The DJ then announced it was time to reveal the Prom King and Queen, and we took our seats at one of the dozen large round tables.
I leaned into River. “Do you have your speech planned?”
He shook his head. “I don’t think it’s gonna be me.”
“Who else would it be?”
He shrugged. “Guess we’re about to find out.”
Vice Principal Chouder took the stage, microphone in hand, and introduced Layla Calderon and her Prom Committee. The nominees for Queen were read—the usual suspects, and my name was unsurprisingly absent. I didn’t care except that it was a symptom of the failing friendship between Caitlin, Julia, and me.
Or maybe that was all a figment of my imagination.
Then Layla quieted the crowd. “Your Santa Cruz Central High Prom Queen is…”
The DJ played in electric version of a drum roll.
“Evelyn Gonzalez!”
Applause and cheers went up, and Evelyn took the stage looking radiant and triumphant. And not at all surprised. She and Layla hugged and kissed, and then Layla hung a sash over Evelyn’s dress while another girl placed a tall tiara on her head.
“It’s like a beauty pageant my little sister watches on TLC. Toddlers and Tiaras?”
I smothered a laugh with my hand. “Careful now. You’re up next.”
Layla took center stage again. “And now, I am beyond excited to announce your Central High Prom King…Miller Stratton!”
The ballroom went wild, a chorus of girls screaming and cheering the loudest.
Shock ripped through me, leaving me dazed. I looked around for Miller with everyone else, wondering if he was going to come striding through the crowd to take his crown.
“Well that’s something,” River said. “Did you know that was going to happen?”
“I had no idea.”
The cheers died down into confused mutterings, everyone still looking for Miller. Evelyn said something to Layla, and Layla handed her the microphone.
“Miller can’t be here tonight to accept his crown, but I assure you he has a very good reason.” Evelyn paused for effect. “He just signed a record deal with Gold Line Records!”
The ballroom erupted all over again, girls clasping hands and jumping up and down with excited, knowing smiles. It was irrational—they only knew him from the videos—but there was a familiarity in their reaction that felt as if they were taking something of him away from me. Evelyn especially beamed as if she’d given him to them like a benevolent queen throwing scraps to her subjects.
“Guess I’ll be playing your King’s own jams at the next party,” the DJ chimed in. “Give it up for your King and Queen, Miller Stratton and Evelyn Gonzalez!”
The crowd cheered louder, and Evelyn threw both arms in the air triumphantly.
I felt sick. A few heads turned to look at me curiously. Piteously. Some knew that Miller and I were together, but most did not. My cheeks ached to keep my smile in place as a strange feeling came over me. That Miller belonged to them. To Evelyn. She had taken possession of him, claimed his success for her own. She’d been the one who propelled him to the record deal, but the feeling in my stomach was green and twisty, and I hated it.
“You okay?” River asked.
“Fine. It’s just been a crazy couple of days.”
To say the least.
“Yeah, no kidding.” He studied me closer. “But for real, you look like you need some air. Or maybe a drink?”
“Water would be great.”
“On it.” River got up and then froze, his gaze snagging on something over my shoulder. His face hardened into a grimace, even as his eyes softened.