My Future Stepbrother

Chapter 142

The hall looked unrecognisable as we stepped inside. The decorating committee must have worked their asses off! Even the corridor leading up to it was covered in hanging walls of fairy lights.


They'd chosen the theme 'Night Under the Winter Stars.' So every surface had beautiful twinkling little lights on dark fabric, mirroring the night sky. It was magical really, I wondered why I hadn't come to one of these things sooner.


There was a little scene setter with balloons and giant cardboard stars on when you walked in, everyone had to have their photos taken with their dates and the best ones would be in the year book - by best I mean the ones the cheerleaders decided each of them looked good in.


As we got towards the front of the line I could see Josh and Harley having their picture taken, looking at each other like there was no-one else in the room. They'd opted for no ties and they looked perfect together, coordinated but not matching. Harley was in a gorgeous blue-teal suit and Josh in a burgundy blazer on a black shirt. He's even got some nice black jewellery, there's definitely a little emo in that boy somewhere.


Harley spotted me and wolf whistled loudly in appreciation of my dress before they went inside.


“Seriously? Even the gay guys think you're the most beautiful one here. When did I stop being everyone's fantasy?”


I rolled my eyes at Chad's inability to see the fifty girls practically drooling on his shoes as we walked in. I smirk. “Pretty sure Brittany over there would still take you in a heartbeat.” Pointing towards the mess in the corner whose face is still partiality bandaged and getting caught in her dramatically long fake eyelashes.


She flashes me an evil glare as Chad places his arm around my waist. Somebody please hit her again for me? With a brick?


Chad chuckles. “You two really don't like each other do you? You know I wouldn't go near that girl even if my dick was triple wrapped. I'll never understand what Jayce saw in her, besides her constant open door policy obviously.”


The thought of Jayce and Brittany used to instantly push bile into my throat but now as I look at her, fallen so far from her pedestal and even being ignored by the girls that used to be her minions, I actually feel sorry for her. Girls aren't that desperate to get attention from guys without there being some serious damage. Doesn't make her face any less punch-able though does it.


We finally get to the front and I can see Kallie and Drew getting a drink just inside but there's no sign of Brie... there's a flurry of gasps and activity behind us and I know where she is now.


I turn to see her and Jayce walking in arm in arm as everyone turns to see them, they're both so beautiful, they look like something off a big fancy billboard for the most gorgeous humans alive. They're smiling and I know Brie is loving this, the only thing that girl loves more than being the centre of attention is a grand entrance.


I hear some cheerleaders start to talk about Brie's dress but if any of them could look that good in it they wouldn't be so bloody jealous. She's fire right now.


I turn and put my hand under Chad's chin to close his mouth for him. He looks away embarrassed and I try not to laugh.


As we step up for our photo I'm not quite sure where to stand so I just step next to Chad and smile at the camera before I feel him grab and twist me into a dip. The high slit in my dress opening and allowing him to take hold of my thigh as he dips me lower. I quickly wrap my arm around his neck so I don't fall and he smiles down at me just as the flash of the camera goes off.


Standing me back up we're close, very close. I step back. “You should really warn people before you do something like that, you could have dropped me on my head!”


“I will never let you fall senorita.” His breath edging closer to my lips as he looks down at me.


He interlocks our fingers and finally we walk into the dance, although I can feel Jayce’s burning eyes haven't left me since the moment Chad's hand met my thigh.


************************


The band they'd hired for the dance was actually really good, me and Brie had a bet it would just be bad 00's party ballads on an iPod but these guys knew a bit of everything.


Brie, me and Harley had been dancing to anything they played, the heavily tattooed drummer had definitely not missed Brie's moves either and I had a feeling I wouldn't be seeing her at home tonight.


Jayce had been keeping an eye on Chad in case anyone tried to talk to him, I'd nearly forgotten about the crazy stalker person until Kallie practically dump tackled some poor guy who was just trying to get passed Chad to get to the toilets. That was a fun one to explain.


I kept my guard up after that.


We all sat and had a few drinks, me scanning the room for anyone approaching us but we were clear. I looked around the circle of beautiful faces around me. This time last year it had just been me and Brie, it had always been me and Brie but now there were so many people in my life that I cared so deeply for.


Never could I have pictured this being my life. I'm sitting with some of the most funny, kind, creative and lovable people. I can't imagine my future without a single one of them.


Jayce was sat next to me, while everyone was busy he lent into my ear. “Can't we start forever yet?” His cheeky little grin staring down at me and making my knees feel weak. His eyes were so clear tonight, the delicate lighting of the room causing the blue to stand out even brighter.


“Jayce! You're the tallest, take a selfie of everyone.” Brie asked taking another swig from her hip flask and shuffling everyone together. I lent into Jayce as Chad's arms came around my shoulders and tried to pull me back into him, I was literally sandwiched between them... not the worst place to be.


I looked in the screen. Harley was checking his hair whilst Josh just smiled at him, Drew tried to back away from the shot but Kallie wasn't having any of it. Brie was wiggling her dress to try get as much cleavage in as possible. Then there were my boys, smiling proudly and looking like every teen heartthrob born to break your heart. These were my people.


After Jayce showed everyone the selfie group shot I couldn't help but look at his background picture, it was one of the ones we took together on the boat. I was trying to hide in it by kissing him but Jayce was glowing, his eyes completely focused on through the screen.


“How long has that been your background photo?” I asked quietly.


He smiled without looking up at me. “Since I took it. It's my favourite one of us that you have clothes on in.”


I slapped his shoulder gently. “Weren't you afraid people would see?”


He shrugs. “When I was at that place, this photo is what kept me sane. Reminded me what I was fighting to get better for. Everything I love, everything I've ever wanted in one image.”


His hand took hold of mine like there was no-one else around and squeezed it. He was starting to struggle being here, this might have been too much for him. I could see he was trying to act fine but was getting agitated that he couldn't just be with me. We needed a moment. “Want to dance?”


Just as he was about to respond there was a tiny tap on my shoulder, I turned to see Milo smiling at me and May already in Chad’s arms. Dad and Tara were just off to the side and when he saw my Dad's face Jayce dropped my hand. His eyes were barrelling through us, why was he still like this? He needed to get used to it because later tonight he was either going to try to understand or lose me forever. I was done with this shit.


“Mum said we could come see you quickly! Your party is so cool!” Milo proclaimed as he looked around the room, marvelling at all the lights and decorations.


Tara gave me a small smile but I refused to look at my Dad again. I didn't want him to make a scene right now.


“Oh doll you are so cute!” Harley looked over at May. “Do you want to dance sugar?”


May poked her tongue out at Harley. “No, I want to dance with my boyfriend!” Chad's face started to beam.


“Anything you want little lady.” He reached over Jayce and kissed my cheek before scooping May up and taking her over to the dance floor. Jayce’s hands were balled in fists so tight that his knuckles were white but with everyone looking at us I couldn't exactly comfort him, I hoped he'd remember his anger management lessons but Chad really shouldn't have done that right in front of him.


“Did I just get rejected by a two year old? Why doesn't she want me to be her boyfriend?” Harley pouted.


Milo smiled at him. “Don’t be sad! You can be my boyfriend if you want? I can dance too?”


I wish the rest of the people in this world were like this kid. Nothing phases him, he just wants to see everyone happy. I’ve never met anyone so full of acceptance, he's the only person I never had to worry about being okay with me and Jayce, he would love us no matter what.


Harley pretended to fan himself as Milo pulled him to the dancefloor and Josh just laughed at his antics.


The kids stayed for a bit, Dad never let his eyes drift from me and Jayce. Brie sensed the tension and demanded Jayce go dance with her instead which I was extremely grateful for. Her using him like a human stripper pole was less to my liking but I'm pretty sure she was doing it to get a reaction out of the drummer anyway.


The night was getting on and the dark feeling I'd had in my stomach was growing with every passing second, I thought this dickhead would've made his move by now but no-one had even attempted to approach Chad.


The music died down just as we were all saying goodbye to the kids. Sandra Leeds, head of the student council, came up to the mic.


“Okay guys! Time to announce this year's Winter King and Queen! So we asked this year for people to make couples only nominations and we had soooo many votes but we have our final three! So could you please come to the stage so we can announce the winner!”


I'd been out of school so much over the last few weeks I hadn't even voted, not that there was much point because I'm pretty sure Brittany has won every year since we've been at this school. This year my money is on her queen bee replacement.


“First nomination Christina and Tom!”


There she is. Christina taking over from Brittany. Ha-ha, Christina - Brittany. I get it now. They were actually a nice couple, pretty sure they've been together a few years and she wasn't the bitch Brittany was.


“Second nomination, oh my god! Might be double Kings you guys! Josh and Harley!”


Harley practically ran me over as he dived onto the stage with Josh. Me and Brie erupting into giggles as he screamed at us that he was finally going to crown himself a queen.


“Final nomination you guys! Oh they're so cute! Chad Wilson and Aleah Davies!”


What. The. Fuck.

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