‘Well, as far as nicknames go,’ Chase says, ‘that is kinda iconic.’

‘I guess.’ Bec sighs. ‘But now none of them dares ask me to prom. Is it so much to want some guy to knock on the door with a big bouquet of flowers?’

She looks at the door as if she expects that to happen. It would be romantic for it to suddenly fly open, but alas, this isn’t some romance novel. The door remains firmly shut.

‘I didn’t think you bought into all that anyway,’ Chase says. ‘You’re a feminist!’

Bec gives him a flat stare. ‘I can be a feminist and still want to be given flowers.’

‘It’s not like there’s a florist on campus …’

‘They don’t need to buy me flowers, Chase! There’s meadows out there full of them. I just wish one of these boys would step up. Why does it always have to be me who initiates?’

‘Maybe there’s a boy outside your room as we speak?’ I say. ‘There could be hordes of potential suitors lining up down the corridor. It’s not like anyone knows you’re up here.’

‘Why are you up here?’ Chase asks.

‘Isn’t it obvious?’ Bec shakes her garment bag. ‘I didn’t wanna get ready alone so I came to prep with my besties. My last room-mate abandoned me, remember?’

‘I didn’t abandon you!’ Chase laughs. ‘You’re the best room-mate I ever had!’

‘Hey! What about me?’ I protest. I’m just as good as Bec!

‘What about you? You snore and you wipe your juices on the bedsheets.’ It’s true, but he doesn’t need to say it. ‘I said what I said, Zach. Bec was a way better room-mate.’

‘Damn straight,’ she says, sticking her tongue out at me. ‘So are we finally going to get to see this outfit you’ve been oh-so-secretive about?’ She turns to the wardrobe.

‘It’s not in there,’ Chase says. ‘It’s in the box.’

He gestures to the trunk in the corner of the room. It’s sat there for so long, unopened, that I sort of forgot about it. I always assumed it was empty.

‘Mysterious,’ Bec says, crouching down to get a closer look. ‘It’s padlocked?’

‘Here,’ Chase says, reaching under the corner of his mattress to pull out a tiny silver key. Who knew this whole time he was holding on to a secret? He tosses it to Bec and she pops the lock, peering inside like she’s unearthing hidden treasure.

‘Remember my mum’s old prom dress?’ Chase continues as Bec delicately lifts up the elegant gold fabric. ‘The one she gave me and always wanted me to wear tonight? I obviously wasn’t gonna wear a dress, but –’

‘It’s incredible,’ Bec says, marvelling at the craftsmanship.

It’s been transformed into a type of formal masculine robe. The original gold fabric has been cut with white, transforming the western dress into something that connects both him and his mum with their heritage. I don’t know the exact terminology, but there’s this cute guy I follow on Instagram who posts these incredible martial arts videos while wearing something that looks just like it.