Tonight was the night of the middle school winter ball, and students were having the time of their lives: dancing with their friends, eating refreshments, simply running around beneath the twinkling Christmas lights and paper snowflakes hanging from the ceiling. Glittering snow, something that the Polish president of the dance committee had fought to procure, lay in the corners of the gym. Now, he and his other friends sat at one of the tables scattered around the edges of the room, admiring the decorations.
As the other students milled about in their revelry, two nervous 8th graders were standing outside the gym doors, trying to work up some courage. One, a short, pale boy with dusty green eyes and messy straw colored hair, wore a clean white button up shirt, black vest, blue tie, and dark pants. The other one was taller, tanner, and chubbier, with hair the color of sunshine and blue eyes that put a summer sky to shame. He wore a tuxedo t-shirt and black jeans.
"Come on Artie, let's go in," the taller boy exclaimed. "I like this song!"
"Artie" bit his lip. "But what if they laugh at us? Alfred, we're the only gay kids here! I don't fancy being a laughingstock."
Alfred shook his head and smiled. "Arthur, you're way too awesome for them to laugh at you. You've never cared what people thought before; why start now? Let's just go in. We can dance, and I'll buy you some candy."
The best thing about tonight's that we're not fighting.
Could it be that we have been this way before?
"You don't understand! I get beaten up enough as it is, and this," Arthur said, raising their clasped hands. "Isn't going to help the situation one bit."
"I get it Art, I really do. But we've been dating for, like, a month. I really wish we didn't have to keep it secret."
"You get it? You're not even trying to understand! I can't even tell you how many times I've had to fetch my bag from the washroom, or pull spitballs off the back of my jumper!"
I know you don't think that I am trying.
I know you're wearing thin down to the core.
Alfred slung an arm around Arthur's shoulders. "I do understand, I promise. Art, I'm fat. I spend more time eating than anything else. You think I don't get shit for that? You gotta learn to just go with the flow, dude. If you don't care, they don't care. And if they do, I'll just beat them up, ok?"
But hold your breath
Because tonight will be the night that I will fall for you
Over again
Arthur was silent for a moment. Alfred was about to ask if he was alright when the older boy took a deep breath, tightened his grip on Alfred's hand, and led him to the middle of the gymnasium. Alfred stood still, not quite believing what was happening. Arthur scowled and placed the taller boy's hands on his waist, before placing his own on his shoulders. "Don't make me change my mind," he whispered. "Dance with me."
Don't make me change my mind
Or I won't live to see another day
I swear it's true
Because a girl like you is impossible to fine
You're impossible to find
"Wow Art, you're one of a kind," Alfred laughed, swaying the two of them side to side. "I didn't really think you would actually come out here with me, but I'm glad you did."
Arthur looked away. "Shut up; I just really like this song is all." He slowly lifted his gaze to Alfred. "And maybe you," he admitted. "Even if you're an overenthusiastic idiot."
This is not what I intended
I always swore to you I'd never fall apart
You always thought that I was stronger
I may have failed but I have loved you from the start
Alfred grinned. "You're so romantic Artie. You always know just what to say to make me swoon." He twirled Arthur around, causing the older boy to stumble and nearly fall.
"You git, warn me next time! I told you, I don't fancy being a laughingstock," Arthur said, attempting to sound angry but ultimately failing.
But hold your breath
Because tonight will be the night that I will fall for you
Over again
Don't make me change my mind
Or I won't live to see another day
I swear it's true
Because a girl like you is impossible to find
It's impossible
Alfred ducked forward as Arthur righted himself, kissing him on the nose. Arthur smiled and hugged him tightly.
"Thank you for convincing me to come out here," he said softly. "You were right; this is fun, and nobody's even watching us."
So breathe in so deep
Breath me in
I'm yours to keep
And hold on to your words 'cause talk is cheap
And remember me tonight
When you're asleep
Alfred and Arthur spent the rest of the dance running around together, dancing to fun songs, and flaunting their relationship to anybody that would pay attention to them. At the end of the night, they both went their separate ways, promising to see each other on Monday in math class.
Heyyyy! I don't even ship USUK, but my bestie does, and this was her birthday present.