Like everyone else at school, I was shocked when Jason Amara’s ex-girlfriend told everyone he was gay. Apparently, the lovebirds had a falling out the night before after one of their many dates, when Jason made his confession to her, and now all our classmates were abuzz with the news that the Labrador—our star quarterback—played on the other side of the field.

            Until Jason was outed, I never considered the possibility of abandoning the closet. This small Midwestern town was the kind where gay people were only seen on TV or in the minds of a middle school fanfiction writer, and the closest idea to a gay bar involved a gloryhole at the truck stop outside city limits. Part of me considered trying it out, but it was too risky. What if someone from town recognized me, or something?

            Plus, I had my eyes on someone else. Although everyone on the football and soccer teams served as great eye candy, this certain Labrador always caught my attention whenever I found the courage to go to a school event. His ocean-blue eyes, that fanged smile, his outgoing, almost mischievous personality, and the way he made friends with even the goths, it always enamored me to try and talk to him. The few times I tried either ended with his current girlfriend interrupting us or me scurrying off in embarrassment. That, and the quarterback hooking up with a member of the Reading Club probably seemed scandalous.

            Tonight, it would finally be different. Junior prom was here, and Jason didn’t bring anyone as a date.

            As a slightly chubby calico cat, I’d never been much of a catch, but tonight I made the special effort to brush my fur and buy a decent tuxedo (with a multi-colored tie Mom thought looked nice on me, though I think she suspected my preference for guys long ago). Walking into the gym, I nearly fell backwards from the loud music echoing across every corner. Searching through the crowds separated by cliques, from the jocks to the goths and drama club and cheerleaders, I was surprised to find Jason sitting at a table.

            My friends from Reading Club dragged me to the dancefloor, but my eyes remained on Jason at the table. He looked like he’d been dancing, sure, but the canine seemed like he wanted to do it even more. A couple of the girls sitting around him were talking a mile a minute, happily showcasing their new prom dresses and wrists corsages, while Jason himself stared off into space. Soon enough, they grew bored and went for some punch.

            Go to him, Kevin, I told myself over the loud music. He looks so lonely…

            It took a few attempts, but I managed to pull myself away from the dancing crowd before staggering forward, tail curling behind me and fur up on end. Every step made felt heavier as I walked over to the table, especially as I imagined everyone’s eyes on me. I almost considered walking out the door and forgetting about tonight, until…

            “Uh, hey uh…Kevin is it?” the Labrador noticed me. “We’re in Biology and gym?”

            A large lump somehow found its way into my throat.

            “Uh…y-y-yeah, we are…” I stammered, then loudly asked, “Can I sit down?”

            “It’s not reserved,” Jason half-smiled at me, “Go ahead…”

            Nearly falling down into the chair beside him, I couldn’t stop myself from wagging my tail, trying not to stare at his rich, dark fur. He was so handsome, it hurt to see him melancholy.

            “Um…so,” I tried saying, “h-how’s your…night, so far?”

            “Well,” he sighed visibly, “not as much as I hoped, to be honest…” The Labrador turned to me, “Sorry, I doubt you want to hear my sob story or anything…”

            “No, no, Jason,” I interrupted, then paused. “You can tell me.”

            “You sure?”

            “Yeah, I’m an open book,” I half-laughed at my own joke. “Is it…about Ana?”

            Jason breathed heavily, then explained, “She was telling the truth. I’m…gay, but I still wanted to go to prom tonight with her. Now she’s at some motel hooking up with my best friend, and I can’t walk around this damn place without a girl asking if they can be my ‘bestie’, or hear someone asking if I liked…well, taking it up the ass.”

            Laughing, I mediately covered my muzzle. “Sorry, sorry…”

            Jason chuckled and patted my shoulder. “Why should you be? It’s true. I like guys, alright?” Pausing a moment, the Labrador surprised me by asking, “So how’s your night, Kev? Can I call you Kev?”

            “Sure,” I replied a moment later. “Uh…it’s good, but the tuxes are awful to dance in.”

            Jason chuckled again. “Tell me about it. My Dad said he’d kill me if I spilled anything on it, and he said it when he had a drill in his paw, so you know it’s serious…”

            Laughing together, time seemed to pass on by during our conversations. A couple girls and friends of ours said hello to us, but most were focused on enjoying themselves out on the dancefloor. Then, a slow dance song suddenly started playing, and everybody paired up.

            Years spent in the school hierarchy warned me it was a bad idea. I was lucky to sit next to Jason, let alone talk to him without someone interrupting, but taking this giant step seemed risky before hindsight. However, the night was coming to a close, and I didn’t know if I’d have another chance.

            It’s now or never, Kevin! I screamed in my head. Ask him, ask him now!

            “Do you want to dance with me?” I blurted out, loud enough for a few classmates to hear. When the Lab turned to me and widened his eyes, I expected the worst. “I uh, I mean—”

            “Sure,” he beamed. “I’d love to, Kev.”

            Everyone probably talked about us that night; the geeky calico and gay quarterback, dancing slowly among all the straight couples at prom. Neither of us cared though.