Chapter 41 #2
Ayden clenched his jaw as he listened to Benji’s speech, and Xavier was looking back and forth between the two of them with a concerned gaze. Hero was staring at me, but I could tell he was listening to Benji’s speech.
“Ayd,” I said, trying to get Ayden’s attention. He didn’t budge. He was intensely focused on the speech. I was doing a good job at not listening until I heard my name. My head violently jerked towards the stage, and so did Hero’s.
“—and you should most definitely vote for her for prom queen.”
What the hell was he doing? Why did he want me to win?
Hero’s grip tightened on my hand but almost immediately released his grip and bit his fingernails. “Sorry.” He was jealous. Was that what Benji wanted?
I didn’t understand why Benji would do that. After all, some of his friends were running too, and they hated me. They wouldn’t just let that slide so easily.
Benji had a smug look on his face as he went off the stage. He was the last candidate to do a speech, so students rushed to line up at the voting table. Pineshire Academy did things the old-fashioned way; students had to write their vote down on a piece of paper and slide it into the slot of a box.
“One slow dance song before the prom king and queen are announced!” the DJ announced once everyone had voted.
I always wondered what slow song would play during prom night, and I was about to find out. This was going to be our song.
Standing up from his seat, Hero extended his hand to me. I blushed, taking his hand. He led me to the dance floor as the song began to play. It was “The Night We Met” by Lord Huron.
Hero had his hands on my waist, and I had mine around his neck. Swaying gently, we stared into each other’s eyes. The murmurs of the students faded away as I focused on Hero. In this dim room, he was the brightest thing there was.
Hero looked at the DJ station. “This song… do you remember how we met?”
I nodded. “How could I forget? It was second grade. You were getting bullied at recess and I stepped in.”
“And Ayden was the bully,” he added. “You practically forced us to become best friends. I mean you wouldn’t leave us alone unless we got along.” He laughed, then paused. “Sometimes, I would purposefully pick a fight with him so that you’d spend more time with me.”
My eyes widened. “You did?”
“You really set him straight though,” he said. “He never bullied anyone ever again and he hated bullies almost as much as you did.”
“One of my proudest moments,” I said sarcastically.
“It should be.” He glanced over to Ayden, who was slow dancing with Xavier. “I hated the feeling of hating him. It brought me back to those days when he bullied me, and I think maybe that’s why it was so hard to forgive him. What he did with Violet was so out of character for him.”
“Did you ever imagine going to prom with Violet?” I asked curiously. “I know you were young but—”
“No,” he answered instantly, shaking his head. “No, I wouldn’t ever want to go to prom if it weren’t with you. You were always the one I loved. Always.”
Hero used to think prom was stupid. A night where cringey teenagers dance to cringey songs. I mean, he wasn’t completely wrong, but there was more to prom than that. It was a night to make memories. A night to look back on and remember the fun times that you had with friends, or even by yourself.
It was a night to cherish.
“I always imagined it with you,” I admitted. “For many years.”
The song slowly came to an end, and everyone shuffled back to their seats for the announcement of prom king and queen.
“What did I do to deserve you?” he breathed.
“I’m not, like, perfect or anything.” I lightly chuckled.
“Exactly.” He stared at me like he could see my soul. “That’s what makes you, you.”
I gave him a quick peck on the lips and smiled brightly before turning my attention to the stage. The assistant principal, Mrs. Tran, was holding a slip of paper—presumably the results.
“Good evening, students of Pineshire Academy.” She wore a formal black dress, her hair put up into a slick-back bun.
Her high heels were practically half of her height.
“Thank you for coming to this marvelous prom night, and thank you to those who ran for prom king and queen. Those are examples of strong, independent leaders in the making. Now, without further ado, I will announce the winners of the prom king and queen title. Please come up on stage when your name is called.”
Putting her glasses on, she squinted to read the results. “For prom queen…” she trailed off, leaving us in uncomfortable silence.
The suspense was killing me. Who was most likely to win prom queen? Perhaps, Gwendolyn? Blonde hair, blue eyes, and slim body—she was the stereotypical popular girl. She was what every girl wanted to look like, at least once in their life.
Glancing over to her, I noticed her fingers were crossed. Reese, who was sitting next to her, placed a hand on her lap and said something to reassure her.
But would she win? After all, three people included me in their speech. That had to have influenced some people to vote for me, right? But then again, alliances are pretty strong. Would they switch their votes just because of a few speeches?
“Pepper Vaughn!”
My thoughts were interrupted when my name was called. The prom queen was me. Instinctively, I turned to Hero. He gave a proud smile and tears were starting to well up. I’d never seen him tearing up from being proud before.
As I made my way over to the stage, he applauded and cheered louder than anyone else in the room. Mrs. Tran gave me a firm handshake as I stepped onto stage, and I stood awkwardly next to her.
My heart was racing, both excited that I had became prom queen and nervous to hear the winner for prom king. I crossed my fingers, hoping to hear Hero’s name. That would be a dream come true—the two of us being prom king and queen.
But I knew that anyone else that ran had a higher chance of winning. Although I tried to not think of it, I knew Benji had the highest chance. He knew everyone at school. He made connections.
“As for the prom king…”
Anyone but Benji, anyone but Benji, I repeated to myself. I didn’t want him to be the one standing next to me. Not after everything he had put me and my best friends through.
“Benjamin Davis!”
No.
No.
No.
This couldn’t be happening.
I didn’t know how to react, so I didn’t. I froze like a deer in headlights. I couldn’t even look at Hero, but I could imagine his anger. The boy who had ruined our lives was winning the title of prom king.
Before I knew it, Benji was standing on the other side of Mrs. Tran. He slicked his hair back as he flashed a smile at everyone. I gritted my teeth, my face starting to feel warmth.
Mrs. Tran excused herself to go fetch Principal Evans, who has the crown and tiara, leaving Benji and me alone on stage.
“Why did you do it?” I asked angrily, the two of us moving further back to make sure the mic wouldn’t pick up on our voices.
“Aw, don’t look at me like that.” He reached out to touch me and I stepped back. He sucked his teeth and rubbed his thumb against the side of his index finger as he pulled his hand back. “You should be thanking me.”
“No,” I said sternly. “You’re up to something.”
“Am I?” His eyebrows raised. “Can’t I just do a nice deed without suspicion?”
I narrowed my eyes, then shifted my gaze to Principal Evans, whose bald head shined from the stage light while coming up onto the stage. He held a velvet pillow with the crown and tiara sitting on top. Moving the pillow to one hand, he extended his other wrinkled hand for a handshake.
“Congratulations, you two,” Principal Evans said, his voice sounding way younger than he appeared. “Can’t wait to see your faces in our trophy case.”
This academy has treasured each and every prom king and queen for decades, their picture in the trophy case right outside the gymnasium.
I was history.
But so was Benji. He was going to be in the school halls, next to me, forever. I shuddered at the thought of that.
Benji gently bowed down for Principal Evans to crown him, and I did the same. Benji then gave me an unnerving smile, pointing to the microphone on stage. “You have the stage.”
Prom king and queen had to give speeches. Long, short, it didn’t matter—we just had to express our appreciation.
I gulped, approaching the microphone on stage. “H-hello everyone.” Everyone’s eyes were on me, and I didn’t like it. I didn’t want to be prom queen if Hero wasn’t prom king.
But he was proud of me. His smile said it all. He didn’t seem to care that Benji was prom king. Only that I was prom queen.
“I want to thank everyone who voted for me.” I warily smiled. “I am very happy to achieve the title of prom queen. Thank you, again.” I stepped back, exhaling, as they all clapped.
“Nice attempt,” Benji whispered in my ear, and I flinched.
“Watch and learn.” He stepped forward and tapped the microphone, a screech echoing the room.
“Ahem. Thank you to everyone who elected me—Benjamin Davis—to represent the school as prom king. This opportunity wouldn’t have been possible without all of you.
I am so grateful to every single one of you for being my schoolmates, and I wouldn’t trade you guys for anything. ”
I rolled my eyes. Now that he didn’t use a spell to make me fall in love with him, I could see his true colors.
He was fake. He might be able use his ‘charm’ to woo the audience, but not me.
It was obvious he was playing a character in order to manipulate everyone. I wished everyone could see what I saw.
“Before I end my speech, I do want to make a special announcement about my dear cousin, Ayden.” Benji gestured towards Ayden, causing everyone to turn their heads. “Do you want to tell them, or shall I?”
What was this about? I thought his speech was done.
“No,” Ayden sputtered, his face growing pale, “not here.” I didn’t understand what Benji meant, but from Ayden’s reaction I knew it was nothing good—well, anything that involved Benji was far from good.