Chapter Text
Son, I think you'd better go ahead"
But you always hold your head up high
'Cause it's a long, long, long way down
This town was meant for passing through
Boy, it ain't nothin' new
-The Killers, ‘This River Is Wild’
11:30PM, Sam’s dad pulled up on the curb, just in front of the brick stairs in front of his high school. It was the school dance, 11th grade prom, yet he didn’t have anyone to go with. That his dad knew of, that is.
“Alright, you go catch some girls, but not too many.” Sam’s dad wheezed, slapping his knee. “Eh, ignore this old man. Go on, Samuel, enjoy ‘yerself”
Sam chuckled awkwardly as he got out the car, saddling one strap of his backpack onto his shoulder. After watching the rusty truck labelled ‘Courts & Son, family car repairs’ speed by, he turned on the heels of his new, smart shoes and walked inside, where the actual prom was being held. He smiled at the irony of his dad having a car desperate for repair, whilst owning a repair company. Just before he walked in, he dusted off his black, pinstripe blazer and touched up his wine-red bow tie. He told his dad that he didn’t have anyone he was going with properly, just friends, but that was a-
“Sam!”
A teen with fluffy, dyed black hair snuck up behind Sam, jumping up onto his back. If they weren’t light, Sam might’ve fallen to the floor.
“Aster!” Sam chuckled at seeing Aster being so bouncy. “Hold on a second...” Sam looked around the halls, before putting his arms under Aster’s legs to make it easier for them to sit on his back. They both went into a small, hidden corner in the school library. It was empty, seeing as everyone was in the hall dancing, so the coast was clear.
“Oof, I’ll let you down now.” Sam released Aster from his back, before turning around to admire their outfit. A black, short sleeved shirt with a red tie loaded with sewn-on buttons and random accessories. They also had cargo shorts on, with an old, spare motorbike chain clipped on the belt loops which Sam gave them. Everyone thought Aster was a boy, even Sam did at first, but they didn’t really like the idea of that.
“There's no one here, Sam.” Aster teased, before they both were pulled into a short kiss. Just as their tongues were to meet, Aster heard the door opening.
“Shit, Sam, stop.”
They pulled away quickly, now standing beside a confused Sam. The door creeks open, and an elderly woman, close to retirement, walked in. Spotting them immediately, she decides to pull them up on being here.
“Oh, boys, shouldn’t you be in the hall?” She smiles. “Prom only happens once, you know?”
“Yep, sorry Mrs Elderflower.”
“We’re going, don’t worry.”
Aster and Sam quickly left, giggling but embarrassed. It was a close one, and who knows what could’ve happened if she saw them. They both soon agreed to go inside the hall, they just had to be careful to not be spotted.
“Come on, doofus.” Sam teased, already getting into the ‘Platonic Bros’ Aster smirked, shoving him playfully as they entered the hall, taking in all its prom glory.
The lighting was low with a blue hue, and there were silver and gold stars hanging from the ceiling, reminding Sam of the compilation cover of The Cure’s ‘Greateast Hits’. The room was crowded, all the sweaty football boys finally showered for once and girls in flamboyant dresses were all chatting or on the dancefloor. Sam could practically feel the jealousy radiate ster. But even then, it would be a struggle to make the 2’s mood deplete.
“Ah, Aster-” Sam stops halfway through his sentence and drops his voice to a playful, ‘man’ voice. “Aster, look, a photobooth.” He then burst into a fit of coughs, the sudden voice drop drying his throat in a weird way. Aster chuckled as they hit Sam’s back. When amidst Sam and Aster’s banter, they heard a group of jocks joke behind them.
“Ah, look guys, a photobooth. Bit gay that, ain’t it?” One of them retort, and they all burst out with laughter. “Oh, I dunno, man, think I see summit’ gayer in front of us”
Sam had to stop Aster before they did something stupid. He punched them on the arm lightly, encouraging them to walk away.
“Don’t be an ass, As. Now come on, the chips ain’t gonna at themselves.” Sam gestures toward a snack table whilst taking a sip of the Hawaiian punch. Aster laughs and follows him to it.
“Did you really just call me an ass?” They ask, smiling. The dark blue lighting cast on their face, highlighting their hair and making shaded areas darker. It made Sam's heart flutter, so he quickly downed the rest of his cup and was glad his blushing wouldn’t be seen in the dark-ish light.
“Yeah, deal with it. Ass.” Sam couldn’t help but burst out laughing and Aster followed on, clutching their sides. Not too soon, though, the head-teacher announces that the school band would be coming on stage and dances would start. One looked at the other, the doors into the courtyard, and back at each other and knew what they were going to do. Hand-in-hand, they discreetly sneak outside. They could still hear the music, but could be together like everyone else, not worried about anyone judging or seeing them. Aster started near the gazebo, and Sam went opposite them, and they slowly walked towards each other, hands than meeting and twirling together ( ). It was at their own pace, steady, and personal.
You better run for the hills before they burn
Listen to the sound of the world, don't watch it turn
I just want to show you what I know
And catch you when the current lets you go
[Chorus]
Or should I just get along with myself?
I never did get along with everybody else
I've been trying hard to do what's right
But you know I could stay here all night
And watch the clouds fall from the sky
Well, this river is wild
This river is wild...