MICHELLE GAO
Gargoyle assistant editor
Posted Friday, March 30, 2007
Opinions

I GOT MY information for prom Wednesday in the mail. It consisted of a crescent moon-shaped invitation, a star-shaped RSVP, and a sheet of paper on which I was to specify the pictures that I wanted.

I couldn't help but feel excited.

Because, after all, it's prom.

I have speculated with my friends on how we're going to do our hair (up? down? curled? straightened?), and what shoes to wear (flats? stilettos?), and how our dresses look (“Please, please tell me if I look fat!”). The recent months have been filled with excitement and musing about how that night will go.

I was at the mall last weekend and happened to be wandering through Bergner's looking at prom dresses. It was for no reason, because I've already gotten one, but it was fun to look at the fluffy (and sometimes cupcake-like) creations.

It was then that I heard a conversation between two girls hidden behind a huge pink monstrosity that made me raise my eyebrows.

“I can't wait for prom,” one said excitedly. I nodded in agreement, even though no one could see me.

“I can,” the other one said in a dejected tone of voice. “No one's going to ask me.”

“That's OK,” the first girl said in an encouraging tone of voice. “We can just go together as friends.” (I, hidden behind my dress, thought that this was an extremely valid point.)

“But I want someone to ask me, though! Prom is made for couples!”

At this point I'd had enough, and left. I felt like a stalker, anyway, overhearing their conversation. But it got me thinking.

I've heard variations of that dialogue hundreds of times. I've been the one complaining, and I've been the one to say, “Oh, well.”

“I don't want to go to winter formal if no one asks me.”

“I hate how boys don't have enough guts to ask anyone.”

“I know it's going to be fun even if I don't have a date, but …”

I see both sides. Prom would be fun no matter what, but I can see how going with someone you really like would make it extra-special.

It's kind of an icky situation, don't you think?

I can't wait, though.

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