21. 21
21
Will lay in bed with boxers on, flipping through the social media apps on his phone, listening to Starla’s gentle snoring from the next room when his phone chimed, and a text alert popped up at the top of his screen from his best friend, Barrett.
BARRETT: Sup dink? When are we gonna hit the gym? Doc finally cleared me for exercise again.
He stared at it for a moment and set the phone down in his lap. The device chimed again. Another notification lit up the screen: a message from Ava.
AVA: You up?
Will smiled at his phone and quickly responded to her.
WILL: Did you seriously just send me the ‘you up’ text? Ava… I’m not that kind of girl.
AVA: LOL. I didn’t mean it like that. I just couldn’t sleep.
AVA: Glad to see I’m not the only one.
Will scrunched his eyebrows in confusion. What time is it? He glanced up at the clock on his phone and grimaced. One-twelve A.M.
WILL: Wow. I didn’t realize it was this late.
AVA: Want me to let you go? I’m sure you need sleep.
WILL: No, not yet. I actually have a question for you.
AVA: Shoot.
WILL: Did you ever go to your prom?
AVA: Yeah. Both years. Why?
WILL: I never went to any of mine.
Will waited for a moment, flipping back to his social media feed to double-check the date and time on a virtual invitation.
WILL: What are you doing Tuesday night?
AVA: Oh, geez. Let me check my busy calendar.
WILL: Wanna go to prom with me?
AVA: Um… what? I think I’m about fourteen years too late for that.
WILL: My daughter’s specialist is hosting a charity event for children with diabetes. It’s an adult prom.
WILL: Would you like to go to prom with me?
Will waited while a text bubble with an ellipsis popped up and disappeared numerous times. He could see her struggling with her decision.
AVA: I’d love to go to prom with you. :)
WILL: Great! Pick you up at 7?
AVA: 7 sounds great. I’ll see you then.
AVA: Oh… and Will?
WILL: Yes?
AVA: Don’t forget the corsage. My favorite flowers are pink cherry blossoms ;)