After the magic that was spring break, it's a bit of a harsh slap returning to school. My stress is at an all time high as I prepare for finals. Just because the school year is almost over doesn't mean there's time to slack off. In fact, these final grades are crucial. All admissions are probationary. Colleges can still rescind their offers if you slip up.

"You know it's bad when I had to fall asleep listening to an ASMR of someone reciting the entire periodic table," Vienna says as I deposit my AP Calc textbook into my locker. "If I don't pass this Chem final I will literally scream and tear my hair out."

"You think that's bad? I spent four hours last night doing practice problems based on what we learned from the entire semester. My dreams were filled with intervals, derivatives, polynomials, and theorems."

"Sometimes I wonder if school is even worth it."

The bell rings and we both head to class. On top of the stress of finals, prom is coming up. After the disaster that was winter formal, I'm reluctant to go. I even stepped back from planning it, trusting Isiah, Svetlana, and Luca will do it justice. But at the end of the day I'm still council president, and it's the last dance of my high school career. Plus Gabriel has been virtually absent from school. There are a number of rumors circulating around about his disappearance, the latest being he's doing a stint in rehab. Whatever the case may be, I hope he's getting the help he needs. I have no idea what's going on with his fathers case, nor do I have any desire to.

"You will have an hour to complete the exam," Mr. Rickley says. "When you're finished, turn your test over and sit quietly until the bell rings. Remember if I see any notes, you automatically fail. You can only use your calculator. Any questions?"

When no one says anything he starts the timer. "Okay then. You may begin."

I flip my test over and look at the first problem. It's easy enough, and I solve it relatively quickly. However the farther along I get, the harder the problems become, and soon every free inch of paper space is filled with my scratch work. I'm so paranoid I even punch in equations like two plus two into my calculator just to make sure it equals four. The annoying ticking of the clock doesn't help either. I finish the last problem just as the bell rings and students get up to turn in their test.

One exam down, four more to go.

...

When Friday rolls around, it's like a huge weight is lifted from my shoulders. Finals are finally over. All I can do now is pray I passed all my classes.

"This is cause for celebration!" Vienna exclaims. "Movies and ice cream?"

"Yeah," I pull out my phone. "Let me text Winston and see if he's busy tonight."

He's not, and we agree to meet up at his place at seven o' clock. In the meantime, Vienna comes back home with me. I quickly grab the mail and we head upstairs. While she rummages through the fridge, I glance over the letters. It's mostly just bills and other stuff addressed to my parents, but one letter has me pausing in shock.

It's from Yale, and it's addressed to me.

"You guys seriously need more un-healthy options," Vienna hip bumps the fridge closed. "I can't believe I'm about to eat yogurt as a snack. We should have gone back to my place. Danny's still at work and- Kennedy?" She notices my dumbstruck expression. "What's wrong?"

"It's a letter from Yale," I whisper. Vienna immediately dumps the yogurt on the counter and rushes to my side.

"Oh my gosh! What are you waiting for? Open it!"

I shake my head. "I can't."

"What do you mean you can't? This is what you've been waiting for!"

Suddenly fear snakes it way into my skin. "What if I got rejected?"

Vienna stares at me incredulously. "What if you-Kennedy I swear if you don't open that letter I will do it for you!" She's bouncing on the balls of her feet. "Open it, open it, open it!"

"Okay!" I finally shout. Because the occasion is so monumental, I got up to my dads office and retrieve his special silver letter opener. Vienna practically breathes down my neck as I carefully slice it open.

"Can you back up?" I snap. "Before I cut you."

"Sorry, sorry," she takes two giant steps back. I don't mean to be cross with her, but I'm on edge. When the letter is fully open I carefully flip the front flap. Inside is a piece of paper. At first glance it almost seems insignificant, but when you look closer you realize that this paper-like many others-holds the future of young and eager high school seniors.

I pull out the letter slowly, my hands shaking as I unfold it. The words seems to blur together as I read, and I can barely make sense of it. Only one sentence stands out to me.

It is our pleasure to offer you admission to Yale University for the Fall 2020 semester.

I scream.

"What?!" Vienna exclaims. "Did you get in?"

"Yes!" I shout and then we're both clutching each other, screaming our heads off while jumping up and down. I'm so excited I don't know what to do with myself. I can't believe I got in. How many people can honestly say they were accepted to their dream school on the first try?

"Now this really calls for a celebration!" Vienna cheers. "Movies, ice cream, and wine!"

I grin. "That sounds perfect."

...

Even though I'm reluctant to bring up another dance to Winston, in lieu of what happened last time I didn't, I ask anyway.

"Sure," he says, looking up from his computer. I'm perched on the edge of his desk and my eyebrows rise up in surprise.

"Really? After what happened last time?"

"Will Gabriel be there?"

"Definitely not."

"Then I don't see the problem."

I grin. It feels like everything is falling into place. I got into Yale, Winston is going with me to prom, I'm graduating soon...

"What are you smiling about?" Winston gets up and rounds the corner of his desk, coming to stand in front of me. He runs his hands up my thighs.

"Oh nothing," I reply innocently. "Just that my life is perfect," suddenly my eyes narrow. "It almost seems too good to be true."

Winston chuckles. "Maybe it's not. Don't overthink it. After all the shit we've been through we could use some good right now."

"What about you?" I trace the patterns on his tie. "Any news on the Hudson Deal?"

Winston blows out a breath. "Nearly done. Negotiations are over. I spoke with the board already and they approve. The contracts have been drawn up. All I have to do is sign."

"But..." I give him a knowing look.

"I haven't spoken with my father yet," Winston sighs. "He's going to be furious that I went behind his back."

"Listen," I start. "I know I'm the last person who should be giving you business advice. But this is your company. And you once told me that the business comes first. Yes your father will probably be pissed at first. But if what he told you is true, then eventually he'll understand and see that this is the right move, even if he's not in it."

Winston stares at me for a moment before shaking his head. "I have no idea how I got so lucky with you."

I smile and he leans in to kiss me. It starts off innocent, but soon his hands are everywhere and I feel myself growing wet.

"We don't have a lot of time," Winston murmurs, nipping at my ear. "Ten minutes tops."

"Okay," I reply breathlessly, reaching to unbuckle his belt. He shoves my skirt up and pulls my panties down before burying himself inside me. I moan and clench around him, wrapping my arms around his neck as he fucks me hard and fast.

"Oh...ohhh," I gasp when he reaches down between us to stimulate my clit. Winston pushes me down so I'm laying flat on top of the desk. He wraps one hand around my throat and leans down so his face is level with mine, still moving harshly inside me. "I want your eyes open, looking directly into mine when you come," he growls and I nod feverishly. A part of me is tempered to close them just to see what he'll do, but then he hits that spot and I fall apart right then and there, staring directly into his eyes. I cover my mouth to suppress my scream. Winston groans and pumps into me a few more times before he stills, and I feel his warm load shoot inside me.

Thankfully I'm already laying down because my entire body feels like jelly. Winston slowly eases himself out of me, and I feel some of his cum trickling down my thigh. It takes a minute, but I'm finally able to push myself up into a sitting position.

"Wait right there," Winston says, going to retrieve some napkins. He comes back and cleans me up before helping me off his desk, and I feel like a baby calf learning to walk for the first time, that's how bad my legs are shaking.

"Was it just me?" I exhale. "Or was that even more amazing than usual?"

Winston smirks. "It definitely wasn't just you."

...

The Friday before prom, Hannah, Vienna, Chloe, Tiffany, Naomi, and I sit together at lunch discussing prom royalty.

"I think it's obvious who's gonna win," Chloe says. The entire table turns to look at me.

"That's not entirely true," I argue. "Hannah and Luke could win, or even Naomi and Cole. Besides, winning would be pointless for me. Winston doesn't go here, so he couldn't be prom king."

"Technically he's already a king," Tiffany points out and everyone laughs while I roll my eyes.

"Ha ha. Very funny. But seriously, I hope you guys didn't vote for me."

"Well now that we have your blessing..." Naomi trails off. "Everyone vote for me and Cole!"

"No way," Hannah interjects. "Vote for me and Luke."

"Please. Up until a few months ago you didn't even want to give Luke a chance."

"But I did and it's turning out great so far, so what does that matter anymore?"

"I think I'll vote for Chloe and Tony," Vienna muses and Chloe chokes.

Tiffany looks thoughtful. "Actually yeah, I kind of ship it. You guys would be cute together. Plus you can't deny that you two were flirting the entire senior trip."

Chloe wrinkles her nose. "No way. You guys are imagining things. Tony is a total pig. I'd never willingly go out with him."

"That's what they all say," I tease her.

"Yeah, just fuck already," Vienna adds.

Hannah and Naomi share a look before seeming to come to some sort of conclusion. "Actually yeah, you should win," Hannah says. "Besides Tiffany, the rest of us all have boyfriends. Maybe this will bring you and Tony closer together."

Chloe shakes her head at us. "I don't know how you guys got it into your heads that Tony and I should be a thing, but whatever," she shrugs. "I'm not going to pass up the opportunity to win prom queen. Even if it is with him."

"Great!" Tiffany claps. "Now that that's all settled, let's discuss dresses. What's the theme again?"

I scrape the last bit of yogurt from its container and stick the spoon in my mouth. "A royal masquerade."

"Ooh a masquerade ball. I love that. Do you have a dress yet?"

"No," I shrug. "I'm letting Cecilia pick it out."

"Do you even care about prom this year?" Naomi asks pointedly.

I shrug again. "Actually no, not really. I'm only going because it would look bad if I didn't. I mean don't get me wrong I'm sure it will be fun, but I'm more focused on after prom."

"Ohhhh," Vienna grins. "You mean the after parties."

I give her a look. "No, I mean the four weeks left of the semester before we finally graduate."

"Oh. I'm excited for that too."

"You know Kennedy, you're really lucky," Hannah says. "I mean your life is pretty much perfect."

I frown. "No it isn't."

"Really? You're smart, pretty, rich, athletic, a natural born leader, people genuinely like you-all of us at this table included-you got into your dream college, and you have an amazing older boyfriend who isn't in high school and owns his own company. What part of your life isn't perfect?"

"Okay," I concede. "Maybe you're right. But I've been having this nagging feeling like things are too perfect. When I brought it up to Winston he said I was just overthinking."

"Because you are," Vienna replies. Chloe disagrees.

"No, Kennedy is right. If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is."

"See!" I exclaim.

Tiffany rolls her eyes. "Please. I can't imagine anything going so wrong in your life now that you couldn't fix easily. I agree with Winston and Vienna. You're overthinking it."

"Let's just focus on prom," Vienna lays a hand over mine. "Life is finally good! We deserve this last hoorah don't you think?"

I force a smile. "Yeah, you're right." But in the back of my mind Chloe's words keep replaying themselves on a sordid loop.

If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.

...

😗👀

Love G❤️