Most everyone had changed out of their suits and gowns by the time we arrived at the pier. The snowfall was even thicker, blurring the path ahead. Only me and Tami were brave enough to keep our dresses on. That’s why we were the queens of the school, and everyone bowed to us. We probably should have canceled and gone home, but it was tradition to hang out at the pier after prom. Magical things happen at the pier, and we couldn’t miss out, so we stayed.
I loved running into Savannah. Everything at the school had been so crowded and chaotic, I must’ve missed her. I had one class with her and Stacey, but since they moved away, we didn’t get to hang out much. We kept in touch on Social Bunny, though. She thinks their mom is running from their dad. That’s why she can’t come to my house anymore, and I can’t know where she lives. It really sucks.
Then I spotted Tami. She looked pleased with her night so far and even more pleased about what was coming next.
“Me and Enzo are going on the Cuddle Carts,” she said. “You and Josh should do it too.”
I liked the way she thought. She left, disappearing into the tunnel with Enzo. I wanted to be closer to Josh—and get out of the cold—so I grabbed his arm and dragged him toward the ride. He stiffened right away.
“The Cuddle Carts? B-but isn’t this for, like, couples?”
I turned to him with a cheeky grin.
“Exactly.”
“Oh. Oh! Oh, uhhh, heh, okay then.”
Tami and Enzo must’ve caught the ride ahead of us, because they weren’t inside when we arrived. Perfect. A private moment with my guy. We slid into the tiny velvet cart, squished together like sardines. My dress puffed everywhere, and Josh looked like he was trying to fold himself in half to fit.
“And this is supposed to be an adult ride?” he muttered, knees practically up to his chin.
“Right? They definitely were thinking about girls in gowns,” I shot back, tugging my skirt under control. I gave him a sly grin. “Guess we’ll just have to suffer…together.”
The cart lurched forward, creaking into the tunnel. Fog hissed from hidden vents, wrapping around us like cheap Spooky Day dry ice. Neon stars flickered overhead. And then, right on cue, Frank the Flying Womp Womp crooned in a buttery baritone voice about eternal love.
Josh groaned. “Not Frank.”
“Oh, Frank,” I said, clutching my chest dramatically. “He understands me.”
“Yeah, like a stalker understands you.”
That cracked me up. I laughed so loud I’m sure it echoed far enough for Tami and Enzo to hear. The cart rattled around a bend and jolted us sideways, smacking our shoulders together. Josh froze up like the popsicle I knew he’d be tonight. For a moment, I thought he would yank himself back to his side of the cart. But I didn’t move. If anything, I leaned in just enough to let him know it was fine. His shoulders eased, and he stayed right there, pressed against me, like he’d been waiting for permission.
The ride smoothed out, but somehow we stayed close, like the bump was our excuse for not being done with each other yet. Frank crooned louder, some nonsense about flying through forever. I rolled my eyes so hard. The glow from the fake stars glinted off the jewels in Josh’s crooked crown. He finally turned to me. My chest did that ridiculous backflip thing all over again.
“I just realized…” he said, picking up a little bass from somewhere. “I never told you how pretty you look tonight.”
Heat rushed to my cheeks. “Took you long enough.”
“Sorry,” he said, so cute and sheepish. “I was—I am nervous.”
The ride slowed as the exit lights came into view, but the air between us buzzed like static. All the unsaid things hung thick in the air, and I could barely breathe. His fingers twitched against his lap as if they couldn’t decide if they should reach for me. I kept catching myself leaning too close, like gravity was playing tricks. He stared at my mouth as if it was off-limits but couldn’t look away.
The cart squeaked to a jerky stop, snapping us out of our daze. Josh climbed out first and held out his hand. I slid mine into his. It was warm, steady, reluctant to let go. When he finally did, it stung.
Outside, the cold slapped us back to reality. Snow swirled heavier now, catching in his crown and my curls. Josh shoved his hands into his pockets, and I hugged my arms around myself.
“It’s freezing,” I said through a shiver. “Let’s sit in the photo booth.”
We sprinted across the pier and ducked inside. The curtain swished shut, muffling the world until it was just us and the dim hum of the machine. No sense in wasting an opportunity, so we took more pictures. Round one: safe, awkward smiles again. Round two: silly faces, tongue out, eyes crossed and everything. Round three: I leaned closer, grabbed his arm, and draped it over my chest. He didn’t pull back. Every click of the camera made my pulse jump. I wanted to kiss him soooo bad, but part of me wished he’d take the hint and do it.
By the time we spilled out into the cold again, laughing like the booth had dared us to be ridiculous and we’d over-delivered, it was later than late. My phone buzzed. It was my dad. Get home. NOW, the text read. Rude. My smile faded. The night was officially over. Do I walk away with nothing, hoping he’d figure it out by tomorrow? Stop waiting and make it happen myself? He wasn’t gonna make the move. Not tonight. Not tomorrow. Maybe not until after our birthdays. So I turned to him, grabbed him by the waist, and pulled him close. Then I kissed him. Quick. Fierce, but not too fierce. Just enough to burn the cold right out of me.
When I pulled back, his eyes were as big as my heart, and his lips parted like he’d just discovered air.
“Goodnight, Josh,” I said, trying to sound casual, even though my heart was sprinting.
His grin started slow and stunned, then grew into something real. “Goodnight.”
I walked away with snow in my hair, fire in my chest, and the wild certainty that tomorrow couldn’t come fast enough.
See more of Desi’s night here!
