Chapter 41
“Over here, Peps!” Ayden stood at the entrance of the academy, placing an arm over Xavier while using the other to wave. Since everyone already knew they were dating, they had no problem going to prom together.
I squealed in excitement, running as fast as I possibly could in heels. Hero followed, adjusting the cuffs of his shirt.
As I got closer, I observed Ayden’s outfit. He wore a white buttoned-up shirt with a black suit just like Hero, but his tie was yellow. The same shade of yellow as Xavier’s suit color. Xavier wore a black buttoned-up shirt underneath, paired with a boutonniere that matched it.
Ayden had applied more hairspray in his hair than usual, but a strand of hair still hung in front of his face. His dress shoes were incredibly shiny to the point I could almost see a clear reflection of myself. His high-class status was definitely showing.
Xavier’s locs were freshly dyed purple again, and he wore contacts instead of wearing those astronomically large glasses.
Ever since he had left the popular clique, he has presented himself more confidently.
It was heartwarming to see him be his true self.
Not just the shy nerd. He was more than that, and Ayden saw that.
“Whoa, where’s the Peps I know?” Ayden teased, giving me a small hug. Compared to the clothing I usually wore, and my habit of never wearing makeup, I was a brand new Pepper.
“She’s growing up,” I retorted playfully.
Ayden gasped dramatically. “How dare she?”
Ayden was struggling deep inside, but he didn’t show it. He hid it with humor. He was afraid of breaking down in public again.
Xavier chuckled, then looked at the school entrance. “We should head inside. It’s starting to get chilly out here.”
The four of us stepped into the academy, heading to the gymnasium. Showing our prom ticket to the lady at the gymnasium double-doors, we entered. Ayden went straight to the food station, dragging Xavier along with him.
Hero and I followed. He took two plates and handed me one.
After taking samples of almost everything from a selection of finger foods and getting a cup of fruit punch, the two of us scanned the room for a round table to sit at.
Most tables were filled with friend groups, but there was one that only had one person.
That person was Violet.
She sat there in her velvet red dress, watching as people were dancing with their friends. Her hair was curled, and a rose hair clip rested in her hair. She had on that same dark red lipstick that she always used.
Noticing me, her face lit up, and she straightened her posture.
“I love what you did with your hair!” I exclaimed as I sat in the chair next to her, placing my plate down on the black-clothed table.
“Thank you,” she said, then observed my makeup. “I’m glad you put my other colors to use.” She lightly chuckled.
I smiled, then glanced back to Hero. He just stood there, holding his plate and watching me. He wasn’t sure if he was welcome to sit down.
“You can sit down too, Hero,” Violet said. “I don’t mind.”
The two of them had been extremely awkward for the past months. Even though Hero didn’t feel hatred for her anymore, he didn’t necessarily forgive Violet the same way I did. And he didn’t know if she forgave him for threatening her, either. Seeing Violet made him remember his past, and he hated it.
Hero hesitated before sitting down next to me, setting his plate down. “Cool,” he said awkwardly, sucking his teeth. He wanted me to notice how uncomfortable he was. He lifted the cup of fruit punch to his mouth.
“I’m voting you guys for prom king and queen,” Violet said, taking a bite out of a strawberry. “Could you guys do the same for me?”
Although she had changed for the better, there were times when she still craved the spotlight. If there was an opportunity that placed all eyes on her, she wouldn’t hesitate to take it.
Hero almost choked on his fruit punch. “You’re running for prom queen?”
“Oh, don’t act like you have a better chance of winning.” She narrowed her eyes. “We’re on the same effing boat here.”
“That’s not what I mean,” he retorted. “I just don’t want to be standing next to you up there if I win.”
I nudged Hero, smiling at Violet. “Don’t mind him, we’ll vote for you.”
“Will we?” he muttered.
“Yes, we will.” I shot a sharp glare at him.
Before Hero could retort, Ayden and Xavier approached the table and sat in the empty seats.
“What are you guys chatting about?” Ayden asked, placing an arm on Hero’s shoulder.
“The three of us are running,” I replied.
“I would’ve ran too,” Ayden said, sighing and turning to face Xavier, “but there can’t be two prom kings.”
Xavier gave a weak smile.
* * *
After an hour passed of eating and dancing, it was time for the speeches.
First up was Violet. She presented herself confidently, her hair bouncing as she stepped on stage.
As she grabbed the mic, she smiled brightly.
She loved everyone’s eyes on her; it made her feel like she was popular again—even if it were only for a few minutes.
“My name is Violet Lancaster, and I am so happy to be a potential prom queen. This has been my dream for years, but I probably wouldn’t have signed up for this if someone didn’t still care for me even after the um…
incident,” she said, then shifting her gaze to me, “I want to give a shoutout to Pepper Vaughn for forgiving me and being a great friend. She is a true friend, a friend that everyone would want to have in their life. She would stick by your side no matter what you’ve done.
She sees the good in you. All of you.” She scanned the room.
“I know I’m still known as a fake friend to some of you, so if you guys don’t want to vote for me, vote for her instead.
Thank you.” She then put the mic back on the stand and walked off stage.
I was not expecting that. I never thought she would avert attention away from her, let alone talk about how great of a friend I was. I didn’t even think I was that great of a friend, but I was glad Violet saw me in that light.
I turned to Hero, who was fighting back a smile. Violet was proving herself to be a better person and I think he was starting to warm up to her. Violet came back to the table, and I couldn’t help myself from pulling her into a hug.
“Thank you, Violet. That meant a lot to me,” I said, then released her from the hug.
“You deserve it.” She flashed a smile before walking back to her chair.
Hero was up next. I was his biggest supporter, whooping loudly as he got onto stage. He pulled a few strands of hair to the front of his face, covering his forehead.
He cleared his throat before speaking. “My name is Hero Castell, and I am running for prom king because my girlfriend, Pepper, wants me to be up on stage with her, and I couldn’t possibly say no.
” He chuckled softly and briefly glanced at me.
“I know you all hate me, but don’t hate Pepper for being associated with me.
Please make her dream come true by voting for her and me. Thank you.”
I clapped so hard that my hands hurt. As he made his way back to his chair, I stood up and opened my arms. He melted into my arms, wrapping his arms around me gently.
“That was a really good speech, Ro.”
“That’s good,” he mumbled. “That means we have a better chance of winning, right?”
I smiled, running my fingers through his hair. “Yeah, it does.”
Ayden cleared his throat. “Get a room, you lovebirds,” he teased.
Hero slowly eased out of the hug and sat down in his chair. There were a few more speeches before mine, so I did the same.
“Hey, don’t act like you weren’t making out with Xavier in the hallways of a cruise ship,” I retorted, folding my arms.
“Blah blah blah,” he mocked, flapping his hands like a puppet.
Violet bursted out laughing. “You seriously kissed him in plain sight?”
“It was Zay’s idea!” he shot back.
Xavier whipped his head up. “I didn’t think anyone from our class was staying on that floor and you didn’t tell me your room was right there.”
Ayden raised his hands up in surrender. “Okay, you got me there.”
“Speaking of that though, Mani has been so annoying lately.” Xavier grunted, pressing his fingers to his forehead as he placed his elbows on the table. “She sticks to me everywhere I go like gum on a shoe.”
“Where is she now?” Ayden asked, scanning the room.
“Surprisingly, she has a date.” Xavier pointed to the table near the stage. “I hope that’ll keep her occupied for the time being.”
“Good.” Ayden flashed a smile. “Wouldn’t want her to see us kissing again, huh?”
“Yeah, never doing that in front of her again,” Xavier exhaled.
When I was called onto stage for my speech, a wave of nervousness washed over me. I never had trouble speaking with people, but being the center of attention was a different story. I felt pressured.
“You got this, Peps!” Ayden shouted from his seat.
I forced a smile. “Hi everyone. My name is Pepper Vaughn, and I am running for prom queen. Thank you to Violet and Hero for including me in their speech.” My smile was genuine now.
“I had prepared a speech beforehand but I’m just going to forget all that and just be honest with all of you.
I really want to stand up here with my boyfriend, Hero Castell, as prom queen and king, and I’d be indebted to you if you make that happen. Thank you.”
As I started to walk towards my table, Benji passed me, sending shivers down my spine as I realized he was going on stage. He was running for prom king.
I rushed to my seat, leaning in to Ayden. “Did you know about this?” Ayden shook his head frantically, staring as Benji approached the mic.
Hero grabbed my hand to comfort me. “Don’t pay attention to his speech. Don’t give him that satisfaction.”
I nodded reluctantly, shifting my attention to the people at my table. Violet was re-applying her signature lipstick, trying to ignore Benji, as well. I think she saw her past self in him, and she hated it.