Yuna glanced anxiously around the crowded gym decorated for prom night. This was the first school event she had attended since beginning to secretly date Nick a few months ago. She worried what people would think when they finally appeared together as a couple.
Ever since Nick had turned down popular girl Rebecca's advances, rumors had swirled that he already had a mysterious girlfriend from another school. Tonight was the night everyone would learn that girl was actually just Yuna, his shy childhood friend.
Yuna knew she didn't fit most people's image of who Nick "should" date. She nervously adjusted her simple hand-me-down dress as groups of laughing teenagers in expensive designer outfits streamed past into the glittering ballroom ahead.
Before walking in themselves, Nick gently grasped Yuna's hand, seeming to sense her anxiety. "I only want to be here with you," he said firmly. "Let everyone else think whatever they want."
Striving to absorb his self-confidence, Yuna took a deep breath and let Nick lead her through the arched doorway into the noisy gym. As expected, shocked expressions and curious whispers rippled through the crowd at the sight of them together.
Trying not to let the attention get to her, Yuna focused on how handsome Nick looked in his classic tuxedo with his dark hair neatly styled. When he gazed at her like she was the only girl in the world, the opinions of others faded away.
As the star quarterback, Nick was soon surrounded by his teammates begging for details about his mysterious date. Laughing good-naturedly at their teasing, Nick made his way back to Yuna's side, wrapping a protective arm around her.
"Guys, this amazing girl has been right in front of you all along," he announced with affectionate pride. Yuna's heart swelled. Nick wasn't ashamed of their unconventional high school story - if anything, he seemed to relish it.
The natural ease between childhood friends soon had Yuna and Nick dominating the dancefloor, lost in their own world. When a slow song came on, Yuna happily moved into Nick's familiar, comforting embrace.
Over Nick's shoulder, Yuna suddenly met the icy glare of Rebecca from across the room. The hurt and resentment burning in her perfectly made-up face was clear. Pangs of sympathy shot through Yuna before she let the unpleasant encounter fade from mind.
Tonight was about her and Nick taking this major step together despite knowing some still expected them to hide their love away. Yuna wouldn't relinquish a moment of this hard-won happiness - not to the ghosts of her past or whispers of small-minded peers.
When Nick asked if she was ready to leave the stuffy gym behind for some fresh air, Yuna readily agreed. Dancing under the stars in their own private world sounded perfect. As Nick kissed her hand gallantly, she had never felt so beautiful.
They had just started swaying again to the distant music when hurried footsteps suddenly approached from the darkness. Yuna tensed, seeing Rebecca appear clutching two glasses of illicitly-spiked punch.
"One is for Nick, as a birthday gift I never got to give him," she addressed Yuna pointedly, holding out a cup with a challenging gleam in her eyes. The test was clear - did Yuna trust Nick to reject the offer?
But Yuna knew with sudden clarity that her faith in Nick was absolute. "No thanks," she replied coolly. Without a backward glance at the stunned girl, Yuna rested her head contently on Nick's chest as they resumed dancing under the moonlight.
With Yuna nestled securely in his arms, Nick leaned down until his mouth found hers in a perfect, blissful kiss - one that silently declared their steadfast, unbreakable bond for the whole world to see.