𝐌𝐲 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝'𝐬 𝐁𝐨𝐲𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝 │ 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐇𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐝-𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐲-𝐎𝐧𝐞

The music shifted again, louder this time, like the night was building toward something.

People started gathering near the front.

Teachers moved onto the stage.

MK nudged me. "Oh, it's happening."

I frowned slightly. "What?"

"Prom king and queen," he said, like I
should've known. "You seriously forgot?"

I didn't answer.

Because my attention was already moving forward.

Freya was somewhere in the crowd.

I saw her briefly between people-still with her friends, still talking, still existing like she wasn't aware of how much space she took up in my head tonight.

The principal stepped up to the mic.

"Alright everyone! Time for prom king and queen!"

Cheers went up around the room. Phones came out. People started shifting closer.

I exhaled slowly, leaning back slightly against the wall.

This part didn't matter.

At least that's what I told myself.
Names started getting called for court first.

Applause. Laughs. Excitement building.

Then the final announcement.

"Your prom king... is-"

A pause.

Tension in the room shifted instantly.

I barely paid attention until-

My name was called.

"Malachi Barton! "

For a second, I didn't move.

MK slapped my shoulder immediately. "BRO."

I blinked once, then slowly pushed off the wall as people around me reacted, clapping, cheering, someone shouting my name.

I wasn't really processing it.

My eyes were already searching.

Freya.

And then-

"Your prom queen... is Freya Skye!"

Everything stopped for half a second.

Not the room.

Just me.

My breath caught slightly as I looked up properly now.

Freya froze where she stood.

So did I.

The crowd erupted again, louder this time, pushing us forward without giving either of us time to think.

I watched her take a slow step forward.

And for the first time all night...

We were both heading toward the same moment.