“Let’s go,” I say gruffly.

  Everyone walks into the sparkling venue, decorated with fairy lights and lanterns. It looks fucking awesome. The lights and the music, everyone’s having a good fucking time. Hunter and Dawson drag their dates to the dance floor; honestly, some of their dance moves should be illegal. Kirsten and Gina congregate around us but my eyes look for the girl with the wild hair and red dress. She’s escaped somewhere in this crowd.

  Fuck.

  “This place is fucking awesome!” Gina shouts over the music. Kirsten chuckles as Hunter wraps his arms around her waist.

  I scowl. “Spare us the tongue action.”

  “We’ll try,” Hunter chuckles, whispering in Kirsten’s ear.

  “I need a drink!” Madison motions to the table. She gives me an expectant look and I don’t move from my spot; if she thinks she came to the prom with a gentleman, then she’s got another thing coming. “Roman, could you -“

  “Nope,” I say bluntly. My eyes stay on the dance floor.

  “Come girl, I’ll go with you,” Kirsten offers, escaping Hunter’s hold and intertwining her arm with Madison’s. She pouts but takes the offer, walking over to the other side of the hall. Gina gives me a sharp stare.

  “Where is he?” She narrows her eyes.

  I shrug, stealing a drink from a passing student. They’re about to shout but when they see my face, they shrink and scuttle away. Just like the food chain of the school; the ruling class always wins. I take a sharp swig.

  Oh, yeah - that stuff is heavy with something that’s not punch.

  “Who?” I wince.

  “You know exactly who I’m talking about,” Gina takes a step forward. “She’s expecting him. That’s the only reason she’s here.”

  Hunter and Dawson exchange glances, silently laughing. She flashes her head to them. “What’s so funny?”

  Dawson puts his hands up. “Nothing, nothing! Don’t ask me! Roman’s the one with the answers.”

  Hunter smiles. “Yeah, we’re just the innocent, poor boys who just want to dance with their girl.”

  I withhold a snort, watching the dance floor and the way the seniors let loose, making out with their dates, screaming over the music and dancing like drunk animals. I’m searching and searching for her but where the fuck is she?

  Where the fuck is she?

  Gina tilts her head, narrowing her eyes. “You’re looking for her.”

  My eyes flash to hers. “I don’t like what you’re implying.”

  “I didn’t say anything.”

  “You didn’t have to.”

  Both of us are silent. Hunter and Dawson watch nervously before Dawson intervenes, grabbing Gina by the arm. “Come on sweetheart, let’s dance.”

  “I don’t want to,” she frowns.

  “Listen to your boyfriend,” I say, looking at the crowd.

  She doesn’t bite back with a scathing reply but I can feel the daggers plunge into my skin. They eventually walk to the dance floor, leaving me alone with Hunter. I pat his shoulder. He turns around. “Go find Kirsten.”

  He nods obediently, sauntering towards the girls. They’re lost in the conversation and it’s the perfect opportunity to escape.

  I need to find that girl.

  Walking through the crowd, I keep my eye, scanning the area. The students move out of the way the instant they latch eyes on me, afraid of receiving my temper.

  Good, they need to know where they stand.

  Who does she think she is?

  Bullying her, taunting her, making her life miserable - it’s just part of the cycle of high school. She knows that. Doesn’t she? She knows that this just the way life is and her place in it. Madison pulling her aside every morning is nothing personal.

  Fucking liar.

  Of course, it’s personal.

  You’re the one who steered Madison towards Kennedy.

  But why?

  I clear my throat, loosening my bowtie. It’s fucking hot in here. I walk around the sides, finding the nearest exit towards the gardens. The cool air hits my hot skin like a sweet relief.

  And my thoughts are still the fucking same.

  Kennedy Hinch.

  Fucking Kennedy Hinch.

  The girl who should have blended in the background. Faded into nothing more than a picture in the yearbook. That was the plan anyway until my eyes found hers on her first day. Those wide brown eyes, sad and full of something that made me want to figure her out. But she was right at the bottom of the food chain and guys like me don’t talk to girls like that.

  So I kept my head in the game. I became the breakout football star, dated the hottest chick in the school and did everything right. I made Kennedy Hinch’s life a living hell, watching as Madison pushed her around, making her feel small. I started it all and watched as the dominoes fell.

  And I was perfectly happy that way.

  Liar.

  Liar.

  You know you weren’t happy.

  “Fuck,” I breathe, taking out my phone. It’s nearly nine. I put the phone back, watching the gardens, finding the very girl who’s running in my thoughts and running far away from me.

  It should have been perfect.

  Everything was going according to what was expected of us; a football player at the top, and the social outcast right at the bottom.

  Until Kyle had to set his eyes on her.

  Ever since then, it all went to shit. I’m not stupid. I know the way his eyes follow her when she’s walking past him, the smile he gets from her.

  My hand clenches into a fist at that visual. He gets to make her fucking smile. He completely steps over the rules and decides to befriend Kennedy Hinch. He snatched everything away from me.

  My chest vibrates with anticipation, tense and constricted.

  She might be waiting for Kyle as her knight in shining armour but tonight, she’s going to get the monster.

  CHAPTER TEN

  I’ve made a mistake.

  I shouldn’t be here. Even if Kyle asked me to prom, this was a dumb idea. Riding in the car with his friends - with Madison and Roman - with the very people who actively make my life harder than it has to be - why would I do that?

  What am I thinking?

  The party’s going on behind me but I just feel out of place. Gina and Kirsten are hanging out with their dates, chatting with Madison and looking like they belong.

  Me?

  Not so much.

  I take out my phone, texting my dad. He’s surprised but tells me to have a good time. I suppose he thinks it’s good I’m finally out of the house and doing healthy things, like having friends and meeting new people instead of moping around alone in my bedroom. My fingers hover over Kyle’s name. I should call him. Text him. He said he was going. Maybe he didn’t get the memo that I’m coming?

  I start typing a response.

  Kennedy: hey where are you? I’m at prom :)

  Kennedy: I decided to join the party after all

  Kennedy: Are you coming soon?

  “Well, well,” a baritone voice drawls. “What do we have here?”

  No.

  Not now.

  Roman saunters from the party hall, his walk casual and confident. His eyes travel over my face with mirth and amusement; a signature combination of his features. I tuck my phone away in my purse, turning in his direction.

  “Nothing.”

  “Doesn’t look like nothing,” he muses.

  “I’m waiting for -“

  “Kyle,” Roman interjects. His smirk becomes wider. “Right?”

  I don’t reply because I honestly don’t like the way this conversation is going, the way he talks to me as though he knows something I don’t; this whole evening has felt like that. That everyone around me knows something that’s right behind me, ready to pull the rug out from under my feet. I’m just on this constant precipice, waiting for someone to draw the curtains and spill out my embarrassing secrets for everyone to see.

  That’s always what it feels like.

  A constant waiting game.

  “You know,” he takes a step closer and I force myself to stay rooted to the spot. I’m pretty sure this jock can smell fear from a mile away. “I did warn you.”

  Shit.

  What?

  “What - what are you talking about?” I take a step back.

  “I warned you not to get involved with Kyle, I warned you not to come near our group,” he lifts his brow. “Didn’t I?”

  Our previous conversation flashes back like a painful, repressed memory.

  “I remember,” I say.

  “But you didn’t listen,” he notes.

  “You told me what to do but I don’t have to listen to a word you say,” I force myself to say. I’m surprised as much as he is by my boldness but I’m glad I said it. I’m glad I’m not becoming the doormat they’re used to.

  He narrows his eyes. “No, you don’t listen. Even after Gina warned you to stay away from prom.”

  My stomach drops. “How -“

  “Because I was the one who told her to warn you,” he says seriously, all humor disappears from his tense face.

  He told Gina to warn me?

  But why?

  “Why?” I croak.

  None of this feels good and it’s getting worse, that feeling of dread. The waiting game. It’s ticking and it’s stretching my nerves to the brink.

  Roman stands tall, watching me with a blank stare. Devoid of anything real.

  “To test you. To see if you’d actually listen to my fucking advice but you didn’t and now, you decided this was the time to be a brave girl. It’s cute but don’t say I didn’t try to help you,” he rasps.

  “Anything you do is always to make me miserable, not for my benefit.”

  “True but I’m not totally heartless. At the very least I gave you a warning.”

  “A warning for what?”

  He smirks, not answering my question. Roman shifts, tilting his head. “You’re waiting for Kyle,” he looks up at the sky. He blinks slowly before meeting my confused stare. “He’s not coming.”

  My eyebrows knit together. “He said he would.”

  “He isn’t coming, Hinch.”

  “You’re lying.”

  Roman purses his lips, shrugging. “As soon as someone told him you weren’t worth the time, the effort, he eventually ducked out. I told him not to bother. That he’s better off not seeing you.”

  “He wouldn’t do that. He wouldn’t...just leave me here.”

  “You don’t know my friend,” he gives me an empty smile. “You might be buddies all of sudden but I’ve known Kyle for a lot longer than you have. Trust me when I say, he’s not here. And he’s not coming.”

  My mouth feels dry. “So…why am I here then?”

  Roman’s eyes flash dangerously. “For my amusement.”

  I can’t stand to be here for a second longer. I start to walk quickly around Roman but his hand catches my arm, pulling me back.

  Our eyes lock together.

  “Let me go.” I say carefully.

  My voice trembles in anger, desperation but most of all, humiliation. He pulls me even closer to the point where I can hear his breathing.

  He leans forward, his mouth inches from my ear. “What did you think was going to happen?”

  His grip tightens and I wince, tugging and struggling in his hold. “You’re hurting me - ”

  His warm breath tickles my skin, rocketing a crash of goosebumps down my spine. A faint scent of spicy cologne and peppermint overwhelms my senses. Roman doesn’t let go but he loosens his grip, still keeping me in his cage.

  “Did you think you’d fall happily in love? That he’d fall for someone like you?” He almost sighs. His mouth makes contact with my jaw. His lips brush over my skin ever so faintly that I recoil harshly at the feather light touch. “You should have stayed in your place, Kennedy. Falling for a guy out of your league is fucking stupid.”

  Fight or flight mode.

  I have to choose one now.

  I push my foot down on his shoe, shoving the high heel hard.

  He exclaims in bewilderment, wincing tightly before he manages to loosen his grip on my arm.

  I use the chance to run.

  Get out of there, Ken.

  Get out of there NOW.

  I’m not running fast enough. How the fuck do you run in heels anyway? I run into the venue, moving between the couples dancing and a group of girls, who send a weird stare my way but I just want to crawl back into my bed.

  My stomach flips.

  I pray to God I don’t puke.

  I’m just about to make it to the exit when Gina grabs my arm.

  “Hey, hey, hey, what’s wrong?” She says quickly.

  “Stop,” I remove her hand. “I already know Roman put you up to this -“

  Her face drops. “Look, Kennedy, I’m sorry if my friends were being rude. I thought I was doing the right thing -”

  “The right thing? The right thing in telling me to stay away from prom and then dress me up for it, telling me that Kyle wants to see me when you guys told him not to come!” I say incredulously.

  Her expression falls, her eyebrows knit together in confusion. “What are you talking about?”

  “You heard me -“

  “What you mean ‘we told Kyle not to come’?” She says seriously, grabbing my arm.

  She looks genuinely confused and it’s not what I expected. Gina could be bluffing but something tells me she isn’t. I exhale sharply. “Roman told me that he brought me here, telling you to warn me, then telling you to bring me after all while telling Kyle not to come. And lo and behold, Kyle’s not here. Roman’s made a fool out of me and fucked with my head. Exactly as he planned out.”

  Gina’s frown doesn’t simmer away. Her mind is clicking away, trying to work out something. She releases my arm. “He shouldn’t have done that.”

  “What are you talking about?” I murmur.

  Her concerned gaze meets mine. “I think he’s -“

  I’m about to ask her what’s going on but an announcement interrupts us. Mr Smith taps the microphone, clearing his throat.

  “Welcome students, I trust you’re all having a good time,” he says.

  A lot of the students murmur loudly, anxious to return back to the dancing. Someone heckles in the corner, telling him to hurry up. Principal Carmichael joins the stage, a stern look on his face. He leans down to the mic.

  “Behave, Eric, you’re treading on thin ice, mister,” he points to the audience. Eric the Heckler stays quiet begrudgingly.

  Carmichael nods to Mr Smith.

  “Anyway, I won’t keep you from your fun. The votes have been counted and we have your new Mountford Prom King and Queen,” he exclaims. The crowd cheers, a few whoops from the jocks as they laugh over their drinks. The girls gather excitedly around Madison, expectant of the outcome. It always goes to Madison Miller. Why wouldn’t it?

  And one guess who will be this year’s Prom King. It’s no surprise. It’s anyone of the jocks, right? Well, it’s not that simple. Unless you’re on the same level as Roman Johnson, your chances are pretty slim; he’s the star player, the prized pupil.

  “I don’t want to stick around for this,” I say.

  Gina holds my arm still, not letting go. “Wait, just wait a second. I’ll go with you. I owe you a ride at least.”

  She gives me a sympathetic look and I would have rejected the pity but honestly, she seems sorry and I don’t have enough venom inside me to be a bitch about it. I nod gratefully, eager to leave. As we both make our way out of here, sifting through the crowd, the announcement continues in the background.

  “I’m very pleased to announce this year’s Prom King is none other than…” Mr Smith pauses, looking at his envelope. “No surprises here, Roman Johnson!”

  The crowd screams wildly. The girls shriek excitedly, Madison clapping as she shouts adoration for her boyfriend. The noise is overwhelming, hurting my ear drums a little but I’m just focusing on getting out.

  Gina pulls my hand through a tight spot in the crowd and I smile gratefully. “Thanks! I thought I was going to suffocate.”

  She shrugs. “It’s the herd mentality. Come on, let’s get you home.” She puts her arm through mine and we both are a couple of metres away from the exit.

  “It is my pleasure to be here,” Roman echoes in the distance. “And it is equally my pleasure to announce this year’s Prom Queen is…Kennedy Hinch.”

  Everything happens in slow motion.

  I feel the wave of stares pummel towards my direction, freezing us in our tracks.

  Gina stills, her horrified gaze turning to face the stage before it settles onto me. A light of recognition clicks in her eyes before her expression tightens.

  “That fucker,” she hisses under her breath.

  “Come on up, Kennedy!” Mr Smith calls over the microphone.

  Nobody cheers. There are some faint scatters of applause with a ton of confused faces; Madison doesn’t even have the energy to muster an angry sneer - she’s bewildered at the sight. Kirsten’s expression is pale, her frown etched deeply. My feet don’t move. I can barely get my breathing even.

  So this was his plan?

  Is this what he wanted?

  “Um, Kennedy? Would you like to come up here?” Mr Smith mutters awkwardly, looking between Carmichael and me.

  I could run.

  I could pretend none of this happening.

  But then, I’m tired of being a coward.

  I’m tired of being the victim of these stupid mind games.

  I have to stand tall.

  Inhaling sharply, I move towards the stage, sifting through the crowd. They separate, making space as I walk through.

  “It must be rigged,” someone whispers.

  “There’s no way -“

  “This is a prank -“

  “Gotta be -“

  My stomach is tight with anxiety, twisting and turning. My heart is thumping wildly. Any second now, I’m expecting it to crash out of my ribcage and pummel to the floor in embarrassment. Swallowing deeply, I raise my head up high and smile tightly as Mr Smith puts a sash over my dress. Roman interrupts, taking the crown from Mr Smith.

  “Allow me,” he smiles charmingly. Mr Smith nods in approval at the gentlemanly gesture. I want to scream in disgust. But I hold it.