JAY'S POV
The mall was louder than usual.
Or maybe it just felt that way because this time—
It wasn't just us.
Section E was there.
And the girls.
Mica, Grace, and Rakki stood together, already talking excitedly, while Ci-N and Blaster were arguing about something completely useless as usual. Felix just watched everything like he always did.
And then—
There was Keifer.
Standing beside me.
Too close.
Like always.
Before anything could even start, Kegain stretched slightly and spoke up.
"We're not doing this."
Everyone looked at him.
"Me and Keiren are going to the game place."
Keiren grinned immediately.
"Yeah. Way better than shopping."
I rolled my eyes.
"Cowards."
Kegain shrugged.
"Call it what you want."
Keifer didn't react much, just gave a small nod.
"Go."
And just like that—
They were gone.
That left us.
And chaos.
Mica clapped her hands once.
"Okay, no boys."
Ci-N gasped.
"Excuse me?"
Grace pointed at them.
"You go your way, we go ours."
Rakki smirked.
"No peeking. No showing outfits."
Blaster looked offended.
"How are we supposed to judge then?"
I crossed my arms.
"You're not."
Felix shook his head slightly.
"This is already going to end badly."
Before I could say anything else—
A hand wrapped lightly around my wrist.
I turned.
Keifer.
He leaned slightly closer, his voice low.
"Don't take too long."
My heart skipped.
"Why?"
His eyes stayed on mine for a second longer.
"Because I want to see you."
I looked away quickly.
"You'll see me at prom."
A small smirk formed on his lips.
"Not enough."
And just like that—
We split.
The girls' section turned into chaos the second we walked in.
Dresses everywhere. Fabrics, glitter, silk, satin—too many choices, too many opinions, too much noise.
Mica was already holding up a dress.
"This is mine."
Grace crossed her arms.
"You didn't even try it."
Mica smirked.
"I don't need to."
One by one—
Everyone started choosing.
Rakki walked out first, spinning slightly with a confident grin. Her dress hugged her perfectly, flowing just enough to move with her.
A Pink dress, thin straps, fitted at the waist with a long slit that made it impossible not to notice.
Grace clapped instantly.
"Okay, that's dangerous."
Mica came out next.
Shorter.
Bolder.
A green dress with a fitted top and soft layers on the torso, the design simple but still sharp enough to stand out.
Rakki nodded.
"That suits you way too well."
Grace followed.
Elegant.
Calm.
A yellow dress, long and sleek, hugging her frame perfectly with a subtle open back that was closed with an orange ribbon, made it simple—but not forgettable.
Mica placed a hand over her heart dramatically.
"You're going to break someone."
Then—
All eyes turned to me.
I grabbed a random dress and walked into the fitting room.
Came out.
They stared.
I shook my head.
"No."
Second one.
Same reaction.
"No."
Third.
I didn't even step out fully.
"No."
Rakki crossed her arms.
"You're being picky."
"I'm being careful."
Mica rolled her eyes and disappeared into the racks, coming back with something different.
Something… dangerous.
She handed it to me.
"Try this."
I hesitated.
Then took it.
When I stepped out—
Silence.
Complete silence.
I looked up slowly.
All three of them—
Frozen.
Eyes wide.
Actually wide.
Mica's jaw dropped.
Grace blinked.
Rakki just stared.
I frowned slightly.
"What?"
Mica finally spoke.
"…Keifer is going to lose control."
My heart skipped instantly.
I turned to the mirror.
And saw it.
A Sparkly Navy dress with a high slit and a bare back, the fabric fitting perfectly, every detail somehow making it worse—
Or better.
I didn't know anymore.
I swallowed slightly.
"…I'm getting this one."
When we met the boys again—
Everyone avoided details.
On purpose.
No colors.
No descriptions.
No hints.
Then Blaster clapped once.
"Alright, announcement."
We all looked at him.
"Boys are staying at Keifer's house."
David grinned.
"Obviously."
Rakki crossed her arms.
"Then girls are staying at mine."
Mica gasped.
"Sleepover?"
Grace nodded.
"Sleepover."
Before we could move—
Felix spoke.
"Let's make it interesting."
That was never a good sign.
Keifer looked at him.
"What?"
Felix smirked slightly.
"At prom… no touching."
Silence.
Then—
Ci-N gasped.
"Wait—what?"
Felix continued.
"Boys can't touch their date."
Rakki added immediately.
"Girls can't touch theirs either."
Drew laughed.
"That's impossible."
Felix shook his head.
"Exactly why we're doing it."
I frowned slightly.
"And if we do?"
Keifer answered this time, his voice calm.
"You lose."
I looked at him.
"Lose what?"
He didn't break eye contact.
"The game."
"And?"
"And... you have to listen to your date for the whole day." Felix snapped.
My heart skipped.
Mica clapped excitedly.
"This is going to be so messy."
Grace nodded.
"I love it."
Rakki smirked.
"You're all going to fail."
We split again after that.
Boys one way.
Girls another.
Rakki's house was louder than expected.
Shoes off. Dresses carefully placed. Everyone immediately more relaxed.
We all gathered in her room, sitting in a circle, snacks somehow already appearing out of nowhere.
And then—
It started.
"So…"
Mica leaned forward.
"Who's in love?"
I choked.
"What?"
Grace laughed softly.
"You heard her."
Rakki looked straight at me.
"Start."
I shook my head instantly.
"No."
Mica pointed.
"Yes."
I groaned, falling back slightly.
"You guys are annoying."
Grace smiled.
"And you're avoiding."
They kept going.
Teasing.
Guessing.
Talking about looks, moments, who liked who, who was obvious, who wasn't.
At some point—
Keifer came up.
Of course he did.
"He looks at you like he already owns you."
I froze.
Mica nodded.
"It's actually scary."
Rakki smirked.
"Not scary. Just obvious."
I stayed quiet.
Because I didn't know what to say.
Because they weren't wrong.
Hours passed like that.
Laughter.
Teasing.
Soft confessions.
Eventually, one by one—
We got tired.
The room quieted down, lights dimming, everyone settling into their spots.
I lay down, staring at the ceiling for a second.
Thinking.
About prom.
About the challenge.
About him.
My eyes slowly closed.
And the last thought in my head was simple—
This was going to be a problem.
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A/N
DRESSES WILL BE REVEALED ON PROM DAY!!!