Please vote to show me your support for the story the higher we climb in the rankings the more motivated I will feel. Mass releases will be rewarded for each 10 rankings we manage to climb.
[Friday,19th/July/2019, Red Oak Prep, 22:47]
As Chloe announced Jason's name, a roar of cheers echoed through the gym, mingling with excited clapping from the crowd. Jason swaggered toward the stage with that practised, self-assured grin, his confidence heightened by the chaotic cocktail of substances coursing through him. His eyes were a little too bright, his smirk a little too wide, and for those who knew him best, there was a wild edge to his movements tonight, but they chopped it up to him being excited.
He took the gold-plated metal sceptre handed to him by Chloe, giving an exaggerated, mocking bow to the crowd. "Thank you, thank you, my subjects" Jason's voice boomed, laced with the kind of arrogance that had always made him both popular and infuriating to many at Red Oak Prep. "I knew you'd make the right choice." A few of his football buddies whistled and cheered, but even among them, there were a few exchanged glances.
Jason straightened, lifting his head high, and tapped the sceptre against his shoulder with a smug smirk. "It's been a long road, Red Oak. A lot of sweat, a lot of hard work…" He paused, dragging out the moment as if savouring every second of attention. "A lot of sacrifices…mostly mine, let's be real. Not everyone has what it takes to get to this level, but thankfully, I do." A ripple of laughter mixed with murmurs went through the crowd, his arrogance was simply accepted as a character quark.
After all, in everyone's mind, most great men in history had a certain deficit that would hold them back in life. Van Gogh suffered from mood disorder, personality disorder and a plethora of other things added to the fact he was underappreciated in his time. It's almost a prerequisite for great minds to be crazy something about the brain being too good in one area that it neglects other areas. Just look at Pablo Picasso the man who struggled with mental illness and depression throughout his life, but his paintings were a work of pure genius.
Jason was no Picasso or Gogh, but he is plagued with the most deadly sin of them all, the sin of pride. One that can most certainly make great men fall from their mountain top in a moment's notice. Because once a man considers himself untouchable life finds a way to grant him some perspective in the form of a major reality check.
"First off," he continued, gripping the microphone with one hand, "let me thank my coaches. Coach Andrews, and Coach Paulson—legends, both of you. You believed in me and pushed me to be the best, well let's be honest god placing a football in my hand before I could even walk also helped. He joked causing both the coaches and his friends to chuckle and some of the other students who were simply being polite.
Jason chuckled, pleased with himself as the laughter rippled through the crowd. He twirled the sceptre with a flourish, lifting it above his head as though crowning himself. "And let's not forget my teachers," he continued, voice dripping with smugness. "All those hours spent guiding me toward greatness" He winked at Mrs. Duvall, who rolled her eyes but managed a polite smile. "Honestly, I wouldn't be here if it weren't for your unwavering patience," he added, his words soaked in a tone that barely masked his own disdain.
"But let's not forget the Real MVP tonight..." Jason paused, giving a theatrical glance around the room, "…is yours truly." He placed a hand over his heart and gave a mock solemn nod. Almost as if on cue his minions of the football team cheered him on along with the rest of the students. None of them liked him as a person but they were infatuated by him in the same way a regular person is with a celebrity.
"(Ahem) That was a rousing speech from our King," Chloe exclaimed taking the mike from the boy who seemed like he would continue in his self-praise if not stopped. Ignoring the angry glare and the scent of alcohol he sent her she continued speaking. "Now that we have a King it's time for what we have really been waiting for, after all behind every great king there is an even greater Queen,"
As Chloe's words rang through the crowd, the energy in the gym shifted, a palpable wave of anticipation filling the air. The students, still somewhat under the spell of Jason's larger-than-life performance, turned their focus back to the stage, waiting to see who would be crowned Queen.
Jason leaned back with a lazy smirk, folding his arms as he took a seat on his throne already expecting the inevitable. He felt more alert than usual as the world around him felt vibrant already feeling the effects of the snow powder Gerg had given him. The feeling of electricity that coursed through him caused his mind to go into overdrive as he seemed to be thinking 3 different thoughts as Chloe's voice faded into the background.
His eyes eventually settled on May who just naturally drew his attention with the champagne dress that looked like gold in his eyes. Just like a moth drawn to the flame, he could only focus on her as thoughts of what he'd like to do to her flashed in his mind. "And this year's Prom Queen is…" Chloe's raised voice pierced his thoughts causing him to blink for the first time in 90 seconds as he turned his attention towards the girl. "May Parker!"
The crowd erupted into applause, and both Emma and Liv squealed with excitement pulling her into a hug. May, glowing in her champagne dress, looked momentarily stunned, as unlike Stefanie she had not campaigned to win the prom queen race. Pulling her into a quick hug Rakim whispered into her ears causing her smile to brighten in delight, "Congrats my little Bonnie,"
May squeezed Rakim's hand, still riding the wave of excitement, and as she pulled back, her eyes sparkled with joy. Her friends cheered, hugging her again before nudging her forward toward the stage. Clearly caught off guard by the win May didn't even realise how she made it up the stage as she simply kept a warm smile.
The crowd's applause grew louder, as May, promptly took her seat on the throne next to Jason. Chloe didn't hesitate in placing a tiara on her head followed by another round of applause as she handed her the mic so she could say some words. May held the microphone, her fingers brushing nervously against its metal casing. She glanced out over the crowd, her face flushing a soft pink, clearly unprepared for the spotlight.
"Thank you… wow, I really wasn't expecting this," she started, her voice gentle and sincere, in stark contrast to Jason's earlier bravado. A few "awws" drifted from the crowd, as if the whole room softened for her. "Honestly, I don't even know what to say. I'm just grateful for all the friendships I've made here and for all the support."
She paused, giving a shy smile that somehow managed to reach the back row. Jason rolled his eyes slightly, but the smirk was quickly wiped away when May turned toward him, her expression kind yet pointed. "And Jason," she added, her voice steady, "thank you for sharing the throne. I'm sure it must be hard for you, sharing the spotlight for once."
A ripple of laughter burst through the crowd, even from those on the football team who couldn't resist the dig. Jason's expression stiffened for just a moment, but he quickly smoothed it over, leaning back with a forced grin. He looked down at May, an edge in his gaze, but she held his stare confidently, her eyes glittering under the gym lights.
May returned the microphone to Chloe, who grinned approvingly, clearly pleased with May's quiet yet powerful response. "Thank you, May!" Chloe said, reclaiming the centre stage. "And now—let's get back to what we're all really here for dancing!"