Page 143 of Rebel at Spruce High

It was a deceptively simple plan. Toby arrived to school one unassuming Monday to find, upon opening his locker, his favorite moogle doll missing. In its place was a note: “Hi, Toby! It’s me, your friendly dancing moogle! Kupo! I’m taking a little vacation to your first period. See you there! Kupo!” And in his first period, Becky (who was in on it) sent poor Toby to get printer ink from a supply closet, where he found another note stuck to the shelf reading: “I got lost on my way to the office. Maybe I misread the directions and need a lesson in English instead, Kupo …?” Then in Toby’s second period English, of course I got Hoyt in on my plan, who passed a note to Toby that read: “English is … zzz … boring for a moogle. Hey, do you know what sodium polyacrylate is? Me neither! See ya in chemistry! Kupopo!” The scavenger hunt went on and on, sending Toby on a seven-period-long quest—during which I feigned having no idea about anything to do with the mysterious disappearance of his moogle doll, hiding the fact that I’d in fact researched all about those creatures and how they love dancing and interject “Kupo” into every sentence. His quest at last ended in seventh period, where upon entering the theater auditorium, Toby was stunned to find no one there at all. But under a single spotlight on the stage, his moogle doll sat with a final note that read: “I like dancing! Will you go to the fricking Prom Dance with me?” And just as he finished reading the note, all of the lights came on, music blared, and every last person in the theatre department burst out from behind curtains, from under the seats, and from the hallway. Toby was overwhelmed as all his friends started singing at him like some impromptu Broadway-style flash mob, including Kelsey, Frankie, Tamika, and everyone else from our Seaside cast. But that didn’t compare to the teary-eyed look on his face as I came down from the lighting booth where I had been watching the whole thing. I walked the aisle and took his hand at the front of the stage. “Yes!” Toby cried out through the noise of the music, not even waiting for it to die down—or for me to ask the question myself. “Yes! Let’s go to prom together!” And that’s all I needed to hear as I embraced him and put my lips to his.

The whole ordeal must still be fresh on Toby’s mind, because later in the night after we’ve enjoyed a beautiful dinner at Nadine’s and eaten our hearts out, we at last make it to the venue: the very small-town-fabulous ballroom of the Spur Inn back in Spruce, its side doors opened and spilling to a large, extravagantly decorated wooden deck area complete with full catering, a DJ, canopies of flowers, booths for photos, and an enormous dance floor that never stops hopping. Toby and I get lost in the madness, meeting up with all our friends. Kelsey has come with a crowd of theatre peeps who didn’t quite pair up with specific dates, preferring to attend the dance as friends. Despite said wishes, Frankie and our ever-cheery Tamika seem to be getting awfully close, which seems to be a direct result of them playing opposite each other in the spring play a few months ago. I never did audition for Frankie’s senior-directed play, but he understood, what with my Arts club commitment among other things. Kelsey is also swarmed by the yearbook staff, with whom she’s gotten especially cozy over the spring. Apparently after one last amazing contribution involving the front cover, she won over the staff—and the school—and suddenly everyone at Spruce High wanted a yearbook. Sales have never been higher. Kelsey’s face beams with pride.

Of course we also see Hoyt, who arrives much in the same fashion as the theatre crowd: among a group of dateless jocks who just wanted to come and have fun, including Benji and Lee. Julio shows up with his on-and-off-again girlfriend Stacey, the pair of them having broken up and made up at least six times since the fall, and I make sure to acknowledge him with a respectful nod, which he returns. We might’ve had a rocky start—and that’s putting it lightly—but after helping me with the big display of my art on the outer gymnasium wall last semester that won Toby over, I now see Coach Strong’s athletes in a new light.

Toby and I soon find ourselves in each other’s arms when the DJ takes the energy down a notch for a slow song. And it’s these romantic moments I especially love, because all the noise seems to fade, Toby’s cute eyes are locked on mine, and we’re the only two people who exist. As we slow dance, I put a finger under his chin and gently guide his lips to mine, tasting him. Toby’s lips are perfect.