a/n: tempted to make a whole prom series for the knot lmk if you want that
There's this guy in a few of your classes. You've spent entire english classes having conversations passing notes to him. He's not very smart, sure, but he's a funny and sweet guy and now your ass has a crush on him.
You know he's got a bad home life, you know all of it, but none of the outside factors prevented you from writing a little note to give to him during your next study hall.
...
"Hey," Corey smiles as he sees you.
"Hey, man," you give him a smile back as you hand him a couple pages of notes from a day he missed.
"Jesus, this is a lot," Corey flips through the notes.
"I know, sorry," you grimace. "Grab me if you can't read any of it."
You soon leave him to sit with another friend at a different table, and Corey gets to work copying notes. After 2 pages, he notices a small folded piece of paper with his name written on it.
"Hm?" Corey hums as he opens it and reads a little note from you:
Hey!
I hope you're doing alright after being sick for a while. It's been boring without you around, and I've missed you in english. Shakespeare is better when you read it in an awful english accent
Anyway, I mostly want to as if you'd like to go to prom with me. Doesn't have to be a big deal, I just thought it would be fun to go and try out a date if you like
Let me know!
--Y/n
"Goddamnit," Corey covers the slight blush on his face with one hand. Does this mean you're into him? Corey figures it's an integral tactic in flirting to rely on plausible deniability in case the other person isn't receptive.
He shrugs and quickly writes a response on an index card.
...
You're quite surprised when you come to your english class the next day to find not only that Corey's gotten to class earlier than you, but he's left the stack of notes at your seat next to him.
"Shit, you were productive," you comment as you sit next to him.
"Damn straight," Corey grins. "I can be a scholar if I really try."
"Sure, hun," you joke, flipping through the notes to make sure they're all there. As you do, an index card falls into your lap. "Hm?"
Y/n-
hell yeah I'll go to prom with you! i'll make it happen. just get yourself a nice dress
You smile to yourself.
...
Corey really tried. He couldn't afford to rent a suit, so he consulted his friends to get pieces that would fit together. He cleaned up his janky car and saved up enough to take you to a decent dinner at a small diner he knows you like.
The three straight weeks of effort all becomes worth it when you step out of your house in a gorgeous floor length black dress. It clings to your body and accentuates every beautiful curve. Corey has to admit he's a little embarrassed to hold your hand and lead you to his beat up car.
"You look great," you note as you walk with him to his car.
"Ah, thank you," Corey looks away as he opens the passenger door for you.
He lets you pick the music as he drives to that little hole in the wall diner you like, not talking very much. You worry that he's not interested in you and retreat a bit.
Still, Corey takes your hand as you approach the place, opens the door for you, and asks for the table. He doesn't let go of your hand until you're at the table.
The dinner is just a touch awkward, in no small part due to the fact that neither of you know where you stand with each other.
The dance is really no different. After doing your rounds to talk with friends and take a couple pictures, you and Corey finally meet again. Without much thought, you give it a shot to dance together. It kind of works, but you're too nervous and uncomfortable to loosen up.
"You alright?" Corey asks you, gently holding your arm and pulling you away from the crowd.
"Yeah, yeah, just a bit nervous," you reply.
"Hm," Corey considers for a second, then glances toward a side door. "Come on."
You hesitate to follow him, but figure you'd be pretty safe with Corey. Worst he could do was take a bottle of fireball out of his pocket, right? He lets go of your wrist once you're away from the mass of people, anyway.
"Here, sit," Corey sits down on the stairs a few yards away from the gym. "This a bit better?"
"Ah, yeah," you nod, taking a breath. "Sorry, just got a bit overwhelming in there."
"That's alright. I get it."
"I'm surprised you of all people is overwhelmed by loud places," you joke.
"Oh, hush," Corey laughs with you. "I'm not that loud."
"Mh-hm, sure."
"Come on, I'm at least quiet enough for you to tolerate me."
You shrug. "Eh, a bit more than tolerate."
Corey's a bit caught off guard. "Hm?"
"Yeah?" you ask, wondering if you've fucked up.
"Uhm, well, how do you feel about me?" Corey looks over at you. You avoid direct eye contact.
For a moment, you hesitate. It's difficult to choose the correct words. "Fuck...yeah, I am into you."
A slight blush scratches at your face as you glance over at Corey. His expression is unreadable, but he catches you before you can look away by placing two fingers under your chin and making you face him.
"...Me?" he hums.
"Yeah," you confirm.
"God, no fucking way," Corey smiles before he leans in to softly kiss you. As he pulls away, he gently strokes your cheek with his thumb. He lowers his hand back down to his lap, blushing just enough to be noticeable in the dim light.
You take a breath, finally able to relax as you lay your head on his shoulder. You hold onto his arm and move closer to him.
Corey lets out a sigh while his hand reaches for yours. "I'm sorry I couldn't afford a nicer dinner."
"Hey, honestly--it was more than enough to get a dinner with you," you admit.
"Really?"
"Mh-hm," you give Corey's hand a small squeeze. "And I love that place. It was nice to go there with you."
Corey kisses your hair and leans into you. "...Thank you."
"You know your situation doesn't change how I feel about you, right?"
"I actually didn't know," Corey looks down, fidgeting a bit as his thumb runs over the back of your hand.
"I don't give a shit how much money you've got. I just want to date Corey Taylor."
Corey squeezes your hand and kisses your hair, hoping it hides the fact that he's smiling like a fucking idiot. He keeps you close until you both decide to leave.
The next two hours are spent driving around (speeding just a little) while blaring music and having fun together. Corey kisses you at each stop light, and again when he drops you back off at your house.
"Get home safe, alright?" you request before placing a kiss on Corey's cheek.
"I will," he assures you.
...
guys im literally the last person in my friend group who likes slipknot
i am cringe but i am free
bye byeeeeee