This is my second update today, so be sure to read the chapter before this one if you haven't already. Glam on!
After three weeks of preparation, the Sadie Hawkins dance was only one week away. Carter and the swim team had finished their choreography, and they were all ready and prepared to perform the grand gesture for Xander.
Since they all were planning to wait until lunch, Carter was tense around Xander. He easily caught on to it, but whenever he tried to corner them to talk, they would run away so as not to give any of it away. They were far too nervous, dreading the embarrassment they were sure they were going to endure. Since it was something that Xander had been dreaming of for a while, it made it worth it in the end to go through with it.
"I don't understand why they're ignoring me," Xander ranted to Trevor between classes. "I don't think I did anything to piss them off yesterday, but that still doesn't mean I didn't do something. Oh, God, what if they're going to break up with me because of college or something?"
"Relax, man, I know it's not that," Trevor calmly assured, patting Xander on the back. "Dante was telling me about how much Carter loves and cares about you. There is no way they are going to break up with you. Maybe they're just a little skittish today. Talk to them once they're a little more calm. I'm sure they'll come to you first anyway."
Knowing Trevor was right, Xander closed his eyes and took a deep breath. All that mattered was that Carter was alright, and if they needed some time before talking to him, he understood.
"I don't think I've ever seen you this nervous about a...someone you're dating," Trevor said, choosing his words carefully to accommodate with Carter. "You really love them, don't you?"
"I do."
"You think they're the one?"
"I don't know. I'm just happy with what we have right now, and if things get more serious, I'll be happy with that, too. Right now, they're the only person I want to be with."
"Aww, that's so sweet," Trevor cooed.
As the two walked down the stairwell, they bumped into Ryan. Xander stared at him walking upstairs, and he quickly turned around to catch up with him. Trevor called out to him, but he ignored him.
Placing his hand on Ryan's shoulder, he jerked his hand away once Ryan startled.
"Dude, what the hell?" he snapped as he tore out an earbud.
"Sorry, I tried calling you, but you didn't hear me." Pulling Ryan along the wall, out of everyone's way, he said, "I've been meaning to talk to you."
Ryan swallowed, knowing it was the conversation he'd been hoping to avoid. Xander would stare him straight in the eye and tell him that sleeping with him was a disgusting mistake. He always thought that Xander would be okay with it. After all, his current partner was trans as well, but Ryan couldn't help but think that it was all in vain and that he was going to ridicule him right then and there.
"I know things have been a bit weird since you were outed, and I'm really sorry that happened to you."
"Wasn't yout fault," he mumbled, unable to look Xander in the eye.
"But I wanted you to know that you hiding it didn't upset me."
Ryan snapped his head up to look Xander in the eye.
"I will never regret sleeping with you. Ever. I wish I knew since we were friends, but I understand why you kept it a secret. I even understand why you kept falling for me. You never actually loved me, you were just lonely and afraid, weren't you? And...this," he said as he gestured between the two, "was the most stable relationship you had, wasn't it?"
"Yeah. How- How did you know?"
"Because before Carter, you were my most stable relationship, too. I've already forgiven you, Ryan, for kissing me like that, but I still need a little more time before we can give being actual friends a chance. I hope that doesn't stop you from being friends with Carter."
"Carter?"
"Well, you two did make a GSA, right?" he chuckled. "They told me. I thought it was a really good idea. I hope it prevents what happen to you from ever happening to anyone again."
"If my outing stops other transgender kids from being harassed, then I'm glad something good came out of it."
"You always knew how to find the needle in the haystack," Xander smirked, clapping Ryan's shoulder before walking back towards the stairwell.
"I don't think you're using that correctly," he called out, and Xander laughed as he walked away. Ryan couldn't help but smile too as he walked to class.
^^^
Carter stared at Xander in the lunchroom, who sat next to Dante and Regina as they waited for Carter to enter. With the two being the ones to give the signal, Regina texted Ryan to hook up Carter's phone to the cafeteria's sound system.
As the opening notes of Andante, Andante filled the cafeteria, Xander jerked his head up to the ceiling before looking around in confusion.
Carter wore a loose fitting white dress with silver heels and a matching belt and headband. They took a step into the cafeteria, and everyone turned to look at them. Xander stared at Carter with wide eyes, which bulged out of his head when he saw them lift up a microphone to their mouth.
Take it easy. With me, please.
Touch me gently like a summer evening breeze.
"What the fuck is happening?" Xander whispered to himself.
"Something magical," Dante snickered, patting his shoulder.
I'm you're music.
Xander's teammates, who were also wearing white, ran in behind them as tossed long, silver strings of confetti in the air. People laughed, but the majority of them loved it.
Josh, Steven, Brent, and Trevor twirled and danced around Carter as they sang. While their voice wasn't the most attractive voice in the world, it was still in tune and accurate. After all, they wouldn't dare to dream of butchering an ABBA song.
As the song continued, the team would dance and sing backup vocals as Carter danced with the four boys. Xander watched in awe, unsure if he was supposed to watch everyone dance around him or if he was supposed to look solely at Carter. In the end, he was unable to keep his eyes off them, smiling at them as he fought back tears.
The four were able to lift Carter up towards the end of the song, hoisting them in the air as they sang.
Andante, Andante,
Oh, please. Don't let me down.
The four lowered Carter in front of Xander, and they handed the microphone to Trevor without breaking eye contact with him. They placed one arm on his shoulder, and he placed his on their waist. They grabbed hands and began to sway as the final notes played. Trevor placed the microphone by Carter's mouth so the two wouldn't have to let go.
"Xander Quinn, will you go to Sadie Hawkins with me?"
"Oh, absolutely," he hummed as he leaned in for a kiss. The majority of the room applauded or whistled for the two, and the swim team ran off to get changed back into their causal attires. "I cannot believe you did that."
"You said you wanted someone to make a grand gesture like that for you. Just not for prom."
"And you found a loophole," he smirked. "I'm impressed."
"Did you really like it?"
"I loved it," he sighed happily. "You know I've dreamed of this for a long time. I'm so grateful that you were willing to do it for me."
"I only did it because I love you," they stated. "But don't expect me to do grand gestures like this all the time."
"No, but I'm going to expect you to be even more romantic with me now," he teased.
"Oh, God, what have I done," they muttered.
Xander laughed. "I'm kidding. I'd never do that you. I love you too much to make you do that ever again."
"And this is why we work together so well," they smirked.
"You're damn right it is."