Chapter 11
344 Words
Hallways & Heartbeats
Chapter 11 — “Homecoming Night”
Friday night arrived faster than Amy expected. Ridgeway High’s gym had been transformed: strings of fairy lights hung from the rafters, the school band’s banner had been replaced with shimmering streamers, and the floor glistened under a layer of silver confetti. Homecoming had always felt like a big deal, but this year it felt different. This year, she had Jayden.
Amy smoothed the skirt of her soft blue dress as she stepped inside. Sophie whistled. “You look amazing,” she whispered.
Amy blushed. “You think so?”
Sophie nodded. “And Jayden’s about to lose his mind.”
As if on cue, Jayden appeared at the door, looking uncharacteristically put-together in a crisp shirt and dark jeans. He caught sight of Amy and actually stopped walking for a second, like someone had pressed pause.
“Wow,” he said softly when he reached her. “Beloved, you…wow.”
Amy laughed nervously. “You clean up pretty well yourself.”
“Ready to win this thing?” he asked, holding out his hand.
The final clue of the Hawk Hunt had been hidden as part of the Homecoming decorations. Whichever team found it first would be crowned winners at the dance. Amy and Jayden slipped into the crowd, scanning the room.
Madison was already prowling the edges with her friends, eyes sharp and determined. She caught Amy’s gaze and smirked. “May the best team win,” she mouthed.
Jayden squeezed Amy’s hand. “Ignore her. Focus on me.”
They wove between dancing students and tables stacked with snacks. Amy spotted a suspicious envelope taped under the DJ’s booth. She nudged Jayden and nodded.
In one smooth motion, he knelt to “tie his shoe,” snatched the envelope, and slipped it into Amy’s hand. Inside was the last clue — a simple riddle pointing to the center of the dance floor, beneath the shimmering hawk mascot hanging from the ceiling.
Amy’s heart thumped. “That’s it,” she whispered.
Jayden grinned.
- Writer
