Page 81 of The Prom

“I wonder if we will guess correctly?”

Cassie’s eyes gleam. “It would be amusing to kiss someone else and wait for the fireworks. Frankie never thought this through because I may do it for the hell of it.”

“You always did like living dangerously, Cassie.”

I roll my eyes as she grins. “Is there any other way?”

Summer overheard us. “I’d know Luca from a mile away. It’s as if a dark aura surrounds him on a permanent basis.”

I kind of agree with her. Luca stands out from most of the guys because he refuses to tone down his dark, demonic appearance. He prefers black leather to sweats and torn black jeans to blue denim. His silver chains and leather bracelets are a dead giveaway, along with his dark flashing eyes. He commands attention wherever he goes and with Summer beside him, they make a striking couple who turn many heads. Summer has the easy option tonight, and she knows it.

“I can’t wait.” Siri giggles. “I love a challenge, and Jack has promised not to make it easy for me.”

She grins. “Wouldn’t it be funny if I kissed Jesse, and you kissed Jack?”

“Knowing my luck, I’d end up kissing Santi and then God help me.”

I roll my eyes and Cassie adds, “He would love that. That guy is pissed he never got a crack at you before Jesse stepped in. I’m convinced he would join The Claiming challenge if you were in it.

“Nonsense.” I shake my head, the conversation I shared with Santi not long ago still fresh in my mind. There is only one guy I’m interested in and I am sure he will be one of the staff volunteers and out of everyone, I wish I could kiss him on the cheek and be done with it all.

We all driftto our subsequent rooms to change and as I appreciate a moment alone, I wander to the window and glance down at the yard outside. The calm before the storm. It certainly feels that way and a gentle knock on my door causes me to turn and say hesitantly, “Who is it?”

I receive no answer and I move to the door, opening it with caution.

There is nobody there, but as I glance down, I notice the box propped up on the wall beside the door.

I drop down and lift it into my hands and head back into the room, placing it carefully on the table. My fingers shake as I open it and I smile when I see the delicate corsage made out of pretty white roses and eucalyptus leaves.

There is a card inside the box nestling against the white ribbon and as I read it, my heart flutters.

For the most beautiful girl at the prom tonight. I may not be your date, but I’ll be close by. Wear this and know I am watching you.

It’s so beautiful and just like Drake to make such a sweet gesture. As I fasten it to my wrist, I lift my arm and take a deep breath of the heady scent. It’s so beautiful and I can’t get enough of it and I expect it’s because I am madly in love with the person who sent it to me.

As I spray some scent and tuck my phone into the small white bag attached to my wrist and the corsage on the other, a flutter of excitement passes through me as I anticipate the night ahead. More than anything, I want to steal some time with Drake, but I’m aware we have a mountain to climb before that will come as easy as breathing. For now I will have him close in another way and what with the corsage on my wrist and the love burning brightly in my heart, I’m certain I’m invincible.

THIRTY-NINE

DRAKE

I’m on edge. I usually am when I sense danger and tonight promises to be an evening I hope will be memorable for all the right reasons.

My duties include dealing out punch, all the time checking that nothing extra is added to it. They may be college students who drink like sailors, but when the evening is run by the academy, the principal is taking no chances.

Luckily, I’ve managed to avoid her for most of the week and only in passing did her meaningful smirk place me on edge. I’ve done everything possible to stay out of her way this week and somehow it’s worked.

I’m guessing if she really wanted my attention she would have summoned me to her room, but somehow I’ve gotten away with that and as I busy myself with the preparations, I make certain that I check out this place for every eventuality. I wouldn’t put it past the principal to stage some kind of distraction and my heart bangs mercilessly for Imogen as I sense unease.

As the students drift into the hall that sits beside the great one, I dish out punch with a smile as I applaud them on their costumes.

They have excelled themselves. The guys are resplendent, dressed in either togas or as gladiators. An array of masks covering their features adding to the drama. The girls are mainly wearing togas, their hair intricately styled in the roman way, masks covering their eyes with suggestive smiles painted on their lips.

Fingers brush against mine as I hand them the drinks and eyelashes flutter behind the masks. I’m used to this. Most of my lessons are spent fielding lascivious glances from the girls in the class, along with some of the guys. History teachers aren’t usually built like me it seems, and I can’t wait for the day I can relax back into my jeans and t-shirt. My leather jacket sitting comfortably on my back. Undercover work sucks most of the time and I hate knowing that Imogen will be hit on by most of the drunken jocks here and I must be content with a front-row seat, unable to take part and watch the drama unfold.

My flesh creeps when Angela catches up with me and her hand on my arm almost gives me hives.

“Drake.” She whispers in my ear. “I have plans for us this evening.”

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