21 Proms by David Levithan

you’re thinking. Instead you write:
    Drew: Good for you guys.
    Log off, your inner voice warns. Save the prom! Save the prom! Quickly log off before he can —
    TheMan: the thing is...
    No, no, no!
    TheMan: she wants us to go to prom together. You understand, right? U can still come in our limo. It fits 12 people and we’re only 8. Interested?
    It is not fair that Mandy and Brent have gotten back together in time for prom while you and Shane have not. You log off before you tell him where to shove it.
    Â 
    â€œYou were right,” you tell Jen, while slamming shut your locker.
    â€œNo kidding. So you’ll come with us in the Winnebago? It’s not just me and Kyra anymore. Lisa Gilmore and Janna Finestein are in, too. We’re aiming for five people, so with you —”
    You can’t take this today. “I’m not coming in the Winnebego. I’m going to Plan B.”
    â€œWhich is —”
    â€œPowell.”
    Powell has been your best male friend since fourth grade. In the third grade he used to pick his nose and try to wipe the boogers on your hair and you would kick him in the butt. That summer you called a truce. (Though he still occasionally tries to gross you out and you still occasionally give his ass the boot.)
    Jen shakes her head in clear dismay. “I cannot believe you’d rather go with him than with us.”
    â€œHe’s a good friend, just like you. Except he happens to be male.” Sure, you would never go out with him before — but that was pre-prom. Now you can already picture it as clearly as if it were a romantic comedy playing on the movie screen in your head. Buddies forever, and then you decide to go to prom as friends. But what’s this? You can’t believe how cute he looks in his tux? He thinks you are a vision in pink? You’re grooving to some pop song when suddenly the band begins to play “Your Body Is a Wonderland” and at first you’re smiling but then a serious expression settles on your faces as your bodies come closer and then closer and you can barely get a pinky finger between your ligaments… .
    But then, just as you are about to start hooking up on the dance floor, Shane cuts in and tells you that he has never stopped loving you. Who should you choose? How could you hurt Powell after so many years of friendship? Powell makes your decision for you when he kisses you on the cheek and says, “Go for it.” And you all live happily ever after.
    Â 
    At lunch, you tug Powell toward an empty classroom by his too-long, torn-sleeved jersey. “Gotta talk to you.”
    He lets you guide him and then hops onto the teacher’s desk. “What up?”
    Your turn. But you’re suddenly nervous. “So,” you begin. “How are you?”
    He waves his brown paper lunch bag at you. “Hungry.”
    Ask him! Just pop the question. What’s the big deal? You’ve been friends for years. There is no reason for your palms and armpits to be suddenly sweaty. No reason, damn it! Unless you’ve been holding a love torch for him for years and you’ve only just realized it this very second?
    Nah.
    â€œSo,” you begin again. “What are your plans for the next few months?”
    He raises an eyebrow. “Um, exams?”
    â€œAnd after exams?”
    â€œCollege?”
    He is not making this easy. “And before college?”
    He laughs. “Summer?”
    Is he trying to kill you here? You’re going to have to just blurt it out in one quick word: “Andwhataboutprom?”
    â€œYou mean who am I going with?”
    â€œYes, who are you going with?”
    He opens his lunch bag, reaches inside, pulls out an unwrapped sandwich, and starts munching. “Not sure yet. You’re going with Brent, right?”
    â€œThat didn’t work out as planned.”
    â€œNo?” he asks while chewing. “So who are you going with?”
    Is he