Shameful Hearts (BOOK 2)

Prom Night

Rebecca's POV

It was 6:30 pm. Prom night. And I was more than excited to see how the musty school gym looked like tonight. I finally did it. I finally made it to prom after being held back as a junior after two years. I owed most of it to Jacob since he was my number one cheerleader. And I don't think I would've ever graduated if it wasn't for Mrs. Conner choosing him as my tutor. 

My so-called boyfriend was already running late and I couldn't bear to miss another minute of a night I wanted to remember. So, I drove myself to the school. I looked exquisitely hot tonight, thanks to Alyssa. She's the one who picked out my long, split-front, burgundy dress. I decided to add highlights in my hair and wear it down for tonight. Only because I knew the boys would be falling head over heels the moment I'd step into the room. I topped it off with some bright, red lipstick to make my full lips stand out. 

Once I arrived at the school, I hopped out of my car and took a look at the building before me before taking a deep breath. Here goes nothing. I walked into the school and guided myself towards the gym. The hallways were empty despite a couple making out against the lockers. That could've been me and Jacob. Where the fuck was he? I took my phone out of my purse and looked at the time. It was 7:05 pm. There were going to announce prom king and queen by 8 pm. So he'd better be here before then. 

 As I entered the gym, flashing lights and beautiful decorations came to alight. Party For One by Carly Rae Jepsen played and I was over the moon. Everything was just how I expected it to be in Madison. Though I never got the chance to go to prom at the time. 

I went over to the punch table and got myself a drink, hoping it would be spiked. It wasn't, and I kinda saw it coming. Just then, my phone buzzed. I looked at the text sent from Alyssa that read: just found this on Camilla's phone. Sorry, mihija. A picture of Jacob in shock, standing in front of some random girl was sent right after. What the hell? Was he with this girl right now? On MY prom night? 

I quickly replied back: wtf? who's the chick?

Then she texted: some girl he's been seein' behind ur back. This can't be happening right now. Why? Why now? Why Jacob? He never cheats. Matter of fact, he never had a girlfriend to cheat on. So, why would he do it to me? What could I have possibly done in our entire relationship for him to do this? Oh, let me guess. He was bored. I wouldn't be surprised. Adam said it, so he might as well say the same thing. 

I turned off my phone and took a huge gulp of some fruit punch. The urge to punch Jacob in the face grew bigger and bigger. I needed to do something with my hands but I didn't want to make a scene. Enraged, I crushed my plastic cup and threw it in the garbage. I grabbed a seat at a random table and sighed. I can't believe this was happening to me. I was supposed to be having the time of my life tonight and it all got ruined the second I got here.

Beneath Your Beautiful by Labrinth started to play and my tears were on the verge of shedding. I held them back and took a deep breath, calming my nerves. Suddenly, a hand reached out to me. I looked up and saw Owen in a grey suit, smirking at me, "You wanna dance?" He asked. It was a nice offer but I just lost all of my energy in two minutes. 

"Owen—" 

"I know! Hands above the waist. No worries. Now, come on!" He pulled me out of my seat, directing me to the middle of the dancefloor. As much as I wanted to flee, Owen was making an effort in spite of my night going into shambles. I laid one hand on his shoulder while the other held his hand. The way we swayed back and forth actually felt quite nice. Like we were the only ones here. Our eyes met and I just couldn't help but grin. 

"So, uh... Where's your date?" He asked. 

And then he ruined it.

"I don't know. Probably making out with some other girl." I shrugged.

"What?" He misheard. I wasn't gonna repeat myself. 

"It's fine. Where's yours?"

"Frankie stood me up. She went with Holden instead." 

"You asked Frankie? Why not just stay home?" 

"It's prom, idiot. Just because one girl backed out on me, doesn't mean another girl will."

"That's sweet. In some fucked up way." 

"See? I'm not just a fuck boy. I have feelings, too." Like I didn't know that? Owen was a lot of things, but not a romantic. I was very picky when it came to boys. With the exception of Jacob, of course. But now that I realized what a dick he is, it was out of the question. Why could boys not be such assholes for once? It's just that simple. Did I have the word 'slut' written across my forehead? So I liked having sex. The last time I checked, that wasn't something to be ashamed of.

 I looked over Owen's shoulder only to see Francesca walking into the gym, hand-in-hand with whom I couldn't believe was Chris Andrews. 

"What the fuck?!"

"What?" Owen questioned concerned, shifting his head to where my eyes drew. This night had just gotten worse in the span of ten minutes. 

"You said Frankie was coming with Holden." 

"That's what she told me. She either lied to me or I probably got the names mixed up." Chris's eyes and mine locked. My entire body froze like I had just been zapped by a freeze ray from a villain. He looked away before I did and carried his way to the dancefloor. I had to get out of there. I couldn't think, unable to process what the fuck was actually happening right now, and I definitely wasn't feeling too well either.

"Becca, you good?" Owen asked. Being sick to my stomach, I withdrew myself from the gym. The last time Chris and I spoke was right before summer vacation. He clearly stated that he'd be going back to Madison with Dylan and leave me the fuck alone. But why was he still here? Why'd he lie to me? Did I not suffer enough?

I ended up in the school parking lot. It was cold, dark, and empty. I immediately threw up my lunch on the concrete ground and went straight to my car. In a panic, I looked for my keys in my purse but somehow misplaced them. Fuck.

"Looking for these?" A voice that I recognized all too well said. I turned back to see Chris jingling my keys, unfazed by my typical clumsiness. He tossed them towards me and I caught them. He cleaned up well for a prom that wasn't his, wearing a black turtle neck sweater that matched his black suit pants. And to make it look a little bit more Chris, he topped it off with a gold chain necklace. 

"What the hell are you doing here?" I managed to blurt without vomiting. 

"I think the words you're looking for are 'thank you'." He smirked. I gulped, refusing to say anything more. "While you were in such a hurry to get away from me, you dropped your keys. Do me a favor and be careful next time, yeah? Someone might steal those." He clenched his jaw, revealing the sharp outline of it, nonchalantly sliding his hands in his pants pockets.

And there it was again. That intense eye contact we always gave each other. It was inevitable every time. And every time, I'd always fall for it. 

Chris turned away and directed himself inside the school. I sighed in relief. That could've ended terribly. 

"Oh! By the way. You look beautiful tonight. But then again, you always do."