Chapter 77: After the Dance
(Jay Jay's POV)
The music didn't stop.
But something shifted.
It always does after the first dance.
The tension breaks.
The games start fading.
And everything becomes…
a little more real.
Keifer's hand was still on my waist.
Warm.
Firm.
Like he wasn't planning to let go anytime soon.
Jay:
"You're still holding me."
Keifer:
"I know."
Jay:
"You can let go."
Keifer looked down at me.
Keifer:
"I don't want to."
My heart did that stupid thing again.
Jay:
"…clingy."
Keifer smirked.
Keifer:
"Only with you."
I rolled my eyes.
But didn't move away.
Because honestly?
I liked it.
Around us—
Everyone was in their own little world.
Mica and Calix were talking softly, smiling like nothing else mattered.
Grace and Denzel were… surprisingly calm.
Rakhi and Ci N were arguing mid-dance.
Ella was laughing while Aries spun her gently.
Freya and Edrix?
That was interesting.
Freya looked… less cold.
Still composed.
But not as distant.
And Edrix?
He looked like he had just won the lottery.
Jay (whispering):
"Look at them."
Keifer followed my gaze.
Keifer:
"Edrix is gone."
Jay:
"He's in love."
Keifer:
"He's finished."
I laughed softly.
Then—
The song ended.
And just like that—
The crowd shifted again.
Faster music.
Louder.
More chaotic.
Felix immediately jumped into the center.
Felix:
"LET'S GO!"
Blaster joined him.
Blaster:
"THIS IS MY MOMENT!"
Ci N dramatically followed.
Ci N:
"CHAOS ACTIVATED!"
Rakhi groaned.
Rakhi:
"Embarrassing."
Grace smirked.
Grace:
"This is why we don't claim them."
Ella laughed.
Ella:
"I love this."
Mica smiled softly.
Mica:
"They're having fun."
Keifer looked at me.
Keifer:
"Dance?"
Jay:
"You just danced."
Keifer:
"I can do it again."
Jay:
"You're obsessed."
Keifer leaned closer slightly.
Keifer:
"Very."
I sighed dramatically.
Jay:
"Fine."
And then—
We joined the chaos.
(Keifer's POV)
She wasn't holding back anymore.
That was the difference.
Earlier—
She was calm.
Controlled.
Playing the game.
Now?
She was laughing.
Moving freely.
Completely herself.
And it was dangerous.
Because every time she laughed—
I forgot everything else.
Felix bumped into me.
Felix:
"YOU'RE SMILING LIKE AN IDIOT!"
Keifer:
"Shut up."
Blaster yelled from behind.
Blaster:
"HE'S IN LOVE!"
Ci N pointed dramatically.
Ci N:
"CONFIRMED!"
Jay laughed beside me.
Jay:
"They're not wrong."
I looked at her.
Keifer:
"I know."
She froze for a second.
Then looked away.
And smiled.
(Jay Jay's POV)
Time passed too fast.
One song.
Then another.
Then another.
Until—
The lights dimmed again.
And someone walked onto the stage.
"Attention everyone—"
The crowd slowly quieted.
"Time for Prom King and Queen."
The entire hall erupted.
Ella grabbed my arm.
Ella:
"Oh my god!"
Mica smiled softly.
Mica:
"This is exciting."
Rakhi crossed her arms.
Rakhi:
"This is unnecessary."
Grace smirked.
Grace:
"Watch it be you."
Jay:
"No way."
Freya tilted her head.
Freya:
"Actually…"
I blinked.
Jay:
"No."
The host continued.
"Nominees for Prom Queen—"
Names started getting called.
Then—
"Jay Jay—"
I froze.
Ella screamed.
Ella:
"I KNEW IT!"
Mica clapped.
Mica:
"Jay!"
Rakhi smirked.
Rakhi:
"Told you."
Grace nodded.
Grace:
"Obviously."
Freya crossed her arms.
Freya:
"Expected."
I looked at Keifer.
Jay:
"…don't say anything."
Keifer smirked.
Keifer:
"I'm not saying anything."
He leaned closer.
Keifer (whispering):
"You're winning."
Jay:
"Shut up."
Then—
"Prom King nominees—"
More names.
Then—
"Mark Keifer Watson—"
The boys lost it.
Felix:
"THAT'S YOU!"
Blaster:
"YOU'RE DONE!"
Ci N:
"ROYALTY!"
I looked at him.
Jay:
"…of course."
Keifer smirked.
Keifer:
"You love it."
Jay:
"…unfortunately."
The host smiled.
"And now…"
The entire hall went silent.
"The Prom Queen is—"
My heart started racing.
"And the Prom King is—"
I grabbed Keifer's hand without thinking.
Jay:
"…this is stupid."
Keifer squeezed my hand.
Keifer:
"You're nervous."
Jay:
"I'm not nervous."
Keifer:
"You are."
I glared at him.
Then—
"Jay Jay—Prom Queen!"
Everything exploded.
Ella screamed.
Mica clapped.
Rakhi smirked.
Grace nodded.
Freya looked satisfied.
I froze.
Jay:
"…what."
Then—
"Mark Keifer Watson—Prom King!"
The boys went insane.
Felix:
"OF COURSE!"
Blaster:
"POWER COUPLE!"
Ci N:
"LEGENDS!"
Keifer looked at me.
I looked at him.
And we both started laughing.
(Keifer's POV — Ending)
We walked to the stage together.
Side by side.
Like it was meant to be.
Crowns placed.
Cheers everywhere.
But I didn't hear any of it.
Because I was looking at her.
And she looked back.
Smiling.
Jay:
"This is ridiculous."
Keifer:
"Yeah."
Pause.
Keifer:
"I like it."
She laughed.
And in that moment—
With the lights on us.
With everyone watching.
With chaos all around—
It felt simple.
Just her.
Just us.
And honestly?
I wouldn't trade that for anything.