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Senior Prom had been the lynchpin holding the student body together over the last several weeks leading up to it. Senioritis was setting in majorly, and most were ready to just graduate and enjoy their freedom, but at least there was the prom to end all proms waiting for them right around the corner. Daisy, who was naturally put in charge of the whole event thanks to her experience in such things, made a solemn promise to everyone that this year's Senior Prom would be like no other that had been put on by Roseville High, or any other of the highschools for that matter. East Rutledge High could eat its heart out. Fulfilling this promise was no small task, either, but everyone was confident that given her track record, Daisy would more than live up to the high expectations they set.
The other prom team members were also sworn to secrecy, though many students tried (and failed) to bribe them. This was mainly because the curly selkirk ragamuffin would pop in from out of nowhere before anything could be said. It turned out to be a good hype maker, too, as everyone spent endless time speculating what it would be like, and nobody wanted to be the one who missed it. Rumors swirled around school about what it'd be. Some said it'd be fantasy themed, with knights and princesses. Others claimed to know it was going to be themed to under the sea, with brightly colored coral and fish. David told anyone who would listen that he had the real inside scoop, and it was about dinosaurs, though this was wistful thinking on his end.
Roseville High's senior year scrambled to get dates for it, as nobody wanted to come alone to such a momentous occasion. Secret admirer letters were stuffed into lockers by timid classmates too afraid to face their crush. Others took a direct approach and simply asked, hoping for the best. And a select few went way over the top with balloons and streamers, hoping to secure a date with the ones they liked. It was as though a craze had fallen upon the school, and everyone was swept up in it. Everyone, that is, but for one orange, mute tabby.
It wasn't for a lack of trying. Amaya was at the disadvantage of never saying anything, ever. She wrote notes, but found these were ignored by the guys she passed them to. Some she would find later crumpled up on the floor, or in the trash. Trying to get someone's attention didn't garner better results. They would simply look confused at the smiling tabby, shrug, and walk away. Nobody cared, nobody gave her the time of day. Still, she hoped that someone would say yes, and she had plenty of time left. As the days passed, and Amaya remained dateless, her hope, and happiness, slowly drained from her. She wondered whether she should even go to the prom at all. It was her mother who managed to convince her that it could still be worthwhile, and that anything could happen. She could even find a date while there. Somehow, her daughter doubted that. With a heavy heart, Amaya got herself together to attend the dance, hoping that maybe she could find someone there to dance with. She never really followed fashion trends, but did doll herself up with makeup and a simple, but elegant dress.
She didn't find anyone. Senior prom indeed lived up to the glitz and glam everyone believed it would. Daisy had chosen a particularly unique theme, the roaring twenties. The interior of the community building where it was being held was redecorated to fit the era. There were images of wild parties from the twenties, the tables and chairs were art deco. Even the speakers were made to look like antique radios. In all of the excitement, Amaya was lost in the sea of smartly dressed teens. She and Sue had met up early on, but she broke away to be with McCain, who wore a pinstripe suit rather than his old trench coat. Sue gave her friend a sympathetic look before disappearing into the crowd. Amaya tried her best to get a guy's attention, but she was either ignored or shrugged off. As the night went on, the tabby drifted to the edge of the room, and stood in the shadows.
It wasn't fair. It wasn't right. With her hands clasped together, she looked down at her puffy red dress with sequins that matched her bow. Why did nobody want to dance with her? They all just… didn't care. She wasn't popular. She wasn't seen as attractive. She couldn't even talk. Was she useless? The girl beat herself up, wishing she hadn't let her mother talk her into coming. Her breathing became heavy, she blinked back tears in her eyes. She wished the night was over.
Off in the fray of things, a brown labrador was grooving by himself to the greatest hits of the twenties. Daisy insisted on an era appropriate playlist too, and fortunately it had paid off. David's ears flopped around as he danced around the floor. His excitement caused him to trip over some people, much to their annoyance. After a while of tossing himself around, David decided to take a breather. Just as well, a slow love song had been brought on to ease the dancers.
"Man, I am wiped." The dog said, stumbling up to the snack table. "Dancing makes me thirsty. And dizzy!"
He had some difficulty getting the punch in the drink cup as his head was still spinning from all his cavorting. To his chagrin, he didn't have anything to spike the drink with. All his tiny jacks had been left at home, since his suit didn't have pockets. Also, his mother wouldn't allow it. As he took a deep sip from his cup, he saw something glint off to the side in the shadows. David looked at the punch. "Woah, maybe someone else spiked the punch."
But there it was again, the glinting. David poured the rest of his drink back into the punch bowl because he didn't want to waste any of it, and decided to take a closer look. When he got closer, he could see the shining was coming from some sparkly bits in a red dress. A dress that belonged to… "Amaya!!" He said excitedly.
The tabby jumped a little at hearing her name called so loudly, and so close to her. She looked at the dog briefly before moving her gaze back to the hardwood floor beneath her. David was probably just saying hi before going back to his date. Soon, it became apparent that he wasn't going away. "Are you thirsty from dancing too?" He asked, tilting his head. "They have some punch over there, though I think someone spiked it." He held up his right hand. "But I swear it wasn't me this time."
Amaya shook her head and sniffled. David raised an eyebrow. "Then… what are you doing all by yourself?"
The orange striped cat shrugged and wiped her eyes. Seeing the happy couples dancing to the romantic music hurt her even more. David looked over the sea of slow dancers, then back to the girl. "Then we should dance together!" Amaya looked up a little, cautiously. "Just you and me!" The ditzy dog said, holding out his hand. "I won't spin you, I promise."
Their hands met and they got into a waltzing position. For all his blunders, David turned out to be a pretty good dancer. His mom had given him some lessons just in case he ended up dancing with someone. Amaya's lip trembled, and the new tears stinging her eyes were not of sadness, but of joy. "Aww, don't cry Amaya. You look really nice." The girl wiped her eyes quickly and gave him a big smile and a nod. "You don't say much, but that's okay! I can talk enough for the both of us." And David said something that really caught her off guard. "Even if you don't talk, you deserve love too."
Amaya looked into his big, playful eyes, and could see the truth in them. He really meant what he said. She threw her arms around his neck and pulled him in for a kiss. It was a little messy for the both of them, as it was the first kiss either of them had, but when they pulled apart, David made it all better. "Wow, you're a great kisser! Can you teach me to kiss that good?" Amaya giggled and nodded.
They two misfits danced together on the side, having the time of their life. Maybe David wasn't exactly what Amaya had in mind for her date. He was goofy, didn't take much seriously, and ran his mouth too much sometimes, but he had actually taken the time to be there for her, and that meant the world to her. She wondered why she never left him a note asking him to the prom. After a while, David stopped dancing. "I gotta go take a pee, that punch really goes through you!" Amaya nodded and let go. "I'll be right back!" He said, and ran off.
Amaya stood happily, watching everyone dance. Quite some time passed, however, and David didn't return. Amaya didn't think too much of it, figuring he got distracted with something, but then he'd be back. But he didn't come back. As the prom was winding down, and the hour got late, the tabby took to wandering the room, searching for the lost dog. He was nowhere to be found, and the girl's heart sank. While she looked, she ran into Mike and Lucy who were on their way to leave. Mike noticed something was up. "Hello Amaya, what's up? Are you looking for someone?" She nodded.
"Hey guys." Paulo walked up with Daisy. "Have you seen David? He told me he was dancing with Amaya but I haven't seen him since."
Everyone agreed that David's disappearance was indeed odd. Mike and Paulo even checked the bathroom, and there was no trace of him in there. Finally, someone told them they had seen him leave shortly after leaving the bathroom. Mike sighed and gave Amaya a sympathetic look. "I'm sorry Amaya, he must have gone home."
"Without saying anything?" Daisy asked.
Paulo shrugged. "He's just like that. I've learned not to question it. We can see him tomorrow."
Amaya nodded sadly. It was a little bittersweet. While it hadn't been much, she was still appreciative of David for taking some time to dance with her. Really, it was one of the sweetest things anyone had ever done for her. This thought made her smile and blush, and she gave her friends a big thumbs up. They all said their goodbyes, and Amaya decided she was going to go out and dance, even if it was by herself.