*Copeland’s POV*

“Have a great time at Prom, Cope!” mom cheered after kissing me goodbye. I stepped out of the car, my heels clapping on the concrete. Waving, I slowly walked my way to the double doors. Before I could pull it open, a hand clasped on the steel handle. “At your service,” Bryan smiled, bowing down to me.

“Thanks,” I said flatly, not making eye contact. Confused, he followed behind me.

“Wait, Copeland, I’m sorry.”

“Oh, now you decide to say sorry to me? It’s too late for that. Really late if you ask me.” I ignored him and walked toward the gym where the dance was being held at. He ran after me.

“Hear me out! Just let me explain?” he asked, not bothering to give me personal space. I walked right past him and he wouldn’t leave me alone.

“Bryan, please leave me alone. I’m waiting for my friends to arrive,” I said, handing the man my ticket. He scanned it and asked Bryan for his. He handed it to him and followed me inside.

“I won’t leave you alone until you let me explain,” he spat out. I viewed my friends strolling through the doors. They were all laughing and overjoyed.

“Sorry. You had more than enough time to explain to me. You lost your chances… now just leave me alone, please. Just go away.” He stood next to me. He wasn’t budging. I stared at him and finally I decided to speak my mind. “It’s your fault, Bryan. Five months, and you waited till now to justify your thoughts to me? I don’t think so. Now if you don’t mind, I’d be so pleased if you don’t talk to me for the rest of the night.” I shooed my way past him and left him settled on his feet, standing alone like he should be.

I carried my body over to my friends. My heels were already starting to piss me off because they were mounted so high up. I said hi and gave them all hugs. We exchanged smiles and compliments and left to go find an available table. We parked ourselves right in the front of the dance floor. When it was time to get up and party, we all rushed over to take the floor and dance to the beat of the music.

About 10 minutes passed by since I looked at my cell phone clock. Everyone was starting to pile in and take their seats as the principle started making announcements.

“May I have everyone’s attention please?!” the principle spoke into the mic. People paused their conversations and turned to face the stand. “I just want to wish all of you a happy Prom night and that all the Seniors, depending on if you’re a boy or girl, get to leave here with a prize of their choice. And if you’re not a Senior, I’m sorry. Tough luck but you won’t be receiving anything.” We all giggled to each and saw the vice principle getting all the prizes situated at the back table. “This was probably one of the best Senior classes I’ve ever had in years. I wish you all the best of luck in college or wherever you‘re headed! So enjoy Prom everyone and let‘s cheers to this!” We all laughed and clapped our hands. I actually smiled and smashed my hand to my mouth because, the principle didn’t realize it, but that’s one of my dad’s songs. “One more thing: I’m proud to announce that everyone this year will be graduating in the class of 2013!” Cheers and yells escaped everyone’s mouth and the music started blasting our ears.

“Come on, Copeland! Let’s dance!” Alli yanked my arm and persuaded me to dance. I’m literally not a dancer and even if I was, I would never dance in front of the school. It’s not me. But sometimes, I don’t mind.

So yeah, everyone calls me Copeland now, thanks to Bryan. I honestly hate him so damn much. He blew my cover. It’s not such a big deal anymore but the fact that he couldn’t keep my secret shows that he’s not trustworthy. And now he’s trying to apologize? He fucking slapped me! He pushed me away for five months and didn’t even bother to say anything. He even hooked up with a girl I didn’t know! I thought he liked me and it was all a lie. You don’t tell someone you like them and then a couple days later, you’re out scoring you some ass. What the fuck? It’s not right!

I just want him to leave me alone the whole night. I don’t want it to bother me because I want to have a good time. Bad thoughts and memories are something I don’t want to cross my mind.

But now that I bring it up, I wish Tony was here with me.

---

I was perched in my seat while my friends were having the time of their life on the dance floor. Alli was popping her butt all over the place and the other girls were grinding on boys they didn’t know. I actually thought to giggle to myself at some point because Alli didn’t realize she was shaking her ass in another girl’s face.

Funny stuff right there.

I crossed my legs and placed my hands in my lap. I took a quick glance over at all the tables and stopped my eyes on Bryan drinking something he shouldn‘t be sipping on. He looked quite furious when I stared at him for a second. He turned his head over to his friend to say something and then he briskly strutted his way to my table.

“Sooo,” he started, “You gonna leeeet me explain myself oooooooooorrrrrr am I not gonna leave you alone the whole night?” I smelled some type of drink on his breath. It didn’t smell good and I’m not sure why the principle was letting us have our way with drinks. Was it because it was Prom night? Probably, but I honestly see no use in having it.

I turned to him with a straight face and nodded my head. “You got two minutes.”

“Ok. So I’m sorry that I hit you. It was an accident. It was out of my own anger. I was just pissed off that-”

“That I didn’t kiss you? Please, you lead me into thinking that you liked me when you really didn’t. Come on, it was obvious that you were leading me on. You didn’t like me, Bryan. You just like having your way with the ladies. The way you sweet talk all the girls and the way you stare in their eyes. You even got with another girl a couple days later. You make me sick.”

“In that case, you figured me out. I didn‘t like you. I was leading you on. Good job, Duffy,” he smirked and wobbled his way back to his table.

Did he really just call me Duffy? That stands for Designated, Ugly, Fat Friend. Without the “y,” it still means the same thing. And he was right. I was ugly and fat. I hated the way I looked when I saw myself in the mirror.

Maybe it was just the booze talking. I’m sure he wouldn’t say that to me just for the heck of it.

I peered down at my dress. None of my ugly rolls were hanging out. I checked the back of my dress, stretching out my neck. Nope, no side bulges. But I still believed that I was fat and ugly. No one could ever like me, knowing that I was “The Duff,” according to Bryan.

I rested my chin in the palm of my hand. My eyes narrowed to some of my deepest scars. One of them was right above my wrist. That was the first time I cut. I’m pretty sure that my friends took a glimpse of my arm when I was busy staring off into space. They didn’t even trouble me of asking me about it. Some friends that truly care about you, don’t really seem to care at all.

I remained calm and put all my thoughts and emotions on hold until Prom was over.

There was about half hour left and I promised mom that I would stay the whole way through.

A really loud, energetic song was ending and the lights became dim. The disco ball slowly swirled at a steady pace and the DJ was remixing a soft song. I swear I recognized the song being remixed into its original form. The lights were dimmer and the dance floor was staring a slow dance. The colorful backup lights above the ceiling were bouncing around the floor. The DJ made a quick announcement.

“Alright alright. Hope everyone is having a good time tonight. If you’re on the dance floor, stay on the dance floor and slow dance to this next song. But this song is not just any song. It’s being dedicated to a very special girl here tonight. I want you all to put your hands together for her.”

Hmm, this is interesting. Wonder… who could it be for?

“Copeland Quinn, this one is for you,” the DJ smiled and pointed at me. Wait, he pointed at ME? HE said MY name?!What the hell is going on?!

*Tony’s POV*

I walked my way into Prom, holding a giant sign. The guy standing near a ticket scanner was shocked at the sight of me. “You’re Tony Perry?! Oh my god, I’m honored to finally see you in person!” he hollered, covering his mouth not to frighten me.

“Yeah,” I said shyly but smiling a little. “How much is the ticket?” I reached into my back pocket and pulled out my wallet.

“You don’t have to pay. It’s on me! I’ll pay for it! Have a great time.” And with that, I shoved my wallet back behind me and said thanks. I searched for the DJ in request of a song. Apparently, he was right next to the gym door so it was a synch finding him.

I tapped him on the shoulder. “Hey, man. Can I request a song for a girl here tonight?”

“Yeah, why not? What song would you like?” I needed a second to think about this. But then it hit me.

“How about “Take My Breath Away” by Jessica Simpson? She’d love that,” I smiled, gripping the poster in my hand a little tighter. I was nervous, no doubt about that. I didn’t see her yet but I was bound too. “It has to be perfect.”

“Alright. I got your back,” he said. “I’ve been doing this for years.” I exhaled the remaining breath I had. I looked down for a second, confirming my appearance on how I wanted her to see me. “What’s the girl’s name?”

“Copeland. Copeland Quinn.” Just her name gives me tingles in my stomach. A rush of electricity spread throughout my body. My heart began beating 1,000 beats per second.

He lowered the music and switched the song into a remix so he could make his announcement.

“Alright alright. Hope everyone is having a good time tonight. If you’re on the dance floor, stay on the dance floor and slow dance to this next song. But this song is not just any song. It’s being dedicated to a very special girl here tonight. I want you all to put your hands together for her.” Every single word he spoke made me even more nervous. My hands were sweaty so I wiped them away. “Copeland Quinn, this one is for you,” the DJ smiled and pointed at her.

The moment I laid eyes on her, I knew she looked beautiful. Her light blue dress matched her eyes. Her long curly hair complimented her adorable round face. She uncrossed her legs and stared at the DJ in a confused way. She wasn’t moving a muscle.

I guess that means it’s my turn to fulfill my chances.

The music started off slowly and gradually rose as I stepped my way toward her.

*Copeland’s POV*

I stayed in my seat because I had no idea what was going on. A song was being dedicated to me and I had no clue who was doing this. If it was Bryan, I’m going to literally kill him! He better not be doing this just to get me to talk with him again. I figured him out already. He said so himself.

My eyes wandered over to a man in a black tux. But it wasn’t just any man. It was the most beautiful human being I have ever seen. A man with beautiful chocolaty eyes. A man that had tattoos all over his neck and fingers. A man that had his hair straightened to perfection and shaved on the left side. A man that smiled widely at me and held up a giant poster that read “Copeland, Dance With Me?” on it.

Caesar Antonio Soto Perry.

I shot up out of my seat as he planted the poster on the edge of the table. He held out his hand for me to take it. I received his hand and walked with him to the dance floor. I didn’t lose eye contact with him for a second. He circled his arm around my stomach and held my waist. I gently placed my hand on his shoulder. I took his free hand and intertwined our fingers together. Everyone circled around us and patrolled our dancing. Just how I visualized it.

I was still in shock that he showed up to my Prom. “You came,” I whispered in his ear. He spun me around and I let my arms go freely in the air. He pulled me back and closer to his body. I wrapped my arms around his neck. Our noses barely touched as I felt his breath against my face.

“I couldn’t let you suffer a whole night without me,” he teased and smiled at me. “Besides, you told me you didn’t have a date so I decided that I wanted to come. I don’t want anyone else to dance with you. They don’t deserve you.” I laughed at his sentence. To me, it was true. No one did deserve to dance with me besides Tony.

We slow danced our way in the middle of the floor. Everyone gazed at us, including my friends. From a distance, I saw a Bryan and he had the meanest expression on his face. Someone’s jealous. But something wasn’t right. It looked like he wanted to throw a fight. He probably remembers Tony from a while ago hitting and kicking him. But he deserved to have those big right hands thrown at him for hitting me. I’m glad that Tony was there to defend me.

The song by Jessica Simpson was ending and he spun me around one more time before pulling me even closer to him than I was before. Before the last word voiced out of the song, he leaned me down and held me up by his knee. He pressed his lips against mine and brought me back up. His lips were still attached to mine. He cupped my cheek and held me close. He slid his tongue on my bottom lip, asking for entrance. Obviously, I gave it to him.

My first kiss.

It was perfect. This night was perfect. He was perfect. Everything was just so…perfect!

The song finally ended and everyone clapped for us. He stared in my eyes…until he was mobbed by a shit load of girls, screaming in his face for an autograph. I was nowhere close to Tony now. I was actually on the outer edge of my table. I literally got pushed back to the point where I couldn’t even see him anymore. But I didn’t mind. I stood on a chair, surely unbuckling my heels off, and saw him. He took their pencils from their hands and signed their napkins they shoved in his face. Stupid fan girls. But what can I say? They love him. But not as much as I love him.

He peeked his head above the crowd and I giggled, knowing that I wouldn’t get time alone with him because of all the girls that surrounded him. He smiled at me and shrugged it off. I nodded my head and let him proceed. I jumped off the chair, slipping my feet back into my heels and buckling them back on again.

I walked outside in the dark and leaned against the railing. The moon was bright and the stars were all out. One of the stars actually looked bigger than the others and it glowed brighter too. That star was definitely Tony.

“Copeland…” I turned around and smiled at the man who called my name.

“Hey, Tony,” I said shyly. “Thanks for coming. You made my night.” He stepped forward.

“Welcome, baby girl,” he smiled, pulling me in for a hug. I hugged him tightly, not wanting to let go.

“Tell me something,” I began, “how do I look?” His face was shimmering from the moon.

“Honestly, I don’t think words can express your beauty,” he blushed, shoving his hands in his pockets.

I placed my hands on my hips. “You can’t use my dad’s lyrics to describe how I look. That’s cheating, Tony,” I laughed. “Seriously though…do I look ok?”

“Ok?…No, you’re absolutely gorgeous! You took my breath away, Cope. I might need to hide The Punisher. He‘s popping out.”

“The Punisher?” I asked, crossing my arms.

“Yeah! My, uh…” He looked down at the bulge in his pants.

“Ohhhhhh, woah...you’re fucking weird…”

“Come on! You know that’s funny. Don’t you watch Bryan Stars Interviews?” he asked.

“Sometimes…not really.”

“You’re so lame,” he laughed, nudging my arm lightly.

“Woah woah woah! I’m lame?! You’re the one with the cheesy jokes!”

“Hey, The Punisher is NOT lame. And that’s Bryan’s thing!”

“Whatever you say, Tone Tone.” I turned away for a second but he pulled my arm and twisted it with his.

“Come on, loser. Let’s go home,” he said, linking my arm.

Notes

Don't make fun of the title,

*The DUFF reference:)...the whole "duffy" thing. it's from a book i read and the smartass, hottie guy, calls her Duffy....;) hahhah
*James Dean, Audrey Hepburn reference;)
*Let's Cheers To This reference:D.....ahh too many references lol;)
***S/O TO MY BOIII BRYAN STARS!!!!:) LOVE THAT DOUCHE! HE'S AMAZING!:D
SORRY about the POV's switching around. I wanted it to be from both of their prospectives.

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