The Prom Queen

Keefe grumbled as he slid into his seat beside his best friends, Fitz Vacker and Dex Dizznee. He was pissed off and was having a pretty mediocre day until a few minutes ago.

 « So what are you gonna do now? » Fitz asked

Keefe and Fitz didn’t exactly have the best friendship. It wasn’t the kind you’d see in the movies. Some would call it a toxic friendship, but he’d learned to live with it after years of being told who his friends should be. See, Fitz was who was considered to be in his ‘type of people’ : snobby, rich and selfish.

Dex, on the other hand, was one of the few exceptions of their school’s popular group. He was sweet, selfless, smart and supportive. He was a little nerdy, but since his parents were rich, and legacies at Foxfire High, he was given an automatic pass into the entitled kids club (or at least that’s what he called it).

« I don’t know, Fitz, you tell me. She’s your sister, couldn’t you have given me a little heads up? »

 « I did not know she was gonna dump you. » he said, very unconvincingly

« Sure. Anyways, it’s not like she can do any better. Tam isn’t even relevant. What does he have that I don’t, a bad attitude? And don’t even get me started on his stupid tinted bangs, and how he thinks it’s cool that he used melted metal instead of normal hair dye! I mean seriously, I can’t believe this girl! » Keefe started on his rant, « She would be nothing without me. I picked her outfits, helped her with school work, and brought her into the right crowd when she moved here in ninth grade. She’s dumped me now that I’m useless to her. »

« Hey, watch it. » Fitz snapped, « She’s still my sister. But dude, you know she’s one of the hottest girls in the grade, if not the hottest. Don’t tell her I said that. » he looked to Dex, « She could get any guy in this school without lifting a finger. Biana’s funny, smart and gorgeous. I’m not sure you can do any better before prom night. »

« Do not listen to him, Keefe, you deserve much better. Biana’s a jerk. No offense, Fitz. » Dex assured him, « You don’t need her to be voted prom king, I’m sure plenty of people will vote for you, with or without her. »

 « Let’s be realistic here, Dex. » Fitz cut in, « Couples have way higher chances of getting voted than singles. And Biana dating Tam, which I overheard her talking about on the phone this morning, helps his case. »

« So you did know. » Keefe stated

Fitz waved him off and continued. « I’m just saying there’s no way you’re winning prom king without a girlfriend to run with. And even if you did get a girlfriend, that would be willing to date you after the most influential girl in the school did, she wouldn’t be better than Biana, who’s been the Queen Bee around here for years. Which means no one would vote for another girl over her. »

« No, there’s no way people would choose Biana over me. I could turn any regular girl here into a star in a minute. » Keefe said

« Wanna bet on it? » Fitz asked with a devilish look on his face.

« This is not a good idea. » Dex worried

« What are the terms? » Keefe questioned

« You have to turn the girl of my choosing into the next prom queen of Foxfire High, or else you have to shave your whole head. »

Keefe and Dex gasped simultaneously and Dex turned to look at Keefe with wide eyes.

« Keefe, listen, you can not do this! You love your hair, you cannot agree to this bet! I don’t want you rushing into any rash decisions. » Dex rambled

Keefe stuck out his hand and smirked, « Alright, Golden Boy, do your worst. »

The boys shook on their bet and Fitz started his decision-making process. Scanning the room, Keefe could tell he was looking for the most helpless girl out there. He was praying Fitz wouldn’t choose Linh, she was a sweet girl but not even Keefe could help her.

Keefe groaned when Fitz’s face twisted into a wicked smile.

« perfect... » Fitz mumbled

Keefe followed his gaze to the back of the room where a blonde haired girl with a hoodie pulled over her head was reading a book by herself. Keefe didn’t recognize her at first glance and needed a reminder as to who she was.

« And who is that? » Keefe inquired, gesturing to the direction Fitz was looking in. He tried peering under her hoodie but there were many heads sitting in front of the mysterious girl.

« That, my friend, is the one and only Sophie Foster. » Fitz stated, grinning evilly

He internally groaned. Sophie Foster was a new student this year and no one really talked to her. Why anyone would transfer schools senior year was beyond him. All he knew was that she was known as the weird loner girl that had no friends. Keefe had heard people call her goth or rude but from the few times he’d seen her, Sophie looked pretty sweet.

« No way, you’ve gotta choose someone else. Even Linh would be better than Sophie! C’mon Fitz, we both know she would be impossible to work with. » he whined

« I didn’t make the rules. » Fitz said, raising his arms in defense

« Actually, you did. » Dex pointed out

« Shut it, Dizznee. » Fitz hissed

Keefe knew Fitz was setting him up to fail, but he wasn't letting both Vackers get the best of him.

« Alright, you’re on. » Keefe agreed

He knew this wasn’t going to be easy, but he never did like things that came too easy.

He climbed out of his chair, bringing his lunch with him, walked to the back of the cafeteria and stood in front of Sophie. Keefe was aware of the attention he had brought to her table as he sat down and smirked.

« Sup. I’m Keefe. »