Page 73 of We're At It Again

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The gymnasium had undergone a magical metamorphosis, transforming into a celestial wonderland. An ethereal ambiance enveloped us as we entered through the wide double doors. A glossy, midnight-blue floor covered the gymnasium, reflecting the twinkling lights above as if we were dancing under a starlit sky. The acoustics of the gymnasium allowed the melody to fill every corner, bouncing off the decorated walls and ceilings, creating an immersive, auditory experience.

Hudson stood behind me, his arms wrapped around my waist. I leaned back into his muscular chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat against my back. Together, we swayed in time with the music, lost in our little world. His warm embrace made my stomach flutter. He leaned down, his breath warm against my ear.

“I’ll be right back.” He whispered, his voice a soft promise that sent shivers down my spine.

He placed a tender kiss on my temple. His lips lingered longer than necessary as if he didn’t want to leave but had to. I felt the gentle pressure of his lips before he pulled away, leaving a tingling sensation in his wake. Confusion flickered across my face as I watched him walk off. His confident stride carried him through the crowd, and I couldn’t help but feel a pang of curiosity mixed with worry. What is he up to? Maya appeared before I could dwell on it.

“You look gorgeous.” she said, pulling me into a warm embrace.

“So do you!”

We stood amid the action, twirling to show off our dresses, basking in the night's glow. Maya scoped the area.

“Where did Hudson go?”

I shrugged.

“I’m not sure. Hopefully, he isn’t getting himself into any trouble.”

She chuckled.

“This is Hudson we’re talking about. I’m surprised the room isn’t on fire yet.”

Sharing a laugh, we discussed our dresses, dates, and the magic of the evening. As we were losing ourselves in the conversation, Hudson appeared, a troublesome smile on his lips.

“What did you do?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.

“Nothing worthy of jail time.” He replied with a wink. He held out his hand to me just as a slow song played. “Dance with me?”

I took his hand, feeling the warmth and reassurance of his touch. He turned to Maya.

“You better save me a dance later.”

With that, he led me to the dance floor. We swayed together, the world fading into the background. His eyes locked with mine.

“So, do you think you’ll be prom queen?”

“Doubtful,” I said. “Honestly, I don’t care.”

He raised his eyebrow.

“Is that so?”

“It is,” I said. “A guy made me realize I don’t need something like a crown to be deemed worthy.”

His smile almost split his face in half.

“He sounds like a guy that knows what he’s talking about.”

“Sometimes,” I said with a grin. “Mostly, he’s annoying.”

He chuckled before drawing me closer. I rested my head on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart. I couldn’t help but smile when I felt his lips pressed against my head, lingering. However, Principal Quinn interrupted our moment as he took the stage, his voice echoing through the gymnasium.

“Good evening, everyone. It’s time to announce the prom king and queen!”

Everyone turned their attention to the stage. My heart skipped a beat, knowing I’d have to watch Cynthia’s ego grow even larger.

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