Page 36 of The Prom Queen Project
I sucked in a breath.
The anticipation was killing me, but at the same time, I was grateful for not knowing the outcome yet. Sweat began pooling in places I didn’t even know sweat could pool. I jumped at the sound of voices muttering from behind me.
Pushing myself forward, I stepped inside the school, my eyes widening at the sight. Beautiful banners and string lights were strewn from the ceiling and draped across doorways. The lights were dim, but the music was alive. The thumping of the base pounded against my skull. I could even spot a few of the posters I had made still pinned to the walls. In the gym, I was instantly disoriented by the array of colorful strobe lights alternating in different directions. It seemed like most people had resorted to hanging out in small groups, once again migrating to their respective cliques. I sauntered through the room, talking to everyone I saw in a last-ditch effort to gain votes.
Suddenly, I was thrust into the crowd of phony personalities and shallow conversations, forcing me to socialize with people I otherwise would avoid. Cheerleaders, jocks, the outcasts, straight-A know-it-alls. And I talked to them all. Funny thing though, even though I was surrounded by so many people, I couldn’t spot a single group where I felt like I would really fit in.
My throat became dry, and the saliva in my mouth felt like sandpaper, causing my voice to crack as I made my way from person to person, reflecting the version of myself they most wanted to see. Trying to appease everyone and cater to their desires was painstaking and tedious, but if four years of being a picture-perfect image of‘Miss Popular’had taught me anything, it’s that if you wanted people to like you, all you had to do was exude the same energy that they radiated. I was simply a faceless mannequin resembling only what everyone wanted to see. It was exhausting, but at this point, I was used to it. I smirked when I noticed Elliot and his friends secluded off to the side, making no attempts to mingle with anyone. They seemed so disconnectedfrom everything around them. I could see their mouths moving, but I couldn’t make out what they were saying. Maybe this was a part of their plan—to try and seem uninterested and above it all.
“Hey, girl! How was the party last night?” Kendra approached with a smile, dressed in a floor-length golden gown that hugged her slender figure, its short train trailing gracefully behind her. She looked amazing, but that didn’t stop my face from contorting when I saw her. “Uh, what’s with your face?”
“Well, you’d know if you bothered to show up last night.”
“Oh, come on. You can’t blame me for not wanting to hang around douchebags all night.”
“You ditched us, Kendra.”
“I’m sorry. I just—”
“And then Mer ditched me.”
“Wait, why would she ditch you?”
“For a boy. Why else?”
“Mason?”
“Yep.”
“Shit. Are you okay?”
“No thanks to you guys.” I huffed. “Meredith got wasted and ran off with Mason, Ryan tried to make another move on me, I downed like four cups of some crazy strong alcohol, I danced on a table…the whole thing was a fucking mess.”
Kendra frowned, looking disappointed. “Damn, that sucks.”
That sucks?That’s all I get? Not even a‘Oh my god, I totally should’ve been there for you. I’m so sorry?’
“Yeah.”
“Did you make it home okay?”
I shrugged. “Yeah. There was this guy. He dropped me off at my house and made sure Mer was okay.”
“What guy?”
“No one you know.”
“Okay.” She eyed me suspiciously. “Well, I’m just glad you’re okay.”
I inhaled deeply. “Me too.”
A plume of red fabric caught my eye as Meredith rushed over to us. Her dress looked radiant, clinging to her body and pooling outward around her ankles. The sway of her back was accentuated by the sweeping curve of the dress’s plunging design.
“Hey, girlies!” she cooed. “You guys look beautiful!”
“Aw, stop.” Kendra twisted her hips while flicking her wrist. “Just kidding. Say more.”
“You look great, Mer.” I smiled through clenched teeth.
