I was having a better time than I had expected. Tyler hadn't left my side the entire evening, and though I didn't show it, I loved having his full attention.

"Do you want anything to drink?" He asked me after another slow song ended.

It took me a moment to blink myself out of the happy daze, to process his question. "Yeah, I'm pretty thirsty."

"Alright, stay here, I'll go grab us some punch."

"Thanks, " I said and he squeezed my hand as he walked over towards the refreshments table. I realized with a little shock that I missed his presence instantly and wanted him to hurry back.

The mushy person living inside me had come out tonight, giving a break to the usual candy-coated hardass.

"Talk about some sexy moves, you guys were on fire!" said a voice to my left, and I turned around to find Ash, Avi, and Neil, walking up to me.

"I didn't know you could dance, " Avi said.

"Neither did I." I laughed, and then looked at Neil. "Hey, I haven't seen Sam all evening, where is she?"

"She is too busy with her new cheerleading friends, " Neil muttered and I didn't miss the way Ash rolled her eyes at that.

"What's going on?" I asked.

"She's been hanging out with Courtney and her friends all the time, I don't like it. She's... changed, ever since she has joined the cheerleading squad," Ash muttered and I frowned.

"It's not like that!" Neil countered, defensively. "I can't expect her to hang out with my friends all the time. She is making new friends and I'm okay with that. Just like I have you guys, she needs someone too, you know?"

"Well, we considered her our friend too. We weren't hanging out with her out of the obligation that she is your girlfriend," Ash said.

"I know that..." He groaned. "Nevermind, just let it go."

Just then, Tyler returned with our drinks, he put an arm around me and kissed my cheek, passing me a cup of punch. "One glass of disgusting punch, as requested."

I scrunched up my nose and chuckled. "I don't remember asking for a disgusting punch."

"And yet, it's what we have." He grinned.

Soon, Ryan and Jace joined us too and we were all lost in one of our usual, long, absurd conversations. When Sam and Zoe joined our little party, I was surprised to find Courtney missing. I hadn't seen her all evening and that was very odd. Although, I didn't mind it one bit.

"Guess who?" I heard a soft voice from my side, and I turned around to find Courtney standing behind Tyler with her palm clamped on his eyes.

Oh, for fuck's sake.

Had I conjured her into existence with my unnecessary thoughts, somehow? And if that were the case could I un-conjure her?

She was wearing a black floor-length dress that hugged her hourglass figure perfectly, her strawberry blond hair was cascading down her back in soft waves. She looked stunning.

"You think I wouldn't recognize you, Court?" Tyler grinned, as he moved her palms away and turned to face her. She wrapped her arms around him and he returned her hug. "You look great."

The exact moment those words left his lips, was the exact moment I noticed a burning in my chest.

Maybe it's the punch. What the hell is in it anyway? I frowned and placed my cup on a table nearby.

"Thanks, so do you! So damn handsome." She placed her palms against his chest and smiled up at him.

While I stood there awkwardly, looking at this weird display of affection in the name of friendship, I could see Neil, Avi and Ash, collectively frowning and glaring daggers at the duo. When they looked at me, I gave them a small smile to assure them it was okay.

"Veronica, hey!" Courtney looked at me like she had just noticed me standing there. "You look absolutely gorgeous."

"Thank you." I smiled, wider than necessary.

She grinned, weaving her arm along with mine. "Tyler gave all of us a shock with the way he asked you to be his girlfriend, today."

"Yeah...he kinda surprised me too, " I mumbled, feeling uncomfortable. I looked at Tyler to find him already staring at me, gauging my expression and I gave him a small smile.

Before she could respond any further, Mrs. Smith walked up on the little platform, with a little mic in her hand. "Ladies and gentlemen, can I please have your attention."

The crowd fell silent and she smiled at us. "I hope you all are having a great time, I'm now going to announce the Homecoming king and queen."

Everyone cheered and got closer to the platform. I could hear the whispers of speculation go through the crowd.

"And the winner of this year's homecoming king is..." she opened a little envelope. "Tyler Crosby!"

The entire room erupted in applause and I clapped extra hard, smiling proudly at him. He grinned down at me and kissed my cheek before making his way to where Mrs. Smith was standing.

Another envelope was handed over to Mrs. Smith and she opened it. "And the winner of this year's homecoming queen is...Courtney Wilcox!"

I joined in with the applauding crowd and looked at Courtney who looked equal parts surprised and thrilled. Her friends pushed her towards the stage and she finally took a few wobbly steps ahead.

I watched her shake hands with the principal and hug Tyler, looking radiant in the spotlight. Both Tyler and Courtney accepted their crown and tiara respectively, while everyone cheered and applauded. Then he guided her down the stage to share the traditional king and queen dance.

Her arms on his shoulder and his on her waist, only a foot of air separating them. She whispered something in his ear, that made him grin at her and I looked away.

As some of my friends and other students started walking over to the dance floor again, I spotted Jace walk up to me. "Can I have this dance, gorgeous?"

"Sure." I smiled and took his hand, as he pulled me gently into his arms for a dance. I stole a quick glance at Tyler and Courtney who were conversing and dancing to the slow beat of the music.

Suddenly, I heard a chuckle and I looked up at Jace who was looking at me with an amused grin.

"What?" I muttered.

"They look good together, don't they?" His eyes moved towards them and I shrugged, not knowing how to answer his question.

"I've known them both for a long time now, and Tyler has always been an important part of Courtney's life. He was there for her when she was on the verge of losing her way and in a weird way she thinks they belong together." He moved us slowly to the beat of the music, his eyes focusing back on me.

"Losing her way? What happened to her?"

"It's not my place to answer that." He twirled me around before pulling me back into his arms. "I can't be completely certain regarding Courtney's feelings, but I know Tyler, and I know that you are very important to him. He really likes you."

"Why are you telling me all of this?" I frowned.

"Because I don't want you to be intimidated by the relationship they have. I wanted to remind you that what you and Tyler have is very real. You mean a lot to him, more than any girl ever has."

I felt a small smile growing on my face, his words warming my heart. "Thank you...for saying all that."

"Just saying the truth."

"Won't your date mind you dancing with me?" I asked, after a few seconds.

"I don't think so. She seems to be having a good time..." his eyes moved over to where Tyler and Courtney were dancing. "...with your date."

Wait. What!?

"You came here with Courtney!?" I stared at him, wide-eyed. "How did that happen?"

He stared at them for a bit too long, and I swear I could see a flash of an emotion I couldn't recognize, pass over his face, before it was gone. When he looked back at me, his expression was unreadable. "Don't read too much into it. Both of us didn't have anyone to go with, so we decided to come here, together...as friends."

"Do you like her?" The question was out before I could think it through.

He didn't answer me for a few seconds, but then eventually he sighed and said, "I used to, but not anymore. I gave up."

"Why?"

"Back then, she made it clear she was interested in Tyler, she always was. I didn't know if he felt the same for her, all I knew was that he cared about her and they had been around each other for years, so I couldn't risk it. He is my best friend and he comes before anything else. I didn't want to mess up our friendship by complicating things."

I nodded. "I understand."

"You are the only one I've ever admitted this to. So, please don't say-"

"I know, " I interrupted him. "My lips are sealed, don't worry about it."

He smiled at me. "Thanks."

When the song came to an end, I felt a familiar pair of arms wrap around my waist from behind. "Can I have my girl back?"

I twisted around to look at Tyler. He placed the plastic crown he had won, tonight, on my head and kissed my nose.

He likes me. I reminded myself. I trust him and that's all that matters.

"She's all yours, man." Jace grinned and looked at me. "I'll see you later, gorgeous."

I nodded and watched him disappear in the crowd, the weight of everything he had told me still laying heavily in my mind.

"Is everything okay?" I heard Tyler ask, pulling me out of my thoughts.

"Yeah, I'm just tired." I smiled. "It's been a long night, and these heels are killing me."

"I'm sorry about that. So I assume you don't want to go to the after-party?"

"There's an after-party!? Why don't these kids ever get tired of partying?" I groaned and he chuckled. "And no, I definitely don't want to go to the after-party. I just want to go to bed."

"Alright." He kissed the top of my head. "I'll tell the guys we're not coming."

"We? You can go if you want. Don't cancel because of me."

"If you aren't coming, then it's just another lame party for me, and I've had enough of those."

"Okay," I whispered and wrapped my arms around his neck to kiss him, trying to forget about Courtney, trying not to compare myself to her.

But God, Insecurity is like a painful slap on your self-confidence.

***

"Two cheeseburgers, one large fries, and one chocolate milkshake to share," I rattled off to Tyler.

"Coming right up." He gave me a mock salute and got out of the car to get our orders from the Cane cafe, we were currently parked in front of.

We had escaped from the party much earlier than expected and had decided to make a pit stop to grab some food and spend some time together before he dropped me back home.

Tyler had ditched his bow tie and jacket, he had rolled up his sleeves, showing off his muscular forearms, as he leaned against the cash register and I sighed, admiring him through the glass doors of the cafe, as he waited for our order inside.

Good Lord, who decided this boy could be this handsome?

Shaking my head to myself, I took off my heels and nearly moaned in pleasure. "Freedom." I sighed, wiggling my toes.

I could hear a burst of loud laughter coming from somewhere and when I looked up, I noticed someone standing across the street and I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face. The dark-rimmed glasses and the black mop of hair that was so similar to Tyler's were unmistakable even in the dim lighting of the street lights.

Julian was talking with a few other boys, and my smile faltered when I recognized one of them. Max.

What was he doing here, so late? And with Max, of all people?

Before I could contemplate what to do next, a car pulled up beside them and I watched as they all got in and sped away in the opposite direction.

I picked up my cellphone and texted Julian; "Hey, where are you?"

His reply came in within a minute; "Home. Why?"

I felt my heart sink in my chest. Why would he lie to me?

Suddenly the door to the driver's seat opened and Tyler climbed in, the delicious aroma of our food following him and my stomach growled in response.

"Here's your food ma'am, also - hey, what's that frown for?" He asked when he noticed my expression.

Suddenly, my phone pinged with another message from Julian. "Is everything okay?"

"What's going on? Is everything okay?" Tyler asked, echoing his brother's words and I smiled.

"Everything's fine. I'm sorry, just tired and hungry, " I said.

He didn't look remotely convinced with my answer but I was glad when he didn't push it and handed me the bag with our food inside. "Let's find a nice place to sit and eat, and then I'll drop you home."

"Perfect."

I took out my phone and wrote a reply to Julian's text. "Everything's fine. I just wanted to see you, but I didn't realize how late it was. Meet me tomorrow?"

His reply came in after a few minutes. "Sure."

"I'll text you the time and place, tomorrow."

As we drive through the city, I rested my head against the window and I could hear Max's words from the party ring inside my head again. "Do you trust all your friends?"

***

A/n - Thoughts?
Thank you for reading so far ❤