41

LUNA

THE MORNING OF PROM APPROACHED with a gentle embrace. The first touches of sunlight warmed the crisp air. Birds sang their cheerful melodies, filling the air with a harmonious symphony. Soft hues of pink and orange painted the sky, gradually giving way to a tranquil blue. I breathed in the scent of blooming flowers and fresh grass as I stepped out of my home.

"Where are you headed?"

Hudson stood in his driveway, exuding a rugged charm that was hard to ignore. His overalls hung around his waist, revealing a tight, grease-stained shirt that clung to his toned torso. The fabric stretched across his chest and shoulders. Just below the right sleeve, the edge of his tattoo peeked out.Stray locks of hair fell over his forehead, tousled from wiping away sweat. He had a few grease smudges on his face, contrasting with his striking eyes that held a mischievous twinkle. He leaned down to kiss me the moment I reached him.

"Where are you going?" he asked again, his eyes filled with curiosity.

It was my turn for mischief.

"I'm going to get ready for prom with Maya. Need to impress my date."

Playing along, he folded his arms with a wide grin.

"Your date is a lucky guy. I'm jealous."

"You should be." We laughed together before I turned serious, placing the palms of my hands on his chest. "Promise me you won't get into any trouble tonight."

His grin was unsettling.

"I should tell you that."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help but smile. Typical Hudson. Leaning up, I gave him a chaste peck.

"I'll see you tonight."

I could feel his eyes on me as I turned to walk back to my car, anticipation burning in my veins.

?

I stood in my room, fixing my hair for the hundredth time in front of my mirror. I perfectly placed each curl and smoothed every strand into submission, wanting to look flawless. My mother's voice echoed from downstairs, announcing Hudson. Taking a deep breath, I gave myself a final, approving glance before turning to leave.

As I descended the staircase, my eyes fell on Hudson. He stood at the bottom, looking incredibly handsome in his sleek black suit. It fit him like a glove, accentuating his broad shoulders and lean frame. It was rare to see him not in flannel and his Oasis shirt. His hair was slicked back, and his smile held a confident, boyish charm. My heart fluttered as his eyes lit up when I came closer. He extended his hand to help me down the last few steps. Even with heels, he towered over me. Leaning down, he kissed my cheek to whisper in my ear.

"You're so gorgeous, Snow."

A blush crept up on my cheeks. I reached over to straighten his tie, a gesture that felt intimate and natural. Of course, my mother had to take a picture.

"You look so handsome."

My mom was capturing every moment on camera. We posed for pictures, our hands intertwined, before he gently guided me outside with his hand on my back. The night air was refreshing with the promise of a memorable evening.

Stepping off the porch, I saw an old-fashioned Bentley parked in the driveway. My breath hitched in my throat, and I turned to him.

"How did you manage this?"

He grinned, a look of pride and satisfaction on his face.

"An old friend of my dad's offered it for the night if I could get it running." He said. "So, I spent the last few weeks working on it."

I felt a rush of emotions, my heart swelling with gratitude and love. His effort made this night truly special for me.

"You built me a car, just to take me to prom?"

With a shrug, he acted as if it were customary for guys on dates.

"I remember your prom planner from when we were kids. Driving a Bentley to prom was number ten on the list."

Tears of happiness welled up in my eyes. I couldn't believe he remembered something from so long ago. He reached into the backseat and pulled out a small box, opening it to reveal a delicate pale pink rose corsage. That was number two on my list. My hand shook as he placed the corsage on my wrist and fastened it.

Overwhelmed, I threw my arms around his neck, pulling him into a loving, heartfelt kiss. He responded with equal passion, his arms circling my waist, holding me close. When we pulled away, I looked into his love-filled eyes.

"I can't believe you remembered all of this."

He smiled, his eyes reflecting the love I felt for him.

"I remember everything you ever told me." he said, gesturing to the car. "The night is just getting started."

With one last look at the beautifully restored vehicle, I slipped my hands into his, feeling an overwhelming sense of happiness and contentment. We climbed into the car, ready to make the most of our night, knowing it would be one we'd remember forever.

?

The gymnasium had undergone a magical metamorphosis, transforming into a celestial wonderland. An ethereal ambiance enveloped us as we entered through the wide double doors. A glossy, midnight-blue floor covered the gymnasium, reflecting the twinkling lights above as if we were dancing under a starlit sky. The acoustics of the gymnasium allowed the melody to fill every corner, bouncing off the decorated walls and ceilings, creating an immersive, auditory experience.

Hudson stood behind me, his arms wrapped around my waist. I leaned back into his muscular chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat against my back. Together, we swayed in time with the music, lost in our little world. His warm embrace made my stomach flutter. He leaned down, his breath warm against my ear.

"I'll be right back." He whispered, his voice a soft promise that sent shivers down my spine.

He placed a tender kiss on my temple. His lips lingered longer than necessary as if he didn't want to leave but had to. I felt the gentle pressure of his lips before he pulled away, leaving a tingling sensation in his wake. Confusion flickered across my face as I watched him walk off. His confident stride carried him through the crowd, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of curiosity mixed with worry. What is he up to? Maya appeared before I could dwell on it.

"You look gorgeous." she said, pulling me into a warm embrace.

"So do you!"

We stood amid the action, twirling to show off our dresses, basking in the night's glow. Maya scoped the area.

"Where did Hudson go?"

I shrugged.

"I'm not sure. Hopefully, he isn't getting himself into any trouble."

She chuckled.

"This is Hudson we're talking about. I'm surprised the room isn't on fire yet."

Sharing a laugh, we discussed our dresses, dates, and the magic of the evening. As we were losing ourselves in the conversation, Hudson appeared, a troublesome smile on his lips.

"What did you do?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.

"Nothing worthy of jail time." He replied with a wink. He held out his hand to me just as a slow song played. "Dance with me?"

I took his hand, feeling the warmth and reassurance of his touch. He turned to Maya.

"You better save me a dance later."

With that, he led me to the dance floor. We swayed together, the world fading into the background. His eyes locked with mine.

"So, do you think you'll be prom queen?"

"Doubtful," I said. "Honestly, I don't care."

He raised his eyebrow.

"Is that so?"

"It is," I said. "A guy made me realize I don't need something like a crown to be deemed worthy."

His smile almost split his face in half.

"He sounds like a guy that knows what he's talking about."

"Sometimes," I said with a grin. "Mostly, he's annoying."

He chuckled before drawing me closer. I rested my head on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart. I couldn't help but smile when I felt his lips pressed against my head, lingering. However, Principal Quinn interrupted our moment as he took the stage, his voice echoing through the gymnasium.

"Good evening, everyone. It's time to announce the prom king and queen!"

Everyone turned their attention to the stage. My heart skipped a beat, knowing I'd have to watch Cynthia's ego grow even larger.

"I would like to start with announcing the prom king." He tore the seal and read the name. "Austin Jockstrap Chambers." He said, doing a double-take once he realized what he read.

Laughter erupted from the crowd; Hudson included. Austin walked up with a frown; the crown placed on his head. I gave Hudson a look, but he remained too distracted by his laughter. Principal Quinn waited for the laughter to die down before announcing the prom queen.

"And this year's prom queen is… Luna Delgato!"

Shock washed over me. The applause was like a background noise as I turned to Hudson.

"What did you do?"

He smiled, eyes twinkling with pride.

"Giving you what you deserve."

From the crowd, Cynthia threw a fit. Her banshee screams drowned out the cheers. Face flushed with anger, she stormed through the crowd and left the gym. Hudson nudged me forward.

"Go get your crown."

Troubled with nerves, I made my way to the stage. Principal Quinn placed the crown on my head, and applause filled the room. I was too shocked to register anything. As I looked out over the crowd, my eyes found Hudson's. He was beaming, his love and pride clear in every fiber of his being. It felt like a dream, each moment more unreal, but having Hudson back made me feel luckier.

Principal Quinn announced it was time for me to have a dance with the prom king. Hudson's expression darkened. As I descended the stage, Hudson held out his hand. He had a confident smirk playing on his lips.

"Rules are meant to be broken."

I grinned and took his hand. Amidst the onlookers, he took me to the dance floor, unconcerned about their presence. He held me close as we danced.

"What did you do?" I asked, my voice filled with curiosity.

He grinned, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

"I saw Cynthia stuffing the ballot box, so I switched it out for another one."

"Why?"

He chuckled; eyes filled with sincerity.

"You've always been a queen in my eyes." He said. "And it was number one on the list."

My eyes filled with tears of happiness. Overwhelmed by emotion, I leaned up and kissed him. The rest of the onlookers joined us on the dance floor, but we remained focused on each other.

"Everything has become so different in such a short time, something I never expected."

He smiled down at me.

"I hope a good different."

I nodded, my eyes shining.

"My life could not get any better."

I could tell my words touched him.

"For years, I dreamed of being with you. I just never imagined it would happen." He said. "Who would have known, right?"

With a tender smile, I brushed a stray hair away from his forehead before cupping his cheek.

"Your mom knew."

He chuckled, a fond smile spreading across his face.

"She had a habit of being right."

He leaned down for another kiss. Happiness and love swelled within me. Our peers surrounded us, but it felt like we were alone. Everything with Hudson felt perfect.