Chapter 177 Prom

Chapter 177 Prom
Valeria's POV
Prom night, finally.

Tessa and I were standing right outside the entrance, taking in the completely transformed gym. 

The entrance had been decorated with strings of warm lights hanging from the ceiling, shimmering curtains draped along the walls, and large silver and gold balloons scattered around the doorway. 

Music spilled from inside. The entire place looked nothing like the school I was used to seeing every day.

Students were everywhere, chatting and laughing. Girls in glittering gowns and elegant dresses. Boys in suits and tuxedos. 

For a few seconds, Tessa and I didn't say anything. We just stood there, taking it all in.

"Wow," Tessa finally said. "Kudos to the school council. You guys outdid yourselves."

I smiled faintly. "Yeah."

She looked at me, then glanced back toward the entrance. "Do you remember when we were freshmen and swore we'd come to prom with our boyfriends?"

I laughed softly. "We were so sure we'd still have boyfriends by now." 

"Exactly." She placed a hand over her chest dramatically. "And look at us."

I looked at her. "Single and pathetic."

She gasped. "No, please. I'm beautiful and thriving."

I laughed. "Sure."

She nudged my shoulder. "And you?"

I shrugged. "Apparently, I'm beautiful and emotionally damaged."

She chuckled. "Girl, please stop."

I couldn't help smiling. 

Tessa suddenly grabbed my hand.

"Well, since nobody asked either of us to prom..." She lifted our joined hands between us. "Will you be my date?"

I stared at her before bursting into laughter. "Are you asking me out?"

"Yes." She nodded seriously. "I'm asking you to be my prom date."

I pretended to think about it. "Hmm. I don't know."

"Val."

"Okay, fine." I squeezed her hand. "I'll be your date."

She grinned. "Perfect."

We both laughed as we walked toward the entrance, our hands still intertwined.

The moment we stepped inside, it was as if the music became louder. 

There was a DJ booth at the front, surrounded by more lights, while a large dance floor occupied the center of the room.

Round tables surrounded the edges of the dance floor, each covered with white cloth and decorated with small centerpieces. A huge banner that read PROM 2026 hung above the stage.

Students were already dancing, laughing, taking pictures, and moving between tables.

Tessa's eyes immediately lit up. "Come with me."

"Where?"

She didn't answer. She just dragged me toward a photo booth in the corner.

I laughed as she pulled me inside.

We took pictures with ridiculous poses, laughing so hard at some of them that my cheeks began to hurt.

After the pictures, Tessa dragged me onto the dance floor.

The music was upbeat, and we danced together, laughing and singing along to the songs.

But every few minutes, my eyes wandered toward the entrance.

I couldn't stop myself. I hated that I kept doing it. 

Every time the doors opened, my heart jumped, my eyes searching for a familiar face. Every time another boy walked inside, i thought it would be him.

But it was never him.

Why was I still looking for him?

He'd made his decision. He didn't want me anymore.

So why did that same stupid part of me still hope he would show up and ask me to dance with him?

I quickly looked away and forced myself to focus on Tessa.

"You okay?" she asked. 

"Yeah." I smiled. "I'm fine."

She studied me for a second before letting it go. We continued dancing.

Eventually, Tessa leaned closer. "I'm getting drinks. You want anything?"

I shook my head. "No, I'm good."

"You sure?"

"Yeah. Go."

She nodded and disappeared into the crowd. 

I remained on the dance floor. I kept moving with the music, but without Tessa beside me, it suddenly felt different.

I closed my eyes.

Just dance.

That's all I wanted to do.

But the second the music changed to something slower, I bit my lip.

I remembered another night. 

My birthday.

Zayne's hands around my waist. His body pressed against mine. The way we'd moved together beneath the lights of the gazebo, completely lost in each other.

The memory hit me so suddenly that it made a painful pressure build up in my chest.

I shook my head slightly, trying to push it away.

No.

I wasn't going to think about him tonight. I just wanted to enjoy myself and have the best prom.

With my hands above my head, I continued dancing with my eyes closed, letting the music drown out my thoughts. 

Then I heard someone clear their throat.

I slowly opened my eyes.

Rowan was standing in front of me, looking as clean-cut as always in his dapper tuxedo.

"Hey," he said, tucking his hands inside his pocket as he stared at me.

I blinked, slightly surprised. "Hey."

His eyes slowly moved over my face before he smiled. "You look... beautiful. And quite uplifted from how you've been these past few days."

"Oh. Yeah." I smiled politely. "Thank you. You look nice too."

He nodded. "Thanks."

For what felt like a minute, neither of us said anything. I just stood there, staring everywhere except at him, while I was pretty sure his eyes were on me.

"I saw you dancing alone," he said.

"Oh." I chuckled awkwardly. "I was dancing with Tessa until she left to get us drinks. She'll be back soon."

"Well, I..." Then he extended his hand toward me. "Would you like to dance with me?"

I stared at his hand.

My first instinct was to say no as always.

But then I looked around. Everyone was dancing.

And it was just a dance. It wasn't going to hurt.

So I licked my lips and placed my hand in his. "Okay."

A small smile curved at his lips as his fingers closed gently around mine. Then he pulled me closer, and we began to dance.