Page 380 of Filthy Elites

He shakes his head, holding onto my hand for a few seconds longer before letting me pull away.

I make my way through the crowd alone, smiling and offering a “thanks,” in passing to three different people who stop to congratulate me on my win. Not that it was remotely a surprise. Juniors can attend, but only seniors can win prom king or queen at Baymont High, and Dare had no competition. My crown was earned by the simple virtue of being his.

After rumors spread all over the school about the crazy shit he may have been responsible for this year, the other nominees dropped out to avoid the possibility of landing on his bad side, so we don’t even have a prom court.

It’s a hollow win, but it doesn’t matter much, anyway. High school is all but over, and it never meant much to me.

The prom theme this year isThe Wizard of Oz,so I have to make my way through the emerald city to get to the drinks and snacks. There’s no one else at the table when I get to it. I glance at the assortment of themed snacks, but only grab a see-through cup off the green sequined table. I reach for the ladle floating around in the punch bowl.

Before I can grab it, someone grabs my wrist.

I turn, startled.

My heart lightens when I see a familiar face I haven’t seen in far too long.

“Hannah!”

She smiles back mischievously. “Hey. I can’t believe Dare finally left your side. I’ve been waiting for an opening all night.”

I chuckle, but glance over my shoulder just to make sure he isn’t watching. I don’t see him anywhere, so I turn my attention back to her.

“Wow, you look amazing,” I tell her. She’s wearing a red sequined dress that hugs her curves with her long blonde hair curled and pulled over one shoulder. Her lips are painted red to match the dress. “You’re a sapphire, though?”

Generally, it’s encouraged for students to pick prom clothes that match their houses. I’m not because Dare is onyx and he’s my date, but if Hannah is here alone, she should be in a blue dress.

“Yeah, but my date’s a ruby. He’s around here somewhere,” she says, waving dismissively.

I crack a smile. “Sounds like true love.”

“Fire up the horse drawn carriage,” she jokes, looking me over. I’m wearing a tight black dress that showcases my cleavage and includes a sheer black cape. Given the prom theme and Dare’s attraction to me in high heels, I also donned a pair of ruby red slippers. “What about you? You’re not wearing emerald. I dig this evil queen vibe you’ve got going on, but it doesn’t really seem like you.”

“I’m the evil king’s consort,” I explain. “Adapting his vibe is pretty much mandatory.”

“Ah, makes sense.” She smiles, but I know she doesn’t want to talk about Dare. “Well, you look sexy, so you definitely nailed the ‘evil king’s consort’ look.” Pointing at my head, she says, “You even have a crown now.”

Dare’s deep voice behind me melts my smile and causes Hannah to drop my wrist. Dare notices she was holding it and gives her a cool smile as he comes to stand beside me. “Is Cinderella trying to steal my girl again? I thought I’d gotten rid of you.”

“Dare.” I lightly smack him in the abdomen. “Don’t call her that.”

That’s Anae’s rude nickname for her, not his, and I don’t appreciate him using it—especially to Hannah’s face.

“I was just offering my congratulations to the queen,” Hannah says mildly, indicating the crown on my head.

Dare’s arm slides around my waist and he pulls me close. “Myqueen.”

She gives him a knowing, narrow-eyed look. “Of course, your highness.”

“Isn’t that Anae’s dress? Can’t imagine she’d like you wearing it.” Dare smirks, his gaze flickering over her outfit.

Hannah shrugs, looking down at the dress. “She can’t wear it where she’s at. She hated this dress, anyway.” She grabs the material at her bust and looks at it. “It had a little bald spot over here somewhere. I glued on some extra sequins and fixed it for her, but she still…” She stops, seeming to realize she brought his gaze right to her boobs, and awkwardly drops her hand.

Dare’s smile dissipates when he notices the necklace he bought me that I gave to her hanging from her slim throat. “Nice necklace.”

Hannah touches it almost as if she’d forgotten she was wearing it. Her cheeks turn rosy and she shifts her attention back to me. “Anyway, how have you been?”

“Good,” I say, glancing at Dare as he shifts and lets go of my waist. I’m distracted keeping an eye on him, but I try to focus on Hannah. “Um, we’re planning a trip, actually. After graduation, we’re taking my mom with us to Italy for a couple of weeks.”

“No way. That’s awesome,” she says. “How is your mom doing?”

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