"You're such a loser"

He shrugged. It didn't sound like an insult at all, coming from her.

She turned to face him, her lips breaking into a smile. "Why aren't you going to the dance?"

"It's just a dance"

"It's just a dance," she mocked. "Zayn, it's the last dance of the year, before we all go off to college. Don't you think you should, at least, show up?"

He sighed and gave no response.

She made a face. She picked up one of her books from the table and hit him on the shoulder hard.

"Ouch!"

Hearing the commotion, the librarian glared at them.

"It was entirely his fault Mrs. Horan" she said in a hushed tone. Mrs. Horan glared at them once more then, went back to organizing the previously borrowed books on the shelves.

"You're not a girl. You're an evil witch"

She rolled her eyes. "Come on," she said, bringing back the smile she had on a moment ago. "It'll be fun. I'll be there" she added, using an encouraging tone.

Of course you'll be there.

With him.

"Don't you think it would be a good change from last year?" she asked. "We didn't go then, and now, we should"

"Didn't you have fun last year?"

His gaze dropped to the floor.

"Of course I had fun last year," she answered. Relief washed over him. "I was with you"

He brought his eyes back to her and smiled.

A year ago, the two of them blew off the prom and spent a night at her house watching Asian horror flicks. It seemed like such a waste to go then because only people who had dates could enjoy a night of dancing. They could've gone together but, they didn't bother bringing it up; he was glad they didn't. He could recall so well what happened a minute before midnight.

"They must be crowning the prom king and queen by now" she said, as the credits on screen rolled on. They had just finished watching, as he described it, the movie he will never ever watch again. They had a lot of cleaning to do. One of them screamed so hard during the film, the bowl of popcorn flew above their heads. One thing's for sure, it wasn't her fault.

"Oh please" he responded. He stood and picked up the bowl from the floor. He made sure it was free from crumbs before placing it on top of his head.

"Prom king," he said, pointing at himself. "Prom queen"

He gestured for her hand. She stood up from the sofa and smiled. He took her hand in his and she tripped towards him, accidentally stepping on her fluffy bunny slippers. She laughed as he caught her.

"You look dashing in your suit, dear sir" she said, her eyes gliding on his faded jeans and white t-shirt.

"Checking me out, huh?"

"Ugh" she retorted. She almost pushed him away but, he kept a firm grip on her hand. He made sure she was staring back at him as he stared at her. That annoyed look she wore left in a snap.

He placed his right hand on her waist and she took a step closer, putting both her hands around his neck.

"You look beautiful, madam"

Timing was being nice, apparently so, because then, the soundtrack of the movie they watched played and on came just the perfect tune for the moment.

"We'll be dancing on an actual dance floor now, and we'll all be in fancy suits and dresses" She said, her face growing brighter with each word. "And we would be with our dates and it would be amazing"

She was talking in her fairytale voice. He could sense how much she wanted this.

He pondered for a second, "You know, I would if—"

At that moment, she brought out her phone. "Oh shoot," she uttered, once she saw the screen lighting up. "I have to go. Lou's waiting"

Her eyes lit up at saying Louis' name. He trembled inside.

She smiled at him before turning away. She hurried towards the open doors of the library and he listened as her footsteps faded.

She didn't even let him finish his thought. She left without hearing what he was about to say.

I would if you'd go with me.

Of course.

Of course not.