Chapter Twenty-Two

The ring shone throughout the entire dance floor, and as I stared at it sitting in the box, I couldn't help but feel a surge of happiness flowing throughout my body. I hadn't expected anything of this relationship at the beginning, but with seven months behind us, I could see for sure that this was something that was going to last an extremely long time. I couldn't help the happiness I felt that night, a stupid smirk starting to grow on my lips  as he knelt on the ground, holding the small box up to my face.

I could see Jenny from the corner of my eye smirking at me, as if she knew exactly what was going to happen. I had gone from being concerned with the small things to being overwhelmed by the fact that the boy I wanted to spend the rest of my life with wanted to spend his life with me as well. The satisfaction was running rampant throughout my brain, and all I could think about was how surprised my parents would be at the news. Taking a deep breath that night, I thought about everything that I could say, but I knew exactly what I should say to him.

My hands were trembling, and I watched his movements as he knelt down on the floor. His words resonated through my ears. Had I actually heard him right? Did he seriously just ask me to marry him? Me, Mattie Hawkins was being proposed to by THE Morgan Winters? I pinched myself lightly to see if I was sleeping, but the skin turned red, and it hurt a little, signalling I was awake, and this was really happening.

I could see Jenny on the sidelines, holding onto Julian as she smirked in our direction. I bet she knew this was going to happen all night. What a night to propose to someone - the night of your senior prom. Taking a few slightly deep breaths, I looked back down at Morgan, light flashing in his eyes showing off the worry that started to settle inside them.

I didn't realize I had been standing here for five minutes not answering him. I smiled down at him, holding out my hand, "Do you even need to ask? Of course I will. I would love to be Mattie Winters."

Warm arms wrapped around my small body as Morgan pulled me into his embrace, his musky odor catching itself in my nostrils. I could hear him crying. I hope they were tears of happiness, and he hadn't been hoping I would reject him.

"Are you okay, Morgan?"

He sniffled slightly, pulling me in closer, "I couldn't be happier. I honestly was starting to lose hope in love, but then you came along and changed everything. I put on a show, pretending I knew what was going to happen, but I was so in love with you that very moment our hands touched at the school. I wouldn't want to be with anyone else."

I wanted to start crying myself, but I kept my composure. I felt someone's hands wrap themselves around my other side. I smelt her perfume enveloping me, and I smiled. I turned my body slightly to see Jenny hugging me, Julian right behind her.

"Congratulations, Mattie. I'm so excited you're going to be my brother-in-law!"

Julian was smiling at Morgan, "I'm so glad you found someone, Morgan. I was starting to worry about you. Congratulations, buddy."

Morgan broke away from the hug, taking my hand and pushing me onto the dance floor, "I love you, Mattieboy."

I smashed my head into his chest, "I love you too, Morgan."

The sounds of the music seemed to drown out as I realized what was really happening. My thoughts had become a broken up, jumbled mess in my head. I didn't know who I should tell. I didn't know if my parents should know. Do we keep this a secret from them? My mind was racing a million miles per minute when someone over the loudspeaker interrupted the moment.

"Students, if you wouldn't mind taking a seat at your tables. It's time to release the names of this year’s Prom King and Queen. This is an exciting year for the school, and those named this year’s royalty will go down in history. It's been a hundred years since we opened the doors, and I am so excited to announce this."

Everyone took their seats, and giggling commenced as all the students found their tables. I was too excited to sit down, but with the disapproving looks coming from the teachers, I decided it was a good idea just to sit down and calm down. I sat next to Morgan, just as the loudspeaker came to life again, and the principal of our school opened an envelope.

"To all those on the ballot, even though I know it is an honour to be royalty, please remember you are all kings and queens in your own rank.  We have given ballots to absolutely every single person in the school, and these two students won by a landslide. Without further ado, I will now announce this year’s KING and QUEEN!"

A few moments and many shuffles of paper later, she finished opening the envelope in her hands. Clearing her throat, a stunned look came onto her face as she searched the room, "Well... this is a first for the school. How exciting is this? I actually can't believe this is happening; we'll be on the news for this." A few moments of quiet, and finally she looked back at the school, "Sorry, this is a proud moment for all of us. I'm so glad this is happening."

A few murmurs went around the room. Why was she taking so long to announce this? I was sure it was going to be Clarabelle and Markus; the two of them were just the cutest couple of all time.

One more look around the room and she cleared her throat once more, "The king and queen for this year are..."