Chapter 45: Prom Night
(Saturday)
Gumball and the boys decide to spend the afternoon at the Wattersons' while the girls spent their afternoon at the haunted mansion to get ready for the prom that night. Almost like a bachelor/bachelorette party but not exactly that.
As the boys spent their time watching TV and playing video games, it's as if Endo is the only one getting ready early, taking the liberty to ready their tuxes for the night. He did it silently and insisted on doing it despite Cato and Jake wanting to help.
"You guys just get some rest, it's gonna be a long night. Trust me." he said.
Although that didn't seem to be the case for the rest of them since they've been tirelessly hanging out together. One notable occassion is where Ivan challenged Richard to chow down a bowl full of sausages - and with Nicole at work - nothing was gonna stop him from doing so.
Nearing sundown, they took a bit of rest and - interrupted by Endo - got ready for the prom. They each took turns changing in Gumball's room and started complimenting each other as each one gets out.
"Darwin, lookin' good."
"Ivan looks a lot better in a suit for whatever reason."
"Hope you can close Carrie's mouth later when she sees you, Gumball."
"Jake seems pretty classy in it too."
"Cato looks like he's gonna spend all night on the dance floor."
"Endo looks like he's straight from a secret agent movie."
"Dante, love the new look."
Besides Cato, Jake and Ivan (Cato wearing a blue tux while Jake and Ivan both wearing white), everyone else had black suits. Endo wore a black tie which really did make him look like he's from a secret agent movie, while everyone else wore bowties.
They even huddled together and took a group photo, at the request of the Wattersons parents that is. To think that two of their sons are finally going to a senior prom and spend their last few days in school.
As they waited for sundown, Endo and Ivan decided to go out early. "We gotta prepare some last minute stuff there before anyone comes." said Endo.
"We'll see you guys there. Just gonna pick up Teri and Kira on the way there." Ivan continued.
"Sure thing, guys."
(Haunted Mansion)
Meanwhile, the girls are having their own hangout at the haunted mansion. They spent the afternoon talking about how prom is gonna be and what they think of each others' dates. The only one who couldn't make it were Lexy, Anna and Jamie, who didn't bother to hang out with the rest.
"Lexy has a date apparently, she's spending time at his place for the day." Kelsey said. "Sucks though that she had to keep it secret. We don't even know who the guy is."
"Anna said her parents wanted to see her in the dress they bought for her. She said it was an Indonesian dress. It might look good on her." Amber said.
"Such a shame though. Does she have a date by the way?" Kelsey asked.
"I don't think so. She never mentioned a date at all. I guess she's just gonna be there for her friends, a.k.a. us." Amber answered.
"What about you, CJ? Do you have a date?" Teri asked.
Christine, who up till this point basically did a thousand yard stare, was completely spaced out and shook her head back to reality at the question. "Umm...I don't."
"Aww, why didn't you tell us? We coulda helped you get a date." Carrie said in surprise.
"No, it's fine." Christine said shyly.
Despite being so, Carrie still persisted on helping Christine which made everyone laugh. Amber looked at Carrie with joy. She knew very well Carrie's acting this way because of her spending a nice time with Gumball. If, hypothetically, Gumball never came back, Carrie would definitely shut herself out at a time like this, let alone go to the prom. Although she wanted to feel good that she's acting the way she is right now, she couldn't get the thought out of her head.
"Anyway, I should get dressed. Endo's gonna pick me up early 'cuz we're gonna be there early to prep up the place." Kira said.
"I'm coming too. I'm just tagging along with Ivan while he sets up the DJ station." Teri said.
Both the eldest ghost and the paper bear left to go get ready while the rest still wait for sunset.
Kelsey and Christine both got up a few moments after. "We're gonna go help them out. You two should stay here in case they come early. You know, stall them for a bit."
Carrie laughed at the thought. "Sure thing, girls."
After they left, Carrie was still having a smile on her face as she rock back and forth on the couch. "Ahh, I can't believe it. It's finally prom. I'm so ecstatic!" she said with full excitement.
Amber's brows furrowed and she mustered a smile as she looked at her happy cousin next to her. "Yeah, me too."
"Hm? Hey, what's wrong? You can't be sad on a night like this."
"Not sad, just..." Amber thought for words for a moment. "Carrie, I need to talk to you about something."
"Don't worry, it's alright. Even after you're gone, we can still keep in touch. Besides, I'll probably get my hands full with Gumball so you don't have to worry about me not doing anything anymore."
"It's not that. I couldn't stop thinking about you. How you would feel, I mean."
"What do you mean?"
Amber looks down onto the floor. "I mean, if the circumstances were different. If Gumball never came back, you would definitely want everyone out of your sight. Gumball was basically your happiness, you were miserable without him and you held onto it even after he was gone for that long. I guess what I'm getting at is..." She looks back at Carrie with a smile. "I'm glad that you're happy now."
Carrie had a look of surprise and tears started forming in her eyes (ghost eyes?). She leapt towards Amber and gave her a hug, sobbing softly on her shoulder. "I guess I never thanked you properly for taking care of me during that time."
"Heheh, Cato too. He kept an eye on you at times and stopped you before things get messy."
Carrie pulled back and looked at Amber. "Don't tell Kira, but you're the best cousin a ghost could ask for."
Amber continued smiling at the compliment. "What are cousins for?"
They both started laughing until they heard the doorbell ring. There was a sudden ruckus upstairs followed by a door opening and Kira's voice heard from upstairs "Stall them, we're not ready yet!" and immediately shutting the door.
Amber got up and opened the door, revealing Endo and Ivan, both wearing good-looking suits. "Nice piece of clothing."
"Thanks for the compliment. May we come in?" Endo asked, his eyes staring at her through his normal shades.
Amber stepped aside as the two gentlemen walked in. "Kira and Teri are still getting ready upstairs."
"Hi Ivan, Endo." Carrie greeted them. "You wanna have some drinks?"
"Hey, Carrie. And no, it's cool. We need to get to school asap." Ivan replied.
"I told them they should be ready by the time we get here." Endo said looking at his watch.
Suddenly, a door creaked open upstairs and Kelsey and Christine came down the stairs.
"Hey, guys. Are Teri and Kira ready yet?" Ivan asked.
Neither of them answered, instead stood still in a formal stance as if they were knights about to address the princess. "Now coming down to the living room, Kira Booregard and Teri Pepakuma!"
"Uhh..wha-" was Ivan would've said before his eyes shifted to the top of the stairs revealing Teri in a paper dress. Despite being so, he still thinks she looked beautiful.
After that was Kira. Endo tried his best to keep his composure but deep down, he was fawning over hard at the sight of his girlfriend in a beautiful white dress, basically for the second time
Both of the girls walked to their seperate dates. Endo got down on one knee and kissed Kira's hand as he said "My love, you never aged a day since our prom." Obviously, such words would melt a girl's heart when their partner compliments her like that, and Kira's heart was melting hard.
Ivan looked over and asked "Weren't you mad at her for being late like 2 minutes ago?"
Endo snapped his neck towards Ivan and gave him a death stare which got Ivan trembling in fear and took a step back. Teri giggled at the sight of his clumsiness; something she refers to it being cute of him.
Ivan, on the other hand, completely forgot that Teri was right in front of him. In such haste, he quickly bowed to her and said "You look beautiful today, Teri."
"Why, thank you, Ivan. You look handsome yourself."
Endo looked back to Kira and back to Ivan and Teri. "So, shall we go?"
The three of them nodded and went outside to Endo's car.
"See you guys there later. Don't do anything romantic without us there." Kelsey said from the doorstep, as he rest of the girls giggled.
(School)
Once arrived at school, Endo and Kira were helping out Baxwell with the school gym whilst Ivan and Teri went over to the music room to get the DJ set he left there.
The halls were dimly lit, if lit at all. Teri had a bit of the creeps and stayed behind Ivan while he kept walking.
"Don't need to be scared. Nothing's here." Ivan assured.
"Are you sure?" Teri asked.
"There doesn't seem to be any bothering spirits, nor does it look like there's anyone but us around here."
As they made it to the music room, they noticed that the lights were left on.
"Someone must've been here." Ivan said as he opened the door. He walked over to the cupboards where he last put the DJ set but it wasn't there. He let out a grunt in response.
"Is something wrong, Ivan?"
"The DJ set is missing. So are all the records." he said as he stood backwards, looking around the room. "I swear I left it there. Can you help me search the room?"
"Sure." she said as she took out her pencil and erased her mouth, replacing it with a mask. Ivan wondered why she did that, but taking a second glance at the cupboards answered the question immediately. These things haven't been dusted in weeks.
They spent a quick 4-minute search before Ivan's phone rang. He looked at it and saw it was a message from Endo.
"Get back to the gym. The junior already set up the DJ station." it said.
"Damn, the junior got here earlier than we did." Ivan said.
"What do you mean?"
"He took the set and the records to the gym already." he said as he put the phone back into his pockets. "C'mon let's go."
After they walked to the gym, they were quite amazed at the decorations. The walls big streamers, there was a stage brightly lit with spotlights. It took them a moment to see where the DJ station was and they hurried over to the bottom of the stage to the left.
They saw someone bent over, rummaging to what they thought was a box full of records. It must be the junior. "Hey, excuse me." Ivan said.
The junior got up and Ivan noticed he was a white humanoid much like Cato but with black hair and was wearing orange goggles. What were those for, even he didn't have the answer to it. He wore a casual suit and tie just like Endo. He pulled his goggles to his forehead and took a quick glance at who called out to him. He then got down and raised his hand for Ivan to shake. "Andrew." he said.
"Ivan." Ivan shook his hand. "You're Cato's little brother, aren't you?"
"Yeah, we met several times before but never really talked."
"I never noticed it. Sorry."
"It's alright." Andrew then shifted his attention the the paper bear. "And you are.."
"Teri. Nice to meet you." she said, holding out her hand.
"Pleasure's mine." he said as he shook her hand, trying his best not to grip too hard so that she won't end up with a crumpled hand.
"So you're.."
Ivan was about to ask before Endo's voice cut him off. "Good, you two are already getting to know each other."
Ivan and Teri turned around and saw Endo standing next to Baxwell, who surprisingly is only wearing his normal teacher uniform.
"You guys can get started setting up the speakers and audio for the DJ station. We got an audio team to help you out."
Ivan looked over to Baxwell. "Not gonna have a dance, Mr. Baxwell?" he said jokingly.
"I'm only here to supervise, not to have fun as much as I wanted to." he answered
"That doesn't stop you from wearing a nice suit for once, Trent." Endo said.
"Dry cleaners didn't have my suit done in time." he answered again. "And wait, what happened to "formality"?"
"It's not school hours now, is it?" he said as he turned his back, about to walk away. "Well, cherio. Carry on with setting up. We got at least 2 hours before the kids start coming in."
"Huh, Trent. So that's his real name." Ivan thought, the long wondered question since he first had classes with him from last year finally answered.
The cheetah moved on to other prep groups, leaving the trio to set up their part. "Yo, since you guys are here, can you at least help and not stand around?" Andrew said as he's already rummaging through the box again.
(Outside the haunted mansion; 2 hours later)
The boys were headed to the haunted mansion to pick up their dates, besides Dante who went to get Jamie. Walking through the ominous graveyard at night scared Gumball a bit.
"Remind me again why we don't head to the prom early?" he asked.
"Cuz nothing really happens so early in the prom." Jake answered. "Normally everything starts like an hour after they say it would."
"Don't need to be such a scaredy cat, Gumball." Cato chimed in. "We're not that far from the mansion anyways."
"How do you live like this everyday?" Gumball asked quietly as if he was asking himself.
"Why are we walking to prom is a better question. My legs are gonna wear out before we get there." Darwin complained.
"Me and Ivan have a plan for that. You can guess what it is." Cato answered. "Alright, we're here."
Before them was the scary yet (at this point) regular haunted mansion that Cato and the ghosts reside. Cato knocked on the door a few times and let himself in. The others followed suit.
The foyer was quiet, so was the living room. There was no sight of the girls at all.
"Amber! You here?" Cato yelled out.
Immediately, there was a loud thump upstairs. The boys dashed up the staircase and looked around the hallway. Gumball noticed that the door leading to Amber and Carrie's room was ajar. He walked towards it slowly and opened the door.
And there it was. All their dates (and Christine) all looked like unconscious at various places. Amber and Carrie were on their beds, while Kelsey and Christine were on chairs by the dresser.
"Amber!"
"Carrie?!"
"Kelse!"
"Guys!"
Everyone said in unison as they went to their respective partners. Darwin went over to check on Christine. They all look unconscious but still breathing, as if they're asleep. They were already wearing their dresses to the prom, which gave the boys mixed feelings at the sight of their dates.
Then, almost all at once, the girls jumped and surprised the boys and scared them half to death. The boys jumped backwards in surprise and Gumball and Darwin in particular almost broke down crying.
The girls all laughed at their reaction. It wasn't a well-thought prank, but it was priceless anyway.
"Ahh the look on your faces." Carrie said.
"You almost gave me a heart attack!" Gumball said loudly.
"But you gotta admit it was funny." Amber said.
"Yeah, it was. Please don't do it again." Cato said.
"I think I need a change of pants." Jake said, sitting on the ground in front of Kelsey.
"What do you think of the dress, partner?" Kelsey said as she turned around in her red dress.
"Looks lovely."
Cato looked at Amber, relaxed now, and took in the view. "You look amazing." he said. "And nice hairband too. You should start wearing that often."
Amber giggled. "Thanks, but no thanks. This is only for special occassions." Amber helped Cato get up and looked at his suit. "That tux looks good on you. It's nice to see you wearing bright colors for once."
Cato looked over at Gumball who was already facing him, giving him the "I told you so" face. "Thanks, babe."
Carrie grabbed Gumball's arms and helped him up. "Sorry, we just thought it'd be funny." Carrie said with an innocent smile.
"You're as mischievous as I remembered. You look great though." he complimented her.
"Thanks, it's really nice." Carrie said as she twirled around in her dress. "You don't look too bad yourself."
"Yeah, but it's pretty uncomfortable on the inside."
"Should I ask why?" Carrie asked with a sly grin.
"Maybe later." he said, dodging the question.
Lastly was Darwin, who was still having a panic attack from the surprise. In his defense, he did just witness a wolf about to jump him. "Sorry, buddy. All in good fun and pranks. No hard feelings." Christine said, smiling widely probably the first time Darwin saw it.
"I'm fine." Darwin said as he got up. "That's a nice gown. Black seems pretty fitting for you."
Christine blushed while rubbing her arm. "Thanks." she said. "Where's your date, Darwin?"
"I don't have one. What about you?"
"Neither do I."
"You wanna go together? As friends I mean." Darwin said with a bit of a panic at the last part. Christine giggled at the reaction.
"I'd love that." she said.
Cato took out his cellphone and called someone. "Who are you calling?" Amber asked
"Ivan." he answered. There was a voice on the other end of the call, presumably Ivan. "Amber and Carrie's room." Cato said.
After a few seconds, a portal opened up and music started blaring in the room. Ivan walked through and greeted everyone. "About time you called. Party's just getting started." he said as he walked back through.
Cato looked at Amber and held up his arm. "Shall we go?"
Amber put her hand around his arm. "Definitely." And they walked through the portal as the others followed.
(School)
"Hope everyone's having a good time!" Andrew said over the mic. His words were followed with cheers from the other seniors in the school who came.
"Never thought Andrew would be the DJ honestly." Cato said as he just got through the portal.
"This looks pretty lively." Amber said. "C'mon, let's dance."
Before Cato could refute, Amber already pulled him to the dance floor. Jake and Kelsey went over as well.
Gumball, Carrie, Darwin and Christine were still standing around, taking in the environment of the place that was once their school gym. They were caught by surprise by a young female voice.
"Hi guys." Anna said.
"Hey, Anna. Looking good in that dress." Christine said.
"Thanks. My mom found one of her old Indonesian dresses and let me wear it. It's really nice."
And her words were true. The design of her dress was beautiful and creative. It showed off some Indonesian-style handiwork and culture to it too.
However, behind Anna was another man who was pretty tall and skinny. He wore a black suit and had scruffy hair to the point where his eyes are barely visible. He was keeping so close to Anna and constantly kept a blank expression as if he's a bodyguard and Anna was the daughter of the ambassador.
"Uhmm...who is this?" Gumball asked as he pointed to the man behind Anna.
"Oh, him? This is Dro. He's my Summon."
"Summon?" Carrie questioned.
"Yeah, I can summon him anytime I want. It's a new ability I gained." she continued explaining. "He's just here as my date for the prom, that's all. I didn't want people to see me be alone around here."
"Fair enough. But you could've asked Andrew over there, y'know?" Gumball pointed towards Andrew who was having a ton of fun playing the DJ set.
"I didn't know he was gonna come. Besides, he's having fun being a party go-er already." Anna said as she smiled towards Andrew's direction.
By sheer coincidence, however, Andrew made eye contact with Anna as she smiled at him. Andrew, almost losing focus, smiled back and waved at her. She waved back.
"Anyway, that's enough talking. C'mon let's all dance." Darwin said. Everyone immediately agreed (except for Dro, who is still keeping a blank face).
The night went on as you would expect, students having fun on the dance floor, some eating snacks and drinking punch, even sitting around at the table just to have a friendly chat. Cato and Amber are part of the former, they spent most of the night at the dance floor. Amber showed off her dance moves while all Cato could do was just stare at awe at his beautiful girlfriend.
Ivan was spending time with Teri near the snacks. Teri promised herself that, just for tonight, she would prevent herself from being germaphobic as possible so that she and Ivan can have a good time.
Endo came up on stage soon after and gave a welcoming speech to all the students present. Being the principal he is, however, he made sure that all the students remain at the gym at all times and not wonder about in the halls to avoid any inconvenience. Notibly, some students don't comply anyway as they were seen leaving the gym with the initial thought of them leaving early. Some really did, while some were caught by the chaperones.
Gumball and Carrie bust some moves together on the dance floor, making a surprisingly well pair when it comes to dancing, while Darwin and Christine danced along to the music, jumping and head bopping like they were at a concert.
Anna was dancing right by them as well with Dro keeping close at all times. At times, Andrew would find Anna in the crowd and cherish the smile on her face. The crush he longs for having fun to his beats.
After awhile, Ivan comes along with Teri to the DJ set to swap with Andrew. Andrew complied but before he leaves him, Ivan pulled Andrew close. "I'm gonna play the slow dance song now. You gonna make a move or not?"
"What do you mean?" Andrew asked with a confused expression.
"I saw you eyeballing on Anna. Have some guts and ask her to dance. Wouldn't hurt to try."
Andrew looked over to Anna who is currently drinking some punch, possibly tired from all the dancing. "I'm not sure. What if she doesn't want to?"
"Nonsense, boy. Just go and ask already." Ivan said with a reassuring smile on his face and patted Andrew's back with such force, he almost fell over. Andrew finally goes over to Anna to dance.
"You think he can do it?" Teri asked.
"I don't know the kid, so I have no idea. But I need to help a fellow boy when he doesn't have the courage to ask his crush to dance." Ivan answered as he took out the record from the player. He looked through the box and found the record he was looking for and played it. The slow and calm song playing on the speakers, beckoning the teenagers to slow dance.
On the dance floor, Cato and Amber realized the song being played and immediately blushed and looked away from each other. Cato mustered up the courage and faced his date. "Well, it's not like it's our first time dancing hand-in-hand. So...may I have this dance?" he said, holding out his hand.
Amber gladly took his hand and already started dancing, making Cato accidentally stepping on her foot. She recoiled and backed away from Cato.
"Sorry, this isn't our normal kind of dance we do together." Cato said.
"You mean you don't know how to slow dance?" Amber asked.
Cato looked away embarrassed. She knew what the answer was going to be. She chuckled. "Don't worry, let me teach you." she said as she held out her hand to start over.
Cato grasped her hand, this time trying to be careful not to screw up again.
"Just relax and look into my eyes." Amber said, causing both of them to blush.
As Amber started to dance, she started to sing as she leads Cato.
"One step to the left,
One step to the right,
Take one step back,
And another close to mine,
I'll twirl around now, as elegant as I can be,
I'll lean back, and you're gonna catch me."
However, right as she leaned back, Cato almost slipped up and managed to catch her in the nick of time. Caught in shock, Cato smiled nervously and apologized. "Sorry." Amber got back up and giggled at his slip up, easing him a little. She continued singing.
"Let's have a slow dance,
Tonight under the stars,
I've got nothing to worry,
When I'm in your arms,
Let's have a slow dance, just you and I,
And we'll be together in love."
Cato was basically on auto-pilot mode at this point, with her words, her voice, her steps, he knew she meant every single bit of it. He didn't even realize he was already getting the hang of it. He made sure to stay focused in her eyes (despite her literally telling him to relax). He started singing along as well.
"One step to the left,
One step to the right,
Take one step back,
Don't worry, I'll hold you tight,
Twirl around now, dear, as lovely as you are,
I'll catch you when you lean back and pull you close to my heart."
Amber, despite being surprised that Cato can catch on so quickly, managed to dance gracefully without fail. Without them knowing, there was a small crowd who were focusing on the couple but for now, they could care less. They both sang together. (Cato singing the lines in brackets)
"Let's have a slow dance,
Tonight under the stars, (under the stars)
I've nothing to worry,
With you in my arms, (in my arms)
Let's have a slow dance, just you and I,
And we'll be together in love."
Ivan could see the couple dancing from his spot. Teri did too, because she leans on his shoulder closely. "They look pretty cute together."
"They sure do." Ivan replied.
Gumball and Carrie looked at them too from nearby. Both envious of them, but they didn't mind. They were happy for them regardless.
The others were cheering from a distance. Darwin, Christine and Anna didn't want to slow dance while Jake and Kelsey got a tad bit too tired from dancing the entire night.
Anna felt someone tap on her shoulder. She turned around and saw a nervous Andrew. "Hey, Andrew. You having fun tonight? Those were some cool music you had."
Andrew was shocked by the compliments and blushed. "Uhh..yeah, I am. Hope you are too. Listen uh..." He looked over to Ivan who was already looking at him. Ivan nodded at him to make a move. Andrew turned back to Anna. "Do you..wanna dance with me?"
Anna smiled. "I'd loved to."
Andrew smiled back, but a chill ran down his spine and it was short lived as the cat-rabbit's summon stood behind him. "What did you ask mistress?"
Cato and Amber were just about finishing their dance and kept singing their song together.
"Let's have a slow dance,
Tonight under the stars, (under the stars)
I've nothing to worry,
When you're in my arms, (pull you close to me, love)
Let's have a slow dance, just you and I,
And we, (we) will be together, (together)
Forever,"
They pulled each other close, smelling each other's scent. Both their hearts were pounding and it seemed as if nothing was around them at all.
"In love."
They both shut their eyes, leaning in for a kiss. However, the moment died as they were pulled out of their trance by a boyish scream. They looked around and all of the sudden, they were separated by Andrew running in between them, with Dro in tow followed by Anna. Andrew finally stopped running and Anna tried to explain to Dro what he really meant (as if there needed to be an explaination at all).
Cato and Amber looked at each other again and laughed, continuing their dance until the sun rise.
Gumball and Carrie laughed at the failed attempt, the others did too from the side of the gym. "There's never a dull moment in Elmore. Something always has to happen when no one expects it." Kelsey said.
Christine looked by the gym doors. "Speak of the devil."
The rest of them looked over and saw Dante, Jamie, Lexy and a demon walk over to them.
"Sorry we got here late. We found Lexy and Blast on the way here. Their car broke down so we took it back to his house first."
The "Blast" in question was the half-wolf, half-demon next to Lexy. Red and well-built. The girls took note of the man she took to prom with.
"So you finally have a date after all." Christine said jokingly.
Lexy poutted. "Shut up, CJ."
Jake got up from his seat and greeted the new friend. "Pleasure to meet you, I'm Jake. That's Darwin, Kelsey and Christine. We normally call her CJ."
"Nice to meet you too." he said in a deep voice that almost got Darwin horrified and shook Jake's hand, almost crushing it with his strength. Jake endured the pain and tried to make sure the pain doesn't show on his face.
"C'mon, we're here already. Let's dance." Lexy said as she pulled Blast to the dance floor.
"Dancing isn't exactly my thing." Jamie said, looking at Lexy and Blast moving away. She looked at Dante. "You thinking what I'm thinking?"
"Raid the buffet?"
Jamie nodded and they immediately dashed for the food. The others only watched and chuckled at their behaviour.
"Truly a match made in heaven." Jake said.
On the dance floor, Gumball and Carrie were keeping each other close in their arms. Gumball rested his head on Carrie's. Carrie can hear Gumball's heart pounding in his chest.
"Why so nervous, lover boy?" Carrie said.
"Heh, I'm not sure either honestly." Gumball answered.
"Hey, Gumball. I wanted to tell you..."
Gumball made a bit of distance between them so that he can see her face. "What is it?"
Carrie looked down for a second before speaking up. "I'm glad that we're together like this. I don't care anymore about what you did before. I just want to be with you now. I'm happier now with you."
Gumball puts his paw behind Carrie's head and puts his forehead on hers. "I'm happy now too. I'm glad we're together again. I love you, Carrie."
Carrie almost bursted out crying in front of everyone, but managed to hold it in and puts her face on Gumball's chest, hiding away her embarrassment. "I love you too, Gumball."
Everyone had a good evening at prom. Jake and Kelsey spent some time chatting together. Dante and Jamie got some annoyed looks from the other students for hogging the food. Lexy and Blast dancing away, and so is Gumball and Carrie. Andrew never got to dance with Anna because of Dro, but still gets to hang out with her despite being shy whenever near her. Endo and Kira stood by the side of the gym looking over their students, reminiscing their prom just a couple years ago. Ivan went away with his beats as the DJ while Teri held onto his arm most of the time. Darwin and Christine, despite not being a couple, still had a fun time as friends.
As for Cato and Amber...
The couple sat on the roof about an hour and a half after their dance earlier. Almost half of the kids already left, and they genuinely have no clue about their other friends whether they were still in the gym or already going home.
Just for tonight. Just the two of them alone.
Cato layed down, looking up on the stars and Amber layed down too, resting her head on his stomach. Cato rested his left hand on her chest as she holds onto it while put his right under his head as a pillow. They both enjoy moments like these; no need for talk, just company in this chaotic mess known as "life".
"Cato, when you said you would come with me wherever I go, did you really mean it?"
Cato looked down to face Amber, who was looking up to stare at him. Her eyes glowed under the starry sky as if her eyes were stars themselves. He looked back up at the stars and gave out a small laugh at the answer he was about to give
"You see all those stars up there?" Cato said, pointing upwards to the sky. "I don't even care if you got a job at NASA and had to travel to any one of them. I'll make sure I get to come with."
Amber smiled at his response. "You know that'd be impossible. But I won't stop you either."
"You get my point. Wherever you had to go, I'll be there with you. Let it be physically or by heart. I'll make sure there's a part of me that follows you wherever you are." Cato grasped onto the heart-shaped locket on Amber's neck.
Amber puts her two hands on it as well and closes her eyes. "Thank you, Cato."
Cato started shuffling a bit which caused Amber to sit up. Cato did the same. They looked over the beautiful view, the night sky shining over the brightly lit streets of Elmore. Cato looked over to Amber who still admired the view. He put his hand on Amber's chin, turned her head towards him and he kissed her.
After a moment of wide eyed shock, she closed her eyes and returned the favor.
Cato pulled away and she opened her eyes again. "I was thinking back to the dance floor just now, we never got to kiss. So what's a better time and place than now."
Amber grinned. "Then don't stop, sugar lips." Amber put her arms around Cato's shoulders and started going aggressive on Cato. Cato didn't back out either and kissed her again while holding onto her. They both shared a passionate kiss and they never noticed that Amber was now on top of Cato. But they still shared the moment together.
And so continues towards the end of their high school life...
That concludes this pretty long chapter (at least for me). I originally thought of splitting the chapter in two between the preparation of prom and the actual prom but I didn't think it would be good. And also I got stuck on hiatus because my college semester finals came up before I managed to finish the chapter. There's a few things I should go ahead and clarify though.
First off, I know that in this fanfic I put Carrie's last name as "Krueger" and in this chapter I finally mention Kira's last name "Booregard". With them being cousins, they should be sharing the same last name pressumably but I didn't wanna change Kira's last name since it's not under my control to do so, thus I left it at that. As for Teri's last name "Pepakuma" however, I took (or well, borrowed) from a fellow fanfic author named "FantasticSchaefer". He makes pretty good stories on his end so go check him out too (Shoutout to you, my man).
For the song, yes it's completely made up myself. The song is titled "Forever in Love" and if I counted correctly that's the third song I've made myself that I showed in this story and as you can see I am not that great with coming up lyrics and/or tune for the song. Nonetheless, I still enjoyed making it and I hope the lyrics are beautiful although a tad bit cheesy.
Finally, Imma just let it be known that I have never been to a prom ever in my life, we don't have them here. So I just thought of what a prom might be like based on my shallow knowledge of western highschool movies and novels (Sorry, but not sorry).
Almost forgot, Blast belongs to Sunblast X while Dro belongs to RifkiTheAmateur over on DeviantArt. I only plan on them being cameos just for this chapter and probably won't come up in the later few and last chapters of the story.
That's probably all I have to address. Hope you guys enjoyed the read and let me know what you think in the comments. I hope I can get the next chapter up soon but we'll see. Either way, I'll see you in the next chapter. Peace out!