Chapter 259: You have changed everything.

CHAPTER 259

You have changed everything.

MILLY

“You have lost your mind.” Darcy shakes her head at Pandora, resting against the wall.

We are in the hospital’s lobby. Kai made us come here so a nurse could check out Pandora’s arm, even though she insisted she was fine. As it turns out, she is fine, and the cut is barely a graze. Still, she got a cute pink little bandage on it.

“I know.” She grins, adjusting her crown.

I am resting on Romeo, who has his arm around me. It’s past eleven at night. We are exhausted, filled with food, and dizzy with ecstasy. Tonight almost went off the rails, but we found a way around it. The image of Poppy, dragged out of the hall, as everyone watched, laughed and booed, will forever be in my head.

“I knew you were up to something.” Kai hands her a bottle of water.

We should leave, but Finn is on his way to drive us home. He doesn’t want us driving when we’re this exhausted, so we found a nice place to wait.

“I should have seen it coming. Poppy is psychotic.” Jordan grumbles, removing the crown from his head.

Darcy takes it and puts it on hers. “Take a picture.”

“Wear this instead, and wear yours, Jordan.” Pandora decides, passing her crown.

I watch, heart swelling with happiness as they take their pictures. They look so beautiful.

“Your turn.” Darcy hands me the crown.

I take it from her, with trembling hands. Never in my wildest dream did I think this was possible. I have the Prom Queen’s crown. Jordan hands Romeo his crown. I wear mine and smile. I look at Romeo, and he kisses my nose, sending heat spreading through the rest of my body.

The camera flashes, but I do not look away from him.

“That was nice of you to take accountability for your actions,” I whisper tenderly.

He nods. “It was long overdue.” He kisses my forehead, and they take more pictures.

I remove the crown, stare at it for a moment before handing it back to Pandora. Romeo hands his to Kai, who takes it, nose scrunched. Jordan takes their pictures before showing it to us. My heart squeezes. The pictures are so beautiful, ethereal. I’ll have it framed.

“Are you ready to leave?” Finn walks to us, dressed formally as usual.

“Hi, Dad. You didn’t have to come.” Romeo smiles at his father.

“I wanted to.” He insists, and glances at Pandora. “I had to assure your Dad you were okay so he won’t leave his meeting, but we are still pressing charges against Poppy.”

“Wonderful.” She giggles blissfully, and I shake my head in amusement.

“Can you take a picture of us, Mr Sinclair? We want to frame it for our dorm rooms.” Darcy asks hopefully.

“Of course.” He nods, taking the phone and polaroid camera.

We end up taking more than one picture – we take as a group, then the girls and I take, then I take with only Jordan, then only Kai, and a lot with Romeo. Finn doesn’t complain. He is happy to do it.

__

School continues happily. Poppy doesn’t return, and no one misses her. We are too busy signing our yearbook.

However, something strange happens.

People want to sign my yearbook.

I have gone through school feeling unnoticed and alone, but apparently, I wasn’t.

“It’s alright if you don’t want me to.” Della, one of the girls from my AP class, smiles at me.

“What? No. I’m just surprised. We do not really talk, and I thought you didn’t like me.” I admit, flushed.

“Well, I do. I was just too shy to talk to you. You were always on your own, and I didn’t want to disturb you, but you’ve helped me a lot.” She confesses.

“I have?” I blink, brows knitting.

“Yes. I was part of the group you tutored early last year, and your discussions during AP English make it easier to understand.” She tells me, beaming. “My sister likes you too. To be honest, most people do, and that speech on Prom Night was legendary.”

I giggle, cheeks hot. “Thank you, and yes, you can sign my yearbook. I’d like to sign yours too.”

It doesn’t end there. Her sister comes to me, thanks me for putting Poppy in her place and writes a lovely note in my yearbook. I return the favour. Camden and his friends also sign and write beautiful notes. The juniors flock to me, which makes me cry, especially when they tell me their experiences with bullying in their previous schools.

“You have no idea what you have done, Milly.” Omolola, one of my acquaintances from the committee, tells me as she finishes her note. “You have changed everything. The Principal is serious about creating an anti-bullying team. She also wants to make it easier for the students to speak without fear. There will be better suggestion boxes, cameras in the hallways to make sure nothing fishy is happening and orientation every month. All because you spoke up. Thank you, Milly.”

The knot in my throat expands.

“I am hoping to get into Oxford next year, so see you there.” She smiles at me, and I nod. “Let me know if you need any help.”

She leaves, and I head to my locker, eyes misty with tears.

“What’s wrong?” Romeo finds me and frowns. “Did someone hurt you?”

“No, I am … fine.” I rasp, overwhelmed. I had been lonely while in the midst of people who could have been my friends. No one could have helped me then, but I am so glad I made it out. I am even more glad that I get to help people. Bullying is wrong, and Riverfield High has taken a stand against it.

He nods and pulls me into a much-needed hug.

“I haven’t written in your yearbook,” I say, muffled into his chest.

“And I haven’t written in yours, but I will. I’ll write mine last.” He tells me cheekily.

“What are you going to write?” I narrow my gaze at him.

“Something good. You’ll see. Let’s get something to eat.” He links my hand, and we walk down the hallways.

A/N

THANK YOU FOR READING. WE'RE ONLY A FEW CHAPTERS SHY FROM THE ENDING. DO NOT FORGET TO SHARE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUOUS SUPPORT AND READING.