“I know you miss him, and you don’t know when you’ll see him, but he’s a fact—a real thing. Not a girlfriend you talked yourself into because you were supposed to want one. A choice you made for yourself.”

I can’t tell where this is leading anymore, but the bleachers feel crowded now that Cheng shares them with us.

“I decided not to go to prom with a girl just because I couldn’t go with a boy. It wouldn’t be honest. It wouldn’t be fair.”

“So ask a boy.” I’m practically wearing a light up sign that says, “Pick Me!” even though that’ll take some explaining to Leeza.

“Are you kidding? I plan to graduate and get myself back to a real city where I belong.” He fixes a skeptical look on me. “Tell me boys go to prom together in Connecticut.”

“They do!” I say. It stings because it’s true and still doesn’t apply to me. “All over the country even. There are Insta pages dedicated to prom photos of gay couples.”

“What’s Insta?”

“It’s a 2020s thing.”

“We’re back on that?” He grins. “Hope I live that long.” God, that line stings.

I like this conversation less by the second, but he sounds content. “And I hope I’ll always know you.”

This would be a perfect moment for a kiss. Which I shouldn’t want. But I do. I’m torn between feeling guilty—hello, I have a perfectly good boyfriend—and feeling like a sixth-grader with his first real crush. I’m going to have to sort this out at some point, but all I want right this second is to enjoy the way he is looking at me.

“I found you!” It’s Ma Elena, and she’s waving a ring of keys. “I sweet-talked the deans into letting you come to the party supply store.”

Chaz hops down. “What’s our budget? Is it too late for a balloon arch?”

“Way too late!” she laughs. “You coming, Luis?”

I need a minute. “Um … I haven’t even showered today … I’ll head to the dorm.” The kiss that didn’t happen has left me feeling a little blue (and a lot conflicted). Chaz looks surprised at my answer, and so does Ma Elena, but they tell me they’ll see me tonight and head off. I can hear Jefferson Starship on the radio as they drive away.

The Stars and the Cars

The Stars and the Cars

I’m supposed to be helping decorate, but my mind is on a new plan. I’m going to prompose to Chaz. I mean, obviously, it can’t be public, but still.