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Charlie Spring had dimples paired with curly hair to die for and a boyfriend who couldn’t keep his hands to himself, but he still felt the need to ask, ‘Do I look okay?’
Tao thought Charlie should be counting his lucky stars (or maybe be thankful for the fact that his rugby lad boyfriend is quite big) since he was inching closer and closer to throwing the nearest possible thing he could get his hands on, just to stop Charlie from fussing over how he looked one more time.
It was prom night, so he held back- but only just; Elle just chuckled as she and Isaac shared a knowing smile whilst Tao continued to stare daggers into the back of Charlie’s head where he was still fussing with his hair.
‘Do you think Nick will be mad if I cut my hair tomorrow? Charlie spun around to face the group and ask. ‘I know he likes it long, but I can’t see when it goes in my face’ he whined.
Elle being the lovely person she is dropped the makeup palette she had been fiddling with and marched Charlie over to the mirror, pushing his shoulders to get him to sit on the floor before scooting in behind him with a brush, a hairdryer and a determined look in her eye.
Ten minutes later Charlie’s doe eyes were visible, and his curls looked prettier than ever piled on top of his head and no longer in his eyes; Tao had a headache but also a hidden grin when Charlie tackled Elle in a thank you hug that said more than words could.
Squashing the cute moment though, a distinct voice rung out into the room announcing everyone with their presence. Darcy strolled in, quickly becoming the life and soul of the room, whilst also dragging Tara behind her as she greeted everyone cheerily.
But it was when she swung her bags down and dramatically flopped to the floor that Charlie noticed the long gown cover that Tara was dragging behind her (Darcy had told her that that was what girlfriends were for and who was Tara to argue with that).
Giddily Charlie began an incessant string of sounds that vaguely resembled, ‘What are you wearing tonight?’
Unknown to most, after becoming friends with Elle, she had harboured a secret love of fashion in him. Now with a wonderful and accepting group of friends surrounding him, he was keen to tap into that part of himself that he had always been hesitant too. He was tired of having spent so long not wanting to give the older boys anything else to give him shit for, but he was in a good place right now and was keen to use it to his advantage.
After recently coming out as a couple with Nick and finding new friends in some of the rugby lads who had realised what a dick Hary was, getting to know Tara, Darcy and Imogen more, he had started to explore again. For example, tonight he was wearing his stable skinny jeans (even on prom night Charlie felt like the world would have to stop spinning if he wore something else- Nick's oversized joggers were an exception) but the real twist was in the jacket.
He’d let Elle go shopping with him –looking at some queer icons for inspiration- but bagging the statement piece in a thrift shop with a pride flag in the window and an endless mix of old tunes rattling the floorboards. It was an oversized black blazer, but the real fun started when it was turned around- a dazzling formation of diamonds spelt out the phrase ‘Heavenly Gays’. Charlie thought he ascended into heaven when he found it, or at least done something to please something up there if his and Elle’s matching grins were anything to go by.
Charlie had ended up buying the jacket in an instant, adding to the pile of clothes Elle had already convinced him to bag. After that they had meandered through the high-street with no real plan until Elle remembered she wanted a new makeup palette in Superdrug; it was in there that Charlie had spotted the glittery black nail polish that made his cheeks flush, and eyes keep flitting back to the stand they were displayed on. It seemed Elle had noticed his staring and wordlessly picked it up on the way to the till slipping it into his pocket for him to find when he got home. That was why Charlie was grateful for his friends.
That and the fact that all of his friends were also style icons so Charlie felt like they could appreciate his excited demeanour and lit up eyes. Darcy began to unzip her outfit as the gang gathered around her, each with their own outfits in tow so they could show everyone what they had picked out especially.
Clapping her hands together Darcy got everyone's attention before producing an amazing velvet and plunging neckline mustard jumpsuit from her cover bag; Charlie gasped in shock as Elle squealed in delight and they all rushed to compliment Darcy on her choice. From then on out everyone showed their own outfits with Tao donning a black suit and bow tie and Isacc in a black suit and purple tie embroidered with small flowers. Tara looked stunning in a tight fitting and sparkling silver dress whilst Elle took the whole gang's breath away (but mostly Tao’s) with a satin black dress and high slit.
They all flitted about throughout the night as they got dressed in the single bathroom- and in Charlie’s case waited for his nail polish dry whilst texting Nick and ignoring Elle whispers that he was going to smudge his nails even though they had only been painted for 5 minutes. But quite quickly Charlie’s nerves started to set in, rising from his stomach and making him feel like he had swallowed a swarm of butterflies.
Hoping no one would notice as they were all busy telling Darcy to turn the music down or the neighbours would think a One Direction concert really was happening next door it was that loud, Charlie slipped away. He wandered downstairs Elle’s house and into the living room which had patio doors that were spread wide open, letting the warm breeze ruffle his hair slightly. His feet carried him outside as black birds squawked and fled the closer he got; Charlie felt like that was an omen, maybe everyone wanted to leave after all he couldn’t even enjoy something like prom without getting lost in his own maze-like head. He’d been watching the trees sway to a silent song he couldn’t hear as his phone pinged and startled his intense staring match with a bird that was too stubborn to leave, it reminded him of Nick in a way.
Nick: You okay Char, you haven’t text back in a while?
When he didn’t respond Charlie felt a small bit of Deja vu at Nick’s double texting, he could perfectly imagine the worry line between his eyebrows that Charlie wished he could disperse with a kiss.
Nick: I’m 100% certain that you look absolutely wonderful tonight love.
Nick: You always do.
Nick: And I'm nervous too, shitting myself really.
Nick: But that’s okay, and it's okay for you too Char. It's because I care and I want to make sure you have the best time, which includes you hopefully thinking I look nice too.
Charlie was taken back by that; he’d never thought that maybe Nick wanted to impress him too. Charlie thought he always look perfect so what was he stressing about.
Charlie: I always think you look nice.
Nick: And that’s how I feel about you too Charlie. I don’t care what you're wearing or if you're wearing nothing at all ;) I think you look pretty all the time.
Charie smiled at that, a bright smile that lit up his eyes and made him feel like he was shining as bright as a firework. He felt giddy, just like how first love should, maybe he could try to believe Nick tonight (and if Nick had anything to do with it every night after that).
‘Charlie...there you are. Are you feeling okay?’ Tao asked as he spied Charlie with a slightly distant look in his eyes that resembled small hearts and lovesick star-crossed lovers.
‘Yeah’ Charlie whispered, and he really meant it- after all who else got to enjoy prom with the love of their life?
...
‘Imogen..Im’ Nick whined whilst his foot tapped to the beat Charlie had been learning on the drums the day before.
Imogen spun around with a fake huff but a caring expression on her face, ‘Yes Nicholas’.
‘I think I’m nervous’ Nick began before trailing off and whining once again at Imogen’s straight-faced expression, because yes maybe he was being dramatic. But then his black suit seemed too tight, and his bow tie was like a hand gripping his throat until Imogen’s warm smile seemed to ease the pressure.
‘It’s okay to be nervous you know’ Imogen offered, ‘I’m so scared going with Sahar tonight, but I really like her and when I’m with her nothing else seems so daunting. I know you feel that way when you’re with Charlie, the whole world could be burning and neither of you would notice when you’re together. Just remember that Nick and watch when the whole world seems brighter.’
Nick smiled as his heart felt warmer and his clothes felt looser as her words sunk in. Since he and Charlie had started going out Imogen had also broken away from the main group and started to explore her true self even having her own discovery. Only a month ago Imogen had come out as queer; looking as scared and vulnerable as Nick had felt when his heart seemed to ache for Charlie, but he hadn’t known how to deal with it. With Nick’s help and plenty of tears shed, Imogen had accepted herself and become one of Nick’s closest friends and someone he could confide. She had also admitted to Sahar –a girl in her class- being the reason for her big gay realisation and consequently asked her out with Nick supporting her all the way.
That was another thing that helped to calm Nick down as he waited for the time to tick by until he was supposed to pick Charlie up, with his new and wonderful friend group Nick felt like he could do anything and have everyone in his corner with no questions asked. Even he and Tao had become more friendly since he’d shown just how hopelessly in love with Charlie he was and how he wasn’t the moronic rugby lad Tao had thought. Still, it wasn’t often his phone pinged with a message from the boy that wasn’t in the group chat asking him and Charlie to ‘please for the love of God keep the flirting to a minimum’ (they never did). Nick opened up the message and chuckled as he read it in Tao’s sarcastic tone.
Tao: Please come and get your insufferable boyfriend, already he’s pining and I'm finding it hard to tolerate. (He’s also quite nervous but I think seeing you would help).
Nick quickly text back that he would be over soon, thanking Tao even though he knew he would only get a sarcastic response that was really more loving than any gushy message would be. He hugged Imogen on his way out since she was waiting for Sahar to pick her up in an hour or so, before grabbing his car keys and making his way to his car.
Since they were all at Elle’s house rather than Charlie’s the drive was a little longer than usual and Nick’s brain was formulating a plan. Pulling over Nick ran into a cosy shop with hand painted and swirly font before coming out with a package that he carefully laid on the back seat before starting up the car once again.
The drive was short and in no time, Nick was busy musing the lovely night as he grabbed the package from the seat and walked up the winding path to Elle’s front door. Pausing to ring the doorbell Nick scuffed his new shoes as he could hear Elle asking Charlie to get the door, his heart beating quicker with each passing second before he heard Charlie shout back his affirmation.
Time seemed slower as each thud grew louder when Charlie bounded down the steps. Déjà vu seemed to plague the couple then, because spontaneously the heavens opened, and Nick gasped when cold rain collided with his styled hair and left him looking quite the mess.
Charlie swung the door open just as Nick left out a small laugh at the sheer absurdity of the situation, Charlie joining in until his face morphed into a smile as he realised that indeed, the sodden stranger at the door was his boyfriend.
‘Just- just come in you’re getting soaked’ Charlie gasped, grabbing Nick’s hand and tugging him into his chest.
‘I didn’t check the weather before I left’ Nick whispered meekly from his spot nestled between Charlie’s neck and shoulder.
Pulling him to arm's length Charlie giggled, ‘I feel like we’ve been in this position before’ he whispered.
‘This is a happier occasion though isn’t it’ Nick murmured back before moving the hand that Charlie wasn’t holding from behind his back and into Charlie’s line of vision, before bashfully whispering ‘I got you something too, seemed fitting’
Charlie gasped at the small bouquet Nick was holding and a powerful blush spread from the tips of his ears to the top of his cheeks when his brain registered exactly what flowers Nick had picked. Lilacs for first love, tulips for happiness, and pink roses for gratitude. Charlie's heart felt like if it could any bigger it would explode.
Charlie didn’t even bother to say Nick hadn’t needed too, instead he lifted himself onto the tips of his toes and kissed him with the might of all his love.
From then on, the night was a blur of spins and giggles along with wandering gazes (and hands) and slow dances set to the thud of their joined hearts. The gazes of their fellow students were incomparable with their soft lovesick looks and so the two boys didn’t notice Mr Ajayi’s wistful smile and the slight glaze to his eyes; but he was proud of them- and so were they. It was because they stole the view.