Prom is almost upon us. (This year’s theme is “Rio”, in case you’re behind.)

Just this one four-letter word,  p-r-o-m, elicits shrieks from excited girls.“What color is your dress?” “How did you get asked to prom?” “What color are your shoes?” “Hair styles?” “What color for my nails? Do you think the color Banana-Strawberry Beach would clash with my gold shoes?” (You see where this is going…)

Essentially, prom is regarded as a rite of passage for upperclassmen. To some, the very notion of prom excites and overwhelms. But to others…it’s just prom. A fun dance, I guess.

Generally speaking, girls are more pumped for prom than guys. Some guys go just because their girlfriends want to go. Other guys go because they want to finally have a chance to dance with the girl they have a crush on.

(In my case, my girlfriend is the reason I’m going. I really don’t want to go, but I don’t feel like dealing with the attitudes and other things girls have when they don’t get their way.)

As usual, the girl decides what you will be doing.

I am a victim of this situation. My girlfriend, Monica, pretty much said I don’t have a choice, and that I have to go whether I like it or not. I’m held against my will–but who cares? She doesn’t. After finally agreeing, we started to work on the details.

First, we had to address what colors we were going to wear. We started with gray and pink, then veered to beige and orange, yet we finally wound up with black and royal blue. Then there was the matter of determining what we would do before and after prom. Going to a nice restaurant before the prom is traditional, and we both agreed with Houston’s.

The “pre-prom” plans were easy to formulate. However, we still haven’t figured out our “after-prom” plans. There are so many things to do, ranging from hanging with friends or going to parties. Either way it goes, I have to put on a smile and just have fun with her, and for her. I hope everything works out, or my relationship might be on the line. (“Lol”: not really.)

Monica, I hope you see this. Please know this, dear: I’m not going for the scene, for the dances, or for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to wear a smashingly attractive black and royal blue tux. I’m only going for you!