Not proofread so don't kill me.

Claire separated from her best friend for a brief moment to climb up the stage and get behind the mic stand, “I hope all of you are having a wonderful night,” she said which was responded with a lot of appreciative cheers, “But now, how about a little fun to mix things up?”

People looked around to find out what she was planning to do. Drew looked at me and I shrugged, this was the first time I was hearing about this.

“I want all of the girls to head on to the left side of the gym and the boys on the right,” she instructed.

Drew said a brief ‘see you later’ to me with an accompanied push to the other direction.

“All of the lights will turn off and I want you to just grab the nearest opposite gender. Whoever that person is, you’ll have to dance one song with him or her.”

Murmurs erupted from the crowd as some were preparing for this game. The guys fixed up their ties and the girls fluffed their hair a little.

“This is kind of creative,” Jessica smiled next to me, “It’s an opportunity for the dateless ones to enjoy a dance.”

“Unless you have a jealous psycho date,” I laughed, imagining a situation like that.

“Alright everybody,” Claire announced before she slowly counted down. Once the last number escaped her lips, all of the lights closed and everybody started to walk, groping everything around them in search for a partner.

A hand touched my arm and I jumped a mile in the air. Even though I can’t see this stranger, I was relieved that I found a partner to dance with.

“Five more seconds to find your unknown Romeo and Juliet,” Claire’s voice said through the yelling voices.

The lights turned on once again and I squinted at the sudden brightness. It took some time for my eyes to adjust and I finally looked at my mystery dance partner.

Oh fate, have you been playing with me?

Even with the mask on, I can distinguish that the man in front of me was non-other than Lucas Smith. His dark floppy hair and mischievous brown eyes just gave him away in an instant.

“Well,” Lucas started out awkwardly, “This is going to be fun.”

“Fun indeed,” I sighed.

“Does everybody have a partner now?” Claire asked, observing everything from the view onstage. She nodded in satisfaction at what she saw and gestured for the DJ to start the song.

With just the few beats of the song, I almost fell at the song choice. Ah, fate really is punishing me tonight.

A drop in the ocean, a change in the weather

“Might as well do this,” Lucas chuckled uneasily, offering a hand for me to take. I stared at it for the longest time before smiling; I placed my hand on top of his and he settled his other one on my waist with mine on his shoulder.

“You’re a jerk, you know,” I told him as we slowly started to sway with the music, “You didn’t even allow Rebecca to enjoy her night.”

He started to mutter up some excuses but I cut him off. When I saw Yasmin dancing with another guy, her eyes didn’t have this shine in them unlike when she was with Lucas. I grew to like her, when I thought I’ll be a jealous freak because she and Drew dated, I was so wrong.

“You really like Yasmin, don’t you?”

He followed my gaze until his eyes landed on his date. He nodded softly, his look containing nothing awe, “Yes, I do.”

I was praying that you and me might end up together

“I’m sorry,” I said truthfully, “Even though I knew you liked me, I pushed you away.”

“So you’re bringing this up now?”

“It’s prom,” I shrugged, “I think this is the night when everything should be settled.”

“Yeah,” he agreed, “But I don’t know about your boyfriend over there.”

I scanned the room until my eyes landed on Drew. He and Lillian were dancing – more like awkwardly swaying – and he was giving me a look. It wasn’t anger, nor jealousy but pure curiosity on what we were talking about. Lillian also mirrored his expression though she gave me an encouraging smile as if she had an idea what I was doing.

“Thank you, Celeste,” he muttered, twirling me around, “I guess I learned a lot from you.”

“Maybe your taunts did gave me benefits,” I laughed softly, “Even if it’s in the wrong, you gave me the attention I lacked.”

And still I can't let you be, most nights I hardly sleep

The few notes of the song sounded through the gym and I closed my eyes, taking in the moment, “Hey Celeste,” Lucas started out, “I loved you.”

My eyes opened wide as I gaped at him, “What?”

“I still do,” he smirked, “But I’m trying to get over it.”

But I'm holding you closer than most 'cause you are my heaven

The song finally ended and my grip on his hand loosened, “Thank you, Lucas.”

We saw Drew say something to Lillian before he started to approach us. I took one big step to Lucas and I placed a small kiss on his cheek, “Take care of Yasmin, alright?”

Drew finally reached my side and I gave Lucas one more smile before I wound my arm with Drew, “Enjoy the night.”

“Should I be jealous that you kissed Smith on the cheek?” Drew asked as we started to walk to our table.

I laughed and shook my head, “You honestly have nothing to worry about.”

“So how was your dance with Lillian,” I teased once we were seated.

“She’s a nice girl but it was nothing but awkward,” he groaned, resting his chin on his hands.

I couldn’t help but let out a small giggle at his reaction. When I saw Lillian dancing and joking around with Charlie on the dance floor, I was happy for her. I certainly doubted Charlie from the start but as I slowly saw how radiant Lillian became ever since they started going out, my perspective of him changed.

I saw Claire excused herself from her crying best friend and she slipped into the restroom. Well, I better get every single problem done tonight.

“I’m going to the ladies’ room,” I told Drew as I stood up and followed Claire.

I pushed the door open and Claire was there reapplying a coat of lip gloss on her lips.

“Hey,” I greeted slowly, approaching her.

“The word is that you and your Romeo will win king and queen,” she said, not even taking the time to look at me.

“Because you’re head of the prom committee, you can’t win by default,” I told her, “But I think you should, I hate to admit it but you did an amazing job.”

“Are you sick?” she inquired, zipping up her purse, “Did you just compliment me?”

I sighed and leaned against the sink, “Why did you go after Drew?”

She knew that this question was coming soon; she didn’t even look surprised that I asked it. She simply twirled a loose curl on her index finger with a relaxed look.

“He reminds me so much of his best friend.”

Now I was the one who was taken aback by this. Drew never mentioned any best friends or anything like that and based on observation, I can’t see any of them either.

“His best friend was my ex and I guess I haven’t completely moved on yet.”

“Hold up,” I stopped her, “Drew’s best friend?!”

“He hasn’t told you, has he?” she chuckled.

I gestured for her to explain as I gave her my undivided attention.

“His name was Axel Brooks.”

The name sounded so familiar. I think I’ve heard him before in the radio or something.

“He moved to California some point during freshman year.”

The something in my head clicked, I know Axel Brooks, he was one of the most famous teenagers in Hollywood right now. Does that mean he and Drew were once friends?

“But that’s not important,” she waved the topic off, “All I’m saying is that whenever I see Drew, I’m reminded of Axel.”

“I know you really liked him,” I said, “But going after his best friend isn’t exactly the right thing to do.”

“Don’t you think I’m aware of that?” she stomped, “But I just can’t help it.”

I pressed my lips in a straight line as I allowed her to get her composure back. She coughed uncomfortably while straightening her dress, “Anyways, I’m sorry.”

How many apologies do I have to hear and say tonight? Probably a lot. I still have Rebecca to straighten out.

“Truce?” I suggested, sticking out my hand. She clasped hers with mine as we shook it together.

“Truce.”

We exited the restroom and I asked her if I could go see Rebecca. She led me to where the depressed girl was sitting with a frown on her face.

“Rebecca,” I said, sitting on the chair next to her.

Even with the terrible look on her face, Rebecca Williams was still a beauty.

“Celeste,” she jumped in recognition. She fixed her hair and plastered a fake smile, “You look gorgeous.”

“I’m pretty sure she hasn’t heard that before,” Claire sarcastically muttered with an accompanied eye roll.

“Claire!” Rebecca scolded, “So, are you enjoying the night?”

“Yeah,” I replied, “But it doesn’t seem you are.”

“He broke up with me,” she sniffled, reminding herself of the terrible heartbreak, “And he’s here with another girl.”

She reached out and gave me a huge hug, crushing the air out of me as she continued to sob on my shoulder. I patted her back in a sort of comfort as I tried to formulate a proper sentence in my head.

I caught Lucas’ eye who was laughing around with Yasmin. I started to wave my arms frantically for him to approach us. He excused himself from his date and he slowly headed to our direction.

Claire got onto what I was doing and she whispered in my ear so Rebecca wouldn’t hear it, “Are you sure this is a good idea.”

“Trust me,” I reassured.

When Lucas finally got to us, I made Rebecca look at his direction. Her face contorted into a one of hurt as she stared at him.

“Please settle this,” I pleaded to him as I stood up, “I’ll keep Yasmin company.”

“Who’s that girl?” Yasmin asked, tilting her head to the side in question.

“Lucas’ ex,” I answered, “You don’t have to worry about her. They only dated for a few weeks.”

“Why did he date her anyways?”

I pursed my lips together because I refused to answer her question. How was I going to say that Lucas only used Rebecca in order to get over his feelings for me?

“It’s a long story.”

An arm wrapped around my waist and with the whiff of the cologne the person had, I knew it was Drew. I rested my head on his shoulder as we watched the scene unfold in front of us. Claire moved a few meters away from them but she was still in earshot.

“When were you going to tell me that you had a freaking famous best friend?”

His grip of me tightened and I felt him stiffen, “She told you?”

“It’s not important?”

He nodded and pulled my closer, “But I have to thank him for the limo.”

Somehow I figured out that he was responsible for our mode of transportation.

“I want to remove my mask already,” Jessica suddenly groaned, dropping on the next to me, “How long until then?”

I looked at the watch and patiently tapped my heel on the floor. It was almost time, just a few more minutes as Claire would have to announce the king and queen who will lead the mask removal.

“Aren’t you excited to be crowned queen?” Annabelle asked, approaching us while hand in hand with Mark.

“I’m not even sure if I’ll win,” I waved off, taking a sip of my punch.

“Nonsense,” Lillian let out, “You and Drew have been the talk of the whole school, up until now you two are still on the top news.”

“These people really don’t have any lives,” I shook my head.

Somebody cleared her throat and all eyes turned to the stage. Claire was saying that it was time to announce who won the ultimate high school royalty. She waved an envelope in her hands as she continued on her speech about how incredible the dance has turned out.

“This would be fun,” Drew muttered sarcastically, throwing an arm around my shoulder. I nodded in agreement as I watched Claire open the envelope.

“And the king is,” she showed her pearly whites in a smile as she read the name, “Drew Everett.”

“What?!” Drew gaped in shock but I joined in with the clapping.

“You won,” I squealed, giving him a push to the direction of the stage. He seemed to be still in a state of shock even when the girl placed a plastic crown on his head.

“Told you,” Jessica boasted with a smirk.

“Now for the prom queen,” Claire said, cutting off the howls and cheers, she checked the name again before finally announcing, “Celeste Graham.”

Everybody clapped and I guess now I realized what Drew felt. I stayed frozen on my spot as my best friends tried to urge me onstage.

“I won?” I asked. It was kind of farfetched.

The same girl placed a plastic tiara on top of my head, careful that she didn’t ruined my hair.

“Congratulations and I think I’ll give you two the honors to be the first one to remove their masks.”

“They’re even matching,” somebody whispered from the crowd followed by a bunch of romantic sighs.

Please tell me this is not happening.

I felt Drew’s fingers at the back of my head as he tried to untie the ribbon that was holding my mask to my face, “Don’t move too much.”

I stayed still until I felt the mask fall of and I thankfully caught it with my right hand. I turned around and noticed that Drew already removed his with a sly grin on his face.

After Claire said that it was time for the king and queen danced, the students cleared the floor like Moses was walking through. A circle that was big enough for an intimate dance was made at the center of the gym and the music started to play.

“This is going to be a hell of a compromising situation,” I mumbled under my breath but it was loud enough for Drew to hear. He chuckled lowly as we finally reached the center.

“I still can’t forget our first dance together,” he reminded me, placing his hands on my waist and I wound my arms around his neck, “I still can’t forget our first dance together,” he reminded me, “Sorry it wasn’t the dance you imagined.”

When the sun shines through my window, I always think of you.

We slowly swayed to the tune of the song. I closed my eyes as I allowed Drew to lead our dance, spinning and turning both of us around.

“My winter formal was much more than I asked for,” I told him honestly.

That was the night when the realization hit me like a ton of bricks. That was the night that I admitted that I liked Drew Everett, my complete opposite.

When I give up, and fall down, you always get me through.

It’s funny in how just a few months, these feelings grew a lot bigger.

I know that he still have some problems in his life, I’m desperate to fix it for his happiness. After all, he has done nothing but give me my own.

“Celeste, open your eyes,” he whispered to my ear. My shivered at his voice but I cracked my eyes open. I stared into his piercing green ones, the eyes that caught my attention the first time we met.

The few lines of the song played and I kept my gaze on Drew. What took me by surprise is when he sang along to the last line.

“It’s how much,” he said, resting his forehead on mine, “I love you.”

After that, the world around disappeared as he pressed his lips on mine.

---------------------------

Songs:

Lucas and Celeste: A Drop In The Ocean by Ron Pope

Drew and Celeste: Three Words by Before You Exit (on the side)

Aaaah, he freaking said it. I think I'm the one getting emotional here, my two babies are in love. Can somebody please tell me where I can get a Drew? Oh, if you're wondering who the hell is Axel, he's from my other book Hollywood's Princess, but that's not important.

Anyways, I hope you guys liked this chapter, I placed so much closure in here. I can't believe we only have two more chapter to go, I'm starting to cry.

Happy Birthday to me. It's actually tomorrow but oh well, I'll be celebrating by myself with a bunch of movies, suggest some will you?

Question: What was your first impression of this story, the summary, the cover, the first chapter and everything?

Love you guys and please vote, comment and hit me a follow.