Did you forget the trick of saying "hah! You thought I was proposing in such a manner? I was just pulling your leg. Now, get on your knees and beg for my kindness".
I wimped out and asked them out with my friends AT THE SAME TIME TOGETHER!!! They wanted to cushion me out if they said no.....and even if they did we'd say it was a prank...they thought it was a prank but it backfired....they felt offended thinking they were singled out for the prank....and they did NOT like this at all, I was at fault...
It sounds like you're putting your efforts on the wrong parts, remember when I said "plan a strategy & rehearse"? Well, here it is, don't leave anything to luck, fortune or any superstition that may make you win without trying. Be K.Angel, be a sociopath... I mean calculating.
Honestly, Manko is right. In your case, sinse they had that reaction, it would be prudent of you to apologise for creating that scenario and creating that misunderstanding (even though you planned that reaction if they reected your proposal). Show them your point of view, they may get mad at you or something, but if you to get through to them and show them how you really feel about them and how you want to enjoy prom with them, you should just be honest. Pain sucks and anguish is even worse, but, to me, making someone who I really like feel attacked by me is even worse.
I think that's quite rude! It not only mocks the whole affair but it also shows you're not honest with your feelings or with the person you like (or you'd like to go to prom with) and shows you don't respect their feelings