Just as Mr. Tim, the Dean of Students, was finishing up the vote count for the school's Prom King and Queen, a bus pulled up right outside the auditorium.
"I hope we didn't miss the dance," Captain Kevin said, stepping off the bus first. He paused to fix his hair.
Decked out in a championship baseball jersey with a gold medal around his neck, and wearing the smuggest expression known to man, Kevin looked absolutely insufferable—and he was loving it.
"Alright everyone, follow me. Let's go tell the principal the good news." Once the whole math team was off the bus, Mrs. Sharon waved them toward the dance.
Sure, the Math Olympiad wasn't exactly the Super Bowl, but strictly speaking, it was still a competition for school honor, same as football.
And bringing home the championship trophy was definitely news worth sharing with the whole school.
Don't let Mrs. Sharon's calm face fool you. Inside, she was bursting with pride that the math team had pulled off such a huge win this year.
As the math team, all in matching gear, marched into the dance, heads started turning immediately.
"Wait, is that Mike? What's with the medal around his neck?"
A sharp-eyed student spotted the gold almost instantly.
"They look like the math team..."
Seeing Mrs. Sharon leading the pack, some students in the know started filling in their friends.
"Mike went to the Math Olympiad today. Judging by the hardware, I'd say he helped them win the championship." Little George, looking sharp in a suit, chimed in from the crowd, dropping the truth bomb.
It didn't take long for the news of the math team's victory to spread through the dance floor like wildfire.
Hearing the whispers of surprise and envy from their classmates, the math team members puffed out their chests, wearing their pride like armor.
The students parted like the Red Sea, creating a path for Mrs. Sharon and her champions to walk straight toward the stage.
Mr. Tim, who was still tallying votes, spotted Mrs. Sharon immediately.
He hurried over to meet her, excitement written all over his face. "Sharon! Did you guys win the championship?"
"We sure did," Mrs. Sharon said with a smile, confirming the news.
"That is fantastic!" Mr. Tim looked happier than if he'd won the lottery himself.
He practically beamed at her. "Come on, I'll take you to the principal so you can tell him the good news."
Ever since the "flyer incident" where Mr. Tim had confessed his feelings to Mrs. Sharon, things between the two older singles had been... progressing. There was a subtle shift in the air.
Like right now—Mrs. Sharon didn't brush off his eagerness.
"Wait here for a moment, everyone. Tim and I are going to find the principal first," Mrs. Sharon instructed the team once they reached the front of the stage.
As Mrs. Sharon and the Dean disappeared backstage, the students, no longer held back by authority figures, swarmed the math team.
For this moment, the math geeks were the absolute center of attention.
"Congrats, Mike. I didn't know you were a math whiz on top of being a football star. That's incredible..." Aaron, the football captain, walked up to Mike, still wearing his letterman jacket over his dress shirt.
As the starting quarterback and captain, Aaron was tall, built, and had that classic all-American look.
A total jock with a winning smile.
If Mike hadn't burst onto the scene out of nowhere, Aaron would have been a lock for Prom King this year.
"When school starts next year, swing by the football team if you've got time." Seeing the crowd gathering, Aaron didn't keep Mike long. He just extended a friendly invitation and stepped aside.
"Hey, Mike! I knew you could do it. That entrance was so cool. You're definitely gonna be Prom King this year..." Little George squeezed through the crowd to get to Mike, practically vibrating with excitement.
In Little George's mind, he and Mike were basically best friends.
The more Mike shined, the more Little George felt like he was shining too, just by association.
"Thanks for the compliment. You look pretty sharp today yourself," Mike said with a grin.
"Really? I knew this suit wasn't a waste..." Even though the thin fabric had left him freezing earlier, getting a compliment from Mike made it all worth it.
They chatted for a second before Little George noticed Mike's eyes drifting.
"Go do your thing. I'll cover for you," Little George said, playing the wingman.
Because the scene was so chaotic, Regina and the "Plastics" hadn't come over to join the mosh pit. They were just watching Mike from the sidelines with soulful eyes.
"Thanks," Mike said. He really wasn't a fan of being crushed by a mob of strangers.
Katie was safe with Damian and Janis, so Mike didn't need to worry about her. After saying bye to Little George, he headed toward the outer circle where Regina and the girls were waiting.
---
"I'm Mike's best buddy. If you want to know anything about him, just ask me!" Back in the crowd, Little George intercepted the girls who were trying to follow Mike.
Realizing they couldn't get to Mike, the girls surrounded Little George instead, peppering him with questions about Mike's likes and dislikes.
Little George, who had never been surrounded by so many girls in his life, felt like he had reached peak existence.
Meanwhile, Mike successfully made it over to Regina and her crew.
"Mike, congrats on winning the math championship!"
Even though the girls couldn't care less about math competitions, they heard the buzz and knew it was a big deal.
They all congratulated him at once.
"Mike, that outfit looks great. Let me take a few pictures for you," Regina's mom, Mrs. George, said with a smile, holding up her camera.
Mike, still in his championship jersey, posed for several photos with the girls.
---
Not long after, Principal Tom appeared on stage with a microphone, flanked by Mr. Tim and Mrs. Sharon.
"Quiet down, everyone!"
After testing the mic and grabbing everyone's attention, Principal Tom continued, "Before we announce this year's Prom King and Queen, I have some excellent news to share..."
"This year, under Mrs. Sharon's leadership, our Math Olympiad team has brought home a championship for Medford High!"
"Let's welcome all the members of the math team to the stage!"
"Give them a round of applause!!!"
Amidst cheers and clapping, Mike and the rest of the math team walked to the center of the stage to bask in the school's celebration.
"Wonderful. I hope you all look to the math team as an example and strive to bring glory to our school in the future."
A few minutes later, Principal Tom smiled and ushered the math team to the side of the stage.
Then, with everyone watching, he pulled out an envelope.
Obviously, inside was the result of the student vote for this year's Prom King and Queen.
"This year's Prom King is..."
Principal Tom paused for effect, letting the suspense build until he smiled and announced:
"It's Mike! Let's give him a hand!"