Prom King and Prom Queen

Lillian Grey and Diego stood behind Anna and Anthony in the line, waiting to take their pictures together at the photo booth. It wasn't necessarily packed, but also it wasn't completely free.

A few people waited. Amongst it was Anna and Lillian Grey, along with their dates.

When it came to Anna and Anthony's turn, the two got excited and became one, even forgetting that they don't love each other.

Both posed together and tried to capture their happiest smiles.

..

Following them was Lillian Grey and Diego, who stood next to each other and took their first picture. Anna waited nearby and watched them, spoiling the opportunity.

"Hey, What are you taking Group picture?" Anna yelled.

"Yeah, Diego. Why are you so timid?" Anthony joined in as well.

Anna signaled both the let loose of the screws and go crazy while taking photos. It is then Diego looked at Lillian and extended his hand out for her to hold.

Lillian saw him make the first move and went along. She caught Diego by hand and moved an inch closer to him.

The snap sound of the shutter went for the second picture.

The hissing sound from Anna heard out loud, startling the two in front of the camera.

"Are you feeling okay?" Diego asked before they take the final picture together.

The photographer was on hold.

"I'm okay, Diego," Lillian fights back the concealed feelings she's been enduring ever since entering the hall. It restrained her from being herself.

"Then why don't you be just yourself?"

"I am being-"

"Lilly, you are not! I know you, and you can't fool me."

Diego's words sounded stern, Lillian Grey looked for an excuse to escape from his scolding.

"It's nothing, wearing this dress is new to me, so-"

Diego sighed.

"This is exactly why I tell you not to stuff yourself, look at you," he teased jokingly to distract Lillian from whatever was holding her back from being self.

Hearing the boy making fun of her from going too overboard with the stuffed quiche, Lillian boiled in the wrath that she practically acquired a red face.

"Ah, not all can taste that tasty quiche anymore because someone devoured it like a piece of cake," Diego kept taunting Lillian.

Knowingly, he drove her into madness, which resulted in both starting to engage in an offhand fight they usually play.

For a moment, everyone surrounding them froze from the brutal contest.

'Why would two people who came as a couple together would randomly fight in the middle of taking pictures and that too so sincerely?'

..

"Are you two kidding me right now?" Anna screamed from the front.

"Stop your stupid game and stand and take a damn picture, you two idiots!" she yelled out of her lungs.

Anna's voice snapped all out of their frozen state, including the two contenders.

Both got terrorized by sensing Anna's increasing ferocity.

"We'll continue this later," Diego stated.

"Damn right," Lillian agreed.

Halting their impromptu game swiftly, the two stood next to each other.

Diego thought that his idea went overboard as the two reverted into competing, just like when they used to do it in middle school time. Even during those days, Anna would be the one to stop the two from getting injured.

Blowing off the steam, Diego asked Lillian Grey if she is alright.

Lillian nodded.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Alright, come on, let's take a final picture together. Smile for me, will you?"

"You have the most beautiful smile in the world, Lilly," Diego sputtered subconsciously.

His words startled Lillian Grey as well as himself.

'Crap.' – he cursed.

Lillian's mind went numb from hearing such words from Diego.

'What is going on with Diego?'- she questioned in fear.

'Is he on drugs?'

'Why is he so different today?' – Lillian winced.

Ever since showing up at her place, Diego has been nothing but on unusual behavior, which was low-key terrifying Lillian Grey, although she isn't displaying it out.

Hurrying up to override his smooth talk, Lillian regressed to using a little violence.

"Alright, enough sweet-talking me, come let's take a picture together,"

Lillian covered Diego from the side as she pulled him closer and smacked him a little in the tummy to lower his height and kept the boy under her control. Diego didn't fight back this time and let her use him to her wish.

Both smiled, and the third picture finally got snapped.

**

Following the short medley performance by the school music band came the principal's addressing.

Mr. Chester Clarence did not bother the kids with a boring talk.

Instead, his words were sharp and on point. He talked about how to choose a path carefully and strive to achieve. His words sparked confidence and encouragement to all of his students.

Lillian Grey and her classmates already experienced Seth's private session. They all got reminded of Mr. Seth, and naturally, they became emotional from remembering his warm words of support.

Chester ended his addressing soon enough to proceed with the next phase.

"Are you guys ready to meet your king and queen?" Chester asked the kids to make some noise, and as expected, they did.

A loud of cheers along with different names exploded inside the arena.

"Alright, calm down," Chester decreed at once when the noise vented its threshold.

A hush silence swept speedily following his command.

"Good, now, shall we see who takes home the title?" Chester's voice alone echoed inside the arena amongst the tranquil atmosphere.

"Let's see,"

A staff member brought out the result card and gave it to the principal.

Chester opened and began to announce the name.

"Before I announce the result, I would like to say that everyone here looks absolutely stunning and beautiful. So, candidates who didn't get to win tonight don't feel bad. To me, you all are winners tonight."

Chester pointed out before finally announcing the result.

Standing in front of the mike, Chester cleared his throat.

"And the Homecoming King title goes to-" Chester paused before revealing the name.

"Josh Ryder!"

A large round of applause and roars heard as soon as the name got revealed.

Josh and Carmel were standing in the middle, and so the entire crowd surrounding them started cheering hardcore.

Josh looked like he didn't expect it because Anthony Maze was also another candidate on the list. However, after hearing his name, the grip he had on Carmel's hand tightened in sudden panic.

Carmel praised her boyfriend and hopped her toes to give Josh a sweet kiss.

The kissing received another round of cheers from the crowd.

Josh smiled as he departed from Carmel's kiss and walked towards the stage.

Chester bestowed him the sash and the king crown.

Everybody clapped and roared for Josh.

"It's alright, sweetheart. You are great too," Anna petted Anthony's shoulders softly.

Anthony smirked from her silly remarks.

..

"Alright, we got our king here, and it is only fair to bring the queen soon to the stage, shall we?" Chester spoke happily.

The crowd got more intense to welcome the prom queen.

"Can we get some drum rolls, please?" Chester looked behind the screen and signaled for an audio track to spur the tension.

The drum rolls sounded so jittery.

The girls gritted their teeth furiously, wanting to know who will take home the title of being called the queen.

The anticipation killed the audience slowly.

"And the homecoming queen title goes too-" Chester dragged to stress the audience a little more.

Another round of drum rolls heard loud.

"It is none other than the owner of the angelic voice, Jamie!" Chester announced.

Jamie's cheers exceeded Josh's as if it is the expected result.

Jamie's fans went crazy to the point of chanting her name in the chorus.

Soon, people surrounded her to congratulate, and so, Jamie got away from her date.

With the result announced, she didn't have the time to search for the guy, and so, Jamie started walking to the stage.

..

Chester did the rites and carefully placed the Tiara on Jamie's head.

With that, Chester requested the two to give a speech.

Josh and Jamie- both thanked their friends, teachers, and the people that voted for them. Josh specially dedicated the title to his girlfriend, Carmel, earning an extra round of applause for his bravery.

Meanwhile, Jamie searched for her date amidst the crowd and couldn't spot him. It made her pout a little, but the girl soon picked herself up and smiled radiantly for the audience.