What if what I’d felt for him all this time was more brotherly love than lover love?
 
 Nah. No one who fantasized as much as I did about Marc only felt brotherly affection for him. He was probably freaked out, but he was just going to have to get over it.
 
 I waited for a response, but there was nothing.
 
 * * *
 
 3 weeks later
 
 Ashleigh
 
 Me:Let’s trade. You take me to prom and I’ll agree we can elope for our wedding.
 
 Marc:Didn’t I tell you? I’m already married. Her name is Michelle. And yes, we did elope.
 
 Me:Just so you know I’m wearing my mean face. Is there really a Michelle? Wait, don’t tell me. No, tell me. I can accept you having a love life until you’re ready for me. How else are you going to learn to get good at sex? Me, I’m just reading about it.
 
 Marc:I’M GOOD AT SEX!
 
 Me:Good to know.
 
 Marc:There isn’t a Michelle. But I wouldn’t tell you if there was. It would upset you and I’m actuallytryingnot to do that these days.
 
 Me:Then you’ll take me to the prom???
 
 Marc:No! Final word.
 
 * * *
 
 2 weeks later
 
 Ashleigh
 
 Me:If you don’t take me, I won’t go.
 
 Marc:Don’t care.
 
 Me:But this was the dress I was going to wear. Sending pic now.
 
 Marc:Nice dress. Go find someone else to take you.
 
 Me:No, it’s fine. I’ll just stay home. I mean, who cares about prom anyway?
 
 Marc:No one.
 
 Me:You’ve left me with no choice…I’m calling in the big guns.
 
 * * *
 
 1 week later
 
 Group Chat
 
 Ashleigh
 
 George:Marc, why won’t you take Ashleigh to the prom?
 
 Marc:Stay out of this, George.