The Hawkins High gym was unrecognizable. Somebody had really put in the effort this year.
The wooden bleachers had been pushed in and camouflaged behind a wall of crepe paper and streamers. The harsh overhead lights were off, the gym illuminated instead by hundreds of strands of string lights, expertly placed throughout the space. Round tables surrounded the perimeter, draped in elegant white cloths, each table surrounded by white fold up chairs. The centerpieces were real bouquets of flowers. The middle of the room was reserved for the dance floor, with a small stage standing before it, the DJ and his speakers already blasting some upbeat song.
Chrissy glanced up at Eddie - he seemed as impressed with the transformation as she was.
"Whoa," he said, stopping in the entryway.
"I know," Chrissy agreed.
"Sooo…what now? I'm a prom virgin you know, you'll have to show me the ropes."
Chrissy giggled and linked her arm through his, leaning in close to him.
"Well, we could dance. That is what prom is right? A fancy word for a dance?"
Eddie smirked.
"I do believe you're right, Cunningham. Let's do it."
She let him lead her into the heart of the dance floor.
The music was upbeat, full of drums and synthesizer - not Eddie's style at all. You wouldn't know it from looking at him. He grabbed Chrissy's hands, spun her around, and moved his body to the beat. He grinned at her, his dimples on full display.
Chrissy followed his lead , dancing like no one was watching. She was reminded once more why she loved being with Eddie so much - no pressure, no worrying about appearances. Had she come with Jason, she'd have been an accessory on his arm, chatting mildly with their usual crowd and dancing only to slow songs.
Instead, she was smiling nonstop, dancing til perspiration formed on her brow, not caring if it made her makeup less than perfect.
A few friends did come up in between songs to say hello and compliment her dress. Then the next song would start up and she'd feel Eddie's hands snake around her waist, his chin propped on her shoulder from behind her, as he politely excused Chrissy from her conversation for more dancing.
She was having the time of her life.
The DJ picked up his mic as the next song faded away.
"Alright everyone, let's take it down a bit for a slooow dance."
All the couples on the floor paired up as the sound of a keyboard poured from the speakers. Eddie's hands went to Chrissy's waist, pulling her body close to his. Closer than she'd ever been to him in a public setting. She felt her face grow warm as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and leaned her face against his chest.
Oh, thinking about all our younger years
There was only you and me
We were young and wild and free
"I love this song," she murmured against him.
"Hmm," Eddie hummed contentedly.
One of his hands had wandered up from her waist so that his thumb could gently stroke the bare skin of her back. Chrissy felt the goosebumps rising on her skin.
She sank her weight against him. She'd gladly bribe the DJ to play only slow songs if it meant she could stay wrapped up like this in Eddie's arms.
Baby, you're all that I want
When you're lying here in my arms
I'm finding it hard to believe
We're in heaven
Chrissy tilted her head back to peek up at Eddie. He looked back down at her with a soft smile and a look in his eyes she couldn't quite place. He leaned down to press his lips to hers. They stopped swaying, frozen in place as she stood on tiptoes to better reach his lips.
He pulled back but Chrissy surged forward to keep her lips on his. She heard him chuckle softly.
She grinned against his lips before pulling away herself to look up at him.
"So prom isn't the worst school tradition huh?" She teased.
"It has its merits," he said, running one hand up to rest on the bare skin between her shoulder blades. He smile wickedly at her and she giggled.
"You are obligated to come to a D night now though." He added.
The music faded and she reluctantly pulled away from his arms.
"I think I can swing that." She grabbed his hand. "C'mon, let's get some punch. My feet need a break."
"I bet they do! You're almost my height with those stilts!" He teased, eyeing her shoes that barely peeked out from the hem of her dress.
They grabbed two cups of punch - which Eddie was disappointed to find had not been spiked - and took a seat at the first unoccupied table they saw.
They had to sit close to hear each other talk over the din of music and conversation surrounding them. Eddie pointed out several guys who had opted for white tuxes with colorful vests to match their dates' dresses; Chrissy had to agree with him that the black suited Eddie's style more.
Chrissy was enjoying surveying her classmates' prom apparel from afar, chatting and laughing in her own little world with Eddie, when the music cut off and the DJ's voice cut across the gym.
"Alright everyone, we're half way through Prom '86!!! You know what that means…let's take a moment to announce this year's King and Queen!!"
Applause erupted as the students flocked to the small stage.
Chrissy had forgotten about prom King and Queen. Or maybe it was more fitting to say she'd pushed the thought of it away. Voting had taken place before she broke up with Jason; a worried knot formed in the pit of her stomach. She was fairly certain Jason was going to be prom King. That meant, barring some miracle, that she was most likely going to be Queen.
She stood to join the throng of students gathered, eyes on Principal Higgins as he rolled out the stand with two shiny costume crowns rested atop a puffy red cushion. She held out her hand to Eddie, who had also stood now and was watching Chrissy instead of the commotion by the stage.
"Wanna run?" He asked as he held onto the hand she'd offered him.
A laugh escaped her and she felt a little bit calmer. His humor always seemed to steady her somehow.
"I don't think I do actually."
Eddie nodded. He pulled her gently into the crowd where they could get a better view.
The DJ handed the mic over to Principal Higgins.
"Alright now, settle down!" He chided mildly. The students cut off their hushed conversation, all eyes on the stage.
"You all voted and it's time to reveal the prom King and Queen of 1986!"
Applause erupted. Higgins waved his hand, shushing the crowd once more, an amused smile playing at his lips. He pulled an envelope from his breast pocket and held it up like a beacon. He lifted the seal and pulled a small card from within, read it silently, and took a dramatic pause.
"Prom king….Jason Carver!!!"
Applause and cheering filled the room. From the left of the stage, Chrissy saw Jason climb the two steps to join Principal Higgins in the spotlight. Chrissy hadn't seen him until now; he wore a white tux with a pale blue vest. He waved to a girl standing in the spot he'd just vacated. She wore a dress the exact shade of blue as his vest. Chrissy couldn't make out who it was, but knew that she must be Jason's date.
"Now for your Queen!" Higgins said. "Prom Queen….Chrissy Cunningham!!"
Even sensing it was coming, Chrissy froze in place. She heard the applause around her, but also noticed how many people were leaning in to each other, whispering.
She felt Eddie release her hand to gently tap the small of her back, urging her forward.
"Go on Queen Chrissy. Go kick some ass! I'll be here when you're done." He murmured in her ear.
She turned to kiss his cheek before weaving her way up to the stage. She took a spot opposite Jason, on the other side of Principal Higgins, who seemed oblivious to the tension. Jason had his winning smile plastered on his face; you'd hardly know this was an awkward moment for him too. He hid it well.
Chrissy smiled too as the crown was lowered onto her head.
"And now, the King and Queen dance!" Higgins exclaimed.
Chrissy turned to Jason, who held his hand out to her. She let him lead her down the stairs. Their classmates stepped back, making a space for them. Chrissy looked to the girl in blue as they passed by, recognizing a fellow senior - Susan Hensley; Chrissy didn't know her well, but she'd had a few classes with her over the years; she was nice, but a bit shy. Susan raised her hand in a small wave as Jason and Chrissy passed by. Any other girl would be quietly seething to watch their date dance with his ex in front of the entire senior class, but Susan - who was a genuinely kind person - smiled sincerely at the pair.
Jason stopped in the clearing of the floor and used the hand holding Chrissy's to pull her towards him. His other hand went to her waist. Music started playing, some slow song, and he began to sway with Chrissy.
"I pictured this dance a bit differently." Jason said, smile still firmly in place as he spoke.
"Me too," she replied truthfully. If you'd asked her months ago how she imagined prom, she would've been on Jason's arm.
His vest would match her dress and not Susan's. He'd drive her home at the end of the night, after he'd taken her up to lover's lake of course.
She couldn't be happier that's not the way it had panned out.
"It's a shame it had to be this way," he added.
Chrissy narrowed her eyes at him.
"I don't think it's a shame at all." She nodded her head in his date's direction. "It looks like Susan is having a lovely time."
"Susan isn't who I'm supposed to be here with, Chris." Jason's voice had dropped the pleasant facade. He kept his face neutral, but Chrissy had struck a nerve.
"Susan isn't who I've dated since freshman year. Or who I'm supposed to go to college with, or marry, or have a family with. That was you, Chrissy, and you threw it all away."
Chrissy felt the hand on her hip tighten slightly.
"You threw it away for someone so far beneath you. I'll never understand."
She saw his eyes flicker to the side and she followed his gaze to see Eddie, standing among the crowd, watching her dance with her ex boyfriend, who he couldn't stand. But he was only looking at Chrissy, and with the most sincere smile on his face. He was proud of her for winning prom queen, even though he didn't buy into things like that - he knew it was important to her, therefore it was important to him.
"I didn't throw anything away." She snapped, turning her attention back to Jason. "Just because we dated a long time doesn't mean you own me. I don't owe you anything. Not my time or my energy, and especially not my future."
"You actually think you have a future with him?"
"You're wrong about Eddie. You're so far beneath him, you're just too arrogant to see it. Enjoy the rest your evening, Jason."
Chrissy released his hand and stepped away before the song had ended. She heard the murmurs erupt among the crowd as she left him standing there alone, the music still going strong, but she didn't care. She beelined for a very confused looking Eddie, grabbed his hand, and pulled him towards the door without looking back. It wasn't until they stood outside in the cool night air that she stopped.
"Chris, are you okay? What happened? Do I need to kick his -"
She silenced him with a kiss. "Never better," she breathed as she pulled back. "You wanna get out of here? I'll fill you in on the drive."
He grinned at her as he immediately began to loosen his tie.
"Whatever the Queen commands!" He grinned. "You got time til your curfew. Where to?"
She smiled back, feeling giddy and reckless and free. She snaked her hands inside his jacket, wrapping them securely around his waist, leaving little space between them.
"Your place?"
He scooped her up, catching her off guard. She giggled as he hurried back to the van, carrying her the entire way.