Chapter Text
Fast forward to the night of prom...
"I want to tell you, even though the sad times have already past."
”Close your eyes and feel my moved heart, my gaze at you.”
"Coming!" Cri said from upstairs as a response to her mother's calls.
She was wearing a silk silver dress that glistening against the light. Its sequin-pattern made it glimmer like a star. She wasn't ready for prom later but after her immediate glow up, she was filled with confidence and elegance and it made her very excited. When Ryan asked her a few months back to be his prom date, she was very hesitant but ended up agreeing on it. And now, here she was, ready for another milestone of life. Ryan had told her that he will pick her up by 6:30pm. She looked at the grandfather clock.
6:21pm.
She barely had enough time to finish her planned hairstyle therefore, she went for the twin braids which looked fabulous as she looked into the mirror. She felt a weird gut feeling that she couldn't figure out. Her heartbeat slightly increased. Fear? Panic? Whatever it is, she chose to ignore it and moved on in rushing her last minute preparations.
"Don’t wait for a special miracle, there’s a rough road in front of us.”
”With the unknowable future and obstacles, I won’t change, I can’t give up.”
Her makeup was a mess but she quickly fixed it with a a light foundation cover up. Before heading out the door, she had a last look at her living room mirror. She was shining bright. She waved goodbye to her mom and dad and met up with Ryan by their home gate. He was shocked at the sight of a bright glow, Ryan was dumbfounded. Cri looked really good tonight, so prepared for the big night. Ryan escorted her to the car like a gentlemen and headed of to prom.
"Protect me with an unchanged love, also my wounded heart."
"Looking in your eyes, no words are needed, time has stopped."
In the car, there was a brief silence as they passed by the city nightlife. Ryan held Cri’s hand to catch her attention.
”Are you scared?” Ryan asked.
”Kind of. Prom is not really my thing.” Cri said.
”Not your thing eh? Then why are you dressed so beautifully tonight? He retorted.
”Just felt like I should but I assure you, prom is not my interest.” Cri said as she looked back through the window, blushing.
"I love you, just like this, the longed end of wandering."
"I leave behind This world’s unending sadness."
The rest of the ride was of them both looking at each occasionally when the other isn’t. They pulled up in front of the hotel where prom was held. Ryan escorted Cri out of the car once again. They were both faced with the view of people entering the hotel lobby with their prom dates. The ambiance was nothing short of exciting. Cri’s previous gut feeling was still stuck in her head, so she planned on being careful throughout the night. They met up with Kar and Cas, who were by the tables waiting for them and had already reserved seats for both of them.
"In the many unknowable paths, I follow a dim light."
"It’s something we’ll do together to the end, i
nto our new world."
”Cri! OMFG, we're almost complete. Almost time to celebrate freely.” Kar shouted.”Calm down, it's just prom, Kar, but its still going to be fun though so I can’t blame you for being excited.” Cas said.
Ryan and Cri sat down the table beside each other and accidentally stared each other, blushing as they looked the other way.
”Ooooh, things are still good and going, I see.” Kar commented as he picked up the glass of Iced Tea placed on the table.
“Protect me with an unchanged love also my wounded heart.”
"Looking in your eyes, no words are needed, time has stopped."
Ara, Ella, and Bea arrived to the table, a couple of minutes after Cri and Ryan. They were finally complete and their big night was about to start. Everything started with a prayer and continued with the opening remarks, then finally prom night was officially on. They all headed towards the food station and started looking around on what to munch on. There were a variety of cuisine prepared for tonight, from Asian to South American. They couldn’t decide on what to eat due to the amount of choices they were faced with. After about half an hour, they made their decisions. Cri settled for some pesto since she loved it so much. Kar and Cas went with Japanese food. Ara and Ella went traditional Asian-European mix. And Bea went straight to the desserts section. Apparently everyone was hungry at 7:43pm.
”Looking into your eyes, no words are needed, time has stopped.”
"Feeling alone in this dark night, you r soft breath."
"This moment warmly entwines me, I
want to tell you all my tremors."
After spending time munching on the buffet foods, they had a serious talk with one another about how close graduation is , and that they would have to separate with each other. Some were planning on studying abroad while some wanted to stay in the country. It was currently midway February, less than 2 months left before they had to say their goodbyes to one another. They figured it would be hard for each one of them but they were sure that their friendship would stay through the ages.
"I love you, I love you, I love you."
"I love you, I love you, I love you."
“Hey, wanna dance?” Ryan asked.
”Shouldn’t that be like really fancy?” Cri said.
”Fine then. Milady, do you want to have this dance with me?” Ryan asked.
Cri couldn’t help but blush, how did this guy like her in the first place anyway? She had been contemplating about their 2-year relationship with one another for months now, was she prepared to let go of their special bind to pursue what she wanted in life. Ryan led Cri towards the dance floor where most people were formally dancing and enjoying the moment with their date. It was an awkward first dance for both of them but they though it would be best to enjoy it here and now.
"I love you, I love you, I love you."
"I love you, I love you, I love you."
”Remember that guy we encountered in the school hall two years ago before you asked me out to the mall.” Cri wondered.
”Yeah, that was strange.” Ryan said.
”What do you think happened to him?” Cri said.
”Hopefully something that can hinder from ever coming close to you again.” Ryan said with a slight hint of seriousness as he tightened her grip on Cri. She blushed with the sudden protectiveness.
"Nanana nana I love you."
"Nanana nana I love you."
They were both slowly swaying to the song at this point. Ryan looked into Cri’s eyes. She looked into Ryan's without hesitation. They went closer to each other, closing their eyes, as they their lips touched for the first time. It was as if the world slowly faded and it was just them. Batch mates were in awe of such a precious sight. They slowly pulled away and blushed at each other.
"Nanana nana I love you."
"Nanana nana I love you."
A few hours went by as if it were minutes. Most people were already wasted and about ready to leave. Cri checked the time. 11:34pm. She had 30 minutes to get home since 12 was her curfew. Before leaving, she gathered all her friends to the photo booth to take a bunch of photos to remember the night. They used the props that were in the props basket and did many funny acts. Alas, it was finally time for them to leave. Their big night had come to an end. Until, a man from behind Cri rushed towards her and lead her to the middle of the road where cars were passing by. Ryan felt something off and rushed to the scene where he pushed Cri to the side, ensuring her safety. All before noticing a bright light was vastly approaching him. Things went quiet for everyone. The guy ran away and hid from his failed plan.
"Nanana nana I love you."
"Nanana nana I love you."
Cri rushed to Ryan who was bleeding from the injuries to the head. She asked her friends to call for help and call the nearest hospital. She realised how Ryan just saved her from getting hit by a passing truck. She held Ryan in her arms, crying, as Ryan suddenly spoke.
"Nanana nana I love you."
"Nanana nana I love you."
”Don't bother saving me. I planned to do this for you.” Ryan said, weakly.
”What do you mean, why?” Cri said as she cried.
”The guy we met in the school hall two years ago. He threatened to put you in harm’s way tonight if I continued dating you but I couldn’t bear being separated from you so I ignored his threat but, I guess he stayed true to his word.” Ryan explained.
”I don’t understand, why would you do that for me?” Cri asked.
”Because I love you and no matter what I always will even if I have to put my life on the line. That’s how much I am willing to risk for you. Our relationship is very special to me and I didn’t want it to end here but, I’m sorry. Ryan said, stuttering in between as he slowly started to close his eyes.
"Nanana nana I love you."
”No, please fight, help is on the way, please don’t leave me alone. I LOVE YOU!” Cri said as she hughed Ryan, letting her tears run down his chest.
There they were, circled with a bunch of people under a half moon.
Ryan was gone.
"It’s something we’ll do together to the end, into our new world."