HENRY'S POV

"I swear to God if I see one more promposal I will gorge my eyes out and eat them."My beautiful currently frustrated girlfriend complained as she took a seat opposite me.

I eyed the box of cupcakes I had been hoping to give her on the chair next to me and pushed it away. I had been hoping to ask Willow to go to prom with me but with that attitude I would probably have to rethink that idea.

"Since when are you not a party person? I thought you'd be the one spiking the punch."I asked hoping there was still a chance I could changer her mind.

Prom was in two weeks and we only had six more weeks to graduation then it would bye bye highschool. I wanted to enjoy as many moments as possible with Willow before we were finally done with highschool. We'd already said I love you, had sex which was amazing by the way and celebrated birthdays together. All that was left was for me to convince Willow to leave Crescent with me after we graduated. That was easier said than done because I hadn't been able to find the right time to ask her. Willow was already making friends and forming attachments in Crescent and it seemed like the more I waited the harder it became for me to ask.

"Yeah but a high school party isn't all that fun. Remember new years."Willow replied.

"That was a disaster from the word go. This will be different."I countered.

"How?"

"There will be chaperones, it will be indoors, there will be a dj and its a chance for us to make one fun high school memory together."I explained.

"We have lots of fun high school memories together like valentine's day or black history month when we egged that racist teacher's car."Willow retorted making me smile.

"Those are some good memories."I concurred with a fond smile as I recalled them.

"Why do you want to go to prom so badly anyway? We didn't attend homecoming, the school fair, the sleep over or game night."Willow asked.

"It's nothing, never mind."I mumbled hoping to change the topic.

It was clear that Willow didn't want to go and I would never force her into something she was uncomfortable with.

"No please tell me."She pleaded and I shook my head.

She huffed and leaned back on her chair crossing her arms over her chest. She sat silently for a few minutes before she quickly sat up and looked straight at me with a twinkle in her eye.

"Oh my God, you didn't?"She exclaimed.

"Did what?"I asked confused.

"How could I not have seen it? Of course you would have thought of it and actually planned it out."She rambled on.

"What are you talking about?"

"You planned a promposal didn't you?"Willow screeched grinning from ear to ear.

I blushed, the tips of my ears turning red because I had been discovered.

"No I didn't."I mumbled shoving what was left of my sandwich in my mouth so I'd have an excuse not to talk.

"Yes you did."Willow insisted with an eyebrow raised.

I shook my head wishing I wasn't embarrassing myself in front of my girlfriend at the moment.

"Come on, show me. I promise I'll like it."Willow pleaded.

"But you'll still say no even if I do."I muttered finally being able to swallow.

"Show me please."Willow begged fingers clasped together in front of her as if she was praying.

She completely ignored my question and just pouted at me, her amber eyes getting this innocent look that she knew I always found hard to resist.

"Okay fine. Here."I replied retrieving the box of cupcakes and giving it to her.

The box has a total of seven cupcakes with different frostings and white macarons placed on top of the icing. On top of each macaroon was a letter spelling out the word prom with a question mark, another had the word yes and another no. I already knew what she would say so I just continued eating my lunch unbothered. It stung that she didn't want to go with me but I'm sure we would find something much more fun to do.

"Henry?"Willow called out making me look up.

I frowned when I saw her holding out the cupcake with the yes on it.

"Stop messing with me."I scolded.

"I'm not. I'll go to prom with you."She declared spiking hope in my heart.

"Why? You don't like school organized parties?"She asked.

"True but you really want to go and I want to make you happy."She argued.

"That's sweet but no need to if you'll be miserable the whole time."I declined.

"But I won't be because I'll be there with you."She replied with a smile.

"So you really want to go with me?"

"Yes."She assured me biting into the cupcake.

I smiled and leaned over the table to kiss her wiping some of the frosting on the corner of her mouth with my tongue. Unable to help myself I deepened the kiss, moaning softly when our tongues met in a graceful slow dance.

"Stop that before this becomes more than just kissing."Willow breathed pushing me away.

I grinned and sat back enjoying the dazed look she had in her eyes. It was always the same look she gave me after we had sex. I'd only ever been with one person before Willow that's why I'd been afraid of disappointing her the first time. It had been slow and sweet at first as we took our time getting to know each others bodies and when we finally did it, it was the most amazing experience. Willow was a goddess and I'd proclaim that till the day I would die. She was freaky, attentive, wicked in bed and the kind of tricks she could perform with her tongue and hips could make a saint turn into a sinner.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"Willow asked cutting through my thoughts.

"How am I looking at you?"I countered with a smirk.

"Like you want to slam me on top of this table and have your way with me."Willow replied making me smile harder.

"Maybe that's exactly what I want to do?"I challenged.

Willow's eyes widened at my bluntness.

"Were you always this horny or is this a new thing?" She inquired.

"I've always been like this, I just knew how to hide it well but now I don't have to to anymore."I replied with a cheeky grin.

"Tell you what. I'll have this one last cupcake and we'll keep the rest for after school."Willow replied taking a cupcake and closing the box.

"Why?"

"So I can show you how much fun licking icing off each other can be."She answered with a wink and I almost choked on my tongue.

I thought I was freaky but she definitely gave that word a whole new definition.

"Yes ma'am."I muttered with a cough putting the box away.

"What's this year's prom theme anyway?"Willow asked digging into her wrap.

"It's a Bridgerton themed dance."I replied making Willow groan out loud.

"Seriously they couldn't go simple with something like a night to remember, under the sea or winter wonderland."Willow whined.

"You already said yes so no backsies."I grinned.

"Fancy dresses, dance cards, you in breeches, a tail coat, top hat and boots. I am definitely looking forward to that."Willow added with a shrug.

"That's the spirit."I encouraged.

"Just promise me no limo. It's the one thing I'm drawing a line at."She demanded.

"There weren't any limos in the regency era so don't worry no limo."I assured her.

"You agreeing that fast has me worried. What are you planning?"Willow asked eyes narrowed at me.

"Just leave the planning to me. All you need to do is get your dress, dance card and I'll handle the rest."I assured her taking her hand in mine and kissing her palm.

"You're lucky you're cute otherwise you'd be showing up alone."Willow retorted.

I just laughed letting her hand go getting back to my food. We enjoyed some light conversation as we finished up our lunch. Willow was right, I did have something under my sleeve to make the night magical and I intended for the both of us to enjoy it immensely.

After we were done, I walked Willow to her class since I had a free period after lunch break.

"Random question, I haven't seen your brother in a while except for that one class we share. Is he okay?"Willow asked as we passed by a group of jocks.

"Starting to care about the enemy are we?"I teased nudging her shoulder.

"Nothing like that. It's just we've never gone this long without an altercation and he's either planning something or he finally gave up."Willow explained.

"I see him at home and he's okay I guess. We aren't exactly close so I can't just ask him what's wrong. But you're right, there is something weird with him. He hasn't said a snarky comment to me since Charlie's accident or even teased me about us dating. He actually stays away from me now."I replied noticing for the first time how Matthew was behaving.

He was actually keeping his distance for the first time in our lives which was weird but certainly welcome.

"Looks like he finally learnt his lesson."Willow replied with a shrug.

"Probably. Anyway I will see you later, I'll swing by the arcade but I've got to home first after school."I informed willow kissing her forehead.

"Okay bye, I love you."

"I love you more."I replied loving how natural it felt saying that.

Willow pecked my lips before getting into class. I smiled and turned around heading back to the library to pass the time.

After my last two lessons, I gathered all my homework and left the school. Before I reached my car I saw someone leaning on it and my mood immediately took a dive when I saw who it was. Speak of the devil. We had gone two months without a peep from Matthew and the one day we mention his name he appears out of nowhere.

"What do you want Matthew?"I asked when I approached him.

"I'm not here to cause trouble. I just need a ride home."He replied.

"Why? Where is you car?"I asked shifting the weight of my heavy backpack onto the other shoulder.

Matthew's whole stance immediately changed at the mention of his car. He looked alert, eyes darting everywhere and shoulders squared as if he was ready for a fight.

"I sold it. Now will you give me a ride or not?"He replied his voice getting tight.

"Ask one of your dumb friends."I retorted unlocking my car.

"They all got detention for drawing wiener on the principals car."He replied.

"Then how come you aren't at detention? I thought you'd be the one leading them into such rebellion."I asked.

"Yeah me too."He sighed with a dramatic pause before continuing."But I wasn't there, so will you give me a ride home?"Matthew requested.

I looked at Matthew and realized he didn't look his best self. It weirded me out to see my brother who was always so cocky and full of himself look like a cat that had been rained on. It actually made me pity him. I just hoped he got over whatever he was going through pretty soon because the look he had on wasn't a good one.

"Sure but one snarky or crude remark from you and I'll dump you on the side of the road."I replied.

"Thanks I appreciate it and I'll behave."Matthew assured me going around the car.

That was the first time Matthew had ever thanked me for anything in his life. He was actually being courteous and it was really unerving to watch.

I got behind the wheel, backed out of the parking lot and drove out of the school premises. The first few minutes of drive were quiet and I was quite enjoying it until Matthew spoke up.

"So are you and Willow going to prom?"He asked me.

"Yeah, why?"

"Nothing, just curious and trying to make conversation."Matthew replied.

"Again, why?"I asked still surprised at the whole new attitude Matthew was displaying.

Since when had he ever bothered trying to make small talk with me. He had been too busy bullying me all our lives for any sort of conversation.

"I have no idea, I just thought you'd like to talk."Matthew replied with a shrug.

"I don't but seriously dude what is wrong with you. Are you okay?"I asked genuinely concerned.

Maybe Matthew was dying and that's why he was being so nice all of a sudden.

"Honestly no but I will be."He answered and for the first time in all our eighteen years I saw Matthew's vulnerable side.

"Well whatever it is. I hope you get over it and fast because this side of you is weird as fuck."I exclaimed.

Matthew laughed and it came out all raspy as if he was holding something in

"I will."He assured me.

It was quiet after that only this time it was a weird silence because I couldn't help but think what might be troubling Matthew. He looked depressed and if you scrutinized him well enough you'd see that he had actually lost weight. I'd only ever felt hatred and contempt for Matthew but seeing him like that made me feel sorry for him.

"So how is football going?"I asked the silence for too deafening.

"Now who's attempting small talk?"Matthew asked with a chuckle and I shrugged.

"It's going good but I've been benched for a few weeks. I've not been in the right headspace for a while and it affected my game so the coach demanded I stay in the sidelines until I get my head on right."Matthew replied.

"Well I'm sorry to hear that. You're a good player and you love football so I'm sure you'll be back into playing soon. Just talk to someone about whatever is eating you up."I suggested hoping I was helping him.

"I'll try."Matthew replied.

A few minutes later I pulled into our driveway lucky that the awkward drive was over. Before he got out of the car, Matthew turned to face me.

"Thanks for the ride and I'm really sorry for being a jerk to you all our lives. I'll try to be a better brother from now on."Matthew said and before I could say anything he got out of the car and went into the house.

I sat in my car, jaw on the floor as I tried to wrap my head around what had just happened. Matthew had thanked me twice, opened his heart to me and apologized for being a dick to me in the past. That car ride was the most civil conversation Matthew and I had ever had in our lives. He seemed genuine enough and I found myself actually believing him this time.

Feeling the need to share what had just happened with someone I called Willow unable to wait until I got to the arcade.

"Hey, babe. You get home okay?"She asked as soon as she picked up.

"Yeah, but you won't believe what just happened?"I exclaimed getting out of the car with my bag in hand.

After locking the car I walked into the house.

"What?" Willow asked and I proceeded to recount the whole drive's occurrences to her.

"Told you there was something wrong with him."Willow pointed out after I was done.

"And you were right. Well I just hope he gets help and that he's actually genuine about wanting to change this time. We don't want a repeat of new years."I muttered kicking off my shoes and lying back on my bed.

"I hope so too though you do look kinda sexy with a black eye, like a pirate."Willow replied making me laugh.

"Only you can see the silver lining in me fighting with my brother."I replied with a laugh.

"It's a God given talent but right now I've got to get back to work. You're still coming over later right?"She asked.

"Yeah I'll be there."I replied.

"Good don't forget the cupcakes."She muttered before hanging up.

Willow was definitely going to get us in trouble with Jack. We took a risk having sex for the first time at the arcade but there was a plus side to rebelling like that. Only Willow could bring out that side of me and yes I was definitely going to take the cupcakes with me. There's no way I was missing a chance at more freaky time with my girlfriend. Pushing away thoughts of Willow and my brother I got out of bed and sat on my desk. Time to finalize the prom plans.