The song had changed three times, three fucking times. I wasn't even counting the minutes, I was counting the rotations. Andrew's hand hadn't moved from her waist once. Ten minutes and fourteen seconds of what she dubbed 'tradition'.
By the time the crowd finally swirled in and Tephnine made her way back to me, I was leaning back in the velvet chair, my shades on, staring at my phone screen. I was just scrolling through my gallery, my thumb moving with no goal in mind.
Tephnine: (Breathing a bit hard, smoothing her dress as she reached the table) Finally. I thought I'd never get out of there. Andrew is.....
I didn't even bother to look up. I just tapped a photo and zoomed in.
Tephnine: babe?. Did you hear me?, I said It was exhausting.
Me: (Voice flat, still looking at the screen) Ten minutes.
Tephnine: What?
Me: (Finally looking up, though the shades hid my eyes) The song was four minutes. The whatever Dance protocol is five, max. You stayed for ten. I'm just wondering if you were waiting for a second coronation or if the conversation was just that stimulating.
Tephnine: (Scoffing, sitting down) Are you serious right now?. I told you I didn't want to go. I looked at you right before I walked down there and you literally told me, 'Go get your crown, Queen.'
Me: (Leaning forward.) Yeah, I told you to go get a piece of plastic, Teph. I didn't tell you to give the school a 624 seconds live action romance movie. There's a difference between 'compulsory tradition' and you just going for extra credit.
Tephnine: babe, the whole school was staring. They were watching every move we made, looking for gossip like hungry tigers. I couldn't just walk off without everyone raising their brows at us. You know how this place works, if I leave early, the rumors start, and by tomorrow morning, the news club has us broken up in three different headlines.
Me: (Tapping my phone screen rapidly, with pure agitation) So you stayed ten minutes to feed the tigers?. Great. You looked real professional while he was whispering in your ear for the last three minutes. What was he even doing?, uhh?. Giving you a performance review?.
Tephnine: (Her voice rising) He was being a prick!. He was talking about Jensen and how sad it is that I'm settling for a first-year Omega. I was defending us.
Me: (raising my voice) I don't want to be defended!. And even if you wanna, You don't defend me by staying in his personal space, Tephnine. You defend me by walking away. I'm an Omega, remember?. I'm supposed to be the one who doesn't understand these 'high-society' rules. But even I know that ten minutes is a date, not a dance. Did you even put my feelings into consideration?. Uhhhh?, did you?. When he had his hands on your waist for those ten minutes did you even stop to consider what your so-called boyfriend would be feeling?. Did you?.
Tephnine: ( grabbing the top of my phone, forcing me to look at her) Put the phone down babe. Please just Look at me.
I let the phone slide onto the table. For the first time in this night the silence between us was heavier than the bass coming from the floor below.
Tephnine: You're jealous.
Me: I'm observant. There's a difference.
Tephnine: No, you're petty. You pushed me into that lion's den and now you're mad that I have cat hair on my dress. I did exactly what you told me to do.
Me: (Snapping) I didn't ask you to enjoy it!
Tephnine: (Eyes widening) You think I enjoyed that?. You think I enjoyed being held by a guy who smells like desperation and expensive cologne while my boyfriend sat up here acting like he's too cool to care?.
I looked away, staring out at the mezzanine railing. My jaw was tight, so tight it actually hurt.
Me: (Muttering) Every person in this room was watching My Queen dance with him. My Queen Teph.
Tephnine: (Softening, reaching for my hand) Kei... I'm sorry.
I didn't move my hand at first. I just sat there.
Tephnine: I should have cut him off. I should have just walked away and let them whisper. I was so worried about not making a scene that I forgot how it would look to the only person I actually care about. I'm sorry. Truly.
I finally exhaled, feeling the tension leave my shoulders in a slow, jagged wave. I turned my hand over, interlocking my fingers with hers.
Me: (sighing) fine, just... Never do that again. I don't care if you have a good reason or not. Don't.
Tephnine: you look so cute when you're jealous
Me: I'm not
Tephnine: yes Romeo, whatever floats your boat.
Me: I'm not. And give me a response to my request
Tephnine: (Giggling, leaning her head on my shoulder) Deal. Now, please put that phone away. Let's join the dancefloor
Me: uhmmm, babe. You know I can't dance
Tephnine: I'll teach you. Now come (dragging me behind her)
****** The Grand Hall. Somewhere Around 10:35 pm *****
So how can I explain this dance of ours. Oh yeah I finally figured it out, I was a disaster. There's no other way to put it.
Don't get me wrong, I can read a defensive screen from fourty feet away. I can predict the trajectory of a basketball before it even leaves a shooter's fingertips. But standing here, in the middle of a polished marble floor with Tephnine's hand in mine and a slow, orchestral ballad playing?, I was a complete amateur.
I spent the first three minutes trying to find a rhythm that wasn't there. I was too stiff, my shoulders locked, trying to coordinate my feet like it was a footwork drill at practice.
Tephnine: babe. Relax. It's a dance, you don't have to think of everything as a training drill.
Me: I'm trying. The tempo is inconsistent. I just can't seem to find the--
Crunch. I felt my heart sink as my shoe landed squarely on the toe of her silver heels. I froze, my face heating up.
Me: babe, I'm so sorry. I--
She didn't pull away. Instead, she let out a genuine, melodic laugh that cut right through my embarrassment. She leaned her forehead against my chest for a brief second, her shoulders twitching.
Tephnine: It's okay, babe. My toes will survive. Just stop thinking so much.
I tried to smile back, but then it happened again. Bzzzt. Bzzzt. Bzzzt.
My phone, tucked into the inner pocket of my tuxedo, was vibrating against my ribs. It had been going off for the last seven minutes, a frantic, rhythmic buzzing that I knew was my enemies who wanted me down. Every notification was a distraction, a distraction Tephnine for sure didn't appreciate.
Tephnine's expression shifted. She didn't ask who it was. With one fluid motion, she slid her hand inside my jacket, grabbed the device, and tucked it into the small clutch bag hanging from her wrist.
Tephnine: No. The world can wait, babe. You're with me right now. No phones. No distractions. Just us.
Suddenly, the music died. The violins faded into a sharp, digital silence. The DJ's voice boomed over the speakers.
DJ: Alright Starling Strike!. The formal stuff is over. It's time to bring it home!. High rock, afrobeat, pop. You name it. Are you ready?.
Crowds: (going stupid)
DJ: then hold your partners and let's gooooo.
The beat dropped heavy, resonant, and unmistakably Nigerian. The bass of Wizkids 'soco' hit the walls of the Grand Hall.
Tephnine: Think you can keep up with this, or are you going to step on me again?.
Me: You do realize this is my territory, right?. I'm playing on home advantage now, babe.
I don't have to process anything. Now this is what you call a song you can dance to. Not those slow nonsense the DJ have been feeding me. The beat was in my blood. I wasn't the awkward kid anymore, I was a Nigerian boy who knew exactly how to kill a beat.
Jensen: Ayyy!. Look at our Wonder Kid!
Jace and Jensen appeared from the crowd, their dates in tow. Jensen was already going full-throttle with some intense Leg Work, his face split into a massive grin.
Jensen: Bout time you stopped acting like a statue
Tephnine: I trust my brother to always ruin any alone time I try to have with my man
Jensen: (laughing) our man you mean.
What the fuck is this idiot saying?. Well, whatever. For the next twenty minutes, we weren't the Unholy Trinity or hot looking basketball players with their dates. We were just six friends at the center of the world, dancing like we didn't have any problem in the world. I caught Tephnine's eye as we moved in sync. She looked happy. Truly happy. And for the first time all night, I forgot to look at the clock.
******* Around 10:50pm *******
The music died down, but the heat in the room didn't. A third year Omega named Tunde stood on the stage, clutching a stack of gold envelopes like he was hosting the Oscars.
Tunde: Alright, alright!. Settle down, you hungry animals!, It's time for the Starling Strike Superlatives!
Honestly I really don't know what this is, but I've learnt to just move along with things.
Tunde: First up!. Most Likely to be Famous... give it up for the first year phenom, Jensen West!
The first year section exploded. It sounded like a riot was starting. Jensen didn't just walk to the stage, he did a victory lap, then stopped right in front of Jace and me. He hooked his arms around our necks, dragging us toward the stairs.
Jensen: You think I'm going up there alone?. If I'm gonna be famous, my bodyguards are coming too.
Me: Jensen, let go of my suit, this is a rental.
Jace: you picked that up but not the fact he called us guards.
We stumbled onto the stage like a pack of stray dogs who found a trophy. Jensen took the mic, flashed a grin that probably blinded the first three rows, and winked at every single girl in sight. This guy sometimes. He took his award and we walked off the stage.
Tunde: Next!. Most Likely to Succeed... Lee Xianxing!
The Year 3 Streaks cheered, but it was that polite, 'golf-clap' kind of noise. Lee walked up with the grace of a man who already owns a Fortune. He gave us a small nod, took his envelope, smiled and walked off. Now, this is someone I can proudly call my senior. Someone who respects himself and others.
Tunde: And... Likely to Break a Heart... Wow, again. Jensen West!.
Jensen: (walking to the stage while screaming) HELL NAH!. Everyone knows I'm a lover, not a fighter!. I'm a victim here!. Who voted for this?!. I've never broken a single heart!.
The room erupted. People were doubled over laughing. Jace was leaning on a pillar, gasping for air. I mean, if anything. This is the one award I'd say he totally deserve.
Jace: Bro, you've dated half the volleyball team. Shut up.
Tunde: (Chuckling) Moving on. Biggest Ego... Andrew Vance!
Of course it had to be him. And would you look at that?, the laughter died instantly. It was like someone sucked the oxygen out of the room. Andrew walked up, his eyes fixed on me. He didn't even look at the award. He grabbed the mic from Tunde's hand.
Andrew: I'll take the ego. At least mine is backed by a legacy, not a temporary 'Wonder' status that's going to expire by graduation. Some people here think a few highlights make them royalty. They don't.
The murmuring started. A few Streaks cheered, but most people just looked uncomfortable.
Why do these guys love talking like third rate villains in a romcom. What's the speech supposed to prove?.
Tunde: (Clearing his throat nervously) Right... okay. Couple of the day... Tephnine West and Keima Ibeh!
The shift in energy was violent. The first years went from silent to screaming in 0.5 seconds. I felt Tephnine's grip tighten on my hand as she led me to the center of the stage.
Tephnine: (Whispering in my ear) Told you the spotlight was ours today babe.
Me: I never doubted you and I guess the tigers will have something to devour today.
Next was Best Dressed, which went to a Year 2 Streak named Victoria Isaac, who for the record looked like she was wearing a small galaxy. Then, the big one.
Tunde: Most Inseparable... The Unholy Trinity!
We went back up, the three of us standing there in our matching energy.
Me: (Grabbing the mic) Look, we're not inseparable. Jace and Jensen just don't have anywhere else to go. I'm basically running a daycare center here.
Jace: (Punching my shoulder) Shut up Kei, You love us. And we love you too
Me: gross
Jensen: (laughing) he said gross.
We received our awards and walked off.
Tunde: finally... Likely to be at the Center of a Scandal... Keima Ibeh!
Who does this voting?. What in heavens name do you mean by I'm likely to be in a scandal?.
Me: (Screaming jokingly) Never!. Who wants to be known for a scandal?. I'm a law abiding citizen!. I pay my taxes. Well, I don't pay taxes yet, but you get the point!.
Jensen: oh but I'm allowed to break hearts. Just shut up.
Everyone was howling. It was perfect.
Tunde: Most Mysterious... Cyndy!
From the shadows she stepped out in a floor length gown. She looked beautiful I must say. And trust me when I say she deserves the award. Cause after trying, I still know nothing about her.
**** Around 11:12 pm ****
The bass was still thumping through the floorboards, vibrating up through the soles of my shoes, but as the heavy glass doors to the balcony swung shut behind us, the noise dropped by half.
The night air was crisp, a sharp contrast to the humid, perfume choked atmosphere of the Grand Hall. I leaned against the stone railing, pulling the shades off and hanging them from my collar. The school grounds stretched out below us, acres of dark trees and manicured lawns, illuminated by the soft glow of the moon.
Tephnine stepped up beside me, her heels clicking softly. She didn't say anything at first, she just let out a long, shaky breath and looked up at the stars. Even after the whole sweating, she still looked perfect. Under these stars there was only one perfect creation, and that was Tephnine West.
Me: You okay?, Or is the weight of that crown giving you a headache?
Tephnine: (Turning to look at me, a small, tired smile on her lips) It's not the crown, babe. It's the eyes. It feels like every time I breathe, someone's taking a mental note of how deep the inhale was.
Me: Perks of being a West and prom queen, I guess. Though, I think I'm the one who's going to be in the headlines tomorrow. 'Trouble in paradise?. Soccer captain Andrew, Tephnine and Keima in a love triangle'
Tephnine: (Laughing softly) never do journalism, you can't even write a proper headline.
Me: (laughing softly) yeah I know.
She moved closer, her shoulder brushing mine. The silence out here was intimate, different from the silence in the car. This one felt like we were the only two people left on the planet.
Tephnine: I meant what I said back there, you know?. About being sorry. I hate that Andrew still thinks he has some kind of claim on my time just because of a title.
Me: (Looking at her) I know. I was just... I don't know. Seeing him hold you while the whole school cheered for him as 'King' felt like a glitch I couldn't fix. I'm used to being the one in control on the court. Up there?, I was just a spectator.
Tephnine: You're never a spectator to me.
She reached out, feeling all of my face and lips.
Tephnine: you'll always be the number one player on my team.
Me: thanks babe
Tephnine: So... my father is already asking about my date. He saw the live stream.
Me: live stream?. We had a live stream?.
Tephnine: duhhh. Of course we did.
Me: shit. Does he still remember about the whole victory academy debacle.
Tephnine: yes. But he did say he wants to meet and speak with you.
Me: oh shit
Tephnine: isn't that good?.
Me: you know I'm scared of your dad
Tephnine: everyone is.
Me: well whatever. When that time comes. For now, let's just enjoy this view together as a couple. What do you say about that?.
Tephnine: I say yes.
Who knew watching the moon and stars at night with the one you love can be so relaxing and joy-filled.
******* Somewhere Around 11:27 pm *******
I kissed Tephnine on the forehead, promising I'd be back in two minutes. The cool air of the balcony stayed with me for all of five seconds before the heat of the Hall swallowed me again. I was fucking pressed, I had to let go of the excess liquid already built up in my tank. Now this was my dilemma, I had no idea where the bathroom of the grand hall was located, but thankfully, for every problem there would be a solution. My solution right now was Jensen. Saw the idiot dancing with a total different girl.
Me: (walking close) Jensen, I need to borrow you
Jensen: go away. I'm busy.
Me: I'm dying here you idiot. Help me out
Jensen: sorry I can't hear you
Me: (grabbing his head and whispering) I'm about to piss on myself if you don't show me the way to the bathroom. So please.
Jensen: fine. (To the date) I'll be back.
Exactly a minute to get to the bathroom, and he excused himself to talk to another girl, there's the reason he was crowned 'most likely to break a heart'. I honestly don't know what to do with him anymore. Helped myself to the bathroom and relieved the burden that had been building up. All that was left to do was just to tidy myself up. You know that saying, "no matter what you do, peace would run away from you", that shit happened to me, lemme tell this well.
I was at the marble sink, splashing cold water on my face and checking if Tephnine's lip gloss had finally faded, when the heavy bathroom door clicked shut. Not a normal click. A 'locked' click.
I looked in the mirror. Andrew was standing there, his white tuxedo looking blinding under the lights. Flanking him were four Gammas, the same one who we met before. All of them built like they spent more time on bench presses than books.
Andrew: (Leaning against the door, arms crossed) You look a little lost, Omega. The balcony is for people who actually have a future. The bathroom?, Well, this is where we flush the waste.
I didn't turn around. I just grabbed a paper towel and slowly dried my hands. He loves speaking smart, but to we the normal people, he just says shit that's hard to understand without context.
Me: (calmly) You know Andrew, for a King, you spend a lot of time watching over me. If I didn't know better, I'd think you were my guardian angel or something.
The goons stepped forward, their shadows stretching over the tiles. I finally turned, leaning back against the sink, completely unimpressed.
Andrew: You think because you can shoot a ball, you're one of us?. You're a charity case, Keima. A 3 star pet that Jensen keeps around to feel superior.
Me: (Smirking) Is that what you tell yourself to sleep at night?. That I'm a pet?. Let's talk facts, 'Your Majesty.' You're a 5 star Streak, right? Top of the food chain. But here you are, cornering a first year in a bathroom because you're still salty about a captain's patch and a girl who chose a 'pet' over you.
Goon 1: Watch your mouth, freshman.
Me: Or what?. You'll jump me?. (I laughed, a cold, sharp sound) Do you guys even realize the math you're doing right now?. You touch me, and you aren't just hitting an Omega. You're hitting a member of the Trinity. Jensen is outside right now, and you know how he gets when people touch his pet. His father owns the deed to your dorm rooms. You bruise my face, and by tomorrow morning, your parents will be getting a call saying your exotic tuition has been revoked.
I stepped closer to Andrew, my eyes narrowing behind the gold star lapel.
Me: We have a cup match in three days. If I, Jace, or Jensen so much as stub a toe because of you, oh I pity you. It's just sad to imagine. Imagine telling Mr white that His precious baller got bruised by a jealous past tense. Hmmmm. That's..... something. If you touch me?, then know that You aren't just touching a kid, you're sabotaging the school's golden geese. You sure you want to kiss your Starling Strike football career goodbye over a pet?.
Andrew's face went from pale to a deep, vibrating red. He was losing the logic battle, and he knew it.
Andrew: (Voice shaking with rage) You think she actually loves you?. Tephnine is a West. She's used to the best. Right now, you're just a project for her. A way to rebel against her father. Once the novelty of dating a street kid wears off, she'll realize that having a Wonder Kid is like having a stray dog, fun for a week, but eventually, it starts to smell. And then it smells so bad that you get rid of it.
He stepped into my personal space, whispering so the others couldn't hear.
Andrew: I've had her, Keima. I know exactly how she tastes. And trust me, by graduation, she'll be back in a white tuxedo, and you'll be back in the bottom of the food chain wondering where it all went wrong. You think I'm jealous she choose you?. I'm happy a trash I wanted to discard a long time ago found it's way to another trash.
That was it. The calm and logical me died right there. I didn't even think for a moment or what would happen after this. I'm okay with him insulting me, but no one speaks of my Queen in that manner. My right hook was a blur, fueled by every second of jealousy I'd suppressed all night, every shed of anger I've ever tried to hide. CRACK. My knuckles connected squarely with his left eye, sending him stumbling back into the stalls.
Andrew: (Clutching his face, screaming) GET HIM!
The four goons swarmed me. I managed to dodge the first swing and land a kick on one guy's ribs, but the numbers were too much, I'm not some protagonist in a action movie. A fist caught me in the jaw, and another hit my stomach, sending me crashing against the marble counters. I hated the pain I felt. Next thing I know one tried to march down on my stomach, which I worked out and kicked his balls with all of my might. After that, things kinda went south. The punches I received were just painful that's all I can say.
The sound of the scuffle, the grunts, the thud of bodies against wood, and Andrew's shouting carried. Suddenly, the door didn't just open, it was shoved with such force it hit the stopper and bounced.
Jensen: (His voice booming like thunder) WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON IN HERE?!.
Students began pouring in behind him, phones already out. Jace was right behind him, his face contorted into something murderous.
I was on the floor, blood trickling from my lip, but I was smiling. Because Andrew looked like a wreck, and the whole school was about to see their 'King' getting caught in a 5-on-1 cowardly ambush. Oh someone is getting cooked in tomorrow's paper.
Jace who was behind Jensen lost it first. He didn't even wait for Jensen to speak before moving forward. Seeing me slumped against the marble, he became a blur of violent motion.
Jace caught the first Gamma with a sickening thud, a straight right that sent the guy's head bouncing off the tiled wall, I swear on my life. Before the second one could even raise his hands, Jace had him by the throat, driving a knee into his ribs that sounded like dry wood snapping.
Jensen didn't say a word. That was the scariest part. He didn't yell, he just walked. He stepped over the two bodies Jace was currently dismantling and walked straight toward Andrew.
Andrew: (Choking, backing into a stall) He... he hit me first! Look at my eye, Jensen!. He started it!
Jensen didn't even blink. He reached out, grabbed Andrew by the back of his hair, and slammed his face into the industrial sized mirror. The glass didn't break, but the sound of Andrew's forehead hitting the surface echoed through the entire room. Jensen didn't stop. He dragged him back and threw a short, clinical hook into Andrew's liver that dropped the 'King' to his knees, gasping for air that wouldn't come.
Outside, the hallway was a riot. "Let me through!", a voice screamed, a voice I knew even through the ringing in my ears.
Tephnine didn't wait for the crowd to part. She used her heels and her elbows, shoving through the wall of students like they were cardboard. She hit the bathroom door at a dead sprint. The gold crown she'd won ten minutes ago wasn't even on her head anymore. She was on the floor next to me in a heartbeat.
Tephnine: (Her voice a jagged, terrified wreck) Kei!. Oh my god... look at me, babe. Look at me.
She grabbed my face, her fingers trembling as she wiped the blood from my lip with the palm of her hand. Her eyes were darting everywhere, checking for broken bones, before they settled on Andrew, who was curled in a ball at Jensen's feet.
The look on her face wasn't just anger. it was a look I've never seen before.
Random man: (Screaming from the doorway) STOP!, STOP. What is the meaning of this?!
Mr. Harrison, the head of security, pushed through the remaining students, his face pale as he looked at the carnage. Jace had the third Gamma pinned against a sink, fist raised, while Jensen stood over Andrew like a silent executioner, the last Gamma was no where to be found.
Mr. Harrison: Jensen West!, Jace!. Step away from them this instant!. Keima, get off the floor!.
Is he fucking serious?. Does he think I'm laying here cause it's comfortable?. Jensen slowly turned his head. He didn't look guilty. He looked pissed.
Jensen: (Voice like a razor) You're late, Harrison. My brother has been bleeding for more than five minutes. If I were you, I'd stop worrying about these four and start worrying about why the school's security feed accidentally missed a 5-on-1 ambush.
Tephnine: (Standing up, her voice vibrating with authority) He's going to a hospital. Now.
Mr. Harrison: Now, wait a minute, the protocol for a fight—
Tephnine: (Interrupting, stepping toward the H.O.S) The protocol is whatever I say it is. Look at his face. Look at the blood on the floor. If you try to keep us here for statements while he's hurt, I'll make sure to call my father and mention how incompetent you are at your work.
She didn't wait for him to agree. She reached down, hooking her arm under mine. Jace stepped away from the guy he was about to pulverize, his chest still heaving, and grabbed my other side.
As we walked out, the crowd of students scrambled backward to make a path. I was leaning on Tephnine and Jace, my ribs screaming, but I looked back one last time. Andrew was still on the floor, the King looking like a discarded pet. Long live king Andrew.
We left the Hall behind, moving toward the exit where the S-Class was waiting. The "Night of a Lifetime" was officially over, remind me to never get hyped for prom again.