The Second Chance Part 10
Newt leaned against Thomas’s locker, waiting for him to show up. Prom was only a few days away and Newt was overly excited. He was going to prove that he could handle a little pressure, that Thomas was worth it. Most importantly though, it was going to be a night all about him and Thomas. School left almost no time for them to have as a couple. Newt noticed that most people in the school didn't care about him and Thomas that much. They were still the same two people and their relationship had no effect on how they acted towards other people. Sonya of course was still mad and she wouldn't talk to either of the boys. Newt wanted to talk to her, but he had no idea what to say. The boy’s parents were understanding and they didn't act any different towards them. But their friends were the most supportive people of all, and it made it easier for Newt to come out of his shell. The older boy spotted Thomas approaching from the other side of the hall, and he couldn't stop a smile from crawling onto his face.
“Hi Tommy!” He greeted as Thomas reached his locker and opened it.
“Hey Newtie Patootie!” He smirked when Newt’s grin turned to a scowl.
“Don't you dare start calling me that!” Newt cried with a hint of playfulness in his voice.
“Aw, don't I get to call you anything fun! You have a nickname for me, Newtastic!” Thomas tried again.
“Not that either! Come on, are you almost done?” He asked as he peeked into Thomas’s locker.
“Yeah, let's go… Newton,” the shorter boy closed his locker and slung his backpack over his shoulder.
“Now you're just pushing it, that's not even a cute one!” Newt laughed as the boys walked down the almost empty hallway. They were on their way to lunch, but had a stop to make first. Newt walked into the office and to the desk. He cleared his throat to get the secretary's attention.
“Can I have two tickets for prom please?” He asked.
“Sure thing, just hold on a second!” The secretary opened a draw and pulled out two tickets. Newt handed her the money and took them.
“Thanks!” He passed one of the tickets to Thomas, and as they walked away he could feel the secretary's eyes assessing the unusual couple. He shoved the unwanted thoughts of embarrassment to the back of his mind.
“Alright, I'm officially starving. Let's go eat!” Thomas laughed and pulled Newt towards the lunch room. However, they didn't get too far before trouble arrived. Gally and his gang showed up from seemly nowhere and stopped the boys in the middle of the hall.
“Well, if it isn't my favorite couple!” Gally mocked. Thomas opened his mouth to say something, but Newt spoke up first.
“I don't understand what your bloody problem is Gally. Are you just jealous that other people can be happy? Our relationship doesn't affect you, and it has nothing to do with you. I suggest you get out of our bugging way now and leave us alone before you say something you might regret.” Newt had no idea where his sudden courage had come from, but he didn't care. It felt good to be the one standing up for himself instead of waiting for Thomas to save him. After all, he was older than Gally and he had no real reason to be afraid of him. The bully seemed at a loss for words and Newt took the opportunity. “Come on Thomas. Our friends are probably wondering what’s keeping us.” Newt grabbed the brunette's arm and stomped around Gally and his friends, avoiding eye contact with the few spectators. Thomas seemed just as surprised at Newt as Gally was.
“Newt! Where did all that come from? That was amazing!” He applauded after Gally was out of earshot.
“I don't know, but it felt bloody great!” Newt smiled and he sat down with their friends.
•••
Newt stood in front of his mirror and adjusted his tie. Tonight was prom.
“Newt-the-boot! Are you almost ready???” Thomas poked his head through the window and grinned wildly.
“How long did it take you to come up with that one Tommy?” Newt laughed and walked over to his window.
“Well you already shot down my other masterpieces! Newtflix being the best of all,” Thomas whined as he stepped fully into Newt’s room.
“Dude, anything related to Netflix is your favorite!” Newt laughed and he took in his boyfriend's appearance. Thomas had a crisp black suit on that was identical to his in every sense except color, Newt’s was gray. He had to admit, Thomas looked breathtaking. Newt took one last glance in the mirror before following Thomas downstairs. He didn't think he looked nearly as good as Thomas did, but no objections had been made so he decided not to worry about it.
“Oh, here they come! Honey grab the camera!” Newt’s mom squealed as they entered the living room. “Oh look at how handsome they are!” Lisa took both their hands and pulled them into the center of the room.
“Ah, thanks mom,” Newt blushed.
“Alright you two stand here, just like that. Now don't movie… Ok, smile!” She fumbled with the camera. After a few minutes of this Newt’s dad interrupted.
“Ok Lisa, let them go. You don't want them to be late now, do you?” He took the camera from her and smiled.
“Alright alright, get out of here you two. I'll send these to your mother Thomas!”
“Oh no,” Thomas half smiled at Newt’s mom.
“Hey, don't forget these!” Newt’s dad held out two corsages and helped the boys pin them onto their suits.
“We should get going now, bye mom. Bye dad!” Newt waved to his parents and went out the front door. The boys had decided against getting a limo or anything fancy for the night. It would be special enough without having to spend extra money. Newt got into the driver’s seat of his car and pulled out of the driveway.
“So, are you going to tell me where we’re going yet?” Thomas asked.
“Nope! You have to wait and find out!” He grinned and kept driving. When they finally got there Thomas gasped.
“I suppose it's just a coincidence that this is my favorite restaurant?” He laughed.
“This is your favorite? I didn't know that!” Newt joked as they walked in. It wasn't the fanciest place in town, but it was nice. Once seated, the boy’s ordered and quickly their food had arrived.
“So, maybe you don't like me to mess with your name. So I'll just make up totally new one!” Thomas exclaimed.
“Alright Tommy, let's see what you got,” Newt said with a smile playing on his face.
“Umm, what about… Sunny?” Thomas finally said in a doubtful questioning voice. It's was all Newt could do to keep himself from spitting out his food in laughter. “Ok um, how about… Yeah, I’ve got nothing.”
“Let's just stick with Newt, shall we?” The British boy suggested. The meal went by faster than either of them would have guessed, and soon they were back in the car.
As they walked through the prom doors, both boys had to stop and take in everything around them. The large room had been decorated head to toe with the theme of black and white. They quickly picked out their friends in the outskirts of the large mass of people.
“Newt, Tom! There you are!” Teresa squealed when they approached. “You two look so cute!”
“Thanks, you do too Teresa.” Newt smiled and he went to great his other friends. Soon everyone had arrived and it was like one big party of the senior class. There was excitement, dancing, laughter, hugging, and general happiness. Four cups of punch and two cookies latter Newt found himself swaying to the rhythm of a slow song, his body pressed against Thomas’s.
“I'm so glad you're here Tommy,” Newt whispered as he looked into his brown eyes.
“I wouldn't be anywhere else… Angel.”
“I like that one,” Newt smiled warmly.
“You do, Angel?” Thomas let the name roll slowly off his tongue. Newt brought his lips to meet Thomas’s in a long and gentle kiss. Normally he would never have done this, not with this many people around them. But Newt didn't care. This night was about him and Thomas. Not him, Thomas, and everyone else. The surrounding world didn't disappear like it did in books, but it came close enough.
•••
Newt pulled the car into his driveway and met Thomas outside of it. The night air was cool and refreshing and the moon shown brightly.
“Thank you for the marvelous night Tommy,” Newt sighed.
“No thank you! Goodnight Newt, Angle.” Thomas gave his boyfriend a kiss on the cheek before going inside.
“Goodnight!” Newt called, making his way to his own house. It was a wonder how much their relationship had grown over the last month. Newt never could have imagined even being with Thomas let alone going to prom with him. But here he was, and it sure was a nice place to be.