The Doctor stood outside wearing a tuxedo and his trademark Converse. A tiger lily was pinned in his lapel. "Are you coming?"
A hushed voice came from the TARDIS door, which was open just a crack. "No!"
"Oh, come on! It can't be that bad, can it?"
"I can't wear this! I look like a freaking hot air balloon!"
"Aww, it's the latest style. Don't worry, everyone else looks just as bad. It's the fashions of the time period."
"Um, you're not helping, and that's not the only problem, DW. There is no way that anyone is going to believe I'm 17 years old! I can't believe you insisted on going to a high school prom!" There was a pause. "Though I...must admit I missed my own, it might be nice to finally attend one."
The Doctor rolled his eyes, walked back to the TARDIS and pulled Michelle out of the door. She reddened as he smiled. "Brilliant! You look fetching in that getup! Absolutely gorgeous!"
"Stuff it," she grumbled. Michelle wore a chewing gum pink dress with puffed sleeves and a wide bubble skirt, with dark black nylons and pink pumps. The same bright red lipstick and blue eyeshadow was on again, and she wore plastic pink triangle-shaped earrings. Once again her hair was up in spikes, and a tiger lily adorned her wrist. "God, this is so embarrassing."
"You never know, you might have fun tonight! Like the song says, everybody have fun tonight!" the Doctor mimed.
Michelle wobbled in the high heels. "If you let me fall again, I swear that I will hurt you..."
The TARDIS was parked at the top of a hill, overlooking the spotlights of a large high school campus. The Doctor continued to sing, "Everybody Wang Chung tonight..."
"Could you help me walk, please? Thank you! I love how you think that the chaperones here will let just any random couple walk into their prom. Do we have tickets?" She turned to him.
The Doctor merely waved the psychic paper in Michelle's face as a response.
"Right, should have guessed. But what about our identities?"
"Oh, the TARDIS has given you a quick backstory for the night. I'm John Smith, your out-of-town date."
The Doctor gave Michelle a curious look. "Wait, what's this? Hold on then...your mascara is smudged." He placed his fingertips along Michelle's temple, and she briefly collapsed into his arms before regaining consciousness.
"What? What did you just do?"
"I gave you your backstory, plus some extras."
"Huh? You could ask before doing your psychic thing, lunkhead!" But the Doctor had grabbed her hand and was leading her down the hill.
"Come on, time's a-wastin'."
"Why are we in Crittendon, Ohio?" Michelle had seen the town's identifying sign as the TARDIS had landed.
"Because, my lovely date, it is close enough to your home to be comfortable, but far enough away that you won't interfere with the creation and substantiation of your own existence."
"So no 'Back to the Future.' Great shame. Okay." Michelle allowed the Doctor to lead her to the entrance of Crittendon High School. She swallowed nervously as they neared the doors. "You know, I was rather happy to be done with high school. I...I'm not so eager to relive it so soon!"
"Relax, you'll be fine! Besides, you've got 10 years on everyone else here. And sadly, just so you know, I can give you a backstory, but I can't make teenagers behave themselves."
As if to confirm his statement, there was a "Well, well!" One of the sarcastic, condescending voices Michelle shuddered to remember sounded out behind them. She froze and did not turn around, but did not have to.
Two girls with dishwater blonde hair teased to high heaven moved in front of Michelle and the Doctor. Both were smoking cigarettes. "Looks like Lady Divine got a date!"
The second took a drag from her cigarette. "I guess she was able to put down the ice cream long enough to come to the dance! Who's the hunk, fatty?" She appeared to be chomping on a piece of gum.
Michelle raised her eyebrows. "You chew gum and smoke at the same time? Must taste great."
"Shut up, fatty! I said, who's the hunk?"
"Oh, him? This is John Smith. He's, uh...he's my gay friend from out of town. He offered to take me to the dance this year."
The first one snickered. "Aww, no hunks for the virgin blob. But I could probably turn him around." She batted her eyes coyly at the Doctor.
"Sssssooo charming to meet you both, but I'm afraid you're not manly enough for my tastes," lisped the Doctor. He gave Michelle a secretive glance.
The second girl went to blow a bubble with her gum and instead belched loudly. "Oh, gross!"
"Gag me with a spoon, Tracy! You don't want them to find out we've been drinking, do you? Gawd. I would never act like that in front of Bobby!"
Michelle smirked. "No, instead you go and dance in your underwear for her boyfriend Jake, plus a few other X-rated things that I really ought not to mention in polite company."
The first one, Stacy, immediately looked mortified. "Tracy, don't believe her! She's lying!"
Tracy's jaw dropped, then she became enraged, throwing her hands up in the air, lit cigarette still between her fingers. "I knew those were your leg warmers in his kitchen! You little tramp!"
The Doctor looked as if he was in slight pain. "We need to go, girlfriend." He pulled Michelle away.
"By the way," called Michelle after the bickering 'popular' girls, "Use less Aqua Net hairspray, Tracy. Your hair is on fire." There was a shriek, and cries of "Put it out, put it out!" The sound of flapping hands and jackets could be heard as bystanders rushed to assist.
When they were far enough away, the Doctor winced. "Ooh, that's sore."
Michelle was concerned. "Are you all right?"
The Doctor loosened his collar. "Hang on..." He stifled a belch, then grinned. "Okay, that's better."
Michelle folded her arms. "Super mature."
He shrugged. "I had to give you a chance to stand up for yourself, didn't I? Just a brief telepathic control on my part and Tracy makes herself look like a fool. But she wasn't kidding. She likes her whiskey. And you got to use your backstory!"
Michelle lifted one finger. "And...I don't care." She headed for the doors without him.
"Wait for me!" called the Doctor, running after her. "I can't make a grand entrance on my own!"