King. You know I hate attention like this. Is there some way I can be removed from being considered at all?"
"Sure, we can do that. I just don't understand why you wouldn't want something like this, John. It can look really good on a college application."
"How's that?"
"It can show that you got involved in one of the biggest school activities Anchor Beach has to offer."
"Aren't I already involved enough, Mama?" John asked, exasperated. "I mean, I write for the school paper, I offer free editing to students who need it in the lower-level English classes and I have a pretty high GPA. Besides, I'm doing my summer internship at ACN's satellite station here. It's not like I'm not involved in anything."
Lena considered John for a moment before she answered him. "Are you sure it's being nominated that's bothering you, John?"
"What do you mean?"
"Is there something about being Prom King that bothers you?"
John sighed before he answered. "I'm not comfortable being nominated because in the hopefully small chance that I'm picked as King, that means I have to dance with the Queen. And there's nothing wrong with that. But I feel like I'm betraying Noah if I do that. And I can't do that, not to him."
"Oh, John," Lena said, grabbing one of his arms and patting it gently. "You wouldn't be betraying Noah at all. You'd just dance with whoever is crowned Queen and that's it. You don't have to kiss, hug, or anything else like that. It's just one dance and you're done."
"I know, I just don't feel right doing that, even. I'd feel like I was, I don't know, cheating on Noah on something. I know it's stupid, but I'm just old fashioned like that, I guess."
"No, it's not stupid, John. Not at all. I get that you're worried, but I think Noah would understand."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah," Lena said, smiling at John. "You are totally allowed to bring him as your date, even if you're nominated as Prom King. We do things a little differently here. We don't have the nominees get paired up before the dance. We just have them gather on the stage and then the King and Queen share their dance and then they're done."
"Well, that certainly makes me feel better. I still want to talk to Noah about it first before I consider keeping my name on the ballot."
"Of course, honey, you do what you feel is right."
"I'll text him," John said, pulling out his phone. "Is it all right if he comes over after school?"
"Sure thing."
John quickly typed out a text to Noah and hit send before he stood up.
"Thanks, Mama. And sorry for getting a little angry. I was just surprised, that's all."
"No need to apologize, John. I totally get it. Now, get your butt to class or you're really gonna be taken off the ballot!" Lena teased.
"Now, don't tempt me, Mama," John replied, snickering at his own humor.
"Go!" Lena yelled in a fake angry voice. John giggled as he left her office and Lena couldn't help but smile as she turned her attention to her computer.
John looked up from his laptop as Noah walked into the kitchen.
"Hey," he said, standing up and hugging Noah. "Thanks for coming."
"Of course," Noah replied cheerfully as he sat down across the table from John. "I was hoping to get to see you sometime this week so we could discuss prom outfits."
"About that," John said nervously, closing his laptop.
"Is something wrong? Do you not want to go to prom?"
"No, no, nothing like that. It's just, uh…."
"You can tell me," Noah encouraged.
John sighed before he answered. "I was nominated for Prom King."
"John, that's wonderful," said Noah, looking relieved and smiling. "You didn't have to be so nervous telling me that. I think it's great that you've been nominated."
"It's not that that I was nervous about talking to you about."
"What is, then?"
"It's just…When I found that I was nominated, I kinda freaked out."
"Why?" Noah asked.
"I just…I don't know why I had this thought, but when I thought about the small possibility of me winning Prom King, I thought about the dance I would have to do. And I know this is stupid, but part of me feels like I would be betraying you if I danced with someone else, even if it's just one dance."
"Oh, John," Noah said, standing up and walking around the table to sit next to him. "Oh, my love, you're so incredibly wonderful. Even when something like this happens, you think of how I would feel. That's what I love about you. And that's why I am totally OK sharing you as a dance partner, even if it's just for one song."
"Really?" John asked, sounding relieved.
"Of course," Noah answered, wrapping his arms around John and kissing him on the head. "I'm honored to be your date to your senior prom. And I would love it if I saw you crowned king and got to see you wear your crown as you danced with the queen. As long as I get to wear the crown for at least one song."
They both burst into laughter for several seconds, unable to contain themselves. When they finally stopped laughing, John spoke. "Deal. If I'm crowned, you get to wear the crown for the first slow song that plays after the King and Queen dance."
"Great!" Noah exclaimed. "I can't have you wearing a crown without you sharing it with me."
They laughed again as Stef and Lena walked into the kitchen. Stef had just gotten off work and was still in her uniform.
"What's so funny, boys?" she asked, smiling at John and Noah.
"Oh you know, Mom, we're causing trouble as always," John replied.
Stef chuckled. "You better not be causing trouble, Mr. Prom King nominee."
John glanced at Lena. "Sorry," Lena said. "I couldn't wait to tell Mom about your nomination."
"Don't worry, Mama," John replied. "If by some miracle I am selected as King, I won't banish you from the family."
They all laughed at that as the rest of the family piled into the kitchen.
"What's going on?" Callie asked.
"Oh, we're just talking about the royal member of our family," Stef replied.
"I heard that," said Brandon, patting John on the back. "Congrats, buddy."
"Yeah, thanks," John said with an air of sarcasm. "I have no idea how you weren't selected to be a nominee."
"He already won King of the Winter Ball last year," Mariana explained. "Past Kings and Queens don't get to be nominated for future dances."
"Besides, I'd rather it be you than me," interjected Jesus. "Even though I'm the better looking one."
"Hey, you better watch your tone, mister," Stef said. "John's already threatened to oust Mama once he's King."
Everyone in the kitchen laughed loudly.
"I better not be let go from the royalty," said Jude after he sat down next to John.
"Not a chance," replied John, throwing an arm around Jude. "You're my favorite of the bunch, so you'll be the last to go."
"What about me and Mama?" Stef asked in a shocked tone.
"Oops," gulped John, causing everyone to laugh again.
"Well, I think it's time to start thinking about some dinner," Lena said once they had quieted down again. "Noah, would you like to stay for dinner?"
"I'd love to," Noah replied. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
"Yes, you can help the twins pass out silverware and plates, please," Stef said, taking off her jacket and belt. "That would be really helpful."
Noah stood up to help Mariana and Jesus with the utensils. John stood up with Jude and walked into the living room to wait while dinner was being cooked. Once they were out of earshot from the others, Jude spoke.
"So, what did Noah say?" he asked.
"He's good with me being King," John replied. "I don't know why I so nervous asking him about it. He was really cool with it."
"And how about you? Are you cool with it?"
John grinned. "You know, I think I might just be. Who knows? Maybe it'll be cool to be crowned king."