Chapter 39 #3
“I did come up with a fake friendship contract with Zeke,” I say. “I wanted to win the crown so badly that I lied to get there. I was afraid of social ridicule, of being shunned, of losing my friends.” I lock eyes with Suzy. “I know now that I didn’t need to be afraid of that.”
Suzy smiles.
“I never wanted to hurt Zeke or any of you.” I work on keeping my voice steady. All eyes are on me, and the judging expressions haven’t changed.
Brielle crosses her arms and glares. “But you did.”
“I lied,” I say. “And I regret it. I did pretend to be Zeke’s friend just to get votes.
And Zeke,” I glance his way, my eyes soft, hoping that I can convey everything I’m feeling right now.
“Zeke just wanted to get through the school year and not be alone. I took advantage of that for my own gain, and I’m sorry.
” I stare right into his soul, out there in the crowd. “I’m so sorry, Zeke.”
Brielle frowns.
“The thing is,” I continue, trying to find the right words.
“Appearances don’t matter. Social status doesn’t matter.
” I pause for a breath. “The Homecoming crown doesn’t matter!
” How freeing it feels to say that. “I’ve learned that now.
I should’ve been honest with all of you.
I shouldn’t have tried to be someone I wasn’t, just for the sake of social media likes and Homecoming Queen votes.
I should’ve been Zeke Harris’ friend because he’s—an amazing person.
” My voice cracks. “The best person I know. And I regret the lies I’ve told. I hope you can all forgive me.”
I take a deep breath, my hand holding the microphone shaking. “I don’t expect you to vote for me. I only ran in the race because Brielle lied to get Suzy kicked out of the running, and I thought she deserved a good dose of humility.”
“What? I did not—” Brielle protests, but it’s too late. Murmurs race through the room, and people are pulling out their phones. To change their vote, I hope. I don’t have a clue how this is going to go down anymore.
“I don’t care about the crown anymore!” I shout, a smile lighting up my face.
Joy flutters through me. “I don’t care about popularity, or social media likes, or who has the most friends or shares or comments or followers.
I just want . . .” I look at Zeke. His brown eyes stare at me, his expression solemn.
“I just want to make amends. I just want Zeke Harris to know that I am . . . I am in love with him.”
The crowd gasps, and Zeke’s eyes soften.
“I don’t care how long we have together, I want it all.” Tears fill my eyes, and I let them fall down my cheeks. “Every spare second. I’m yours. That is what I really want, and, more than anything, I want to be me. The real me. The authentic me. From now on, I am going to be true to myself.”
I’m shocked when the crowd erupts in cheers, and my face burns a fiery red.
Did I really just say all those things? Embarrassment tries to fight its way to the front of my emotions, but I don’t allow it.
I never want to feel embarrassed or ashamed of who I am.
Not anymore. Pride, instead, fills my heart.
I step down and hurry to rejoin Suzy in the crowd. I don’t dare look at my mom right now. I’m sure she’s mortified.
The crowd parts again for me, and a few faces are still disgusted and judgy, but many people smile, and some even give me a high five. I reach Suzy, and I’m disappointed when Zeke is nowhere to be found. Where did he go?
Cassidy takes the mic as Brielle storms off the stage, her face scarlet with rage.
“Well, that was . . .” Cassidy clears her throat. “Unusual. My colleagues are recounting the votes and . . .” She glances to the side, where Tasha, the student council secretary, nods. “And it appears that they’re finished. The voting is now closed.”
I stand up straight, my head held high.
Cassidy hands Brian a slip of paper, and he steps forward to the mic. “Our Homecoming Queen is . . .” Brian reads the slip of paper, and his eyes go wide. He looks back up and out at the crowd, a sparkle in his playful expression. “Suzy Jeong! No cap.”
Cassidy whips her head toward him. “She didn’t even run. Is that allowed?”
But the crowd of students screams and claps. I grab Suzy’s arm and beam. “It’s you!” I cry. “He called your name!”
Suzy stares straight ahead, stunned. “But I—I didn’t even run.”
Cassidy takes the mic. “Despite Suzy not being on the ballot, the votes don’t lie. Enough people wrote in Suzy Jeong’s name that she is the winner. Come on up, Suzy.”
Brielle turns to us, mouth open, glaring. I can’t deny that it’s a tiny bit satisfying.
Suzy makes her way to the stage. Cassidy places the silver crown on Suzy’s head, and she looks back at the crowd, absolutely radiant. I clap and cheer along with everyone else.
I search within me for jealousy or fear or worry about what people will think . . . and it’s not there. Instead, pure joy washes over me in a wave.
Tasha hands another slip of paper to Cassidy, who hands it to Brian. “Our Homecoming King is . . . Noah Rossi!”
Noah ascends the stage to receive his matching crown, smiling and waving that perfect charming smile of his. I spot Brielle in the crowd, her arms crossed over her chest, her lower lip out in a pout. People clap, but the cheers are not nearly as deafening as they were for Suzy.
“Now our King and Queen will share their traditional dance!” Brian cries.
Suzy and Noah make their way down the stage to the center of the dance floor.
She meets my eyes, looking concerned. I give her a huge smile, and relief comes over her expression.
A slow Ed Sheeran song comes on over the speakers, and they begin to sway.
Suzy barely touches Noah, and her face is disgusted.
I smile. Just a few weeks ago, the sight of my best friend dancing with my ex would’ve sent me into deep depression and anxiety. Now, all I feel is peace. And a tiny amount of joy at the expression on Brielle’s face as she watches her boyfriend dance with the Homecoming Queen.
Couples sway to the music around me.
I turn around in a circle, my heart beating hard, and I’m wondering if I’ve ruined things forever. Will Zeke show up? Or will I be left alone on the dance floor?
There he is.
The crowd parts, and there’s Zeke in his blue tux, glancing up at me through dark lashes. There’s a spotlight above his head, and the crowd has left us a tiny circle of space.
“Callie, I—” Zeke clears his throat. “Will you dance with me?” He holds out a hand to me, and I take it.
Zeke pulls me to him, and my heart soars. I lay my head on his shoulder, and we sway.
I found a love, for me . . .
Zeke’s hand holds mine, and my head fits perfectly in the space between his shoulder and head, and I’m pressed against his body.
My heart flutters, and I can’t keep the smile from my face.
Zeke’s other hand wraps around my back and holds me close.
We dance into the next song, and the next, even as the beat speeds up and the people around us jump up and down, belting out the lyrics.
It feels like we’re alone. Alone, pressed against each other, our heartbeats in sync.