22

LUNA

DESPITE THE GYMNASIUM PULSING with the rhythm of music and laughter, I felt like my night was shrouded in darkness. I sat at my table, shoulders slumped, a heaviness settling over me like a suffocating blanket. Two jerks had ruined my evening.

The announcement for homecoming king and queen echoed through the hall, I couldn't help but groan. I'd hoped to win, but the universe seemed intent on stomping on my hopes.

I tasted bitterness in my mouth as Austin and Cynthia were crowned. I watched as she walked onto the stage, waving as if she were at a pageant. She strutted to the microphone, ready to deliver her triumphant speech. I braced myself for the onslaught of jealousy and resentment.

However, before she could speak, gasps echoed in the gymnasium. A sense of déjà vu struck me as Hudson burst onto the stage. With a swift movement, he yanked the crown off her head, before bolting off the stage like a fugitive escaping the law.

My eyes widened in shock as I watched him flee, unable to process what was happening until he was beside me, grabbing my hand and urging me to run. My heart raced as I followed him through the crowd, the noise fading into the background as we reached the empty parking lot.

We stopped beside his truck, both panting for breath. Adrenaline coursed through my veins. I punched him in the arm, the force of my blow surprising even myself.

"Why did you do that?" I asked, my voice laced with confusion and frustration.

He grinned, a mischievous sparkle in his eyes, and with a tenderness that took my breath away, he placed the crown on my head.

"In my world, you're the rightful queen." He said, his words carrying a weight I couldn't comprehend.

I was speechless, my heart pounding as I struggled to process what was happening.

"You're going to get into so much trouble."

"It was worth it."

Goosebumps prickled my skin as he stepped closer to fix the crown, straightening it out. His eyes locked with mine, no sound other than our steady breathing.

"Perfect."

He shrugged off his suit jacket, draping it around my shoulders. I cleared my throat and thanked him before looking down at my heels.

"Let's get you home."

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The hallway outside the principal's office was eerily quiet, the air thick with tension as I waited for the news of Hudson's fate. I fidgeted with the strap of my bag, my heart hammering as I prepared myself for the worst.

The door creaked open, and Hudson emerged, followed by Cynthia, seething with rage.

"I want my crown back." She said, her voice dripping with venom.

Hudson tapped his pockets as if searching for it before smirking at her.

"Sorry, Cynthia." He said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "I seemed to have misplaced it."

My heart sank at his flippant attitude, knowing I had to intervene before he put his foot in it again. With a resigned sigh, I stepped forward and handed the crown to Principal Quinn. He eyed Hudson.

"If you wish to go on the senior ski trip, Mr. Wilder, I suggest you stay out of trouble."

Hudson shrugged, unfazed by the reprimand. Principal Quinn retreated to his office. Cynthia shot us one last venomous glare before storming off in a huff.

"Do you realize how much trouble you could have gotten into?" I asked him, my voice tinged with exasperation. "Stuff like that could ruin your chances at college."

His jaw clenched, as his eyes flashed with a sudden anger that caught me off guard.

"And what if college wasn't part of my plan?" He snapped, his tone harsh and defensive.

I recoiled, taken aback by his outburst.

"Why wouldn't you want to go to college?"

His expression softened, but his eyes remained guarded as if he knew the answer but couldn't reveal it.

"It's not the only thing that matters, Luna." he said, before turning on his heel and storming down the hallway, leaving me bewildered.

?

Dark clouds loomed overhead, unleashing torrents of rain upon the deserted streets as I marched home. I refused to drive home with Hudson after his horrible attitude. I'd forgotten how much of a jerk he could be. Now soaked to the bone and seething with resentment, I trudged along, oblivious to the downpour.

His truck pulled beside me, the headlights casting an eerie glow in the gloomy darkness. He stuck his head out the window, rain dripping from his hair.

"Get inside the truck, Luna."

I shook my head, my jaw clenched with stubborn defiance.

"I'd rather freeze to death."

Annoyance flashed across his features, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. I remained resolute, my resolve unyielding. He stopped the car, the engine rumbling to a halt. In one swift motion, he climbed out and scooped me over his shoulder, my protests falling on deaf ears as he deposited me into the passenger seat.

He locked the door behind me and slid into the driver's seat. The tension was suffocating. We drove in silence. The only sound was the relentless drumming of rain against the truck. After what felt like an eternity, he broke the silence.

"How long are you going to ignore me?" He asked, his eyes fixed on the road.I ignored him, but he was relentless."I was going to apologize."

"Good."

"I changed my mind."

The agitation seeped through my veins.

"Hanging around with you has reminded me of what a jerk you are."

His hands tightened on the steering wheel, his knuckles turning white with frustration.

"I'm not him. " He snapped, his tone sharp with anger. "And I don't want to be."

"What does Austin have to do with this?"

He glanced at me before returning his focus to the road.

"You want me to be like him, but I'm not."

The words hung heavy in the air, a stark reminder of our tumultuous situation. With a sigh, he glanced at me, his eyes tired and defeated.

"This fake dating thing was a bad idea." He said. "We should end it now."

I nodded in agreement, my resolve wavering.

"I think that's a great idea."

Climbing out of the truck, I slammed the door shut behind me; the sound echoed in the empty street as I stormed into my home.

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