Chapter 36: Chapter 36

"Mary-Vienne Whyte!"

I jump up happily clapping for Bailey. She did it, again. Why is she looking at me like that? Whenever she smiles like that it definitely means something is about to happen, something big that have me feeling a tad bit scared. My smiles fades. Then it hit me, her name is Bailey Morgan and not Mary-Vienne Whyte. That’s my name.

Why did Principal Sanders mention my name as prom Queen? My face twist into a frown looking past her smiling face to the eyes trained on me. The hall is quiet, too quiet, emotionless eyes gaze back at me. Is this a dream or a horrible prank?

Clap. Austin. Clap. Bailey joins. Clap. Clap. Clap and thunderous more claps follows after by everyone. Then a spotlight lands on me. Oh my jellies. I’m the prom queen. I stood there like a frozen fish until Bailey nudge me to move forward, forward to an awaiting Austin with a crown on his head. This is crazy. How...when did this happen?

Am I sure I’m not dreaming this out.

Not sure how my feet moved me to stand beside Austin facing the clapping crowd smiling at me. This is real. Bailey is the one to wear me my crown as the past queen. "You deserve it babe." She whispers to me making my eyes glisten with unshed tears looking at my ever loving best friend. "To the king and queen!" She screams to the crowd which they retort the praise. Austin’s hand held mine soothingly because I’m more than feeling overwhelmed right now. "To the King and Queen!!!" I chuckle looking at the crowd.

"To my Queen." Austin whispers to me. I face him smiling ear to ear. He winks looking back to the crowd, my heart flutters like crazy replaying his word over and over again.

The dj began a new set of song as everyone went back to their dancing. Austin helps me climb down the stage taking me the middle of the room. Slowly we danced to ALL I EVER NEED.

"How did it happen? I'm..." probably still lost for words. He chuckles clearly enjoying the state I'm in.

"Bailey and I filled your name for last slot."

"You guys did this? How is that fair if I didn't win fair and square." because I know after Bailey is Kim ranking in the whole school and I'm like what? Way...way, way behind everyone else that follows after them. I feel sad knowing the planned this in their own way to make my night.

"Trust me Snoopy, you won it fair and square. Few points ahead of Bailey and that's because of our own votes."

"I did?" I ask alarmed which he smirks twirling me and I return back to him.

"Just because they don't say or show it doesn't mean everyone don't love their cute valedictorian. Plus you are now dating the hottest guy in school." he grins smugly causing me to stick my tongue at him. He twirls and dip me making it harder not to swoon or blush. My eyes leave him searching for my best friend who suddenly all but disappeared. I smile.

"What’s funny?" he smiles raising a brow.

"I think Bailey ditched prom for her boyfriend, our former substitute math’s teacher." He looks alarmed at first before grinning.

"So…what do you say about we ditching our prom night? I'm sure they can survive without the presence of their King and Queen." when they say great minds think alike, I never knew Austin read the invincible thoughts in my head. I grin, innocently sucking my lower lip.

"Is that a yes?" his voice has an edge to it. Didn't know I could affect a boy like him this much.

"Definitely, a Yes."

***

I giggle following his lead by his guidance. "Austin. Where are you taking me?" his hand firmly on my waist.

"We are almost there, I promise." his words held amusement and if my eyes weren't close I would have given him an eye roll.

"You said that like ten minutes ago forgetting I'm in heels on a rocky path."

"I offered to carry your slow ass but you refused." I hear his chuckles. Why must I close my eyes? This is not fair. He needs to feel the effect of my mean glare but with my eyes shut, it makes it less mean.

"If I knew it's going to be a journey to Atlantis, I would have consented." I counter back with sass. "Can I at least open my eyes, you know I hate anxiety." I pout hoping he budge.

"Quit whining, you are starting to sound like the crickets." Now i wish my eyes are open to send him a mean glare. He's so annoying.

"And you are starting to sound like an old android phone." he chuckles at my very poor attempt to ridicule him. I need to buy a sarcasm for dummies book, that way I get to have the perfect comebacks for him. It became silent, just the sound of our steps on the rocky path, our soft breathing and the night life. Hard to accept this, but I love to hear him talk. His voice commands this calmness my body reacts positively to and not hearing it now get a frown on my face.

"Austin?" I call softly.

"Shh, I'm here Snoopy." Austin’s soothing voice replies and that flutters my heart gives start again. I lick my dry lips still with my eyes close waiting to get to his surprise.

"Okay." I respond softly with a nod. His hands wrap around mine slowly moving further minding our steps and I chuckle when I missed a footing crashing on him.

"Easy snoopy. I don’t want you hurting yourself." He whispers to my ears smiling. I make a face hating the fact I love it when he calls me that no matter how hard I try to tell him not to.

"Come on. I’m slowly losing it here." I say exasperated.

"Eager are we now." he chuckles leading me another step further.

I don’t know what may happen in the next hour, minute or second but right here, right now with Austin, I've never felt more alive than in the seventeen years of my life. And I hope I never forget this day, this moment, because I'll cherish it with all I am.

"Now, open your eyes." And when I did the most amazing view got me starstruck. In teary eyes I turn to him looking handsome with a sexy smirk playing on his lips watching me in awe.

"I love you." He took a step to me and another till he brush against my cheeks affectionately. A tear slip from my eyes making him chuckle wiping it off with his thumb, he looks into my eyes smiling. "I hope this night tells you how much you mean to me."

Lost for words, I took his hands in mine using the other to ruffle his kept hair. He smirks. As much as I love the kept, polished and poised Austin tonight, I need my bad boy back. Letting it fall past his eyes like it usually is in, I grin going for his dress shirt unbuttoned the first three buttons. Taking a step back I admire my handwork. He stood smirking playfully at me, hands deep in his black dress pant, tousled hair falling down his face and exposed chest.

It's official. Austin is definitely carved by the gods.

His phone chimed breaking his smirk but I kept looking at him, a goofy smile on my face. Pulling out the device, he glance at it before tucking it back in. Striding slow yet intimidating like a hunter going for his prey, I squirm feeling suddenly hot and bothered that my breath came out shallow watching him come to me. His eyes raked every inch of my sweetheart body cling gown, my smile chest heaved in excitement and I'm quite sure my eyes looks dilated. I followed his eyes from down below which trailed up to my bosom, my exposed shoulders, my lips, flaming red cheeks and finally meeting my eyes.

He smirk held a promising yet devilish glint titling his head to the side. "Happy Birthday, Snoopy."