you’re 16 — all of your class is. the quiet but friendly boy at the back of the class, Ralph, has been rumoured to have no date for the prom coming up this Friday. and, actually, neither do you. Tuesday evening, you hear a knock on the door. you go to get it but your dad gets it first. your dad yells your name and tells you a boy is here to see you. at the door, stands your classmate Ralph holding a bouquet of lilies.

“will you go to the prom with me?” he asks, blushing hard.