On a cloudy, rather unremarkable day, the Homecoming Court assembled.
They met at the Arc, like they were supposed to, and waited, like they weren't. Although the air was chill, there was a sort of exhilaration effervescing in the environment that warmed it.
But among the candidates, Miren kept her guard up. Truthfully, being here felt pointless, but a small part of her didn't mind it. Being wanted, even if it was just to make sure a bunch of popular kids formed a straight line, was always a welcomed sensation. She even had a clipboard.
"Cheer up," Jeno said as he approached her. She rolled her eyes.
"Coming from you, Mr. Angry Eyes?" Despite the fact that Penelope was only ten feet away from them, the only things that even sort of bothered her were the weather, and the fact that today was Judgment Day.
Well, not technically. But Miren still couldn't wrap her mind around what would happen today. On top of pretending like she gave a damn about coordinating homecoming, she still had to administer the final part of the plan. And she saw more ways it could go wrong than right.
"Look who became friends," Jemma said, waltzing up to them. Her dark blue eyes scanned Miren's before settling on Jeno. "I never took you for the forgive and forget type."
He rolled his eyes, offering her an apathetic look. "I'm not."
"Miles," she then said, ignoring her brother's comment. "Smile! Today's gonna be fun."
Miren forced one (her new name was an anagram of the stupid word, anyway), but she suddenly wished that the optimistic girl would leave. Fun. Of course, today was supposed to be funâfor Jemma anyway. She honestly appeared to be the only person who was genuinely excited to be here.
Although Penelope was grinning, it didn't show in her eyes, which were basically scowling. Artemis looked like she was trying not to look guilty of something. Theodora had a polite, earthy air that didn't quite resonate with the position she was running for. And Miren didn't really know the other students to make anything of their expressions. She figured they knew they wouldn't win anyway.
"Like my dress?" Jemma said with a laugh, the wind causing it to twirl lightly.
"You look nice," Jeno said flatly. "Now leave. Isn't your boyfriend getting lonely?" Probably not, considering the fact that Klondike seemed very invested in a conversation about football with Parker.
"Whatever," she retorted. "I'll leave. If I don't see you until tonight, good luck, little brother." With a wave, she vanished.
Miren pursed her lips. "Tell me why she's the life of the party and you're the death of it?"
Jeno shrugged. "I could go into that depressing chapter of my life, but as Jemma said, today's supposed to be fun." He was smirking, even if he seemed to be doing so just to make a point. He looked rather handsome smiling, but the forced contraction of his mouth was a weird sight for Miren.
She cringed. "Stop doing that." He stopped. "Besides, what's the worse that's ever happened to you? What, not enough caviar to go around?"
Jeno shook his head. "I'm not that rich."
"Said the boy riding around in a Mercedes."
"Like I said, it's not mine." He straightened his tie. "And I let you ride in it, didn't I?"
"You know what? You're right. Being an accomplice makes me feel so much better." She narrowed her eyes. "The least you can do is tell me who it belongs to."
"Doesn't matter."
"Then let's talk about something that does," Miren said, looking around to see that the other nominees were too busy with themselves to listen to them. "What are we going to do about the search and rescue teams?"
Jeno folded his arms, his eyes landing on Parker and a slightly sullen Artemis. "Search team one should have already been told that you're here and eager to come back to school." His eyes then met Penelope and Soren's forms. "Team two knows you're in town, but have no idea of your current whereabouts. Today they will find out."
Miren nodded, though she was a little lost. "What time will that be?"
"At the dance," he said. His eyes widened lightly. "Or now. Heads up."
"What?" When Miren blinked, Penelope had already descended upon them. Dawned in the same black dress as Jemma, it was sad that her presence didn't produce the same ease. The air was harsh, and Miren tried to tell herself it was okay to breathe it.
"Hi, guys," Penelope began. "Excited for homecoming?" There was a shrug and nod from the two of them, and a smile latched onto her lips. "Good. Miles, can I chat with you?"
Instinctively, Miren's eyes met Jeno's. He offered another shrug. "I'm going to discuss something with Theodora. You two have fun."
Miren gulped. Funnily enough, she wasn't nervous about her identity or something of similar importance. She was more concerned that she had no idea what the bitch wanted to talk about. Penelope was sly and devious. She might have pried some information from her dim boyfriend.
"Wallace told me and Soren that Miren would be making an appearance at homecoming."
"Um, what?" Miren countered. How did the bitch find out?! Furthermore, how was Miren supposed to go along with the plan when she had no idea what was fact or fiction?
Penelope nodded, her powder blue eyes flickering with an ungodly level of determination. "Yes. As to what part of the homecoming festivities, I don't have half a clue. Wallace anonymously called Headmistress Castro, and she invited her to homecoming.
"I don't think she'd go to the football game. And since Wallace just talked to the headmistress, I doubt she'll be coming to the parade. So that leaves the dance."
"The dance?" Miren repeated. Although Jeno had kindly enlightened her about this fact, would it have killed him to tell her something that was actually useful? After all, once the crowning ceremony was over, Miles would no longer be needed for the festivities. There, Miren could emerge if need be. And everyone apparently needed her all of a sudden.
Penelope nodded, her gaze falling back on Parker, who was adjusting Wallace's collar. His gaze touched the girls' briefly. She winked at him before turning to Miren. "Anyway, Wallace is supposed to give out some more additional info. But that's all I have now. You'll be helping us find her at the dance, right?"
Even though Penelope was asking her a pretty open-ended question, Miren knew she only had one answer. Somehow she would have to make a double appearance and track down and capture herself. She didn't see how any of this was possible, but she replied with a nod.
Penelope clasped her hands as a devilish smile spread across her lips. "Excellent. Well, wish me luck!" With that, she returned to her boyfriend's side. But before Miren could get lonely, the two headmasters rose to the stage.
"Our apologies for the wait," Headmistress Castro began as she smoothed her blazer.
"Your cars and drivers are here," Headmaster Edsel then said. "Come, let's walk."
It didn't take more than two minutes for the students to reach the street, where their stylish sports cars were lined up. Then there was a mad dash, like kids picking out bumper carts. Miren couldn't help but laugh as she watched the madness unfold.
"Have fun walking!" Wallace waved to her with a smug smile as he entered his Bentley convertible with some blonde Becky from Rosemunde. Miren stuck out her tongue before waving him off.
She spotted Jeno, just as he opened the door of his convertible for Theodora. He offered her a wink before the car started moving; in moments, the entire court was off. With a deep breath, Miren could feel the homecoming spirit in the air. But as infectious as it was, she couldn't help but feel a tinge of jealousy.
**
Bystanders threw candy and confetti at the homecoming court and the subsequent floats from the schools and city. And although most of the court was over responsive to the attention, Artemis' spirits were as gray as the Lamborghini they were riding in.
"Are you going to cheer up?" Soren asked his girlfriend.
"I'm cheery," Artemis lied, offering a brighter smile. However, he saw through it. He clamped his hand over hers. But even with a glove on, his touch singed her hand. Guilt. She was burning with guilt. She removed her hand.
"You could at least try to be a better liar about how you feel." As if to lead by example, he smiled at a group of elderly women. "We have an audience who think we're royalty." He then waved at some children holding posters. "We should at least give them a show."
Before Artemis could object to the notion, Soren swiftly placed a kiss on her lips. The crowd swooned. Fighting the urge to feel even more shame, she went along with it. When he released, she gave the audience a surprised smile.
"Happy?" she asked.
"Elated."
"Cut it out, you two!" shouted Jemma, turning to the not-so-star-crossed lovers behind her. "Or we'll have to make-out too!"
Klondike shrugged his shoulders. "Hey, I don't mind." Jemma nudged him playfully against the ribs.
A genuine smile graced Artemis' lips. "Alright, alright. We'll keep our hands to ourselves," she said, returning her attention to the audience. It wouldn't be too hard. After all, Soren was the one who acted first. And she was still trying not to hate herself.
Soren's hand found Artemis' again. "Sorry for making you a spectacle," he began in a low voice. "Just know that despite everything, I want you to be happy..." His face was close to her now, and his breath tickled her left ear. His voice turned into a whisper "...I love you, Artemis."
It was the perfect stage to profess his love for her, even if he masses couldn't hear it. She bit her lip, trying to numb out the impact of his sweet words. They had said this to each other a thousand times; they had been dating for a thousand days. So why did it matter now?
"I love you too, Soren."
It probably wasn't a lie. But as Artemis forced herself to focus on the celebration, she didn't realize that her fleeting feelings for Soren would soon be the least of her problems.
Author's Note: I'm planning on having a Q&A for the story. Questions can be directed toward me, the characters, motivations, plot/story stuff, etc. Please submit questions via PM and comments. :)