Page 54 of The Year I was Almost Prom Queen

Adika starts to walk away. But she pauses. “And Emma?”

“Yeah?”

“Please don’t tell anyone.”

I nod and wait until she’s out of sight before leaving the stage. When I return to the auditorium, Adika is nowhere to be seen.

“Prom Queen!”

I turn and am suddenly engulfed in Ethan’s arms. I grunt as he attack-hugs me.

“Where’d you go?” he says. “I’ve been looking all over for you.”

“Bathroom,” I blurt out, immediately wishing I’d thought of a less embarrassing excuse. My cheeks burn.

“We’re all going out for ice cream to celebrate your victory,” he says. “Come on!”

Ethan pulls me along and my feet comply, but I’m not really present as we go to the ice cream shop. Everyone in the group laughs and jokes around me, but my mind is on Austin and Adika. I feel like my emotions are just so mixed up right now!

As soon as I get home that night, I go to pull out my phone and discover it’s missing. Great, I think. I must have left it at the ice cream place. I climb into bed and try and sleep. But I just can’t. I have too many thoughts racing through my brain. I find myself wishing I could dump all my thoughts out on Steve. Mrs. Reyes would be proud.

Chapter Fifteen

“Hey, Prom Queen, where have you been?” Ethan asks me. His voice is full of concern. “Shouldn’t you have been here like an hour ago?”

I was happy to see Ethan walking towards me when I entered the building this morning, but now I’m confused. “I just got to school, but the bell hasn’t even rung yet,” I say. “Am I late for something?”

Ethan looks genuinely shocked by my confusion and I can feel my heart begin to plummet.

“We need to hurry,” he says, pulling me down the hall. “I’m supposed to MC the assembly this morning. And you should already be dressed.”

“What assembly?” I ask, pulling back on him.

Ethan stops in his tracks. “You’re kidding right?” he asks.

When I shake my head in response, his mouth drops open. Now I’m worried. I’m obviously missing something. “What assembly, Ethan?” I ask.

“The prom assembly,” he says slowly. “Where they present the nominees on stage and ask questions so the student body can decide who to vote for. Didn’t you_“

“There you are!” Mrs. Graidy, the vice principal, grabs my elbow and pulls me away from Ethan before he can finish talking. She looks over my shoulder. “You better head into the auditorium, Mr. Hayden, they’re setting up now.” I can’t even look back at Ethan to tell him goodbye. My mind is still reeling with information. Mrs. Graidy turns back to me. “Where have you been, Emma? All the nominees were supposed to be here an hour ago.”

Suddenly my mind races back to the auditorium a week ago. Mrs. Graidy was telling us all about needing to prepare forthe prom assembly. And something about a video. I forgot to make a video!

I can feel the blood drain from my face. I’ve never forgotten an assignment in my entire life. How did I let something so big be completely overlooked?

“I forgot,” I whisper.

Mrs. Graidy takes a step back. “Please tell me you’re joking, child,” she says, massaging her temples.

I can feel the tears beginning to well up inside me. I shake my head. Mrs. Graidy puts her face in her hands and begins counting to herself.

I fold my arms across my chest, trying to slow the shivers that are now attacking my body. I’ve been complaining about those snooty girls and the way they’ve been trying to mess up my nomination since day one. Now, here I am, self-sabotaging right alongside them.

Mrs. Graidy grabs my arms. “All the nominees are supposed to be dressed in their formal wear. You’re escorted across the stage and tell a little about yourself to the student body. Then the MC asks you some questions. Then they play your video. It’s so the entire student body can get to know our nominees better, before deciding who to vote for.”

My head begins to spin and I fear I may tip over. I’m supposed to wear a dress, stand in front of the entire school, speak into a microphone, and answer questions? Individually, each of these things is my worst nightmare. Combined, it’s like being trapped in a horror movie.

“What do I do?” I can barely squeak out the words.

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