Music tracks were picked and more practices were scheduled because prom night was just around the corner.

Juniors and seniors didn’t have regular morning classes once February stepped in. After double homeroom - which equals some instructions and preaching from our adviser, girls’ beauty preparations, boys chit chat about their partners and partners wannabe, and assembly - the practice started again.

I made a mistake when I looked at the face of my partner right after I saw him after the corner turn. He was the okay-built guy that, according to Cha, my first ever practice partner. It was a mistake as my eyes shifted and I found the guy that has been the apple of my eye lately who was now the first in line and will be partnered to my other friend, Saj.

I still remember the morning chat we had. I swear, I can recall it correctly. To be honest, I couldn’t forget as that was as clear as day.

Well, this prom practice made me see some cute guys that I hadn’t noticed or paid any attention before and one of them was Mason.

Okay, Paige was the first one to notice him then Saj, then Cha, then Lexi, then me. Soon after, we all watched him together and wanted to be partnered to him every practice. We called him our “group crush” or something because we all did have a crush on him at that time.

And that Mason plus Saj combo? I couldn’t forget it because I did feel a bit jealous.

It took me some effort to waltz to our spot. It was a little too longer than usual but we did reach it before Ms. Agee could call me out for being unenthusiastic.

‘Hi,’ my partner greeted me, breaking the ice when we settled. I looked at him and did a curt nod but with a smile, just to be polite. He continued, ‘Did your class switch positions?’

I shook my head and answered, ‘Someone’s absent and we can’t switch, you know. Ms. Lorna knew our line order very well.’

‘That sucks,’ he said in between his laughs then he tilted his head, checking what was behind me, and laughed even more. ‘Mason looked awkward.’

I refused to look and just changed the subject by asking, ‘Can I know your name?’

‘Louis,’ he answered.

‘Hi, Louis. I’m Anna,’ I stretched my hand for a shake.

He did take it while saying, ‘I know who you are.’

If I’m already interested in him at that time I will surely add butterflies and roses on the background or churning sensations of happiness going on my stomach, but I am not.

He was just Louis, another prom practice partner for the day.

I laughed at the thought that I am not interested in him but he left a larger impact, way larger than our group crush did, in my life.

With little hearts fluttering and a silly grin, I closed the thought and marked it File #3.