The music faded.
The final note echoed through the auditorium, leaving behind loud claps, whistles, and excited chatter. The dance floor slowly cleared as couples returned to their places, hands still warm, hearts racing.
The anchor stepped forward, holding two small folded chits in his hand.
"And now," he announced, smiling brightly, "the moment you've all been waiting for."
The entire hall went silent.
"And the winners of this year's prom king and queen are…"
Chris held her breath.
Lily crossed her fingers.
Twilight stood straight, calm on the outside, tense within.
Henry watched quietly from the side.
"Lily and Ton—"
Suddenly, the anchor froze.
His smile dropped for half a second.
"I— I'm sorry," he said awkwardly. "That was my mistake. I picked the wrong chit."
A wave of murmurs passed through the crowd.
He unfolded the second paper carefully, cleared his throat, and raised his voice again.
"So, the winners of prom king and queen are— Chris and Twilight!"
For a moment, Chris didn't even process the words.
Then the crowd erupted.
Cheers filled the auditorium. Applause thundered from every corner. Someone whistled loudly. Someone else shouted Chris's name.
Chris's eyes widened.
"Wait— what?" she whispered.
Lily screamed, jumping in excitement. "CHRIS!"
Twilight felt Chris grab his arm and pull him forward as everyone made way for them.
They walked toward the stage under flashing lights and endless claps.
Chris felt like she was floating.
Her heart raced—not from nervousness, but pure joy.
I'm prom queen.
The crown was placed gently on her head.
She smiled so wide it almost hurt.
Twilight received his crown next.
The crowd cheered again.
He smiled too.
But it didn't reach his eyes.
Smiles That Hide Cracks
As cameras flashed, Twilight stood beside Chris, holding her hand just right, smiling just enough.
No one noticed.
No one noticed how heavy his chest felt.
No one noticed how hollow everything suddenly seemed.
It wasn't because Chris liked Henry.
That truth had already hurt him long ago.
What hurt now… was something deeper.
The night.
The dance.
The crown.
It all felt fake.
Like a beautiful scene painted over something broken.
Even the happiest moment of the day felt like it was stabbing him from inside.
Two Watching From Below
Lily clapped harder than anyone, her eyes shining.
She was genuinely happy.
Happy for Chris.
Happy to see her best friend glowing.
Henry stood a little away from the crowd, hands in his pockets.
He wasn't upset about the crown.
He didn't want the spotlight.
What he wanted… was Lily.
But he knew.
As long as Chris had feelings for him—real or buried—he had no place in Lily's heart.
And that realization hurt more than losing any title.
Perfect for Some, Painful for Others
Later, Chris and Lily sat together, laughing, adjusting their crowns, taking silly pictures, trying to dance again despite the music already ending.
The crowns sparkled under the lights.
For them, the night was perfect.
Unforgettable.
But in the corner of the ballroom, Twilight and Henry sat quietly on the steps.
No music.
No laughter.
Just silence.
Henry broke it first.
"So… we both lost our chance," he said softly.
Twilight let out a humorless breath.
"I think," he replied, staring ahead, "it was never our chance to begin with."
They looked up together.
Chris and Lily were laughing now, trying to slow dance with each other, nearly tripping and bursting into laughter again.
It looked like a mess.
A happy one.
That sight—somehow—made both boys smile.
Just a little.
Elsewhere – The Quiet Return
Far away from the city lights, the masked guy walked through the woods.
The noise of the streets was gone.
Only crickets.
Only wind.
He stopped in front of a small, hidden treehouse built between thick branches.
It looked old.
Lived-in.
Like someone had been there for a long time.
He climbed up slowly, stepping inside, letting the door shut behind him.
The night swallowed the woods again.
Prom night ended.
Crowns were worn.
Hearts were bruised.
And somewhere between joy and shadow—
The story was only beginning.