Starry Night

Carl kills the ignition and reaches across the console to retrieve the dainty corsage made of a single nude colored mini-rose and a cluster of white tulips. If anyone asked his prom plans before tonight; he would have described comics, video games, pizza, and a bag of cool ranch Doritos. He glances up and checks his reflection in the visor mirror. He doesn't even attempt to hide the goofy grin on his face. He exits the car and walks the familiar sidewalk. He rings the bell and waits to have his mind blown. My girl never disappoints.

Sophia leads the group into the restaurant and approaches the hostess station. "Hi, we have reservations under Peltier."

The hostess looks up from the seating chart, "Well, well, well the A team has arrived." None of the girls in the group looks like the other nor do they resemble any of the other teens previously seated. The young lady before her is dressed in a robin's egg blue scoop neck chiffon dress; another in a blush nude strapless a line gown with crystal beading on the bodice; the third sets off her black tendril curls with an indigo ombre sleeveless v-back dress and the final member breaks with tradition completely in an androgynous tuxedo with cigarette pants.

"What makes you say that?" Noah speaks up glancing around the room.

"First off, you reserved the Enchanted Garden which is separate from the main floor and decorated with fairy lights. Next, I know fashion and your dates definitely did not shop locally. Follow me," she gestures to the left. The 'Geek Squad' gives each other knowing smiles while the Guys shrug and follow the hostess through the room toward the archway.

Justice places her right hand with the corsage on top of Carl's left hand resting on the table. "What will you have young lady?" The waiter inquires. "She will have the roasted chicken with Asiago polenta and truffled mushrooms, I will have the lamb chops…the bacon wrapped scallops' appetizer," Carl turns, "You want a mock tail?"

Her proud smile lights up her entire face, "Sure Bae."

"Two blackberry mint tarts," he hands over the menu. His boys stare at him. "What?"

Broderick motions down with his hand. Josh coughs into his hand, "Sprung." Noah offers his fist before turning to his date, "America, you pick a desert yet?"

The girls enter the lounge area of the bathroom to freshen up. "I do not think it is too early to call it…best prom ever," Enid states while re-applying red lipstick.

"You have no idea," America teases.

"You keep saying that. Can you at least give us a hint?" Justice pleads.

"Nope, not a chance. Didn't you take a statistical oath or something," Sophia chastises.

They all laugh, "Seriously, a math oath." Sophia shrugs.

"Let's just say a night like tonight can be filled with wonderful surprises."

Justice blots her face and retrieves her shimmering gloss. Their warm energy is broken by the bickering duo barging through the swinging door. "I told you not to get the red dress. We look ridiculous!"

"No, you didn't care because you were getting the white."

Roxanne tosses her hair over her shoulder, "For your information I got both in case my mom couldn't get the extra money out of my dad for the spray tan."

"Clearly that went well," Amanda retorts sarcastically.

"If you were any kind of friend, you would go home and change…this is my night."

Amanda tilts her head, "Do you even hear yourself? Better yet, look at you…you are orange. Aren't you tired of trying to win everything; every time over everybody. I should have done this in junior high. Go fuck yourself. I am going to enjoy my prom." She turns on her heel and enters a stall.

Roxanne glances over the other occupants sitting on the couches, "What are looking at?"

The girls glance at each other and burst into laughter. The angry teen growls and storms back out.

Justice and Carl step under the photo archway. "Two photo packages," the photographer confirms. They both nod. "Do I need to pose you?"

Carl shakes his head, "Please do not even try." Justice drapes her left arm over his shoulder and places her right hand over his heart. Carl rests his left hand on her hip. They both turn their heads toward the camera smiling brightly. Before they move into the next pose he looks down and kisses the tip of her nose. The flash breaks their romantic moment.

"Sorry, y'all are adorable."

Carl pushes his tuxedo jacket back and places his left hand in his pocket. Justice turns so her back is against his chest. He places his right hand against her toned stomach, and she laces her fingers with his while they both smile at the camera.

By the time they enter the transformed cafeteria the prom is in full swing. The dim lights and sparkling stars on the walls surround the couples dancing with abandon. They move through the throng of hard partying teenagers to join their friends on the dance floor. Carl places his feet shoulder length apart and sways his hips to the beat. His girl faces him swiveling her hips in sync. A few songs in the familiar rhythm of Rihanna's Wild Thoughts spurs the crowd into a frenzy. Carl shimmies his shoulders bending his knees lower and lower until his face is almost buried against his date's waist when he gets a tap on the shoulder, "You need punch…why don't you and your date cool off at the snack table," Bonnie Rae folds her arms and raises an eyebrow. He blushes from the neck up but escorts Justice off the dance floor.

"The big moment has come," the principal announces. He takes the envelope from America.

Sophia, a member of the planning committee, reaches into her clutch and passes each of her friends a couple party poppers. They frown and look at her curiously. She just nods and mouths, "Trust me."

The royal court stands on the stage. Negan leans on the left side of the stage with the other nominees. "This year's homecoming king is…the captain of the" before he can finish Negan steps forward. "Soccer team…Reza Ahmadi!" A few mouths fall open and once the shock wears off people cheer wildly. Noah leads the crew setting off the poppers. "This year's homecoming queen…is Captain of the championship soccer team…Monica Ray." Roxanne's shout of no is drowned out by the crowd's cheers and the sound of the noise makers.

Carl sips one of the beers Josh's brother gifted the group. He wasn't sure he was a fan, but it tasted better than the wine cooler swinging from his girl's hand. The 'Geek Squad' dances to a Jessie J mega mix blasting from America's boom box in the middle of the gazebo. Most of their classmates hit the after party or snuck off to the local shady motel on the edge of town. "Dance with me," she calls. He pushes off the side of his vehicle and makes his way to the gazebo in the town square. He wraps his arm around her waist pulling her close. Ella Mai's voice fills the night sky…

Oh, how many ways can I say that I need you? Baby, it's true…I think I might die without you…Feeling all over my body…You know how I like it…Ain't gotta tell you what to do, yeah, yeah…boo'd up…Head over heels in love…I wanna build this love…You got me boo'd up, boo'd up

"Did I tell you how good you looked tonight?"

"You may have mentioned something, but no one can hold a candle next to you…simply beautiful. Did you have a good time?"

She blushes under his loving gaze, "Everything was perfect…just like my fine ass man," she giggles.

"Hey," she lifts her eyes, "Kiss me," he commands softly.

She runs her hand through his hair pulling his mouth to her. They lose themselves in each other.

The other couples watch in awe, "They are so married…Totally."