5. Crescendo

CHAPTER 5

Crescendo

LIAM

Senior Year

M y hands were shaking as I tried to adjust my bow tie for the hundredth time. It was prom night, and I was a bundle of nerves and excitement, my stomach doing somersaults like it was training for the Olympics.

A whole year had passed since Caleb and I had first kissed under the stars, and sometimes I still couldn't believe it was real. That he was mine, and I was his, and that we had somehow managed to keep our relationship a secret from everyone except our closest friends.

But tonight felt different. Like maybe it was time to stop hiding, to let the world see us for who we really were. The thought was both thrilling and terrifying, and I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as I fiddled with my bow tie again.

"Oh my god, Liam, you look fine!" Sarah groaned from where she was sprawled out on my bed, looking like a movie star in her stunning blue gown. "We're going to be late if you don't hurry up!"

I shot her a sheepish grin, turning away from the mirror. "Sorry, sorry. I just want everything to be perfect, you know? "

She rolled her eyes, but I could see the fondness in her expression. "It will be. Now come on, let me fix that for you before you strangle yourself."

She hopped off the bed and came over to me, batting my hands away and adjusting my bow tie with a few deft movements. "There. Now you look like a regular Prince Charming."

I laughed, feeling some of the tension drain out of my shoulders. "Thanks, Sarah. For everything. I don't know what I would do without you."

She smiled, pulling me into a hug. "That's what friends are for, dummy. Now let's go knock ‘em dead."

Just then, a car horn honked outside, and I felt my heart skip a beat. Caleb. He was here, waiting for me, and suddenly I couldn't wait to see him.

I grabbed my phone, checking the text he had sent a few minutes earlier. "We're here," it said, followed by a string of heart emojis that made me grin like an idiot.

"They're here," I said, stuffing my phone in my pocket and taking a deep breath. "You ready?"

Sarah nodded, grabbing her clutch and slipping her arm through mine. "Let's do this."

We headed downstairs, trying to be as quiet as possible. My parents were in the living room, watching some boring news program, and I didn't want to risk getting into another argument with them about my "priorities" or my "future."

They thought Sarah was my date for the night, and I wasn't about to correct them. It was easier this way, even if it made my stomach twist with guilt and frustration.

My heart was pounding as we made our way downstairs, Sarah's arm linked through mine. I could hear my parents' voices drifting out from the living room, and I braced myself for the inevitable confrontation.

"Liam? Is that you?" my mom called out, and I froze, my hand on the doorknob .

"Yeah, Mom. We're just heading out," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

She appeared in the hallway, her eyes widening as she took in our formal attire. "Oh, don't you two look wonderful! Let me get a picture before you go."

I groaned internally, but Sarah just smiled and squeezed my arm. "That would be great, Mrs. H."

As my mom fussed over us, straightening my tie and smoothing down Sarah's dress, I caught sight of my dad hovering in the background. He had that stern, disapproving look on his face that I knew all too well.

"Remember, Liam," he said gruffly. "Don't do anything that would embarrass us. Keep your head on straight."

I felt a flash of anger and hurt, but I swallowed it down and nodded. "I will, Dad. Don't worry."

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of posing for photos and enduring my parents' well-meaning but suffocating attention, Sarah and I managed to escape out the front door.

And there, waiting by the car, was Caleb.

My breath caught in my throat as I took in the sight of him in his tuxedo, his dark hair tousled and his eyes shining with excitement. He looked like a dream come true, and I felt a rush of happiness and relief wash over me.

"Hey, you two!" he called out, grinning from ear to ear. "Ready for the best night of your lives?"

Sarah laughed, linking her arm through Mark's. "Absolutely!"

I made my way over to Caleb, feeling suddenly shy and awkward. We couldn't hug or kiss hello, not with my parents potentially watching from the window, but the look in his eyes said everything I needed to know.

"Hey," I said softly, my heart racing as our hands brushed together briefly.

"Hey yourself," he murmured, his gaze warm and intimate. "You look amazing. "

I ducked my head, feeling my cheeks heat up. "Thanks. So do you."

We piled into the car, Sarah and Mark in the front and Caleb and I in the back. As we drove to the prom, the four of us chatting and laughing and singing along to the radio, I couldn't stop sneaking glances at Caleb out of the corner of my eye.

It still didn't feel real sometimes, the fact that he was mine and I was his. That we had found each other in this small, narrow-minded town and somehow, against all odds, fallen in love.

But as he reached over and laced his fingers through mine, hidden from view by the darkness of the car, I knew that it was real. That he was real, and that tonight, for just a few precious hours, we could be together without fear or shame.

As we stepped into the gym, I had to blink a few times to let my eyes adjust to the transformed space. Gone were the harsh fluorescent lights and scuffed hardwood floors of our daily PE classes. Instead, the room had been transformed into an enchanted forest straight out of a fairy tale.

Twinkling string lights were draped from the ceiling, casting a soft, otherworldly glow over everything. Gauzy strips of fabric in shades of green and silver hung from the walls, shimmering gently in the breeze from the air conditioning. Towering trees made of cardboard and papier-maché lined the edges of the room, their branches stretching out over the dance floor like a canopy.

In the center of it all was a massive chandelier made of gnarled branches and delicate glass ornaments, hanging suspended like a glittering centerpiece. It took my breath away, and for a moment, I forgot all about my nerves and my fears and my parents' expectations.

"Wow," I breathed, turning to Caleb with wide eyes. "It's incredible."

He grinned, his hand finding mine and giving it a quick, reassuring squeeze. "It really is. I can't believe how much work they must have put into this."

We made our way further into the room, weaving through the crowds of our classmates in their fancy dresses and sharp suits. The air was filled with the sound of laughter and chatter and pounding music, the bass thumping through the soles of my dress shoes.

I felt a sudden pang of anxiety as we made our way inside, the noise and the crowds and the unfamiliar surroundings making my palms sweat and my heart race. But then Caleb's hand found mine again, and I felt myself relax.

"You okay?" he asked quietly, his eyes searching my face.

I nodded, taking a deep breath. "Yeah. Just a little overwhelmed, I guess."

He smiled, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze. "I'm right here with you. We've got this."??As we passed by the refreshment table, I couldn't help but gawk at the elaborate spread of food and desserts. There were towers of cupcakes frosted to look like toadstools, platters of cookies shaped like leaves and acorns, and even a chocolate fountain bubbling away in the corner.

"Oh man, I'm starving," Caleb said, eyeing the food with undisguised longing. "You think they'd notice if we snuck a few of those cupcakes?"

I laughed, feeling some of the tension drain out of my shoulders. "Probably. But I won't tell if you won't."

We loaded up plates with snacks and grabbed cups of sparkling cider before making our way over to one of the standing tables scattered around the perimeter of the dance floor.

As we nibbled on our food and sipped our drinks, I couldn't help but marvel at how different everything felt from our usual school days. Gone were the cliques and the labels and the unspoken rules that governed our social lives. Tonight, everyone seemed to be on equal footing, united by the shared excitement and magic of the occasion.

I spotted Sarah and Mark out on the dance floor, twirling and laughing together to some upbeat pop song. They looked so carefree and happy, and for a moment, I envied them their easy affection.

But then Caleb's arm brushed against mine, and I felt a thrill of electricity run through me at the contact. We might not be able to be as open as Sarah and Mark, but we had each other, and that was enough.

As the night wore on, Caleb and I danced and chatted and simply basked in each other's company. We couldn't be too obvious about our affection, but we found little ways to show it - a hand on the small of my back as we navigated the crowded dance floor, a secret smile shared over the rim of a cup, a stolen kiss in the shadows behind one of the cardboard trees.

It was thrilling and nerve-wracking all at once, this feeling of being so close to Caleb in public. Every brush of his skin against mine, every whispered word and soft laugh, sent shivers down my spine and made my heart race in my chest.

And when a slow song finally came on and Caleb pulled me into his arms, swaying gently to the music as the lights dimmed and the world narrowed down to just the two of us, I thought my heart might burst from the sheer joy and love and rightness of it all.

"I wish we could stay like this forever," I murmured, my cheek pressed against his shoulder and my arms wound tight around his waist.

He hummed softly, his breath ruffling my hair. "Me too. But even if we can't, I'll always remember this moment. I'll always remember how perfect it feels to hold you like this, to be with you like this."

I melted into Caleb's embrace, his words washing over me like a soothing balm. For a moment, everything else faded away - the prom, the people, the constant fear of being found out. It was just us, just this perfect, shining moment that I wanted to hold onto forever.

But of course, forever couldn't last. And in the end, it wasn't my parents or the small-minded gossips of Oakwood Grove who shattered our fragile peace.

It was Jake .

I had almost forgotten about him, too caught up in the magic of the night and the warmth of Caleb's arms around me. But then the music cut off abruptly, and a hush fell over the room as someone tapped on the microphone on stage.

I turned, my heart sinking as I saw Jake standing there, a cruel smirk twisting his lips. He had been tormenting me ever since I transferred to Oakwood High, always ready with a cutting remark or a vicious prank. I had hoped that maybe, just for tonight, he would leave me alone.

But I should have known better.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he drawled, his voice dripping with false sweetness. "I have a special announcement to make."

I felt Caleb tense beside me, his hand tightening around mine. "What is he doing?" he muttered, his eyes narrowed.

I shook my head, my stomach churning with dread. "I don't know. But I have a bad feeling about this."

Jake reached into his jacket, pulling out a stack of something that glinted under the twinkling lights. "You see, I think it's time we all knew the truth about our dear classmates, Liam and Caleb."

My blood ran cold. No. He couldn't possibly do this. But he could. And he did.

With a flourish, Jake held up the stack of photos, fanning them out so that everyone could see. And there, in vivid, damning color, were pictures of me and Caleb. Kissing under the bleachers, holding hands in the hallway, lost in our own little world.

The room erupted in gasps and whispers, the sound like a thousand knives stabbing into my chest. I couldn't breathe, couldn't think, couldn't do anything but stand there as my worst nightmare unfolded in front of me.

"That's right, folks," Jake said, his voice cutting through the din like a blade. "Looks like our little lovebirds have been keeping secrets. And here I thought they were just ‘good friends.'"

He made air quotes around the words, his lips curling in a sneer. The crowd tittered, some of them openly pointing and laughing. I felt like I was going to be sick.

Caleb grabbed my hand, trying to pull me away. "Come on, Liam. Let's get out of here."

But I couldn't move. I was frozen, paralyzed by the weight of all those stares, all that judgement and disgust and gleeful, vicious amusement.

And then, just when I thought it couldn't get any worse, I heard a familiar voice from the back of the room.

"Liam? What is going on here?"

My head snapped up, my heart plummeting to my shoes as I saw my parents pushing their way through the crowd. Jake must have planned this because I didn't know what they were doing here.

And now they knew. Now they had seen the evidence of my lies, my betrayal, laid out in front of the whole school.

"Mom," I croaked, my voice barely above a whisper. "Dad. I…I can explain…"

But my father's face was like thunder, his eyes flashing with a rage I had never seen before. "Explain? Explain what, exactly? That you've been sneaking around with this…this boy? Lying to us, disrespecting us, throwing away your future for some sick, twisted…thing?"

I flinched like he had slapped me, tears stinging my eyes. "It's not like that," I tried to say, but the words stuck in my throat. "We…we love each other…"

My mother let out a choked sob, her hand flying to her mouth. "Love? You think this is love? This is a sin, Liam. An abomination. I won't have it under my roof, do you hear me?"

I shook my head, my vision blurring as the tears began to fall. This couldn't be happening. This had to be a nightmare, a terrible, horrible dream that I would wake up from any second.

But it wasn't a dream. It was real, and it was happening, and there was nothing I could do to stop it.

Dimly, I was aware of Caleb trying to speak up, trying to defend us. But his words were lost in the chaos, drowned out by the jeers and taunts of our classmates and the furious shouts of my parents. Everything felt like it was closing in on me. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't think.

"It's not what you think!" Caleb was saying, his voice shaking but determined. "Please, just listen?—"

"Shut up, freak!" someone shouted from the crowd. Laughter and more jeers followed.

I glanced at my parents, their faces twisted with anger and disappointment. My dad's eyes were blazing. "Liam, get over here right now!" he demanded, his voice trembling with fury.

Mom looked like she was about to cry. "How could you do this to us, Liam?" she sobbed. "What will people think?"

I could feel the walls closing in. The whispers, the laughter, the stares—it was overwhelming. My heart was pounding, and I felt like I was going to be sick. I couldn't do this. I couldn't stand there and watch everything fall apart. Without thinking, I turned and ran out of the gym, tears streaming down my face.

"Liam, wait!" Caleb's voice was desperate, but I couldn't stop. I had to get away.

Outside, the night air was cold and biting, a stark contrast to the warmth of the gym. My vision was blurred by tears as I ran aimlessly, not caring where I was going. The sound of my heart pounding in my ears drowned out everything else.

"Liam! Liam, please!" I heard Caleb's voice faintly behind me, but I couldn't turn back.

I kept running, my thoughts a chaotic whirl. How did everything go so wrong? Why did it have to happen tonight? Caleb and I had just wanted one night to be ourselves, to be happy. Was that too much to ask?

Suddenly, I heard the screech of tires. I turned just in time to see the headlights of a car bearing down on me. There was no time to react. The impact was brutal, sending me flying through the air before I crashed to the ground, pain exploding through my body.

Everything went dark for a moment. When I opened my eyes, I was lying on the asphalt, my body broken and bleeding. The world around me was a blur of flashing lights and muffled sounds. I could hear the distant wail of sirens, but it felt like they were coming from another world.

"Liam! Oh my God, Liam!" Caleb's voice was frantic. He was kneeling beside me, his face pale and streaked with tears. "Please, hold on. Help is coming, okay? Just hold on."

I tried to speak, to tell him I was sorry, that I loved him, but the words wouldn't come. The pain was too much. As the darkness closed in, my thoughts drifted to Caleb. I wondered if I would ever see him again, if we would ever have a chance to be together without fear or shame.

"Stay with me, Liam," Caleb pleaded, his voice breaking. "Please, stay with me."