After the last exam, most groups of students celebrated and party through the night with the company of alcohol. With summer also arriving quickly, teenagers invaded the pools.

A few days later, the graduation ceremony was held. The seniors proudly wore their black graduation gowns with their customized mortarboard hats. Each student’s name was embroidered on it. The night of the ceremony was filled with emotions from both the students and their parents. Ending high school was a feat by itself, as it involved many challenges and sleepless nights. But their lives only started and as young adults, they will soon enter the “real world”. Which was even more ruthless than the teacher who always gave a thousand and one homework or the petty rumours that often circulated.

Fortunately, this reality was still far away, and the seniors’ eyes were fixed on the prom. After weeks or months, the girls finally could wear their dream dresses, while the boys tried to look their best for their girl. It was an event they couldn’t miss, and the last chance to see their classmates for most of them. Certainly, the closest friends will stay in contact. But with time and in different universities, friendship may fade rapidly. Also, it was known that the party really started after the prom, where there was no adult surveillance.

The Elsan household was buzzing with life as the twins prepared themselves for prom. In Lesley’s room, her mother was helping her dress up, apply her make-up and comb her hair. They didn’t have a second to spare. In Malak’s bedroom, he was leisurely dressing up in his suit. He was almost done when someone knocked at his door.

“Come in,” Malak answered as the door opened soon after. “Dad,” he called after turning around.

He didn’t answer as he proudly watched his son in a suit. He walked into the room and helped Malak straighten his shirt. “We’re proud of you,” Frank smiled.

“Thank you,” Malak answered with a smile, as happiness bubbled in his chest.

“Are you going to that party alone?”

“My friends will be there,” Malak answered as he put on his jacket.

“What about that boy… Kian,” he asked after remembering his name.

Malak was taken aback. He didn’t expect his dad to go out of his way and ask about his boyfriend. He always thought that his parents didn’t like Kian, or at least had mixed feelings about him.

“I didn’t think… Would that be a good idea?” Malak answered hesitantly.

“I think so too,” his dad sighed before handing a piece of paper to his son. “Go thank your mom later.”

Confused, Malak stared at the object in his hand. It took him a second to unfold the piece of paper. After scanning it, a smile appeared on his face. It was a ticket for the prom in Kian's name. Without wasting a second, Malak grabbed his phone and called Kian.

“Are you free this evening?” Malak asked as soon as Kian answered.

“You sound excited,” Kian chuckled. “Must be about that prom thing.”

“You remembered! About that, do you want to be my partner?”

“On such short notice… I don’t know if I have the time.”

“Oh… It’s alright. Don’t worry about it,” Malak said in disappointment.

You should insist more,” Kian sighs. “When should I be at your house?”

“Really? Thank you! Around four would be good,” Malak answered as relief washed through him. “Do you have something to wear?”

“What do you wear at these types of events?”

“Please don’t come in a cape and leather because it’s a black-tie affair.”

“This world's fashion is so different,” Kian mumbled, lost in his thoughts.

“I’m sure you can manage.”

“I’ll see you soon.”

The call ended, as Malak couldn’t stop smiling. Facing the mirror, he looked at his reflection. It showed a young man in a tight-fitted dark blue suit. Satisfied with his clothes, he paid attention to his hair. He usually never paid much attention to his appearance. But since Kian was coming, he wanted to look his best.

Ready, Malak walked down the stairs. In the living room, his dad was watching the television, already wearing his black and white suit. Although the parents won't stay the entire night at the party, the fathers will have the first dance with their daughters.

As they couldn't do anything but wait, Malak sat next to his dad on the couch. Frank was watching the review of yesterday's hockey match. It was the Thunders versus the Habs. It was unfortunate for the Habs since they lost their third match against the Thunders. They only needed to win the next match and the Thunders would win the cup.

Frank sighed. “Unbelievable. It took us thirty years to get to the finals, and they didn't perform.”

“The next match is on Monday?” Malak asked as he was playing a game on his phone.

“Yes,” his dad answered before changing the channel.

“Do you think we will win?” Malak asked, his eyes glued to the puzzle game.

“No.”

“That's a shame.”

Almost an hour later, Lesley and Lily were finally ready. When they walked down the stairs, smiles appeared on everyone's face. Frank stood up and walked toward his daughter.

“You're beautiful,” he commented as he took her hands in his. “Just like your mom.”

“Thank you, honey,” his wife answered, and they exchanged a kiss.

As the parents were having their moment, Lesley walked toward Malak.

“How do I look?” she asked her twin before doing a three-sixty to show him everything.

“Good,” Malak simply answered as he received a text from Kian.

“That's it?” Lesley urged as he didn’t spare her a glance.

Malak looked away from his phone to see his sister in a beautiful crêpe pink dress. It was a long dress that fitted Lesley’s body perfectly. On the front, it had a low V-neck and floral appliques. On the back, it was backless.

“Mom agreed to the dress?” Malak mumbled out loud.

She pouted before carefully sitting next to him. “You sound like dad. You should have seen his face when I first tried it.”

“I bet,” he laughed. “But you’re beautiful.”

“Thanks,” she smiled. “You’re not bad yourself,” she added after eyeing him up and down. “But I always knew I was the best-looking twin.”

Malak rolled his eyes, but before he could say anything, someone rang the doorbell. With a smile, Malak quickly got up to answer the door. Unfortunately, his dad beat him to it.

“Hello, Mr. Elsan,” Kian politely greeted after the door opened.

Frank eyed Kian from head to toe as if it was the first time they met. The younger man was wearing a dark red and black suit. The colour of his clothes complimented his eyes perfectly. It was as if they made the outfit for him.

“I see you could make it. Come in,” Frank answered before stepping aside.

“Thank you.”

After Kian took off his shoes, he walked into the living room, where the rest of the Elsan family waited.

“Welcome,” Lily greeted warmly.

“Hello, Mrs. Elsan.”

“You made it,” Malak smiled before exchanging a kiss. “You’re very handsome.”

“Thank you, but not as handsome as you,” Kian whispered back as Malak blushed before someone cleared their throat.

“Hi,” Lesley waved as Kian only nodded back.

“Shall we go?” Lily asked as she grabbed her purse.

One by one, everyone walked out of the house. After a brief argument, Malak was allowed to sit in Kian’s car. On the road and alone, the couple could finally relax. The first half of the road was filled with Kian asking questions about the event. Listening to Malak’s answers, he felt his curiosity die.

“Sounds like a party run by a tight budget,” Kian commented with a frown.

“Because it is,” Malak chuckled. “The students paid for the prom. So, don’t expect servers walking around with flutes of champagne or an orchestra playing classical music or people dancing in a ballroom.”

Kian groaned. “Now you remind me why I hate parties. They are so tedious.”

“I’m sure you’ll enjoy this one. It’s a lot more relaxed and fun.”

“I doubt it.”

Almost an hour later, they arrived at their destination. As the couple walked out of the car, more students arrived in groups. While some were accompanied by their family, others came with their friends in a limousine or their car. All the girls were wearing dresses, while the boys were in suits. Some deviated from the usual clothing etiquette and were the talk of the moment.

The ball was hosted in a golf club. The first part of the evening was hosted outside on the golf field. There were tall tables, decorative balloons, a red carpet, a photoshoot stand and a magnificent pond and waterfall. The ambience was already electrifying.

As Kian accompanied Malak, everyone’s eyes were focused on them. The reasons for that were the identity of the man next to Malak and their current relationship. The girls were dying of curiosity to know more about Kian, while the boys glared at him. Being an expert in these kinds of events, Kian could guide Malak to his friends without being assaulted by groups of blushing girls. A single glance from him and virginities were lost.

From afar, Malak noticed his friends, who were taking pictures by the waterfall. Katie was wearing a mermaid ivory dress with lace appliques. As for Enrico, he had a grey suit on, with a black and white crisscross pattern on his tie. Because of the commotion, they also noticed Malak and the unknown man standing next to him.

“Hi!” Malak smiled as he waved shyly at his friends.

Both Kayla and Enrico absentmindedly waved back, as their eyes never left Kian. The confusion in their eyes was obvious until realization hit them. Once Malak and Kian reached them, only silence greeted them. Hoping to break the ice, Malak presented Kian as his boyfriend.

“Boyfriend,” Kayla repeated in a high-pitched tone. “Malak has a boyfriend… This is unfair. How did he find such a handsome guy,” she mumbled to herself.

Snapping out of it, Enrico subtly pinched Kayla’s arm. She cried out and hissed while rubbing the sore spot.

“What was that for?” Kayla complained before punching Enrico’s arm.

“Stop making us look stupid,” Enrico whispered, but everyone heard him.

Kayla laughed awkwardly. “Nice to meet you.”

Kian nodded. “It’s nice to meet you.”

Soon after, Lesley joined them with her friends. Discussions blossomed as they mostly told stories about memorable moments during their years at high school. They also took pictures to commemorate the moment. As the students had fun among themselves, the parents and teachers stood near the bar as they talked to each other. After a while, the Elsan twins dragged their parents near the waterfall to take a few pictures as a family.

Just before sunset, a teacher took the microphone and gathered everyone’s attention. He first congratulated the students for graduating from high school, followed by a brief speech. Then, he asked for the dads and daughters to gather in the centre to share a dance. The mother-son dance then followed it. For any bystander, it was an emotional moment. For parents, raising teenagers often seemed impossible. But now, they were now young adults, and it was time for the children to spread their wings.

Time flew by, and it was time for the parents to leave and for the students and invitees to head into the banquet hall. The place was beautifully decorated and most of the hall was filled with tables and chairs. They were placed around a circular dance floor in the middle of the room. In addition, there was a stage for the DJ, a candy bar, and a table filled with non-alcoholic drinks.

As everyone took their respective seats, Malak, and company looked for their table. Once everyone was seated, the DJ played songs from a playlist provided by the students. It quickly set the mood as festive.

Before dinner was served, there was a lottery game that was held. Then, throughout their three-course meal, multiple titles were given to the students like Miss. Sports, Mr. Handsome, etc. The students were chosen according to a survey. Suddenly, Malak was nominated as Mr. Intellectual and Kayla as Miss. Feisty. It surprised both friends. As the crowd applauded, they headed on stage to receive their sash.

“Congrats!” their friends lifted their glasses when Kayla and Malak came back to their table.

“Thanks,” Kayla smiled before handing her phone to Enrico. She struck different poses as Enrico diligently took pictures of her.

As for Malak, he shyly smiled as he placed his sash on his seat. Then he went to the bathroom to refresh himself. He disliked being in the centre of attention, as his nerves would eat him alive.

Splashing cold water on his face, he felt refreshed. Wiping the water off with a clean towel, his phone buzzed in his pant’s pocket. The blood drained from his face when he read the text he just received.

“If you don’t want to die once more, stay away from him.”