December
JEROME'S POV
Christmas.
Finally.
I can't describe how long I've been waiting for this. I'm not excited for gifts or cookies or anything like that - I'm excited for the dance.
Now, I've never been big on dances, but ever since I began dating Joy, holding her close and dancing is all I can think about.
There's only a few more days until the dance, and I've been endlessly pondering how I'll ask her. It has to be a huge romantic gesture, something big, bold, something dazzling. This is senior year; I'll never get this opportunity again.
I various ideas, but surprisingly, the idea I decide to go with isn't mine. It's Alfie's. Yeah, I know, right?
His idea, though, is actually… dare I say, genius? He came up with this elaborate dance number where all of us guys at Anubis dress in tuxes and sing a Christmas carol to the girls we want to ask. I thought it sounded cheesy, but it's actually cute, clever, in fact. We've been rehearsing since the month began, and I've got to say, I frankly enjoy it. We're -horribly- singing "Kissin' by the Mistletoe" by Aretha Franklin. I can't believe I'm going along with this, but it's horribly catchy.
Alfie and I rounded up and persuaded a few of the guys to do it with us. Fabian complied first, then Beck, saying he wishes to ask out Amber (I had to stifle a laugh at that, but hey, his choice). It took some convincing, but Eddie eventually agreed to our master plan, too. I could tell he was hesitant to even think of attending the dance, what with all that has been happening to him lately, but on the inside, I could tell he was relieved to take his mind of the situation.
After a substantial amount of rehearsing, we agree that we're finally ready to perform. I smile at my reflection in the mirror, my rose in hand, and can't help but wonder how much Joy will love this. I can't wait to see her reaction.
"Alright, boys," Alfie says. "Let's do this." We march downstairs confidently and enter the living room, gaining suspicious looks from the girls and Liam and Callan. I keep my head held high and sustain a smile.
We form a horizontal line across the lavishly decorated room. Greens, reds, and whites encompass the entire area, and an evergreen stands firmly in the corner. Perfect.
Alfie blows into a pitch-pipe. "Ok boys, a one, a two, a one, two three!"
We begin our number, and the girls break down into laughter and tears. But I keep my eyes firmly planted on Joy, who's cackling wildly in her chair.
When we conclude our number, I step forward.
"Joy, dear Joy," I say. "Would you do me the honor of attending the Holiday Dance with me tomorrow evening?"
Amidst her laughing, I hear a yes escape her lips. Fabian steps forwards next to ask KT, then Eddie goes, then Alfie, then Beck. I see Amber is taken aback at first by the surprise of Beck wishing for her to attend, but she agrees and tells him yes.
Success.
"I'm looking forward to tomorrow," Joy says.
I laugh. "I'm elated." I kiss her soft lips and forget the world around me, even if it's only for a second.