Narrator
Time was going by fast in The Marsh family home.
Danielle had finished her college exams and started applying to university. She started preparing for graduation and was starting to buy little things she'd need for college.
Danielle was so ready to be done with high school.
She just had one more thing to do before graduation.
Go to the prom.
Meanwhile,
Y/n.....
Y/n was just getting ready for their 18th birthday.
- Danielle POV -
The girls and I were getting ready for prom at Hanni's house.
We had music playing while we all got dressed, put makeup on, and did our hairs.
It was a bit chaotic, but it was kind of fun.
"I bet Y/n will finish up their test and run down to the prom to dace with you!" Lily said as I put on mascara.
The girls all knew about my little crush on Y/n.
They had actually pointed out that Y/n probably peeked my interest ever since the first night we met.
I wasn't the type to meddle into people's business too much, but with Y/n.... it was different.
"This isn't a movie, Lily. Y/n isn't just going to leave work for a silly dance," Hanni sassed Lily.
"Yeah, Y/n really likes their job anyway. Plus, I don't think Y/n likes me that much to leave work just for me," I answered as I finished up my makeup.
It was true.
I didn't really think Y/n liked me the same way I liked them.
Y/n never looked too interested in me. It always seemed like they just saw things as playful flirting or silly little jokes.
It probably didn't help that I was always trying to convince myself that I didn't like them. I was always trying to hide the fact that I like them.
"All I'm saying is that it would be really cute if Y/n did come to prom. Whether they do or not is up for debate!" Lily sassed us.
I playfully rolled my eyes knowing it was just wishful thinking.
"Yeah, okay. Leave your delusions behind and help me with my dress!" I sassed her back.
- Y/N POV -
I was breaking up asphalt bags all night.
I was really proud of myself. Earlier in the day, I had passed my accreditations test.
Which meant I was going to get a raise and was able to help out with more things at our work sites.
The busier I was the less stressed I felt and it was all perfect timing too. My raise would be enough for me to sustain myself once I turned 18.
"Hey, do you think you can stay a few extra hours? Mark got into a car accident earlier today and we can't find someone to cover his shift," My supervisor suddenly approached me.
As much as I wanted to say 'no', I really needed the overtime money.
"Yeah, sure. No problem at all," I answered him.
I had actually planned to try to make it to the prom. I wanted to go have some fun and watch Danielle have the time of her life. I was only going to go for the last hour, but now work seemed a little more important than that.
- Danielle POV -
I was having a lot of fun at prom, but something felt missing.
Of course, I knew what it was.
"Hey, we're going to eat after prom. You're coming right?" Jennifer suddenly yelled over the music.
"Yeah!" I yelled back as we jumped up and down.
"ALRIGHT, WE JUST HIT THE 15 MINUTE MARK. SO, LETTSS GGOO!! MAKE THE NIGHT WORTH WHILE!!" The DJ suddenly announced over the microphone.
A part of me was still holding on to the hope that maybe Y/n would show up, but I knew it was just wishful thinking.
It was stupid really.
"BUT I KEEP ON RUNNIN' THROUGH THESE RED FLAGS!!" Everyone in the venue started signing a long to the song playing.
Hanni suddenly started elbowing me and teasing me, trying to hype me up.
I playfully rolled my eyes at her.
Jen and Lily started teasing me too and I couldn't help but smile.
"BUT I KEEP RUNNIN' THROUGH THESE RED FLAGS!!" I finally started to sing along.
The girls always teased me about how weird it was to fall for a random stranger that I invited into my house, but they knew Y/n was a good person.
At the end of the day, it wasn't their feelings anyway.
"I'LL SEE THE SIGNS, BUT I'LL STILL COME BACK.
I'LL KEEP ON RUNNIN' THROUGH THEM, WHEN ARE...
TOUCHING MY BODY, I...
LISTEN TO NOBODY.
NOBODY CAN STOP ME!!
I KEEP ON RUNNIN' THROUGH THESE RED FLAGS!!"
I screamed out the song with the rest of my friends.
Soon enough, prom had ended and everyone was making their way out the building.
People were making plans to go eat or go party at a nearby hotel, but all I wanted to do was one thing.
I wanted to see Y/n.
"Hey, where are you going?" Hanni suddenly grabbed me.
I was making my way to my car and had completely forgotten I had made plans with the girls.
"I actually have to go. I'll have brunch with you girls tomorrow instead," I told the girls.
The girls looked at me a bit confused, but I just ignored them and made my way to my car.
- Y/N POV -
I was probably on my 30th bag of asphalt, but luckily it was my last.
I was tearing that shit apart with the little strength I had left.
It was already midnight and all I wanted to do was go home.
"Hey!!" I suddenly heard someone yell.
"Huh?" I took my earplugs off, a bit confused.
"Y/N!!" I heard a familiar voice.
I looked around all confused and my heart sank to my stomach once I saw who was yelling.
It was Danielle.
She looked so beautiful in her gorgeous red dress.
"How is she so pretty?" I thought to myself.
I quickly shook myself out of my thoughts and stepped up to talk to her.
"What are you doing here?" I asked a bit dazed.
Danielle really did look gorgeous in her dress.
"I came to pick you up!" Dani exclaimed with a cute smile.
"What? What about prom?" I was so confused.
"It's over anyway, so I figured I'd pick you up on my way home," She shyly responded.
I wasn't buying her excuse, but I was really flattered that she thought of me.
"Umm, okay. Let me just finish up what I was doing and then we can go," I told her.
Danielle cutely nodded in response and I went back to what I was doing.
- Danielle POV -
Y/n was all dirty and sweaty. They looked a lot different than what I thought they'd look like on prom night.
But it was okay...
Y/n looked really hot while they worked anyway.
I waited for quite a bit.
It was dark and chilly. I was starting to shiver.
Suddenly, Y/n walked up to me, took off their safety jacket, and placed it over shoulders.
My heart started racing like crazy.
I didn't think Y/n had been paying attention to me.
A few more minutes went by and Y/n was finally done.
"Why did you really come pick me up?" Y/n suddenly asked, as I drove us home.
I contemplated on what to say for a bit, before settling with... "You owe me a dance".
Y/n just chuckled in response. As always, never taking me seriously.
"You know, you could just say you don't like me," I sighed out.
"What? What do you mean?" Y/n started to get all serious.
"You know that I like you and I know you don't feel the same way," I coldly answered.
"Who said that?" Y/n cleared their throat a bit.
I looked out the car a bit annoyed as I pulled into the driveway.
I didn't want to hear any of Y/n's excuses.
"Just never mind," I whispered as I got out the car.
I could hear Y/n follow right behind.
I was getting ready to just head up to my room, when Y/n suddenly grabbed my arm. I stopped in my tracks and watched as Y/n took out their phone.
A slow song start playing and Y/n placed their phone down on the kitchen island.
Y/n then grabbed my hands and wrapped them around their neck, as they grabbed my waist.
"What are you doing?" I asked a bit nervous.
My heart was trying to beat out of my chest.
"I owe you a dance," Y/n whispered.
I couldn't help but smile as Y/n pulled me closer.
I started to relax in Y/n's arms and I stepped up to rest my head on their chest. We swayed back and forth the entire song. Just holding each other close.
It felt really nice.
The song started coming to an end and I started to pull away from Y/n's embrace.
"Thank you," I whispered as I kissed Y/n on the cheek.
"You're welcome," Y/n sweetly smiled.
Everything felt so right.
Y/n's eyes were so soft and their smile looked so genuine.
It was one of those few times where I really thought that Y/n maybe did like me back.
I couldn't help myself and I stepped up to kiss Y/n....
But Y/n immediately stepped back.
- Mr. Marsh POV -
I heard Dani's car pulled up and I was a bit confused.
I was under the impression that Dani was going to sleep over at her friend's house after the prom.
Suddenly, I heard quite a few footsteps walking in through the front door and I got up to see what it was.
It was the kids.
It looked like Dani had picked Y/n up from work, but as always... they both looked upset with each other.
I was about to step up and greet them, when music suddenly started playing and they started dancing together.
I took a deep breath, a bit uneasy with what was going on.
Dani still looked at Y/n with those doe eyes. She really seemed to like Y/n. It had been a month since I first noticed it and now it had seemed to have gotten worse.
Luckily, the song soon ended and they started to pull away from each other.
I was starting to feel a bit relieved, when Dani suddenly tried to kiss Y/n.
Y/n respectfully stepped back and I was about to interrupt them, when Y/n suddenly said... "You know I can't".
I furrowed my brows, a bit confused, and went back to hiding in the shadows.
"What do you mean?" Dani looked a little nervous.
"Look," Y/n sighed out.
"I do like you. I really do, but I can't do that to your dad or your mom. Your family was so kind to bring me in and take care of me. It would just be really disrespectful to them for me to get involved with you in anyway," Y/n explained themselves.
It seemed like the kids feelings were mutual.
I was really touched that Y/n thought about the family before their own feelings....
But now I felt conflicted.
"I see," I watched Dani's head drop.
It almost felt like I could feel her heart break into a million pieces.
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