Frolic and the Homecoming Princess (2)
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“Ah, Aaron. You already have a partner, don’t you?”
I could feel it through the hand Scott was holding. This kid was mustering up an incredible amount of courage.
“I’m the one who’s supposed to escort Chloe.”
Scott was not saying anything wrong, yet Eisenhower glared at him as if he were about to devour him. Even as he swallowed dryly, Scott did not avoid Eisenhower’s gaze.
“I have nothing to say to you.”
I spoke as I shook off Eisenhower’s hand once again. This time, Eisenhower let go without resistance, his hazel eyes staring straight at me. That gaze made my chest twinge, but I pretended not to notice and turned my eyes toward Scott.
“Let’s go, Scott.”
“Yeah.”
I walked down the hallway with Scott, but my mind stayed fixed on the spot where I had parted ways with Eisenhower.
Did Eisenhower hear it? Was that why he came looking for me? But that was strange. He already knew that I had no interest in him and that I started tutoring only because of the recommendation letter.
“Chloe.”
At that moment, Scott’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts.
We had already reached the lobby and looked for the other candidates, but they were nowhere to be seen. The student council president, Derek Pearson, was not there either.
“I lied.”
Scott murmured from behind me.
“It looked like you were in a tough spot...”
Then Scott quietly guided me out of the lobby.
“You didn’t even have time to do your hair because of me, right?”
After seating me at a table in the cafeteria connected to the lobby, he rummaged around and pulled something out.
They were hair accessories.
“Ah, I brought my sister’s.”
Maybe because I was staring too intently, Scott blushed and made an excuse.
“She lent them to me when she heard you became a Homecoming Princess candidate. Here, turn around and sit.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I’ll braid your hair.”
Scott spoke while very naturally running his hands through my hair.
“This brings back old memories.”
Scott let out a small laugh.
“Do you remember? When you said you’d do my hair and ended up coloring it with crayons and stuff.”
“Ah.”
Only then did memories from Chloe’s childhood surface. Scott, who had been forced to be Chloe’s playmate, often ended up being the subject of various experiments.
“But now, I’m the one doing your hair.”
With that, Scott began braiding my hair down with practiced movements.
“Where did you learn how to do this?”
It was pure curiosity. But Scott answered as if he found it odd.
“I learned it from you.”
“Me?”
“Yeah. You made me learn it by force, saying I had to do Ailee’s hair.”
Ah, Ailee. That triggered another memory. Chloe had insisted that Scott learn how to braid hair because he needed to make his little sister look pretty.
“All that’s left is to add the decorations.”
After finishing the braid, Scott skillfully started pinning in the accessories.
“Mm. All done.”
Scott clapped his hands, then carefully wrapped an arm around my shoulders as he spoke.
“Of all the braids I’ve done in my life, yours turned out the best.”
Heh. I let out a small laugh. The hand trembling slightly against my shoulder clearly showed how nervous he was, and it was funny how he tried to act like he wasn’t.
“Scott.”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you.”
I said it sincerely. Ever since I possessed Chloe, the only one on my side had been Scott.
“I’m really glad you’re here with me.”
At that, Scott’s hand gripping my shoulder tightened.
“Chloe, listen. I, um, I really—”
“Alright, Homecoming Queen and Princess candidates, gather in the lobby!”
Derek Pearson clapped his hands as he called for the candidates and their escorts. I stood up and said to Scott, “Let’s go.”
But Scott’s expression looked strange. His dark brown eyes wavered faintly, and his lips were tightly pressed together. He looked like he still had something to say.
“What’s wrong?”
“…It’s nothing. Just, I feel the same way.”
“The same way about what?”
“I’m glad you’re here with me, too.”
“How anticlimactic.”
When I laughed again, Scott closed his mouth. In the end, he never said what he had meant to say and simply held out his hand. When I placed my hand in his, Scott slowly led me toward where Derek Pearson and the other candidates were gathered.
“Alright. Once Frolic starts in a bit, you’ll be waiting at the middle doors.”
When everyone had gathered, Derek began explaining. To sum it up, the candidates and their escorts would wait at the left and right doors respectively, then come out one by one at the cue signal, meet in the center, and head up to the stage together.
“Okay then. Candidates, follow me. Escorts, follow the vice president.”
At Derek’s words, I waved at Scott.
“See you later.”
Scott said gently. I nodded and followed Derek toward the middle door on the left.
“You’re nervous, right?”
Bri, who was standing in front of me, turned around and asked. Kind Bri. Since everyone else ignored me, it seemed like she was trying to look out for me at least. I gave an awkward smile and nodded.
“Your hair is pretty. Where did you get it done?”
“Ah… Scott did it for me.”
As I said that while touching my hair, Bri clapped her hands softly.
“Oh my. Scott is really talented.”
She smiled brightly as she said it.
“You two look so good together.”
Then, before I could even respond, she stepped forward.
“It’s my turn. See you on stage, Chloe.”
She gave me a short wave and walked ahead confidently.
“Wow! Brittany!”
“Bri!”
Receiving the countless cheers as if it were only natural, Bri looked beautiful to anyone watching. Still smiling brightly, Bri placed her hand on the back of Eisenhower’s hand as he waited ahead.
In contrast, Eisenhower’s expression was stiff. Even after seeing Bri, he did not smile and walked like a robot that bluntly outputs only the input values.
“Is he acting like that because he’s nervous…?”
If that were the case, it made sense. It would be strange if he were not nervous standing next to someone as beautiful as Bri.
“Chloe.”
I snapped back to my senses as I stared blankly at Eisenhower, who looked strangely irritated. Derek was looking up at me.
“It’s your turn.”
“Ah, yes.”
At Derek’s signal, I lifted the hem of my dress and walked down the aisle of the hall.
The surroundings were eerily quiet. Then, the voice of Kyle the troublemaker rang out.
“Heh heh, the loser really tried hard!”
Giggling laughter burst out from various places.
Hah, that bastard…
I shot a glare in the direction the sound came from, then met eyes with Scott, who was waiting for me.
‘It’s okay.’
Scott’s lips formed the words.
‘Just look at me and come.’
At that, I gave a small nod and walked toward Scott.
“You did well.”
Scott whispered softly as he escorted me up onto the stage.
“And with that, all three Homecoming Queen candidates and three Homecoming Princess candidates have gathered!”
After that, I do not really remember how the hosts carried on. I just stood under the hot lights with the murmur of voices as background noise, then walked off the stage when it was my turn. And so, Frolic began in earnest.
Phew…
This was a headache in its own way. I was stuck between Scott on my left and Eisenhower on my right. Since the candidates and escorts were seated in order, the seating arrangement ended up like this.
This is uncomfortable as hell.
It was even worse because a strange aura was radiating from my right side. Naturally, the performances for Frolic did not catch my attention at all.
Rubbing my stinging right arm, I grumbled inwardly.
No, why is he the one throwing a fit?
What reason did he even have to be angry? I scoffed inwardly. Fine, let Eisenhower do whatever he wants. I would do things my way.
That was when it happened.
“Wow, that was an amazing performance! Now, unfortunately, we only have the final performance left. Shall we introduce the ones who will be taking the stage?”
“Hampshire High School’s representative rock band, Moonshine!”
With the hosts’ introduction, the lights flashed on. And under those bright lights, Jake stood holding a guitar. His brown curly hair, styled with wax, shone even more.
Wow…!
My mouth fell open without me realizing it. My god, how does he dominate the atmosphere just by standing there? Jake quietly closed his eyes and brought his lips to the microphone. The sound of him drawing in a breath came through the speakers. And then—!
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