Page 28 of The Prom

“Fuck, Imogen, when did this happen?”

“Today.”

I act as if it’s nothing. “He asked me to meet him after class to run through the prom. Apparently, all the teachers have a part to play and must draft in a student to help them.”

“That’s true.” Summer adds. “Kennedy has been asked to help with the music.”

“Why Kennedy?” Cassie laughs. “She isn’t into music, or so I believe.”

“Think about it.” Summer grins. “Kennedy James is the queen of Rockwell. It’s not what she knows, but who. If she’s on the prom committee, they are guaranteed interest because she will demand it. Kennedy will make certain it’s the best prom Rockwell has ever seen and Mrs. Hunt was a genius in drafting her in.”

“I guess.” Siri laughs. “I’m jealous of Imogen though. Mr. Bellingham is way too hot for his own good. Lucky you for spending alone time with him.”

“It’s not like that.” I dismiss her words as if they are nothing and as Cassie stares at me thoughtfully, I set my expression to indifferent.

“So, I look great in a toga.” Siri adds, and the conversation turns to what we will wear.

After a while, we change the subject and once again I’m under the spotlight as Summer asks, “What’s happening with Jesse?”

“Why do you ask?”

She shrugs. “I don’t know. I suppose I hoped you would be all over one another after The Claiming, but it appears to be business as usual for Jesse as he slopes off to God only knows where.”

Cassie nods, a firm set to her lips. “Something is off and–” She glances around before lowering her voice.

“Frankie wants to follow him. He’s certain that Jenna Sloane is still pulling his strings, despite being fired from her job here.”

“I just don’t get it.” Siri smiles at me with sympathy. “Why would he want a freak like that when he has Imogen? It’s wrong on every level.”

“He doesn’t have me.”

The room falls silent apart from the music and as they gaze at me expectantly, I sigh heavily.

“We almost got there the other night, but the sprinklers rained on our parade.”

“Fuck.” Summer groans. “But that was last week. Why not move it on since then, if that was the way it was heading?”

I squirm a little and Cassie’s sharp gaze pierces the truth from me.

“I’m not sure I want to—move it on, that is.”

The girls wait for an explanation and I groan, “Think about it. Jesse is running around in the shadows hiding something and we all believe it’s another woman. Why would I be interested in starting anything with a guy who is cheating on me before we have even begun?”

“It makes sense.” Siri hisses, “Jesse is a fool. He should be dragged back to that chamber and made to confess everything. There are repercussions for going against The Claiming and if he’s being unfaithful, he must face the consequences of that.”

Cassie nods. “I’ll ask Frankie. It’s his game after all, but he makes up the rules as he goes along and Jesse is his best friend.”

Summer frowns. “Luca also considers he’s up to something. Fuck, Jesse is on the road to hell if he pisses Luca and my brother off. I wouldn’t want to be in his shoes if they turn on him.”

They stare at me with interest.

“What are you going to do?” Summer voices what everyone is thinking.

“Back off.” I shrug, acting as if Jesse’s commitment is the issue here. I still haven’t forgotten what almost happened the night of the sprinkler malfunction and the way he was going to take something from me I wasn’t ready to give him. It’s played on repeat on my mind ever since because despite his easygoing nature, if Jesse wants something, he doesn’t ask if it’s okay and he would have taken it despite my obvious reluctance.

FOURTEEN

DRAKE

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