I stared at the mirror, and the mirror stared back with judgment. Tephnine had someone hand deliver the tie she promised. The tie was a shimmering shade of gold and right now, it was winning. I had tried three different YouTube tutorials, but unfortunately my 'processing speed' apparently didn't apply to silk fabric. Currently, it looked less like a Windsor knot and more like I was trying to premeditate my own strangulation. It was that bad.
Why didn't she just get me a bow tie?. Does she intend for me to choke?. Mahnnn I'd rather play Starfield over and over than deal with this shit.
Honestly speaking, fuck this shit. I'm done. Barry, Justin and Kayode had already left in a flurry of cologne and smiles, leaving me behind to battle this inanimate snake. Then, the door clicked.
Angelic voice: You know, for someone who can dictate a game and make three pointer in his sleep, you look remarkably defeated by a piece of cloth.
I immediately froze. I didn't even turn around at first. I didn't need to. The scent of vanilla and something expensive hit me before her voice did. I slowly turned, and for the first time in my life, my brain actually stalled. Tephnine.
She wasn't just 'Prom pretty'. She was a glitch in the system. She was wearing a dress that seemed to catch every dim light in my dorm room, and as she walked toward me, the air felt thinner.
Tephnine: Close your mouth babe. (Smirking) You're drooling on the tie.
Me: I.... was just thinking of how I struck gold when others mine bronze.
Tephnine: hmm, (smiling) my player, always have his way with words.
Me: I'm not a playerrrr
Tephnine: (whispering) Liars go to hell my wonder kid
Walking close to me, She reached up, her fingers cool against my neck as she untangled my mess of a knot. She moved with a terrifying grace, her eyes focused on my collar. Up close, I could see she was wearing gold earrings a perfect, intentional match to the single gold star on my lapel.
Tephnine: There. Now you look like a Top 3 Omega instead of a lost toddler.
Me: Thanks, what would I do without you?.
Tephnine: nothing.
Me: (pulling her close) I know. I'm nothing without you.
With that I went for the most passionate kiss I've ever had in my existence. The next minute was nothing but man and his lover being in love.
Me: (breaking the kiss) sooo..... I got you this.
Tephnine: a corsage?.
Me: yeah. I heard it's an official way of showing we're couples. (Wearing it on her left wrist) Jensen said it's something of a tradition in prom.
Tephnine: yes.... I just never expected you to do that. I thought this would be one of those things you'll see as a hassle.
Me: ohh. It definitely was. But this is a hassle I'd gladly go through. So shouldn't I be getting a Boutonniere?.
Tephnine: yeah, yeah you should. I left it in my room.
Me: that translate to... you didn't get it
Tephnine: (chuckling) I did. I just don't know where I left it
Me: well (kissing her), it doesn't (kissing her) matter. You being here with me is more than enough. So can we go now?. I rented a car.
Tephnine: you did?. Why?.
Me: cause the hall is way too far from here and we aren't trekking, I know for sure I'm not.
Tephnine: (laughing) what I mean is, dad already hooked me up with a ride. You shouldn't have bothered.
Me: but I'm the guy, bothering is my duty in the relationship.
Tephnine: I know. But this is your first prom experience. I want it to be perfect for you.
Me: but I already paid, in full. Not using it would be a waste.
Tephnine: then reschedule
Me: I don't think they do that
Tephnine: they will.
Me: (sighing) fine. You win ma'am.
Tephnine: I always do. (Grabbing my hand) Now let's hurry up, my father's driver doesn't like to be kept waiting.
Me: yeah yeah.
We stepped outside, and sitting there, silently like a predator, was a 2018 S-Class. In the moonlight, the black paint looked like liquid glass. This wasn't just a ride, it was a statement. Now for the people who aren't really into mercedes Benz, this class are meant for strictly the exotic. This would make the school news if I pulled up in this
me: A Benz?
Tephnine: (sighing even though she's obviously enjoying this) My father's idea of a modest entrance.
Me: uhmmm... Maybe we just stick to the car I rented?.
Tephnine: no. Get in.
Me: babe, as soon as we land in this, flashes would go off.
Tephnine: duhh, yes of course. Isn't that the whole idea of prom?.
Me: thought it was for dancing
Tephnine: oh my poor larva. Sit back and relax. Let me take over from here. Remember, I want to make this day memorable for you.
Now, for those of you wondering why we need a car to get to the hall. Starling strike is huge, what do I mean by huge?. It was built on roughly 90 to 100 acres of land. Now this is just my estimate, it might even be more. We have everything, a football field, a basketball court, a grand hall, our own private hospital, we have literally everything you can think of. The journey to the hall was quiet, just Tephnine and I staring at each other, and exchanging kisses at random. Infact, I ended up applying lip gloss without even knowing I did, if you catch my drift. Even with the Biturbo V8 engine, it still took us about five minutes to get to the hall.
As the car pulled away toward the Grand Hall, I looked out the window. This was it. The transition from the dorm to the cameras.
The car slowed to a crawl. Outside, the world was a blur of neon lights and clicking shutters. They had a red carpet down for heaven sake, this is literally Emmy Award level of presentation. I caught my reflection in the tinted window and smiled. My lips were shimmering not from the excessive flashes, but from the aggressive amount of Fenty gloss I'd just inherited from Tephnine.
Me: Teph, my lips are literally glowing. (rubbing my mouth with the back of my hand) I look like I'm practicing makeup.
This angel of mine just laughed, brought out a handkerchief and wiped the corners of my lips.
Tephnine: Relax, babe. It makes you look like you indeed belong to me. Besides... (whispering to me as the driver reached for the door handle), let's give the news club something to write about.
The door swung open. The cool night air hit us, followed by the first blinding wave of flashes. I wasn't ready, but she was. She stepped out first, her hand in mine, leaving the school to wonder why I was wearing a smirk that tasted like strawberries. Fucking hell, I sounded so poetic there.
I took a breath, adjusted my gold tie one last time. The noise was instant, shouting, camera shutters clicking like rapid gunfire, and the murmur of hundreds of students lined up behind the velvet ropes.
Tephnine took my hand, her fingers locking with mine. She didn't even look nervous, she looked like she owned the pavement.
Me: You weren't kidding about the news club. I think I'll go blind before we even get in
Tephnine: (Leaning into my shoulder, smiling for a camera) Just keep walking, babe. You look too good to hide.
Me: (smiling) It's the braids, isn't it?
Tephnine: It's the whole package. Now stop squinting, you'll ruin the shots.
We moved down the carpet, and I could hear the live-streamers nearby narrating our every step.
Live streamer 1: Isn't that Keima?. We call him our wonder kid cause he has a thing for pulling attention to himself. He just pulled up in a Benz.
Live streamer 2: Who cares?. Look at Tephnine. She looks like she just stepped off a runway.
Live streamer 3: some bastards were just born lucky.
I feel you guys, some bastards were Indeed born lucky. Wait what the fuck, were they talking about me?. Leaving that aside, about halfway to the entrance, I saw two familiar figures standing by the 'Starling Prom 20**' backdrop. Jensen was looking sharp in a midnight blue suit, a girl in a sleek red dress clinging to his arm. She definitely looked like a senior. Jace was next to them, looking like he wanted to be anywhere else, but his suit was tailored to perfection. With his own girl of course.
Jensen: (Whistling low) Took you long enough. I thought you were trekking from the dorms after all.
Me: your sister would have killed me. So who's your friend, Jensen?
Jensen: (Smirking at his date) This is Sarah. She's a second year. I promised to make tonight the best night she's ever experienced.
Sarah: (Giggling) who knew Jensen was actually a lot more talkative than he looks on the court.
Jace: no one. (Nodding at me) Nice braids, Kei. You actually look like a superstar for once.
Me: High praise coming from a guy who usually wears his jersey to sleep.
Jace: typical you. Reply my compliments with shots. You who fear a comb.
Me: ouch.
Tephnine: (To Sarah) You'll have to excuse them, Sarah. They can't go five minutes without taking stupid childish shots at each other.
Jensen: Can you blame us?. Look at the crowd. Half of them are here to see the 'Unholy Trinity' dominate the red carpet.
Tephnine: are you really sure?.
While Jensen and Tephnine began going to and fro, the flashes got more aggressive. A group of student photographers started crowding us, trying to get a shot of me and Tephnine together with the guys. The light was bouncing off the white marble steps, and my eyes were starting to water.
Me: (Blinking hard) Alright, this is getting ridiculous. I can't see shit no more.
Tephnine: (Reaching into her purse) I figured you'd hit your limit. Hold still.
She pulled out a pair of dark, expensive looking shades and slid them onto my face. The world finally dimmed into a cool gray.
Me: (Sighing in relief) You're a lifesaver.
Tephnine: I know. Now, let's give them something to actually talk about.
Me: what're you talking abo---
She didn't wait for an answer. She just grabbed the lapels of my jacket, pulled me down, and pressed her lips to mine. She fucking used my pattern against me. The world turned into a solid sheet of white as every camera on the carpet went off at the exact same time. She definitely wanted to give the gossip crew a gist that'll last for ages
Jace: (In the background) Well, there goes the school's internet server.
Jensen: it's going to be doing a lot of crashing.
Tephnine: (Breaking the kiss, whispering) Now we can go in.
Me: Yeah yeah. Lead the way.
The massive oak doors of the Grand Hall swung open, and the transition was jarring. The outside was a riot of noise and flashes, but the inside was a heavy, golden silence, broken only by the hum of the air conditioning and the distant beat of the DJ's speakers.
We walked in as a unit. Jensen and Jace flanked me, their dates matching our pace. I still had the shades on, looking at the world through a dark gray tint.
Me: (Quietly) It smells like oppression in here. It's annoying.
Tephnine: (Gently squeezing my arm) That's just the smell of people trying too hard.
As we hit the main floor on our way up a stair that led to the floor Jensen claimed were reserved for VIPs, i.e the streaks, and of course the West's. A Streak accompanied by two Gammas moved to block the path. The guy in the middle, Andrew, was tall, wearing a white tuxedo that looked like it cost more than the average person's tuition. And oh yeah, he was a senior, in his third year. He didn't look at me or Jace. He looked straight at Jensen.
Andrew: Jensen. Good to see you. I was beginning to think your father had finally come to his senses and banned first years from the main event.
Jensen: (Stopping dead, his voice cold) Careful, Andrew. My father owns the ground you're standing on. If I were you, I'd be more worried about why a Streak spent three hours on his hair just to get ignored by every girl in the room.
Andrew: (His jaw tightening) Status doesn't buy taste, Jensen. But since you brought up your father's 'investment,' maybe your Omega friend can help us with a little dilemma we were having in the lounge.
He finally turned his eyes toward me, looking at my 3-star pin like it was a smudge of dirt. At this point I was already starving so I honestly couldn't give two fucks.
Andrew: See, we were looking at the floor plan for the new athletic wing. There are two main hallways, and each one needs to be painted. If three painters can paint three rooms in three hours, how long does it take one hundred painters to paint one hundred rooms?
The Gammas behind him started snickering, looking at each other like they'd just asked me to solve quantum physics. They were already over calculating the ratios in their heads, trying to look smart. Are these guys just dumb?. Isn't the answer to this question obvious?, like it's just there.
Tephnine: Andrew, don't be a prick. (Whispering) Let's go, Kei.
I didn't move. I just looked at Andrew through the dark lenses. To a 5-star who spends his life trying to look elite, everything has to be a complex formula.
Me: Three hours.
The snickering stopped. Andrew blinked, his brow furrowed.
Andrew: What?. No, think about it. You have to account for the scale of the labor force and the---
Me: It's three hours, Andrew. If one painter takes three hours for one room, it doesn't matter if you have a thousand of them doing a thousand rooms at the same time. It's still three hours. It's common sense, not a calculus final. Don't be a dumb fool.
Jensen: (Laughing loudly, patting my shoulder) See?. This is why we let him handle the ball. He doesn't overthink the simple stuff like you do, Andrew. Now, out of the way. We're headed to the VIP section.
Andrew: (Flushing red) The VIP area is for—
Jensen: (Interrupting, leaning in close) --It's for whoever I say it's for. My name is on the deed, remember?. Move.
Mahnnnn, this is the Jensen I fell in love with, this is the Jensen I made my rival, not the talkative friendly guy he's become. Jensen didn't even wait for Andrew to respond. He stepped forward, forcing the group of 'idiots' to part like a wave. We walked right through the middle of them.
Jace: (Muttering as we passed) That was painful to watch. How do you get to streak without knowing how a clock works?.
Me: They're too busy being called the elites to know common sense.
Tephnine: (Beaming at me) You're a jerk, you know that?
Me: (Adjusting my shades) awwn, come on babe. I'm blushing.
Tephnine: (laughing) I so love you
Me: I know you do. Now who's hungry cause I am. Where's the buffet?
About Ten Minutes On******
We settled into the VIP lounge, the kind of place where the air felt five degrees cooler than the rest of the hall. I leaned back, watching the crowd below through my shades. My eyes kept drifting back to Andrew. Even from a distance, I could see the way he carried himself, like a king who'd been exiled but was still wearing the crown.
Me: So, are we going to talk about it?. Or am I supposed to pretend that Andrew isn't currently trying to set my jacket on fire with his eyes?
Tephnine: (Sighing, swirling the ice in her drink) I told you to ignore him, babe. He's just being dramatic.
Me: It's not just dramatic. I've been watching him for over five minutes. Every time he looks at the both of you, his posture shifts three degrees. That's not just normal beef, that's something that goes deeper. What happened between you guys?.
Jensen: (His voice went unusually quiet, his usual cockiness replaced by something heavier) nothing goes past your eyes
Me: you should know that by now
Jensen: (sighing) We have history. Andrew was the captain when I was just a rookie. I used to follow him around like a shadow. He was someone I looked up to, someone I saw as a an elder brother. He even was the one who taught me how to actually read a defensive screen.
Me: (Turning to Jensen) so, What happened?
Jensen: Coach John happened. When he took over, he didn't care about seniority. He looked at the Year 2 set, Andrew's set, and told them they didn't have the speed for his system. He cut the whole group and rebuilt the team around us. Then he handed me Andrew's captain patch.
Jace: (Nodding) It got ugly. Andrew, his set and the year 3s at that time were made to quit basketball that same week. He switched to football and became the star striker for the soccer team. He's probably the most famous Year 3 in the school right now, but he never forgave Jensen for taking the team.
Me: So, the captain gets replaced by his 'little brother.' That's a hell of a way to start a war.
Tephnine: (Placing her hand on mine) And it didn't help that we used to date.
Me: you did?.
Tephnine: yeah. But I just couldn't handle his pride. So I had to end things with him.
Me: that's a lot to take in
Tephnine: this is why I really didn't wanna bring it up. I didn't want to ruin this night for you, for us.
Me: who says you did?. You'll never ruin anything for me babe.
Tephnine: you're sure?.
Me: yes. I'm sure
Jensen: okay love birds. That's enough, our real athlete is looking at us with scorn.
Me: (Smirking) Real athlete?. I guess scoring goals on grass is easier than hitting threes under pressure.
Jensen: Don't underestimate him, Kei. Andrew is a Year 3 Streak. He's got the whole senior class in his pocket. Have you ever heard of any streak doing well outside of academics?. He's that good.
Me: damn. Careful with that level of dickriding. You might end up breaking his junk.
Jensen: you make hating you so easy
Me: (laughing) I know.
The next twenty minutes were spent on us just laughing away, eating and drinking. Of course our enemies kept throwing dangerous looking glares at us. But we didn't care.
Right then, the music slowed down, and the lights shifted to a deep, royal purple. The head teacher stepped onto the stage, holding two gold leaf envelopes.
Head teacher: And now, for the moment you've all been waiting for. Your 20** Prom King and Queen...
The crowd went silent. I felt Tephnine's hand tighten on mine.
Head Teacher: Our Prom King... Andrew Vance!.
The room erupted. The Year 3s went absolutely mental. One thing is for sure, Jensen wasn't kidding when he said he was famous. Andrew stood up from a table across the mezzanine, buttoning his white blazer. He didn't look happy, he looked vindicated. He went down and walked toward the stage with the stride of a man who was reclaiming his territory.
Head Teacher: And our Prom Queen... Tephnine West.
I felt a jolt of electricity go through the room. Tephnine looked at me, her eyes wide. Trust me I hated that. But there are times where you don't show certain emotions. Tephnine just beat the year 2s and 3s to win the prom queen. That was a feat in itself.
Me: (Adjusting my shades) Well, look at that. The King and MY Queen.
Tephnine: (Whispering) babe, I don't want to go down there with him.
Me: You have to. It's the norms, right?. Go get your crown, Queen. I'll be right here.
Tephnine: okay babe. Wait for me.
As Tephnine walked down toward the stage, I saw her look nervous for the first time in a long time. Again, I hate this. I watched Andrew take Tephnine's hand on the stage. He looked directly at our table, directly at me and Jensen, and gave a slow, deliberate nod. That fucking prick. I hope he trips and break a jaw or something. Wait, that's too dark. Just break something. The DJ switched to a slow song, and every one gave space for the first dance to take place. Lemme cap this well.
DJ: ladies and gentlemen, now welcoming your prom king... Andrew Vance!!!.
This was where his popularity played a huge part cause the school went nuts for him. Cheers from every corner of the hall.
DJ: and also welcome our prom Queen, his Queen..... Tephnine West.
Again with the loud cheers, and what the fuck does he mean by his queen. I pray the DJ also trip and break something, anything.
DJ: they'll be taking the first dance, and I'll indicate when it's time for the rest of you to join in. Let's get this on the way.
Not to sound too dramatic but I hated this, I hated every single fucking second of it. I hated it with every single fibre of my bones. Andrew had his hands on her waist and retained a eye contact with Tephnine, and trust the dumbass crowd to eat it up. I honestly expected Tephnine to decline the dance, but I heard it's something that's compulsory, so whatever I guess.
Sexy voice: that must be painful to watch
Me: (turning back) yeah... And hi..... I don't think we've met before.
Sexy voice: that's cause we haven't. Bianca Roxanne. Second year Gamma.
Me: keima Ibeh, first year omega.
Bianca: oh wonder kid. A lot of us know who you are.
Me: you have no idea what that's doing to my ego right now.
Bianca: (chuckling) so the rumours are true. You are.... Funny.
Me: I mean, it hurts to be known as a clown. But what works, works, right?.
Bianca: whatever that means. See you around.
Me: What's the haste?.
Bianca: I saw you looking dead inside so I decided to come cheer you up, the royalties are about to round up. The last thing we need is to make your girlfriend think something else right?.
Me: right. Wanna at least exchange snap id?.
Bianca: yeah sure.
That we did, and almost immediately after she left.
Jace: (sighs) what can I do with you ?.
Jensen: let the boy breath.
Me: geez, you're all kids. Get ready to go downstairs. The main dance is about to kickoff
Jensen: nice way to switch up the topic
Jace: I know right?.