SIXTY TWO

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❤︎ ^ 𝑠𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑛𝑎'𝑠 𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑘
__________________________________

  Prom.

  The night almost every high schooler had been dreaming of. Senior Prom. The night where everything and anything could happen.

  In reality, prom was probably extremely overrated and my outlook on it had changed drastically during these past few months. A year ago, I would be stressing over designer dresses, hot dates, and Prom Queen. Now, I could only think of one thing.

   "Sienna! Roman's here."

  Having an amazing night with my boyfriend.

  Eeek! Boyfriend — okay, I needed to stop it now.

  I finished smoothing down my dress and looked in the mirror one last time. Yes, I looked hot, and yes, I was excited.

  Taking in one deep breath, I grabbed my phone and made my way downstairs. I couldn't believe I was nervous but I was. Excluding the ultimate takedown we had planned for tonight, butterflies whirled in my stomach knowing that I was going with the perfect guy and I wanted everything about tonight to be perfect.

  I got to the top of the stairs only to see him standing by the front door looking insanely handsome in a suit and black tie. Urgh, what the hell did I do to deserve him?

  His eyes scavenged me up and down as I carefully walked down the stairs, begging to not trip and look like an idiot.

   "Woah..." he was completely lost for words as I reached the bottom step. Woah. God, the butterflies only got wilder.

   "Woah yourself." I replied back trying so hard not to blush.

  He checked me out one last time, letting out a long breath, "You look stunning, I... woah..."

  A giggle left my lips, "You've already said that."

  Something must have come to his mind as he nervously fumbled in his jacket pocket and pulled out a corsage. "This, erm, is for you."

  I held my wrist out as he placed it on my wrist, "Roses." I smiled as I glanced down at the gorgeous, silky red petals.

   "I thought it was fitting." He gave a boyish smile back up at me once it was on.

   "It is." I smiled back. I didn't know what else I could say but the entire atmosphere around us was thick and full of something. Tension. Love. Both. I wanted to live in this special, little place for just a little longer.

  A cough to my right startled us both as I saw my mom and dad watching in the kitchen doorway.

   "Sorry to interrupt." My mom chuckled. "But it's picture time."

  It took her awhile to get the perfect picture, with Roman's help of course as she kept accidentally clicking to video. Once it was over, Roman walked me to his car and opened the door for me.

   "All black, huh?" he eyed my outfit one last time.

   "I consider it to be the funeral of my high school career. Plus, I look hot."

  He chuckled at my response as I got in and I heard him mutter under his breath, "No argument there."

❦❤︎❦

  Tons of students were already pulled up at school, many couples walking in with excitement radiating off them as they made their way into the gymnasium.

   "Can't believe I'm at Prom." I heard Roman chuckle under his breath. My eyes flickered over to see him staring out the window.

   "I can." I whispered in response and he looked over at me curiously. "Even if we weren't together, I still would've made you come, you know."

  He laughed, knowing it was probably true, "But what if you didn't know me at all? What if this never happened?" and that made me sad. It was sad to think of me never knowing Roman – the boy who had given me so much, who made me feel so much and still continues to. Yet, I had this strange feeling lingering in my heart.

   "That's not possible." I shook my head adamantly.

  He furrowed his eyebrows, "And why not?"

   "Because I'm starting to believe that the universe has it all planned out. Even if we didn't meet in the way we did, we would've met in another." There was too much between us to have happened coincidentally. I will always believe that this, no matter how debatable it might be, was destined.

   "I don't think that's scientifically possible." He replied. Of course he'd say that. I rolled my eyes. "But I'd like to think that too."

   "Good." I replied, "But it's true."

   "Sure." He chuckled. I knew he was a person of logic and science but if he'd believe in the scientifically impossible for me, that was what I could live with.

  We got out of the car and walked up to the entrance.

   "You ready?" he grinned down at me.

   "Baby, I used to do this in my free time. Question is, are you?" I playfully raised an eyebrow and instead of an answer, he chuckled and placed a kiss on my forehead before we walked inside.

  The theme of this year's Prom was 'Starry Night' and so blue and white fairy lights were hung everywhere against black backdrops. The gymnasium itself was exactly the same along with the bright, spinning lights of the disco ball and the silver and gold foil backdrop of stars and moons hanging down against the entrance and photobooth.

   "Looks better than Junior Prom." I commented, "The theme was safari." And yes, there were papermached animal heads decorating the walls. Slightly disturbing if you asked me.

  Roman held in a chuckle as we searched the floor and within minutes, I immediately spotted Rya.

  She wore a sage green, silk dress that flowed effortlessly as she walked and her hair was tied back into a sleek, low ponytail. She was stunning to say the least and the looks of awe she got from the single boys as she walked past was obvious to everyone but apparently her.

   "Hey!" she excitedly rushed up to me and flung her arms around me. "You look amazing." She pulled away, "You guys are definitely the hottest couple here."

   "Thanks!" I laughed, "But look at you! You're stunning!"

   "My moms designed this dress but don't telling anyone that because it's technically supposed to make its debut in Milan tomorrow night." She winked just as Taylor walked over with two drinks in his hands.

   "Hey! Damn, you guys look great." He said as he handed Rya her drink.

   "Says you, you two look amazing!" I replied back and send a teasing wink in Rya's direction. She blushed immediately. "You guys ready for tonight?"

   "Oh totally." Rya nodded enthusiastically. "But Taylor here won't tell me what he and Adam have planned." She nudged his side but Taylor only chuckled.

   "Trust me, you'll love it, but it's a surprise." He grinned back at her.

   "Well, it better be good." Rya shot back.

   "As I said," he nodded, "Trust me."

  I smiled to myself at the exchange and in the corner of my eye spotted Leah rushing towards us. Her gown was a gorgeous lilac made from lace and tulle with her hair in a classic half-up-half-down style.

   "Sienna, hey!" she smiled brightly and wrapped her arms around me. It was weird, for so long Leah and I had hated one another and now I would consider her a friend. Life's ironic, isn't it?

   "Hey! You look gorgeous." I complimented as she let go.

   "So do you! Nikki's already arrived and has been bragging about winning Prom Queen all night." She sighed, irritated at the last part.

   "Good, let her relish in that for the time being." I nodded. "Don't worry too much about it, Leah. Enjoy your night." I added on as I noticed Adam coming by her side and wrapping an arm around her waist. He seemed completely mesmerised by her beauty and I couldn't blame him. Leah spent most of her high school days hiding how pretty she was and now she was shining brightly with a new found confidence. It suited her well.

  Adam and I only exchanged brief nods as I felt Roman's arms wrap around lowly on my waist and his hand squeezed my hip.

   "Yeah, I want to take pictures." Rya announced and turned to Taylor.

  Adam nudged Taylor's side, "Yeah, take some pictures with your date, Ron Weasley."

   "Ha, ha, you think you're hilarious, don't you? But listen here, sunshine, I've heard it all before." Taylor shot back.

  Adam laughed, "Whatever you say, Roja." And Taylor rolled his eyes at the nickname. It was a nickname Adam's mom always called Taylor and Taylor had always hated it.

   "Coming, handsome?" Rya took back Taylor's attention and grabbed his hand.

  Taylor chuckled, "Sure thing, sweetheart." And as they left, Adam asked Leah if she wanted a drink and so they went off to the punch bowl, leaving Roman and I alone.

   "I should check the stage and DJ booth to make sure –" but as I went to leave, Roman grabbed my waist with both hands and pulled me back.

   "You should take your own advice." He chuckled softly, looking down at me. "Have some fun, Sienna."

   "We will have fun." I rested my palm on his chest. "Tonight." I started to teasingly run it down until he grabbed hold of my wrist and placed my arm around his neck.

   "That's not what I meant." He shook his head with a smile. "You only get one high school Senior Prom."

  I noticed how the upbeat song changed to one much softer and acoustic.

   "Dance with me, pretty girl."

  Roman took my hand and led me to the middle of the dance floor and I suddenly realised that in all the time I'd known him, we had never danced together.

  I reached up to wrap my arms around his neck and he tightened his arms around my waist as the music played all around us.

  We began to sway, slowly and calmly against the soft waves of the guitar as other couples swallowed us in the crowd. It was funny. Never in my life would I have imagined me to be dancing at my Senior Prom with Roman Lawrence but here I was and I was enjoying every second because I was so inexcusably, madly, fucking in love with this boy.

  And when I looked up at his eyes, they were full of so much awe and love my heart practically exploded. I wanted him to look at me like this forever and somewhere in my heart, I knew he would. I was never one to believe in meeting your soulmate in high school; I used to look at those high school sweetheart stories and gag... and yet I've found just that.

  From whatever will happen. Arguments, long distance, careers, I know that I love this boy enough to get by. To get through whatever hell life throws at us. To look over my shoulder and always see him there.

   "You're thinking too much." Roman whispered, cutting me from my thoughts.

  I leaned forward and rested my head against his chest. I have also decided that I will continue to wear heels so that I will always be able to reach up and rest my head right there and listen to his heart.

   "I love you." I murmured and meant it the most I had ever meant it before. I felt his hand reach under my chin and pull my face away to look up at him before he leant down and placed a kiss on my lips.

  It was only a simple kiss, and even though we were in a hall full of so many other students, everything melted away into a perfect nothingness that only seemed to capture us in this simple silhouette of the moment.

  He pulled away so his lips lingered on mine, "I love you too." And I knew it was the most he'd ever meant it before too.

  The song finally came to an end and the Drama teacher, Miss Allen, came up to the stage to make the announcement we all had been waiting for.

   "Hello to all students, it is time to finally announce your class Prom King and Queen!"

  We all clapped and Rya and Leah instantly appeared by my sides.

   "Let's all give a round of applause to our nominees." Miss Allen said and we continued clapping. "I am first going to announce our Prom Prince and Princess."

   "I've never liked this thing, why can't they just stick it to Prom King and Queen?" Leah mumbled by my side.

   "Because our school likes to be extra." Rya chuckled and we all giggled.

   "May we give it up for our Prom Prince and Princess, Alyse Mitchell and Adam Reeves!" Miss Allen announced

"Puta madre, I thought I asked to be taken off the nominations." Adam sighed irritatedly behind me.

  Taylor smirked and nudged him, "I put you back on, sunshine."

  Adam shoved him back, "Que te den." He cursed and sighed before walking back up the stage to meet Alyse.

  Alyse seemed delighted and I was happy for her. She was never insanely bitchy, sure sometimes a bit superficial but it was high school, most people were superficial.

   "And for your Prom King... Chad Willman!" Miss Allen announced.

   "Of fucking course." Rya scoffed and Leah placed a hand over her mouth to stop herself for snorting a laugh.

   "Didn't realise Prom King stood for fucking girls in school girls?" I muttered to Rya, and Leah stared back at me wide-eyed. Poor girl probably didn't need to hear that part.

   "And for Prom Queen..." I grabbed both Rya and Leah's hands and they squeezed back as we waited for the announcement.

   ".... Nikki Saxon!"

  The whole room erupted in claps and cheers as Nikki faked expressions of surprise and shock with a dramatic hand on her heart as she ascended the stage stairs.

  Rya, Leah and I still kept our hands interlocked as we watched silently. Nikki ran up and practically grabbed her crown with the fakest tears in her eyes.

   "Oh my god! This is such a surprise and honour!" she beamed into the microphone. Yeah right.

  I felt Taylor lean down and whisper in my ear, "On your cue, sweetheart."

  My eyes lingered on Nikki a moment longer before a smile split my lips.

   "Now."

  In a matter of moments, a bucket right above Nikki's head poured the brightest, most neon green slime all over her hair and dress. I always did say my favoured colour was green as a child.... like the Nickelodeon slime.

  The whole room stopped clapping and went completely silent as Nikki began to freak out.

   "What the fuck?!" she burst out before two glitter canons went off side by side and covered her head to toe in rainbow glitter.

  Best thing about glitter? You can never seem to get rid of it.

  The gym began to erupt in gasps of shock and a few snickers before Nikki's raging eyes scanned the room with complete confusion and humiliation. Leah placed a hand over her mouth to try and hide her laughter whereas Rya bit her lip to try and hold it in. I, on the other hand, couldn't stop smiling.

  The snickers quickly turned to laughs and I noticed Roman by DJ, handing over a CD to be played on the projector.

   "I want to talk." I heard my voice play over the gym and suddenly projector was screening Nikki and I's confrontation.

   "Talk?" her voice echoed back, and I saw the realisation strike in her eye's up on stage.

   "Yes, about the little rumour situation. I don't think you realise how much damage it can really do."

   "Oh, I do." Her voice simply replied, completely unbothered. "And it really seems to bother you, doesn't it?"

   "It doesn't matter if it does, you can ruin people's lives with a rumour like that."

   "Oh, trust me, I know, and it's really got me thinking. UNC Chapel would totally not be happy giving out a scholarship to a liar and a fake – oh yeah, and a huge slut, but I wonder what the University of Pennsylvania would say too?"

  Everyone began to mutter and look around the hall with confused yet distasteful expressions at Nikki's remarks.

   "You wouldn't." I heard myself threaten back.

  She laughed to herself, "How does it feel to be under someone else's control, Sienna? How does it feel be inferior?"

  The video fast-forwarded slightly before it paused again and my voice rang out, "Sometimes it's fun to pretend, don't you do that with all your affairs with Mr Bernard, who's married with two kids just in case you didn't know which I'm sure you do."

  Gasps echoed loudly through the school halls and suddenly a new security video was put on and it was of none other than Nikki and Mr Bernard making out in the Art classroom after hours.

  Fun fact, when your best friend goes to a computing summer camp for three weeks in the 6th Grade, she can hack into the school's security system to get any video she wants.

  Nikki's eyes went wide with mortification, and I peered over at Mr Bernard who was standing with his wife – well, now ex-wife I assumed as she slapped him straight across the cheek and threw a drink in his face. Ouch but good for her.

  Then the video stopped, and only an audio played.

   "So.... What d'you want to do?" the suggestive, taunting voice of Nikki spoke through the speakers

  There were a few minutes of silence before, "I want you to tell me the truth." Roman's voice demanded bluntly.

  Only Roman and I had heard this audio. I asked him if he really wanted to put it out there for everyone to hear but he insisted. It was brave but that boy was one of the bravest people I knew, and I was adamant to always stand by his side no matter what.

  Nikki laughed, "What truth?" Her footsteps getting closure.

   "The truth about Sienna." The footsteps stopped.

   "Oh my god! Are you seriously still so hung up on her? She's a bitch, Roman. Get over it."

  A few students looked my way but I ignored them.

   "I'm not a fucking idiot, Nikki. I know you did something."

  Mutters began to circulate the hall as the audio kept playing at full volume.

  Nikki scoffed. "And what makes you think that? Jesus, I was coming up here for some fun. Not for some pitiful interrogation."

   "How did you know I got a scholarship to Penn?" Roman demanded.

   "I don't know what you're talking about."

   "A couple days ago at lunch, you asked me about my scholarship to Penn. There are only four people that know I even went up for that scholarship, only three knew I got it. Plus, you talked about Sienna's chance at a UNC Chapel Hill scholarship, and I know damn well she would never tell you about that."

   "My dad's the Vice Principal, duh? So, I obviously know everything because he tells me. I have good access."

  Suddenly all eyes were on Vice Principal Saxon who stood at the edge of the stage with Principle Cunningham, beginning to give him the evil eyes.

   "Exactly your dad is the Vice Principal... And didn't your dad also set up the CCTV cameras in the halls a good couple months ago?"

  Nikki's voice sighed, "And?"

   "And wasn't that video of the talk between you and Sienna of the CCTV footage. Sounds like you'd have good access to them too."

  My heart still pounded out of my chest as I listened to the seconds of silence following afterwards.

   "What even is this? I was the one who was there for you after that bitch embarrassed you! She talked about you like some piece of shit!"

  The murmurs in the gym only got louder and Nikki desperately looked around for her dad who kept his head down low in disappointment.

   "I was embarrassed when that video got send out. I was so angry and heartbroken I could even see or think straight but you took that as your opportunity to drag me around everywhere. To use me as your little object. But then I got some common sense when my head started to clear, and I realised something."

  Nikki's voice chuckled carelessly and sighed,

You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net