Chapter 41 — Thank goodness that’s over
Amara:
“…And the winner of the 2015 Ms. Arcata High Pageant, and recipient of the Fallen Scholarship is…Ms. Amara Vega!”
I roll my eyes as my boyfriend cups his hands over his mouth and pretends to be a cheering crowd. Juliet, Carrick, and Haley join in and hoot and holler along with Kell. Removing the crown from my head, I lay it over my lap and blow out a strand of hair from my face. “Okay, guys, enough.”
Kell takes my hand and chuckles exuberantly. “Aww, come on, beauty queen, we’re just excited that you won.”
I smile shyly and rest my head on his shoulder. “Thank you for being there,” I lay a kiss on his cheek, then turn to my friends. “Thank you all. It was really fun.”
Carrick whoops from the driver’s seat of the car and winks at me from the rearview mirror. Haley and Juliet both giggle in exhilaration. Juliet wiggles in her seat like an excited puppy and wraps her arms around my neck. “Oh, you know we love you, girl.”
Haley turns from the front seat with a ready smile. “You should have seen the look on Tiffany’s face when they declared you the winner. Her mouth puckered like she was eating sour lemons.”
Everyone snickers and settles down. Juliet takes the large crown with its glimmering rhinestones, places it over her head, and waves around her as if she’s waving at a real crowd. The crown is at least eleven and a half inches with a swirling heart pattern. A beautiful Waterford teardrop dangles in the center of it, gleaming with the light of the moon. Kell turns the crown on Juliet’s head, playfully tilting it to the side. “There you go. Now you have a gangsta crown.”
Juliet crosses her arms around her chest and puckers her mouth, trying to look like a badass. “Oh yeah, I’m queen badass.”
We all chuckled at her absurdity.
She passes the crown over to Haley, who places it over her head, sucks her cheeks in like a fish, and poses exaggeratedly. “How do I look, dahling?” She says with a thick French accent.
Carrick laughs and waggles his eyebrows. “Oh yeah, daddy likey.” Haley laughs heartily and places it over his head. “Ooh, la la. The crown looks better on you, baby.”
I sigh, exhausted and lean my head back on the headrest, happy to see my friends enjoying the crown. Jordana would probably have a heart attack if she saw them playing around with it, but I don’t really care. The crown is completely meaningless to me. The only thing that keeps me from chucking it out the window is the fact that it came to an opportunity for a scholarship. The judges added a scholarship as an incentive this year. So, I can add it to my nest egg for college.
Kell leans his head on mine and inhales deeply. “Did I tell you that I thought you looked incredible tonight?”
I give him a secret smile and run my hand down his jaw, keeping my eyes closed. “No, you didn’t. How remiss of you.”
He sniggers as he mischievously pulls a strand of my hair. “So… I got my acceptance letter to Cal State. Mikhail and Nevaeh offered the spare room. What do you say?”
I open my eyes to look into his. They seem hooded and unsure, which is an odd state for Kell. I’ve never seen him look anything but self-assured. I can tell that this is a serious moment. Placing a tender kiss on his lips, I rub my nose against his and say. “Well, I got some scholarship money, new Camera equipment, and a one-way ticket to Cal State too. Seeing how I really want to keep you close, I’m going to have to move in with you. What do you think?”
His eyes liven, and he grins cockily. “Sounds good, beauty queen.” Happiness courses through me at his gleeful tone.
“I thought you’d like the idea.”
We make it to the traditional bonfire party that the school sponsors for the pageant winners every year. It’s a really amazing tradition. There are bonfires set up in every few quadrants of a private beach, and a band will play rock music on a makeshift stage near one of the Beach's private bungalows. Most of the school shows up ready to drink, dance, and do some night swimming.
It’s traditional for the Ms. Arcata High winner to wear her crown and do a dance around the biggest bonfire set up in the center of the beach. This is supposed to bring prosperity and peace to the town or something. I don’t believe it. But who am I to chuck tradition?
We’re all wearing our swim gear. I’m wearing a white string bikini under my blue jeans and sheer tunic. Juliet is wearing a red Harley Quinn bikini and some black ripped cut-off shorts. Juliet is a huge fan of Batman and DC Comics. Every year she drags us to Comic-Con and makes us dress like superheroes. It’s surprisingly fun.
Haley is in a blush pink halter bikini with short, gray jogging shorts. It’s cute how Carrick stands over her like a watchdog. This is also ironically funny because he’s a werewolf. The boys are in board shorts and white tank tops. Carrick and Haley desperately rush off to a private corner, and Juliet gazes around solemnly before she heads to the drink bar.
Kell takes my hand and leads me to the beach. It’s so beautiful at this time of night. Everything is serene and silent. It makes me feel like I’m the last person in the world. The velvety blue sky is alight with shining stars, and the moon is full. The calm, whooshing sound of the waves touching the shore reaches my ear, and the water twinkles with gleaming sheen across the ebony water. I shiver as the wind caresses my skin. Everyone is huddled around their bonfires, talking and rebelling. It’s incredibly soothing. The smell of burning wood, sweet marshmallows, and chocolate permeate my senses. My mouth waters at the thought of having a s’more. That is one tradition that we take seriously. I haven’t had real sweets in a long time due to my pageant diet. Therefore, I feel that it’s my duty to rectify that issue immediately.
Kell and I sift our feet through the grainy sand as we walk near the edge of the shore. The water comes to rest coolly over our feet, tickling our toes.
“Have you had any more visions?” Kell asks with a concerned frown.
I shake my head. “No. I haven’t. I tried a few days ago, but nothing happened. Which kind of scares me and makes me feel relief at the same time.”
He looks forward, contemplatively. “Well, Mathias said that Marael might go into hiding now that we know her plan. We’ll just be vigilant. Don’t try to have any visions without me ever again.” He scolds. Seeing his apprehension, I squeeze his hand and nod in agreement. “Okay. I promise not to try to have another vision without you around.”
This seems to appease him because his face brightens, and he keeps walking.
After a moment, he stops near the edge of a large shadowed rock and pulls me close. He settles his palms firmly under my jaw and runs his thumbs over my chin. “So, are you going to prom with me or what?” I snicker at his unromantic offer and punch him lightly on his toned stomach. “Ask me again? And this time is a little more romantic.” Kell bites his bottom lip, lowers his hands, and rubs the back of his neck in chagrin.
At first, I think he’s not going to ask again. But then he moves back, removes his shirt and throws it carelessly onto the sand. My eyes roam over his contoured chest, taking in all his glory. Clearing his throat, he catches my eye and gives me a wicked smile before he begins to sing. My heart melts to the ground at that moment. Bruno Mars’ words about me being amazing to resound in a melodic tune from my boyfriend’s lips. Anyone who knows Kell would know that he hates singing pop music. He’s more of an old-school Kansas, Journey, rock guy. He sings a few more bars and stops. Then he pulls me into his arms. “Amara Vega, love of my life, my eternal mate, and woman that I’d die for; will you do me the honor of being my date to the prom?”
My throat tightens into a ball of emotion. Unable to say a word, I throw myself into his arms and kiss him hard. We kiss for a few moments until we’re out of breath. Eventually, we break apart, touch foreheads, and begin to sway to the distant sounds of the band.
“Does that mean you’ll be my date?” Kell asks in bemusement.
I nod my head and lay a few light kisses on his nose, cheek, and lips. “Yes.”
His smile widens. “I knew you couldn’t resist me.” He says arrogantly. That’s my boyfriend. The most confident guy in the world, and I wouldn’t love him any less.
The rest of the night is perfect. We dance, kiss, and as soon as we get home, we make love.