One Night

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

I saw the danger, but apparently my eyes didn't connect with my brain quick enough. The squish of body hitting Jello could be heard across the gym along with the groan that followed.

It took me a few moments longer to realize that the three of us, while covered in Jello, were surrounded by a gym full of cheering seniors.

I cautiously pushed myself up from where I had crashed into the Jello pool and wiped the chunky red substance from my eyes. The first thing I saw was a Jello covered Jay wiping it from his face and then struggling to stand up. The next thing I saw was a hand offering to help me up.

I gently took it, but was barely on my feet with they slipped in the slimy Jello and I was falling again.

The stranger was so close that when I crashed into him, it sent little Jello pieces flying everywhere. It was quite the show we were putting on.

"I'm so sorry," I instantly began apologizing.

I was wiping it off his shirt and then I looked up at his face to apologize again except it was him.

"I'm pretty used to it at this point," Holt chuckled, gripping my elbows to steady me.

I was glad the Jello was red so then my cheeks could blend in a little better.

"Still," I said, looking away form his eyes and pushing myself up.

I wanted to tell him something. Anything.

But instead I was jerked away from him and into the jumping body of Nalia.

"WE DID IT!" She cheered, grabbing my shoulders and shaking me. "WE FINISHED FIRST! WE'RE THE WINNERS!"

It took my brain a moment to get rid of Holt's dazzling stare and process Nalia's words, but once I did, I too began cheering. Jay quickly slid over and enveloped us both in a group hug.

I'm not sure how long we stood there cheering and (for me) nearly crying before we were called over to the stage.

I did my best to walk with dignity over to stand in front of the stage, but it was difficult with a trail of wobbly Jello following me. I looked up to the stage and saw Sammie the Shark's head sitting there (a trophy I presumed from Marshall's mishap). As well, there was a row of six Jason's name tags and a slideshow going with pictures from this Sevenger.

Ethan, fully clothed this time, jumped on stage with a microphone clutched in hand and began his speech.

"Seniors I believe we have a winner!"

Cheers punctured through the air and only added to my excitement. I couldn't believe we had actually done it. And it was even harder to believe that I was about ready to give it all up at the beginning of the night. But somewhere along the way, I had joined the cause and had been hoping to win.

We heard a crash and squishing noises come from the right and turned to see Rose's team plummet into the Jello pools.

There were some laughs and cheers from the seniors, but Ethan continued his speech.

"As winners of the Sevenger, you will be awarded a ticket each to the Senior Prom, access to the snow-cone machine, and of course, instant popularity."

"Wait!" Nalia blurted out. "We get access to the snow-cone machine?"

Access to the snow-cone machine was a big deal. Usually only certain seniors had a key to the room it was stored in and they never shared. Even though most people didn't even want a snow-cone, everyone knew if you had access to them, that you were one of the populars. Needless to say, it was something everyone wanted.