Page 2 of Just A Kiss

“Yes…” he says, drawing out the word. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean it that way. I was just caught off guard,” I tell him. “But I’d love to go with you.” I flash him a sincere smile and melt a little at the way his face lights up.

“Oh-my-God!” Lindsay squeals and claps her hands together. “I’m so excited we’re all pairing off for prom! We need to go dress shopping this weekend!” she says.

“Saturday work for you?” I ask.

“Yes, I have to work in the morning, but afterward, I’m all yours.”

“I think my parents were arranging for a limo for the night, so if everyone wants to come to my place, we can all ride together,” Lee says.

“Sounds like a plan,” Jimmy replies.

“I’ll be there,” Tucker, another one of our friends, also replies.

“Who are you going with, Tucker?” I ask.

“Not sure yet, but I’m sure I can find a date,” he says. He’s got that same swagger that Lee has, and I’ve seen him turn on the charm. He’d have a date before the school day is over if he wanted one.

“That’s my boy!” Lee says as they do that hand slap-hug-back slap thing guys do.

“I can’t believe prom is just two weeks away already. It is going to be so lonely around here next year when you guys are all gone.”

“No, it won’t; y’all will be just fine being the rulers of the school,” Tucker tells us.

I can’t help being slightly jealous Lindsay and I aren’t graduating this year, as well. We hope to go off to school together, maybe even rooming together if we’re lucky enough. We both want to go to school and get our nursing degrees, then come back home and work either in the hospital or for one of the many doctors' offices.

The first bell rings, alerting us that it is time to clear out and head to our first class after lunch. We all say our goodbyes, parting ways until later. I practically float to my locker and then into my next classroom, knowing I’ll be going to prom with Lee freaking Crawford.

* * *

Lee

I straighten my collar,allowing me to button the top one up before wrapping the bow tie around my neck, securing it in place. Everyone should start arriving here shortly.

“Need any help?” my mom asks, standing at my open doorway.

“Sure,” I say, handing over the cuff links my dad let me borrow for today.

Mom tugs my sleeves down, lining up the buttonholes before she slips the cuff links into them, securing them in place.

“I can’t believe you’re so grown up. Heading out to your senior prom, about to graduate and head out into the world.” She sniffs, trying her damnedest to hold back her tears.

“Not going far, Mom, you know that,” I remind her. Tucker and I plan to go to the fire academy in the fall.

“I know, but it's still weird knowing that you’re about to move out on your own. I’ll miss you at the dinner table every night.”

“If it's dinner that you’re worried about, I can make sure to be home every night for that,” I tease. Nothing in this world like my mom's cooking.

“I definitely wouldn’t put it past you to do just that.” She laughs.

“You know me, I’ll do just about anything for a free meal.” I wink at her.

“I love you, son.” She pulls me into a hug, and I go willingly. I tower over her, but she doesn’t care. I hold her tight against my chest. I’ve always had a great relationship with my parents. They’ve always been pretty chill. They set the rules, and as long as we follow them, they give us a lot of freedom.

“Love you, too, Mom.” I kiss the top of her head, choking back my own tears.

“Oh, a Momma Crawford sandwich,” Tucker says, coming into my room and wrapping his arms around my mother, trapping her between us.

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