18

LUNA

THE FIELD BUZZED WITH ENERGY as the opening celebration of the homecoming game drew near. In the stands, fans sported the school's colors. Their voices rose and fell like waves crashing against a shore. The squad gathered in a tight-knit circle as Cynthia belted orders not to ruin the routine. I glanced around the stands, spotting the familiar faces of my parents. They waved and cheered my name. I smiled.

The Drumline launched into a thunderous rhythm, setting the stage for our opening routine. We synchronized our movements to the beat of the music, just like we practiced. The crowd erupted into cheers, their applause echoing throughout the stadium. As the routine ended, I felt a surge of exhilaration wash over me. The energy of the crowd was electric.

The celebrations ceased as Cynthia made her way onto the made-up stage on the field, taking her rightful place center stage behind the microphone.

"Greetings, all." She said, welcomed by applause. "I am Cynthia Piersen; cheer captain and student body president and I have a few things to discuss before getting started."

I scoffed. My thoughts shifted as I tried to drown out her annoying voice. I twirled a strand of mahogany locks around my finger. It was more interesting than anything Cynthia could say.

"Hudson!"

Cynthia's infamous banshee scream exploded through the microphone. I pressed my hands against my ear as the microphone exuded a deafening noise. With furrowed brows, I turned to find Cynthia in a tug-of-war with Hudson over the microphone. Gasps, followed by laughter, echoed in the open stadium.

"Let go!" She said, loud enough for the microphone to catch it.

"Who even voted for you?" he asked, as he attempted to yank the microphone out of her vice-like grip. "How are you so strong?"

More booming hysterics echoed through the lengthy field, and I bit my lip to hold in my laughter. I felt dizzy watching the microphone change hands back and forth until Hudson yanked it with a firm tug and took off with it.

"Luna Delgato."

My breath hitched as my name echoed. He glanced around before his eyes landed on me; his infamous smirk proudly etched on his face. Before he could say another word, Cynthia lunged onto his back. Ambivalent reactions burst through the on-watchers. Hudson tried to shake her off, but she was like a koala with a tree trunk. I covered my mouth with my hands as I burst into laughter, watching him attempt to shake the blonde off him, but his attempts were futile as she forced him down to the ground. He brought the microphone to his lips and the sound of him trying to catch his breath boomed through the speakers.

"Luna Delgato, will you go to Homecoming with me?" he asked before Cynthia snatched the microphone out of his hand.

A tumultuous uproar of applause reverberated, and I watched in horror as Principal Quinn escorted Hudson off the stage. I dropped my pom-poms before pushing through the clusters of cheerleaders and jocks to block Hudson.

"What was that for?" I asked as I dragged him away from the celebrations.

"You told me no one has ever asked you," he said with a shrug. "I've never asked someone. I don't think I will again."

He massaged the back of his neck with a groan and winced when he touched a delicate spot.

"Why did you ask me?"

"I figured since we're dating, it would look weird if I didn't."

"I wasn't even thinking it was a possibility. I was planning a night of movies and takeout."

"Is that still an option?" he asked, his eyes hopeful.

I bit off a smile.

"Not anymore. I would love to go to Homecoming with you."

It wasn't how I pictured my senior homecoming to go. I expected it to be with Austin, celebrating our final homecoming dance together.

And, if you told me I would go with Hudson Wilder, I would have died of shock.

Before Hudson responded, Principal Quinn grabbed his arm and dragged him out to the parking lot where I saw his dad standing with his arms folded across his chest, shaking his head in defeat as his delinquent son was in trouble again.