Life of Phoenix - 14. Prom

Current Time: Nix's POV

Today is prom... oh god, oh god, oh god! I am so stressed out right now. We're right in the middle of setting everything up, and everyone wants me to check everything over. I mean yes I'm in charge of it all but do I need to approve of everything? Okay yes, I do, but it still stresses me out.

“The dance floor is all set; just got to make sure the lights are one.” One of the kids in student council who I set in charge of the floor, “Charlotte has the tech crew hanging the lights above it.”

“Thanks.” One thing done for now. “Lacey, how are the tables coming?”

Lacey didn't even look up. “It'll get done when it gets done Russell!” I just rolled my eyes and continued. Why did I place Lacey in charge of something? Easy, so she would stop complaining to everyone and focus on something, even if it means that I have to deal with her directly.

Looking around the room everything seemed pretty much complete. Just the last few touches to everything were needed, and then we were ready inside the gym. Meaning my micromanaging ass can go somewhere else!

I was heading over to the staff room, where our base of operations was when Lyric came in with a huge grin on her face. “Charlotte in there?”

“Ya, why?”

She rolled her eyes. “The plan! Seriously, you need to get out more.” She just skipped on passed me. “Trust me Nix; you'll love the show I put on!” She walked away as I shook my head at her. That girl is crazy.

The dangerous hour approached, and I was getting extremity anxious. This whole prom is on my shoulders if it doesn't go well that's my fault. Most, if not all of it was planned by me. All of it was definitely approved by me at the very least. Please let tonight go good.

I was right in the middle of pondering back and forth when I heard a voice call my name. “Phoenix!” I turned to see Braxton at the door smiling. “I just wanted to say it looks great in there, thanks for all the work you and everyone else put into this.”

“No problem Braxton, I'm glad you like it. Why don't you go in and enjoy yourself? It's gonna be stress city in here pretty soon.” He giggled as I returned to my pondering.

Okay, what is there left to finish up? There is enough juice for hours... Lacey has the tables set up. GLOW STICKS! Has anyone set up or showed the guys what to do? Oh god, oh dear!

It turns out; everything is okay. Lyric needed some apparently in her devious plan of hers. Since she was already there, the guys attending to the stand got a lesson from her. They seemed pretty tense about it.

So I guess that leaves... nothing? So I guess I stand here and make sure everything goes right. If anything goes wrong, I have to be there to make sure it's solved. “Everything looks good Nix.” Ms. Payne came up to me, hand out for something. “I'll take that clipboard from you now.”

“Wha...? Why? I got to stay on top of things and solve any problems that arise.” Who else will?

Ms. Payne shook her head. “I will handle anything that comes up. Your job for the night is to be a teenager and enjoy his prom.” She grabbed the clipboard from me before I could even react. “Now, go get that boy you've had your eye on.”

“How do you know I've had my eye on someone?” I was taken aback.

She just smiled. “You're a teenager; this is prom, who doesn't have their eye on someone?” Fair point, still feels weird that she knows I have my eyes, one someone. “Now, enjoy your night. If your help is needed, we will find you.” I guess I'm off to being a typical teenager again.

After about an hour of hanging around Lyric finally came out of nowhere. The tips of her hair were covered in pink and blue glow stick goop. “You know that can be dangerous right?”

“Which is why I made Theo do it. Anyways, my plan has started.” What? Really off screen? I didn't even get to see it, LAAAAME. “His clothes are covered in glow stick, and he's trying to clean it off. He's going to look like a mess!” Lyric laughed maniacally.

“So what's the next part of your plan?”

“Simple, shame him by leaving him in the middle of the dance floor. Only after I tell him, I know what he did with my little brother, and he is to leave us alone.” This plan wasn't nearly as evil as I thought it would be. “I was thinking about saying it to the entire school, but I didn't want to shame my brother too. Not that being gay is shameful.”

“I get it. Lakota isn't ready to be out yet.” Lyric turned towards the dance floor. “What do you say Phoenix, next time will you Shut Up and Dance With Me?”

“That was bad, and you should feel bad.”

Lyric just rolled her eyes. “I think you have someone who wants to talk with you, though.” She looked over towards the tables; there stood Keon in a very nice button up shirt. “Good luuuuuuck.” She quickly made her way over to a couple of girls to make a clean get away.

So that left me with confronting Keon alone I guess. Once he got into better lighting, I could see him better. His hair was blonde again like it was when I met him. He looked sad... yet happy about something. It was a strange look.

Keon smiled. “This looks amazing Phoenix... You do too, very formal.” I am wearing a full on white suit... It feels way too formal to wear until I remember I'm the host for the night...

“Thanks. You're looking pretty good yourself.” He really did, I meant what I said. “Since I'm the guy in charge I thought it would be good to dress up completely. It really did turn out pretty good, didn't it?” This is all because Lacey put me in charge... who knew something this cool would come from me.

“Listen...” Keon's tone went serious. “Can we talk about... about us?”

It's practically the end of the school year, and I've been holding my grudge for how long? Every time I run it through my head, I know it's not entirely his fault. The major things weren't fair to blame him on. It wasn't so much the act, but what happened afterwards.

“No... We can't but I can.” Keon got the slightest of smiles when I said that. After I had swallowed my fear, I spoke. “Keon, I get that to blame you for everything that night would be VERY unfair. You brought me to the party to have a good time. The thing is I didn't have a good time that night.

“You left me alone practically all night, and when you returned to me, you were drunk. If I knew that was going to happen, I wouldn't have gone. I would have stayed home.” Time for the hard part, though... where things get mixed together. “I got drugged, I felt worse than the worst flu I have ever had. Sure you didn't drug me, but you brought it to me. I woke up, naked to a knock on the door.

“It's not that I was drugged Keon, it's not even how it happened that night. It's that you lied to make me seem worse to keep your reputation.” Keon's head lowered, you could see he was disappointed with himself. “You have no idea how that felt, to have someone lie to keep themselves popular.

“For you and I to be anything, anything at all, I need you accept that you fucked up. That you selfishly made me look like a bad guy and made yourself out to be a hero. You alone caused me so much grief... I'm over it now... but you hurt me back then.”

Keon stood there listening to every word. We were in a corner, and no one was really around us. My voice remained at a calm-ish level. I wasn't going to yell at him at prom; today is not that day. He really didn't deserve being yelled at, not from me anymore.

He's a good guy... I have to say he's matured a lot since then. Keon is known around school now as a good guy. He told people he lied about everything shortly after he said it. He even came out to the whole school at an assembly. He's done many sweet things, but he's not my guy.

“Ya... I can accept that; I did do terrible things. I'm really, really sorry for that. But do you think we could be friends?” Keon grabbed his forearm.

I nodded. “Ya, I think we can do that.” It seemed mutual; we hugged each other at the same time. We even let go at the same point. I guess this was something we just needed to get done. Be friends and move on... I like that idea.

Keon got a little closer to me. “Between you and me, it looks like Max is planning something for someone. Rumor mill says it could be Lacey, or you.” What are you up to Max? You've shut down Lacey enough, are you finally going to accept her? Or is it...

And then hurricane Lyric came out of nowhere. “I convinced the DJ to put it on next! So Shut Up and Dance With Me!!” She grabbed my wrist and dragged me across the gym floor. Keon stood back laughing at me. Well, I did promise her a dance.

“What about Theo?”

Lyric laughed. “Already done kid! Get with the times weirdo!” Wow, she's quick... I wonder what she did. She grinned. “He's probably wanking one in the bathroom. I got Lakota to turn him on; I continued on the dance floor. And when The song ended I told him I knew, and we were finished.” Wow harsh, but not as bad as I thought it would be.

Just as the song ended, we got into our positions for Shut Up and Dance With Me. It's a song Lyric, and I love dancing along with. We pretty much have a routine for it and everything. It is pretty fantastic to be a part of, or watch for that matter.

Max's POV

Wow... Student council really put together a very nice Prom. It felt too busy in the gym and yet perfectly acceptable too. It's a strange balance of things.

So guess who spots me the moment I walk into the gym... Yes, It's Lacey. She bolts over to me the moment she saw me and grabbed my hand. “Come on; we're going to dance to the next song.” Give me a choice why don't 'cha?

Some pop anthem was playing, because everyone on the dance floor was singing along. Even a few other people around the room had their mouths moving to it. I couldn't even tell you what it is, not even the artist.

While we're waiting for the song to end, I naturally take a look around. Lights are spinning around, changing color to the beat of the music. Waiters and waitresses with a small menu and drink on the other side. Even a dessert bar was set up. Tons of photo ops were available all around the room, a member of the photo club at each station. Nix knows how to throw a party.

I saw Theo and Lyric in the middle of the dance floor. She looked as if she was whispering something to him. All of a sudden out of nowhere she slapped him and walked off towards the DJ. Theo stood there dumbfounded; everyone around him was either laughing or had a shitty grin on their face. I guess she broke up with him.

He headed off directly out of the gym. Probably heading home or somewhere until the situation is defused. I wonder what happened between the two of them for them to break up on the dance floor.

Lyric went from the DJ to the glow stick stand. Standing by it was Nix and Keon talking to each other. Oh, how I want to go over there right now and just sweep Nix away with a cocky smile on my face.

I was about to too, when... “Okay, our turn!” The sound of Your Heart by Shawn Hook came on. Did she plan this, because it certainly feels like she did?

The beginning of the song was fine; we were dancing like normal people. My hands on her hips, her hands around my neck. Just swaying back and forth as we go around in a circle. You know normal dancing, acceptable dancing. The second verse, though, she lowered her hands to my forearms.

That was when I knew this was going go somewhere else. Lacey doesn't just stop when she starts something. All through the verse and second chorus everything seemed fine. The moment that ended it changed.

Baby, I'm coming,

She turned around putting her back to me.

Baby, I'm coming

She dropped, sliding down my body as she did.

Tell me now, baby I'll come running

As the line progressed, she slowly made the way back up, swerving from side to side. To a normal jock, this might be a huge turn on. It gathered the attention of everyone around us enough for them to stop pretty much and watch her.

Baby, I'm coming, Baby, I'm coming

Just as she got up, she turned grabbing my shirt as she did.

Say the words, baby I'll come running

She mouthed those words to me, pulling herself as close as she could while she did it. It felt really awkward her doing this to me... I don't like her; I've told her on many occasions that I don't like her, and here she is trying to get me into this? AWKWARDNESS!!

Baby, I'm in love with you
I'm missing the sound of your heart beating
Baby, you were mine to lose
I'm missing the sound of your heart beating

She continued to mouth the words; I continued to fall deeper into my awkward stare. I don't know who was getting more attention. Her, for how into it she was, or me for how confused I looked.

I'm missing the sound; I'm missing the sound of your heart beating
Beating
I’m missing the sound of your heart beating!

I think that was when she realized she was making a fool of herself because she stopped. She returned her hands to my shoulders, and we just danced the rest of the song like normal human beings.

The moment the song ended she pulled me aside, her face red as a tomato. “What the hell was that, Max? Leaving me out there while you have this dumb shit look on your face.” Shut Up and Dance With Me came on. This is Lyric and Nix's jam right now.

Ignoring the angry girl in front of me I looked around for them. Sure enough there they were at the start of their routine. “Sorry, I gotta go...” I drifted off.

She grabbed my arm. “Excuse me!? I'm mad at you; you can't just leave me!”

I gave off a single chuckle. “Watch me.” I released myself from her grip and continued through the gym to get a closer look. Lyric and Phoenix are about to be the center of attention if they want it or not.

By the time I got a good view, the chorus was just about to start.

She took my arm,
I don't know how it happened.
We took the floor, and she said,

They followed the lines perfectly. Nix acted very confused when Lyric took his arm. She even pulled him towards the dance floor and screamed the next line.

“Oh don't you dare look back
Just keep your eyes on me!”

Together they were in perfect tempo. She would spin and go right into that snap step thing. It's like they have done this before. Haha

I said, “You're holding back.”

Nix sang the words perfectly towards Lyric. She perfectly smacked him, pulled him out of the cluster of people and into a clear space in perfect timing.

She said, “Shut up and Dance with me!”

Nix and Lyric held hands as she spun into him. With his arms around Lyric, they swayed to the rhythm perfectly.

This woman is my destiny
She said “ooh-ooh-hoo
Shut up and dance with me.”

Lyric span out of his arms, walking to the beat of the music. One thing Nix and Lyric have always had, a good sense of beat and rhythm. They were always the ones who danced around like little idiots as kids. I would usually just sit there and laugh as they goofed around, sometimes trying to make me join in.

“Hey!” Lacey turned me around; she looked very upset. “First, you make me look like an idiot on the dance floor, and then I see you watching that bitch and her boy toy... flail around. How can you even call that dancing!?”

I took a deep breath and sighed. “Lacey, they are my friends. They are having a good time and if it makes them happy, why bother them. Plus they are pretty good at dancing; they took dance classes when they were little.

“If you don't like them that's on you. I do, and that's what matters. Whatever we had, or what you think we had, is done. You and I are never ever going to be together!”

Past time: Grade 9

It had been a few weeks since Phoenix and Keon had broken up. Phoenix had been outed to the entire school, and Keon told the school a much different story. According to Keon, he got convinced by Phoenix to have a quickie.

Phoenix took the betrayal hard, spending most of his time separated from everyone. The only people who saw him were his family, Lyric when she went over, and Braxton. Braxton saw it the most, how Nix who would normally be very excited and energetic. Nix would put half effort into almost everything.

“Phoenix, want to go out? Maybe to the park or something?” Braxton tried his best to energize his friend and babysitter.

He shrugged and got up. “Sure, lets go.” He grabbed his jacket and made his way to the door. Braxton hadn't moved from his spot. “You coming, or not?”

Braxton crossed his arms. “You don't want to go, do you?” This eleven year old boy knew something was up with his babysitter, and he was going to get to the bottom of it. “Hey, what's going on Phoenix?”

“It's nothing, just grown up stuff...”

Braxton raised his eyebrow. “No, I don't believe you. What's going on Phoenix?”

Nix glared at the kid. “It's nothing Braxton... lets go to the park.” Braxton got up and grabbed his coat before joining Phoenix on their journey to the park.

The walk was a silent one. Nix didn't want anything to do with the outside world but didn't want Braxton prying at him more. Braxton just wanted to know what was going on with his babysitter but knew he didn't want to talk about it.

When they made it to the park, Braxton reluctantly made his way to the playground. Nix sat down on the bench and just watched all the kids enjoy themselves. Both of them kept their eyes on each other, looking after each other.

They had spent about half an hour when a familiar face arrived. Cooper came up behind Nix and gently touched his sides. “Boo!”

Nix had no idea Cooper Harper had snuck up on him. He jumped almost out of his seat. Nix was one to be easily frightened. “Hi, Cooper... what are you doing here?”

Cooper grinned from ear to ear. “I'm meeting my brother here. We're hanging out for the day.”

“What has Max been up to that could distract him so much?” Nix asked obviously.

His question was met with a dumbfounded gaze. What Nix didn't know, was that the Harpers had split up. It happened around the same time that Max entered high school and separated their friendship. Cooper had stayed with their father while Max had gone with their mother. The brothers ended up not spending much time together because of it.

“We don't live in the same house anymore Nix... I'm surprised Max hasn't told you.” Cooper gave an awkward smile. “He always seems busy with friends; I just assumed he meant you.”

Nix shook his head. “Max and I haven't really hung out since he started high school.” Nix's mind went to the night of the party. How Max saw him and Keon... What does he think of me? Nix thought to himself.

“I didn't know that. That was around the time our Parents started their divorce.” Cooper sat there thinking about meeting up with his brother. Sure they saw each other on a few occasions, but it wasn't like before. They would see each other every day, be brothers every day, enjoy and fight each other.

Nix pointed towards Braxton, in an attempt to change the conversation he spoke. “I'm taking care of Braxton today. So I'm here keeping an eye on him.” That was when Braxton noticed the new company and waved.

Cooper did not care for the topic change. “Max said you were at the party the other week. How was that?”

“Ya... I'm never going to a party again.” The look on Cooper's face told Nix to continue. “Well... I was kinda outed as gay there.”

That news didn't even phase Cooper. He just smiled and gave off a little giggle. “Hey, at least everyone knows now. You won't have to fake it anymore.”

“It's not that simple Cooper... The way it happened, I wasn't okay with it.” Nix shook his head as he rubbed his palms against his forehead. “I just feel like the whole school is against me.”

Nix then felt two hands massaging his back. Cooper knew his way around a person's back. “Well Nix, I don't know what to say... but I think you needed a little push.” Nix turned to give his friend the stink eye. “Think about it, when would you have come out?”

He shrugged, Phoenix couldn't think of when it could have happened. The truth is he didn't even want to come out; he just wanted to live without people knowing about him. Nix still had a shell, a shell that had been cracked and he didn't like it.

“I don't know...” He finally replied, defeated.

Cooper quickly grabbed Nix's cheeks and changed his view. Eye to eye Cooper spoke to his friend. “Max told me that people think you're courageous. Sure there will be haters, but also people who are proud of you. Pay attention to the ones who support you, not those who hate on you.”

Nix looked at the younger boy, inspired. “Thanks, Cooper, you're a good friend.”

Cooper just grinned. “No problem. Hey, Max!” Nix's eyes went wide. “Nix was here when I got here!”

Nix looked over where Cooper was looking. Sure enough, there was Max standing there, hands in his pockets not knowing what to say. “Hey... Nix.” All three of them shared an awkward silence.

Braxton noticed the three and rushed over. He even broke the awkward silence in the group. “Hey, Max!” The excited boy jumped all around the eldest. “What are you and Cooper doing here?”

“We're just meeting up so we can hang out.” The brothers shared a huge smile. “What are you and Nix doing here?”

Nix sighed slightly, so much so that no one noticed. “Phoenix was looking down so I thought coming out and playing at the park would cheer him up.”

“That's kind of you, Braxton.” Max looked at Nix as he said it. Phoenix couldn't keep eye contact for long, though. “I think it's time that Cooper and I go. I'll see you two another time, promise.”

Braxton smiled. “I'll hold you to it!” The brothers went on their way to enjoy their day together. Phoenix went on to join Braxton and the others in games. After the conversation, he had with Cooper he felt renewed like he can take on the world again.

Chapter End.