Is this destiny?

Cassie and Samantha made their way toward the table where two teachers are sitting. They are collecting votes for the prom queen and prom king.

Every senior received an invitation that grants access to two people. This allows everyone to bring in one date, if they want. During the event, invitations are used as anonymous ballots for the purpose of voting for the king and a queen of the prom. Toward the end of the event, the winners will be announced. It will be a small ceremony where prom king and prom queen get crowned and that is followed by a dance.

"How many people voted?" Samantha asked the teachers who were stationed next to the box.

"Nine so far, Miss Long. There is still plenty of time and not everyone arrived." The teacher responded. He saw that she is looking at him expectantly, so he added: "At this point, you are the frontrunner for the title of the queen."

Samantha forced a smile. "And the king?"

"So far… Mr. Smith. However, we have almost two hundred votes to collect…" The teacher's voice trailed off when he saw Samantha's deep frown.

Samantha tugged Cassie to the side and five steps later, they approached a group of five girls.

"Did you cast your votes?" Samantha asked.

"Not yet." One of the girls responded.

"What are you waiting for? You know who should win. The pens are available at the teachers' table." Samantha said cockily and walked to the next group.

Samantha has no problems intimidating others. This is a cruel world and only winners stand at the top, and Samantha is a winner. The fact that Corey is leading as the king is only making this sweeter. Samantha can't wait to see Merve's dejected expression when Samantha and Corey stand on that stage as the prom queen and prom king.

Samantha thinks that Corey is a handsome young man, but other than that, she has no feelings toward him. She is driven by a desire to win, to be the best, and whoever is the king is not important to her as long as she is the queen. However, now she would like Corey to win, only so that she can dance with him in front of Miss White. That will teach Miss White who is at the top.

The five girls exchanged glances when Samantha left. Samantha told them all in advance to vote for her, or they will suffer the consequences. Well, they don't have a chance of winning anyway, and voting for Samantha will appease her.

"We might as well get over with it..." One of the five girls said dejectedly.

"Where are you going?" A voice stopped the girls who were about to vote.

Five girls turned to see who called and observed the smug smile of Anabella Rain.

"To vote for the king and the queen." One of the girls responded.

"You will vote for Samantha Long?" Anabella guessed.

"Why are you asking the obvious, Bella?"

"Do you want to vote for her?"

Girls looked at Anabella helplessly. "Who can oppose her?"

"Well… there is one girl." Anabella said mysteriously. "Let me tell you what happened in the restroom a few minutes ago…"

Anabella paused when she saw two couples walking toward the teachers' table and she dragged them away. "Before you cast your votes, you need to hear this first…"

Anabella was pleased to see that her audience is increasing. "As I said, I was in the restroom, minding my own business when…"

Anabella was happy to share what she overheard while hiding in the stall of the girls' restroom. And the information that Miss White resisted Miss Long's bullying and came on top spread through the event hall of the hotel like wildfire.

Everyone knew who Miss White is because not many outsiders were present. They are all part of the elite in the area and people who are worthy of being their dates go to the same school. That is why most of them paired up with classmates as dates or came in groups, so Corey coming alone with his girlfriend was something that everyone noticed.

…

Later that evening…

"When can we leave?" Corey asked Merve as they moved on the dancefloor.

Merve was surprised by this question. Leaving means that the evening will end. And she does not want to part from Corey. It's too soon for that. "You are not having fun?"

"If you are not here, I would leave ages ago." Corey said while gazing at Merve lovingly.

"I remember that there was some event scheduled. How about we go after the program is over? I don't want others to think that you are skipping your activities because of me."

Corey pouted. "Announcing the king and the queen of the prom. That is toward the end."

Merve understood that Corey is not willing to stay here much longer. "You don't like dancing with me?"

"I love doing anything with you, but I would rather do it in private. I am suppressing my urge to kiss you."

Merve was overwhelmed. Tonight, Corey is super-handsome and intense, and Merve felt that his gaze has some inexplainable power which is rendering her unable to break eye contact. She wondered if it's because of their outfits, or the dim light, or because they are dancing, or maybe that fruit punch is giving her a buzz she wanted to experience. Probably all of it combined.

"Corey, I want to kiss you as well. This delay is good because the kisses will be sweeter when we get our privacy." She smiled while thinking that they will get privacy when they enter the car to return home. Maybe they can take a long route, or a circle around the city? She would not mind staying on that back seat with Corey until dawn.

"Merve…" Corey called and paused.

"Yes?"

Corey wanted to ask her to go to his apartment after this party, but at the last moment he chickened out. However, he started talking and he needs to come up with something. "Uhm… Thank you for coming with me tonight."

"You are welcome. Thank you for inviting me. I am having fun, with you." Merve responded and leaned her head on his shoulder.

Corey took a deep breath and checked the time. Ah, there is more than an hour to go! As soon as they enter the car, he will kiss her thoroughly and by then... he will ask her to go to his apartment.

…

About half an hour before the announcement of the king and the queen of the prom, the teacher in charge took the microphone and reminded everyone to vote if they didn't already.

Corey took his invitation and asked Merve: "Do you want to vote?"

Merve was visibly excited. "How does it work?"

"On this part which can be detached... there are two spots where you can write a name. One boy and one girl. The winners get to go on the stage and get crowned. It's a silly activity."

"A king and a queen…" Merve said dreamily. She took a pen he offered and smiled. "I don't have any girl on my mind, but I know who my king is…"

Corey smiled as Merve wrote 'Corey Smith' on the line for the boy.

Corey took the pen from her and wrote 'Merve White' on the line for the girl.

Merve was touched. She knows that will be the only vote for her, but it's the only one that counts. "Can you vote for someone who does not go to your school? If my name is not allowed, will that make my vote for you invalid as well?"

Corey shrugged. "I don't know. But I know who my queen is."

"Your sweet talking is improving."

Corey winked. "I'm practicing on my girlfriend. Let's put this into the voting box and dance."

"How about more fruit punch?"

Corey laughed. He does not know if Merve got her buzz yet or not, but it does not matter. She can do whatever she wants, and he will protect her.

Merve thought how this is a good idea that she can steal: they can have a themed dance party at the Cliffside villa! For extra excitement, the participants can vote for the best dressed, best dancer, best couple… and they can come up with more categories. Maybe the best kiss? That would be bold! But fun. She will talk with Masika about it when she gets a chance. Masika always has great ideas.

Merve thought how if they pick for their theme 1920-ies, she can reuse her costume. It's too pretty for only one use, and she likes the white feather boa. Merve is nineteen years old, so she will probably not grow much, but she needs to watch her weight because the dress is fitting her snugly around her waist.

Merve smiled dreamily while imagining a dance party with Corey where she does not need to worry about jealous girls and schemers. Ah, there she can relax and enjoy.

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