Synopsis: Ashley isn't a fan of Prom. Not when it's advertised as this big, celebratory party exclusively for those at the top of the pecking order. But when Chris and Matt both decide to compete with each other to see who can win Ashley a Prom crown, who will succeed? And will that change her mind about the whole thing? A very short story about Prom, romance and obligatory long words.

Genre: Comedy, Romance, Friendship

Ending: Pre-Game

Rating: T

A/N:I feel like I've been away from this forever. I was just so stuck on introducing Hannah. It was hard to get to grips with her character – and what Ashley would think of her – since she was barely in the game... except when she was in Handigo mode.

Regardless, I hope you enjoy this dorky chapter! Love you guys!

Chapter Six

Preliminary Rap and Offensive Merriment

"And you said no," Sam repeats candidly, complete with raised eyebrows and amused smirk. It's almost like she didn't expect anything less.

"Shh," Ashley hushes sharply. She darts her eyes around, jolting between mulling, cluttered students, waiting for the head of her mom to pop up and shriek like a banshee. "She'll hear you," Ashley gasps, dramatically snapping her stare towards her companions, eyes wide and warning. Like one of those zoom in frames in a classic, Hollywood that dramatic chipmunk video. Dun dun duuuuuunn! "She has ears everywhere!"

Sam snorts followed by Hannah's spluttering as she almost chokes on her water bottle. Awkward. Ashley suddenly wishes she'd prepared herself a bit more for the presence of Hannah. You know, like an oxygen mask or a picture of Mike to calm her down. Ashley's amateur CPR skills are not even nearly ready to be tested.

She once did CPR on her childhood hamster.

It died.

"You said no?" Hannah dribbles the words out of her slack mouth. If it isn't for the fact she's still blinking, Ashley would think she had died on the spot.

'We are all gathered here today to remember the late Hannah Washington. She really should have just asked for the good news first.'

Ashley is still convinced Hannah is adopted. If it isn't for the fact that she and Beth look conveniently, accurately similar, Ashley would have already demanded a birth certificate. Not that she has the authority – yet. Lawyer ambitions, remember?

Amongst the mess of penis jokes from Josh and stench of popularity from Beth, Hannah's mellow naivety is a breath of fresh air.

Though her crush on Mike is a consistent, throbbing annoyance. She might has well have heart shaped irises with MIKE written across them in black ink.

"Not exactly," Ashley flashes Hannah a cringing, comical smile, a mix between a sheepish grin and a grimace. "I kind of just... laughed in his face."

Cue the hysterical, I'm-dying-here laughter from Sam. Totally not offended here.

Sam is just one of those people you can tell anything to. Ashley hasn't yet figured out if she's tricking people into spilling their most deepest secrets only for them to be piled up, gathering dust in Sam's cupboard. Obviously to be used later for a top-secret, super-important plan. Probably to turn everyone into vegans.

One day, Sam will become one of those middle-aged women that end up with an Agony Aunt column in a sewing magazine. 'Samantha Solves,' it'll be called, 'Solving everything but math.'

"It's not that funny," Ashley screws up her nose, batting the dying-of-laughter Sam while Hannah fights her own laughter with a look of sympathy sent in Ashley's direction. Thanks. I appreciate the vote of confidence. Note: Sarcasm.

Before Ashley can plot her revenge on the ever suspicious Sam, her ears prick up – like the revolving satellites of K9 from old school Dr. Who – to the unmistakable pitch of a certain human being Ashley distinctly wouldn't mind making out with. You know; it wouldn't be unpleasant.

Unfortunately, Chris' obviously attractive voice – if Ashley does say so herself – is drowned over by Josh's horrendous attempt at beat-boxing.

"Okay," Sam, among her many other talents, recovers quickly from her laughing fit and eagerly pushes through the crowd of students. "I have got to see this."

And like the follower Ashley always is, she trails behind. Thankfully she's not in it alone this time. Hannah Washington is conveniently a follower too.

"Yo, yo!" Chris raps along with Josh's beat as they come into view between the shoulders of fellow audience members. "It's C-Wizzle!"

"And DJ Woshi!" Josh pipes in into the mouth of a water bottle, standing on top of a make-shift, cafeteria-bench stage. "In the house!"

What the hell is this? Ashley wants to bury herself up and die. Where is Hannah's water bottle when you need it? Ashley could seriously do with choking on it right at this moment.

Ashley can feel Hannah tense up beside her. Unlike a completely unfazed Sam, Hannah is obviously extremely embarrassed to be at all associated with a guy who beat boxes in a school cafeteria. Well, I'm glad he's not my brother.

But he might as well have been. Ashley can already feel second hand embarrassment creeping up her neck.

She stares, alarmed, at the posters hanging behind the rapping pair. They are complete with the bold caption, 'Chris = 49' and hashtag, '#ChrisForKing'. Didn't Chris get the hint when Ashley almost hit him last time? To be fair, though, Ashley has to admit she appreciate Chris' use of a Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy reference. Nice choice!

Whisper: the book is better.

"Vote for me! Vote for me!" Chris flails his hands around, attempting to rap along to Josh's spluttering beat-boxing. Laughter ripples across the crowd. Ashley cringes at Chris' attempt at a gang hand sign which he ends up accidentally slapping against his thigh and wincing.

Okay. That was cute. Kind of.

"Yo!" Josh pitches in. "'Cause he's 43!"

And the makeshift beat cuts short as Chris drops his water bottle mic and glares at his best friend. "Bro, that's not even the right number!" before throwing his hand in the direction of the 49 on the posters.

Josh grins sheepishly. "But it rhymed," he almost whimpers.

Just as Matt saunters through the crowd.

"What is this?" He almost chortles, laughing affectionately at the pair's performance. The crowd hushes around him, fully aware of his royal popularity status. Ashley snorts in his direction, resulting in a pointed, anxious look from Hannah. Ashley flashes her a swift smile. She doesn't need to know my inner turmoil. Ashley is still, understandably, mourning over her book.

But it's not long before Matt's attention is taken by the make-shift posters. He's like a gold-fish. He has a short attention span. You know, with a small brain. His forehead wrinkles as he stares, confused, at the posters. "Seriously," he mutters. "What is this?"

A tense Chris – matching Hannah's tense shoulders – who has almost lost all of his charisma, mutters a swift, "It's a hitchhiker's joke."

Mike blinks. "I don't get it."

Of course you don't.

"I get it," Ashley blurts out before she can help herself. Like mechanical dolls, everyone's heads turn to her. Okay, she is not used to this. She's used to people looking past her. Like the wallflower she is. Or was?

He smiles affectionately in her direction, pride filling his eyes. Okay, it was all worth it for that smile. Damn.

"Alright," Matt claps Chris on his shoulder, causing the latter to wince. Ashley doesn't blame him. Matt has some muscles... Not that that effects Ashley's opinion of him in any way.

Cough.

The crowd whistles with an 'ooh' sound. Ashley can even hear Sam join in. She rolls her eyes. This may as well be a movie. Where's Ryan Gosling when you need him?

"You're on," Matt's voice is challenging. He drops his hand from Chris' shoulder, jabbing his thumb in the direction of the window. "Football court in ten."

And then he slinks away. Like he wasn't even there. But of course he was. Because the crowd is suddenly bubbling with whispers of his name.

"But-" Chris – no longer the centre of attention – goes limp as his face creases. "I have math in ten!"