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Jim checks out their prom suit in the mirror for the umpteenth time that evening, nervously combing their fingers through their hair. Their Nana had helped them choose the beautiful olive green suit which they styled with a black shirt, their short black curls styled into a quiff. They take a final look in the mirror, letting out a deep breath before descending down the stairs to where their Nana is waiting excitedly.
“Oh my child, don’t you look handsome.” Nana coos as Jim approaches them.
Jim dips their head shyly, “thanks, Nana,” they mumble.
“I got you this,” Nana hands them a green corsage.
Jim turns it around in their hand, it’s pretty for sure, but it’s not them. “Nana it’s nice and all but-“
“It’s not for you.” Nana interrupts, easily reading their facial expressions. “It’s for you to give to Archie.”
A small smile graces Jim’s features, a rare genuine thing, there was something warming about the simple gesture. They know it’s something Archie will appreciate, they’ve been dead set on having the full prom experience since her earlier teenage years were far from normal.
“Thanks, Nana.”
As if on cue, the doorbell rings indicating Archie’s arrival. Jim can feel butterflies building up as their Nana reaches for the door. Their heart begins to race as the front door opens to reveal Archie wearing a full length off the shoulder dress in the same olive green, Archie’s idea. Her hair in a single plait down her back, she looked absolutely stunning.
“Archie, you look lovely, Jim, tell your date how lovely she looks.” Nana prompts.
It takes a second for Jim to find their words again, “oh um yeah you look, wow.”
“Thanks, you look pretty handsome yourself.” Archie replies with her signature grin, the same one that gets them everytime.
Jim can’t help but smile back, the second time in one evening, they must really be getting soft.
“Jim.” Nana prompts again, signalling to the corsage that they have so far failed to give to their date.
“Oh right yeah, um this is for you.” Jim says, taking the corsage out of the box.
Archie’s grin gets even wider when she sees the accessory, “for me?”
“Mhm.” Jim replies, slipping the corsage onto her wrist.
Archie turns her wrist in different directions, admiring the corsage from all angles. “It’s beautiful, thanks.”
Jim nods, “right, shall we go?”
“Not so quick, I haven’t taken your photo yet.” Nana reminds them.
Jim sighs, but as much as they would like to avoid any photos, they know their Nana is not going to give up. Besides, it would be nice to have a permanent reminder of how beautiful Archie looks this evening.
The two of them stand awkwardly at the bottom of the stairs whilst Nana points the camera at them and directs them on how to stand.
“Come on, stand a little closer.” Nana prompts, gesturing with her free hand. “Put your arm around her.”
Jim does as they’re told and awkwardly wraps an arm around Archie’s waist, their senses flooded with the perfume that Archie had chosen that day, something floral with a hint of vanilla.
“Are we allowed to go now?” Jim asks after the tenth photo has been taken, at this rate prom will be over before they even get there.
“Okay, off you two go, have a good time now, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
That doesn’t leave much, Jim thinks to themself, but they don’t say it out loud.
“We won’t.” Jim replies, leading Archie out of the door.
“Bye, Nana!” Archie calls.
Jim reaches for the door handle to their black Chevette before thinking otherwise and going around to open the passenger door for Archie.
“How very gentlemanly of you,” Archie teases, giving Jim a small kiss on the cheek before getting into the car.
Jim can feel blush rising to their cheeks as they make their way back to the driver’s side, taking a minute in the cool night air before joining Archie in the car. When they do get in, they find her eyes on them which is not helping the intense blushing situation.
“Ready for the best prom of our lives?” Archie asks, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
“Ready as I’ll ever be.” Jim mumbles as they pull away from the curb.
Jim pulls up outside the school which is adorned with a banner reading ‘Revenge High prom 1985’ above the door. Continuing their efforts at being the perfect date, they open the passenger side door for Archie, helping her out of the car.
“Let’s go in.” Archie says excitedly, grabbing Jim by the hand and pulling them towards the door.
Jim has no choice but to follow, letting themself be led inside to join their classmates. As soon as they’re inside, they’re blasted with Material Girl by Madonna and a kind of heat that comes with being in the same room as hundreds of teens. The gym was decorated in various shades of blue and purple with streamers, banners, and sea-related decor for this years under the sea themed prom. Even Jim had to admit that the prom committee had done a fairly decent job.
They were about to walk towards the punch bowl, hoping that someone had spiked it with alcohol by now, but instead they find themself being pulled towards the photographer. They’re about to protest but find they can’t deny Archie of this.
“Put your arms around me,” Archie insists.
“Seriously?” Jim asks.
“Yes, come on,” Archie pleads, grabbing Jim’s arms until they’re wrapped around her middle.
They awkwardly pose for the photographer in what’s commonly known as the classic prom pose. Jim wants to be hating every second of it, but they can’t lie, there’s something nice about feeling Archie in their arms, the heat radiating from her body. Still, they’re relieved when the photos are taken, dragging Archie towards the punch bowl before they’re made to do something else they don’t want to do.
One sip of the bright red liquid is enough to know that someone has definitely spiked it, Jim takes another sip, enjoying the small buzz it gives them.
A hand on their shoulder makes them jump, they’re about to attack whoever it is, before realising it’s just Olu.
“Sorry, man.” Olu apologises, greeting them with a warm smile that goes all the way to his eyes.
He looks beautiful in a classic black tux with a white shirt and a light pink tie to match Zheng’s dress, who’s standing beside him. It’s an off-the-shoulder gown with puff sleeves and a floor length skirt, she looks absolutely beautiful.
“Babe, you look stunning!” Archie exclaims, greeting Zheng with a hug.
“Thanks, so do you. So are you guys enjoying yourselves?” Zheng asks.
Jim shrugs, “yeah it’s alright.”
“It’s amazing,” Archie interjects. “Zheng, you guys did a great job, the decorations, the music, it’s insane,” she goes on to compliment.
Zheng smiles, as head of the prom committee a lot of this is her handiwork, Jim feels bad that they weren’t as enthusiastic.
“Yeah, you did a great job, I really like the theme.” Jim adds.
That much was true, whilst they weren’t too bothered about all the mermaids and glitter, they have to admit that it was well done, and if it made Archie happy then that’s all that matters.
“Thanks, Jim. Actually, Olu and I were about to hit the dance floor if you too wanted to join us?”
Dancing is really not their thing but the way Archie’s face lit up they knew they had no choice.
“Yeah sure,” Jim agrees.
They join the rest on the dance floor as Take on me by A-ha is playing, the other three bopping along to the beat. It’s not Jim’s music of choice, and dancing is definitely not something they do usually but they give it a try. Eventually the self-consciousness wears off as they get caught up in Archie’s orbit, it could also be the alcohol that’s now buzzing around their system.
As the night goes on, the dance floor is full of teens dancing to songs like Wake me up before you go-go and Rebel yell. After a while the fast tunes are swapped for a slow song, I want to know what love is by Foreigner. A lot of the students leave the floor, Jim is about to join them when Archie gently grabs their wrist, a pleading look on their face that Jim can’t say ‘no’ to.
Jim turns towards Archie, their hands going around her waist as Archie’s snake their way around their neck. They sway gently to the beat, it takes a minute for Jim to work up the courage, but eventually their eyes meet, a warmth drifting between them. It felt right, being this close, dancing together as one. At one point, Archie drops her head to their shoulder and before Jim can stop themself, they press a kiss to the top of her head.
Olu catches their eye, giving them a smirk to show that he’d caught them being so soft. They quickly reciprocate with a middle finger. He’s dancing with Zheng, his arms wrapped around her as they sway to the music. There’s something about watching them that makes Jim feel fuzzy inside, not that they’d ever willingly admit it aloud.
As the song comes to an end, the music is cut as the principal announces it’s time to crown the prom king and queen. Jim’s glad that this was one part of prom Archie didn’t go for, even if they would’ve looked badass in a crown. Instead they’d helped Zheng and Olu with their campaign, they were way more suited for it anyway.
The four of them stand together as Zheng and Olu are in fact announced as this year’s prom king and queen. Archie lets out a squeal, pulling Olu into a bear hug.
“You did it, guys!” She exclaims.
“Thanks Arch, but you kinda need to let me go so we can go on stage.” Olu replies.
“Oh yeah,” she giggles, releasing Olu from her clutches.
Jim watches with a grin on their face as Zheng and Olu join the principal on stage, receiving their headwear and sashes. Archie continues her whooping and hollering beside them, other students starting to join in around them. Jim’s grin widens as Olu meets their eye, they give him a nod, letting him know how proud they are.
As the night comes to an end, students are slowly herded out of the auditorium, the talk of after parties in the air as excited teens disperse into the night.
“So where are we off to?” Archie asks, linking arms with Jim.
“There’s a party on my street,” Olu offers as he catches up with them, still wearing his crown.
“Sounds good!” Archie exclaims, “Jim?”
“Yeah I guess, not too late though, you know Nana’s chillness only goes to a certain level.
“Let’s go then,” Archie urges.
They both hug Zheng and Olu before returning to their car.
Jim looks over to Archie, the way the moonlight illuminates her features. They lean over and claim her lips, causing her to let out a small gasp.
“We’re meant to be going to the party,” Archie reminds them when they finally break for air.
“The stupid party can wait,” Jim replies, claiming her lips once more.