The Constant

Chapter 42

BEA POV

"Ladies and Gentleman if I could have your attention please. First off I want to say you all look lovely tonight. It-' My mind started wandering as looked around the large room. Everyone was together watching Mrs. Trembell talk, eager to hear who was a part of the prom court, which included jester, junior prince, junior princess, and of course the most important titles, king and queen. 

I stopped my search for Ryker and turned back to the stage where Mrs. Trembell was introducing Sarah Short, the dance committee president, to the stage where she would announce the winners. 

I let my mind wander again until I heard something that took all my attention. "And your prom king is Ryker Adams!" I looked frantically around the room for him when my eyes caught him. 

My heart stopped at the sight of him. He looked so good in his black suit, which fit him perfectly. He stepped up on the stage slowly and I caught his eyes roaming, searching. Even when the plastic crown was placed on his head, his eyes were distracted. 

It was too hard to wait and see who was prom queen and who would be dancing with him. This was the time for me to slip out and go home. I said goodbye to Miranda was heading out the door when Sarah started to speak. "And now for your prom queen... Bea Turner!!" 

I froze, a white spotlight landed on me and the whole crowd clapped. Encouragements were yelled at me in every which way but I couldn't move. I felt a tugging at my arm and noticed people were nudging me towards the stage, which I finally gave in to, not wanting to make a scene. 

As I walked toward the stage, Ryker's eyes never left me, but I could barely look at him. I stepped up on to the stage, my whole body was shaking. The spotlight was blinding me as the plastic crown was placed upon my head. 

"Now these two will do their official first dance!" Sarah announced cheerfully. 

Everyone clapped and made a circle for us to dance in the middle of. I didn't want to dance, but everyone was watching and I refused to make a scene. With shaky hands, I held on to him and he   led me in a slow dance. He held me close and I swore I could feel his heart beating. I dared myself to look up at his handsome face and saw he was already looking at me, his eyes searching my face for any emotion. 

It felt comfortable yet foreign to be in Ryker's arms again. He was looking at me with those eyes and suddenly it was all too much for me. I pulled away from him and ran out of the ballroom. I needed air and to get far away from here. I took the stairs two at a time and soon headed out the door. 

"Bea wait!" I heard Ryker yell. 

I couldn't face him so I kept walking to my car when suddenly I felt his hand grasp my wrist. He gently turned me around so we were face to face again. "What Ryker, what do you want from me?" I asked exasperatedly. 

"You! I just want you Bea!" 

"We didn't work Ryker! Why can't you just leave it?" 

"Because I love you!" He yelled. 

I blinked, not sure what to say. 

Ryker ran his hands through his hair and took a deep breath. "I'm sorry for what happened with that night and for what happened with Jared, I really am... but you and me belong together, and I am not giving up on us".

"I just don't want to get hurt again". I said softly. 

"I'm sorry I hurt you Bea, I never wanted to. I can't promise to never hurt you again, just like you can't promise to never hurt me. You just have to trust and love that whoever hurts you will always try to fix it and make things better. Do you trust me?"

"Of course I do, you're my best friend".

"Then can we give us another chance?" He asked. 

"Okay". I said. 

With that he leaned down and nuzzled my face, slowly inching over to my lips and placing a kiss to my lips. After we broke apart, he held out his hand towards me, "Shall we get back in there?"

For the first time in a while, I felt optimistic again, taking his hand, "Lead the way".