Chapter 20 — Best Prom Ever (Bands, Ballads & Bad Memories)
Ted Mosby believed prom was supposed to be magical.
Barney Stinson believed prom was supposed to be exploitable.
And Ivar Scherbatsky? He believed prom was proof teenagers shouldn't be trusted with tuxedos or decision-making.
---
The Band Hunt
At MacLaren's, Lily waved a flyer. "This is it! The band for our wedding. They're called 'The 88.' They're playing at a prom tonight!"
Marshall beamed. "Prom! That's where I first realized I wanted to marry you."
Ted sighed wistfully. "Prom… where magic happens."
Barney clapped him on the back. "Prom… where bad decisions happen. Also, I rented a limo."
Ivar raised a brow. "For a prom you weren't invited to?"
"Correction," Barney said smugly. "For a prom I crashed. There's a difference."
Robin smirked. "I can't wait to watch this train wreck."
Yvonne leaned toward Ivar, murmuring: "Is this normal?"
"For them," Ivar replied. "For me, it's field research."
---
The Crash
The gang rolled up to the high school prom like a mismatched SWAT team:
Marshall and Lily in semi-formal outfits.
Ted in his "romantic nostalgia" suit.
Barney in a tux three shades too flashy.
Ivar in his usual sharp minimalism, radiating menace.
Yvonne in black jeans and boots, deadpan as ever.
As they slipped inside, Barney whispered: "Prom… the last place where desperation meets hormones. This is my kingdom."
"Correction," Ivar said. "This is a crime scene waiting to happen."
---
Prom Shenanigans
Marshall and Lily swooned over the band, already picturing their first dance.
Ted tried reliving his glory days, failing miserably when a teacher mistook him for a chaperone.
Barney danced with every girl he could find — until security spotted him.
Robin recorded half of it for future blackmail.
Ivar and Yvonne? They stood at the back, making bets on which disaster would unfold first.
Yvonne smirked. "Ten bucks Barney gets thrown out before Ted embarrasses himself."
Ivar shook his head. "You underestimate Ted."
Moments later, Ted tripped over the punch bowl trying to impress a teacher.
Ivar held out his hand. "Pay up."
---
The Band Decision
By the end of the night, Marshall and Lily were glowing, convinced "The 88" was their band.
Ted sulked. Barney was banned from yet another venue. Robin teased Ted mercilessly.
Yvonne leaned against Ivar. "Your friends are lunatics."
"Agreed," he said. "But they're honest lunatics. That's rare."
"Do you ever wonder why you stick with them?"
Ivar smirked faintly. "Because someone has to keep the chaos contained."
---
Closing Beat
As the gang piled into the limo, Marshall and Lily gushing about the band, Barney ranting about "oppressive prom security," Ted sighing about lost magic, and Robin laughing at them all — Ivar glanced at Yvonne.
"Still think this isn't worth your time?" he asked.
She shook her head, smiling despite herself. "No. This is better than therapy."