Jayden
I adjusted the cuffs of my sleek, black shirt, admiring the way it hugged my physique. The designer pants, a dark, trendy fit, complemented my shirt perfectly. I turned around, checking myself out from every angle, my eyes lingering on my sleek, black sneakers. A satisfied smirk spread across my face as I struck a pose, admiring my reflection.
“Damn, I look so hot,” I said, chuckling at my own vanity.
My phone rang, and I expected it to be Allison, hoping she’d call to arrange a ride to the club together or something. My heart skipped a beat at the prospect of seeing her tonight. But my excitement faltered when I saw Tyler’s name flashing on the screen.
What did he want? I thought, my brow furrowing in annoyance.
I answered the call, trying to sound casual. “What’s up, Tyler?”
Tyler’s voice came through, cheerful as ever. “What’s up, man? Just making sure you’re still coming to the club tonight.”
I rolled my eyes, though a smile played on my lips. “Wouldn’t miss it for anything. It’s on everyone’s checklist, right?”
“Yeah, yeah,” he laughed. “So, hey, I was wondering… are you bringing your sister?”
“And why are you asking?” I asked, my eyes scanning the room as I tried to keep my tone neutral.
“Ah, the thing is,” he paused, chuckling slightly. “I think your sister is fucking hot and super cute. It wouldn’t be that bad if I asked her out, right? I mean, she’s single after all.”
My anger flared, and I couldn’t help but snap. Gosh, I was just glad he was asking these questions via phone call because if he really asked me these face to face, it would be another big problem for the good friends on campus.
“She’s single?” I repeated, my voice rising. “Who said she’s single?”
Tyler seemed taken aback by my reaction. “Whoa, dude, why are you getting so worked up?”
I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. “First of all, Tyler, she isn’t single.”
“Oh, my goodness, that means she’s taken, isn’t she?”
Yes, dummy. She’s taken. Completely taken by me.
“Well, obviously she is,” I replied, rolling my eyes.
“What a lucky guy!” He paused, a sly grin spreading across his face. “But do you know who he might be? Do I know him or something?”
“Yeah, you do know him, Tyler. In fact, you know him too well.”
“Whoa!” he gasped, and I could sense the thrill in his tone. “And who is this guy that I know so well?”
I smirked, enjoying the suspense. “I am the guy.”
And the ultimate silence has descended. I’m left wondering when this oppressive stillness will finally lift. The wait is so exhausting, that I’m fighting off a yawn.
“Huh? What? The fuck! Excuse me, what did you say?” he asked, the words tumbling out in a dramatic rush.
I chuckled. “You heard me, Tyler. I am Allison’s boyfriend.”
And here we go, another fucking and even longer silence. And now, I’m yawning.
“You’ve got to be kidding me, right?” he asked in an incredulous voice. “I mean, Allison is your fucking sister, dude!”
I shook my head, my jaw clenched. “Step-sister, actually. And not even that anymore, since our parents got a divorce a few days ago.
“Oh. My. God.” he said, letting out a low whistle. “Anyway, what’s really happening, dude?”
Rolling my eyes, I ended the call without hesitation, cutting Tyler’s voice off mid-sentence.
I turned back to the mirror, a confident smile spreading across my face. Tonight was the night. I had a plan, and I was going to see it through.
As I gazed at my reflection, my mind began to wander. I was going to confess to Allison, to tell the whole school that she was mine. I would meet her at the party, take her hand, and proclaim my love for her in front of everyone. I was already smirking by imagining that. What a romanticist I am!
My heart skipped a beat as the thought replayed in my mind. Goodness, the mere idea sent shivers down my spine! I had mustered up the courage to ask Alison to be mine, to surrender her heart to me completely. And in my wildest dreams, she would say yes, embracing our love openly in front of the entire school.”
That was my plan, and I was determined to make it happen.
With a final check of my appearance, I grabbed my phone and headed out the door. It was time to put my plan into action. I kissed the mirror one last time, a gesture of confidence, before strutting out into the night.
***
The club pulsed with energy, the air thick with anticipation. Strobe lights danced across the crowded dance floor, casting a mesmerizing glow on the sea of faces. The thumping music was almost palpable, vibrating through every cell in my body.
I stood at the counter, nursing a drink, when a girl sauntered up to me. “Hey, handsome,” she purred, her eyes locked on mine.
I raised an eyebrow, polite but uninterested. “Not tonight,” I said, turning back to my drink.
The girl’s face fell, and she snarled, “Your loss,” before spinning on her heel and stalking away.
“Whose loss?” I scoffed. “I’ve got someone better.”
My phone rang, shrill in the din of the club. I checked the screen, frowning at the unknown number. I decided to take the call upstairs, where it was quieter.
As I answered, a sobbing voice greeted me. “It’s me, Yvonne.”
My expression turned grim. I had blocked Yvonne after realizing my feelings for Allison. I hadn’t spoken to her since.
Yvonne’s voice was laced with desperation. “Did you block me? Did you take me out of your list?”
I sighed, my patience wearing thin. “I told you, Yvonne, it’s over between us. I don’t want this anymore.”
Yvonne’s sobs grew louder. “But why? I thought we had something real.”
My tone turned cold. “You said you’d kill yourself if I left you. That’s not love, Yvonne, that’s toxicity. And you haven’t even done anything to yourself. That’s how pathetic you are.”
The line went silent, except for Yvonne’s ragged breathing. I knew I had to end this once and for all. “Let’s stop this, Yvonne. Please. And besides, I… I never even loved you in the first place.”
Yvonne’s sobs grew louder, and I felt upset and exhausted about her whole emotions already. “Please, just tell me where you are,” she begged. “You’re at the club, right? Let’s talk. You can’t just say you love me and suddenly end it like this. It’s not fair.”
“Yvonne, for fuck’s sake, do not make this more than it is.”
I ended the call, feeling a mix of relief and anxiety. As I headed downstairs, I spotted Allison and Nina scanning the crowd, their faces illuminated by the flashing lights.
A smile curved my lips and my heart skipped a beat as I rushed downstairs, my eyes locked on Allison’s. I noticed that she looked quite different, her usual sparkle dimmed. But I pushed aside my concerns, attributing it to the loud music or the crowded space.
As I approached, Nina’s gaze met mine, her eyes flashing with anger. I smiled, trying to diffuse the tension.
“What’s up?” I asked, waving at both of them.
Allison merely nodded, her expression guarded.
I reached out, taking her hand. “Come, let’s go,” I said, leading her to the center of the club.
Then, I grabbed a mic from the table, and my voice boomed through the speakers. “Attention, everybody!”
The music slowed, and the crowd turned to face us. The DJ lowered the volume, and an expectant hush fell over the club.
I took a deep breath, my heart pounding with excitement. This was it the moment I would confess my love to Allison, in front of the entire club… the entire school.