#bigheross

“It’s ok,” Tadashi says. “I was just looking for you.”

“Really?” you reply, your heart skipping a beat. He nods.

“Want some help with those?” he asks, gesturing to your books.

“Uh, sure,” you say and hand him some. The two of you walk to your car.

“Thanks,” you say, taking the books back.

“No problem. Um, so I was wondering if maybe... you’d like to go to prom with me?” he asks quickly before he loses his nerve. On the inside you’re bursting with joy, but you have to stay collected.

“I’d love to!” Your smile says it all and Tadashi breathes a sigh of relief.

“Awesome. Just, awesome! I’ll talk to you more tomorrow and we can work out details.” He’s about to dash off, but before he does he pecks you on the cheek then runs.

You stand there dumbfounded until you’re able to move again, then smile the whole way home.

You smooth the creases i your outfit, take one more look in the mirror and smile. It’s perfect; everything you’ve dreamed of.

You hurry downstairs to wait for Tadashi and get there just as the doorbell rings. Trying to calm the butterflies in your stomach, you open the door.

“Wow,” you and Tadashi say at the same time. You both blush.

“You look great,” you both say and get even more flustered. “Sorry I-” You both laugh.

Seriously though, he looks amazing. He’s wearing an actual tux with a bowtie and is holding a corsage meant for you.

“You do look amazing,” he says.

“Thanks. Here, come in. I’ll grab my purse and we can go.”

“Oh no you don’t.” Your mom comes out of the kitchen holding your purse in one hand and a camera in the other. “Pictures first.”

It seems like your mom takes a million pictures, but all too soon your mom stops and Tadashi removes his hand from your waist.

“Bye mom!” you call as the two of you head out the door then get in his car. You guys head to the Lucky Cat Cafe for dinner with the rest of your group.

Tadashi holds the door for you. As you enter the cafe you see the rest of your group is already there. Gogo and Wasabi are together, with Gogo rocking a purple dress and yes, still chewing gum. Honey Lemon and Fred are there too decked out in yellow and pink. Cass is scurrying around setting down plates and utensils with practiced skill. They all look up as you enter.

“Oh my gosh! You look amazing!” Honey gushes.

“Thanks!” you reply. “You too!” Over the last year the nerd herd has kind of adopted you into their group. Cass gives you a hug as well before telling everyone to sit down. Tadashi pulls the chair out for you and you sit.

Dinner is great. Everything is delicious and everyone is conversing and joking with ease. When dessert comes out and as everyone starts digging in, you see someone peek around the corner of the stairs then zip back when they see you watching. You nudge Tadashi and point to where the person is peeking out again. Tadashi laughs a big.

“Hiro, you can come out. We don’t bite y’know. Except Fred,” he amended.

“That was one time!” Fred protested. Everyone laughed and Hiro crept into the room, pulling up a chair from a nearby table, smiling broadly. You knew Hiro didn’t have a lot of friends at school, so it must have been nice to be included. He fits right in with everyone and you all go back to joking and laughing.

Eventually though, it’s finally time to head to the dance. As you’re getting ready to leave, Hiro draws you aside.

“My brother really likes you,” he said. “So don’t, like, hurt him or anything. And... you didn’t hear it from me. Have fun guys!” he yells to the rest of the group, then you were off to the dance.

Hiro’s words make you nervous and the butterflies come back in full force as you drive to the dance, but they vanish when you see the room. It’s an actual ballroom decked out in purple and gold and blue and silver. It shines in the most beautiful way.

You guys try and stay as a group at first, but as the night wears on and the songs get slower everyone dissipates until it’s just you and Tadashi. He taps you on the shoulder and the butterflies are back. 

“May I have this dance?”

“Y-yeah.”

It’s... awful. You’re rubbish at dancing and keep stepping on his toes and he’s trying to make small talk but you can’t think of anything to say. You’re relieved when the song finally ends.

“I’m gonna go grab some punch. You want some?” he asks.

“Yes please,” you reply.

He heads to the refreshments table and you head to the side of the room to find a seat. As you’re walking, you don’t see where you’re going and run into someone.

Punch spills all over your outfit.

“Hey, watch it!” they yell as you mutter an apology. Forget the seat; you head to the balcony for some fresh air. No one else is out there. You see a bench and sit down, wiping away a tear as you do so. This night was supposed to be perfect.

A moment later you hear a door open and someone sits down beside you. Of course it’s Tadashi.

“I, uh, got the punch, but I think you may want this more,” he says and hands you a napkin. You laugh a bit. “Are you ok?” he asks gently. You nod.

“It’s just, tonight was supposed to be perfect, but I have two left feet, then this happened, and I’m just so nervous.”

“Why are you nervous?” he asks.

“Because I really like you, you dork,” you admit.

“Oh.” He pauses. “Well, that’s ok because I get nervous around you too because... I really like you back.”

You can’t help it. You both lean in just a little and then your lips are touching. Your hands move to his shoulders and his move to cup your face. The kiss is warm and gentle and absolutely perfect.

You eventually break apart from each other, desperately needing the air, and you laugh. And he laughs with you. And you kiss again.

“So how about we try that dance again? he asks you, foreheads touching. You nod and bite your lip. He leads you back inside. The DJ starts playing your favorite song and you start to dance, not missing a single step (and not stepping on his toes once). The song ends and you reach up just a bit to peck him on the lips.

“Thanks for the dance.”

“My pleasure,” he responds, blushing a bit. Just then, Honey and the rest of the gang run up.

“There you guys are! We’re just getting ready to head out, but I need to get a picture of all of us,” she explains. Everyone quickly moves into place, Tadashi with his arms around your waist and you leaning back on him, and Honey takes the picture. You’re smiling the brightest out of all them and then just a little bit more as Tadashi holds your hand the rest of the night.

Maybe it was the perfect night after all.