HE LOVED ME LAST

Chapter 58

Lucas’s POV (Prom Night)

The lights were blinding.

The music was loud. Everyone was dressed to impress, laughing too hard, smiling too wide. It was the kind of night people waited for—lived for.

But I wasn’t one of them.

I stood at the center of it all, next to Amelia, who looked like she belonged in some magazine. Her dress glittered under the lights, her smile was fixed, perfect… rehearsed.

“Isn’t this night amazing?” she asked, linking her arm through mine.

I didn’t answer. Just gave a small nod and kept my eyes forward.

Because I hadn’t seen *her* yet.

Alice.

She wasn’t here when I arrived, and every minute that passed only added pressure to my chest.

“Smile, Lucas,” Amelia whispered through gritted teeth. “You look like someone ruined your night.”

I glanced at her briefly. “I’m fine.”

But I wasn’t.

People came up to greet me. A few patted me on the back. Someone shoved a fake crown into my hands, joking about prom king predictions.

I didn’t laugh.

Not once.

Until—

She walked in.

Alice.

She wore a soft blue dress—simple but stunning. Her hair was loosely done, strands framing her face. She walked beside Noah, who looked way too proud of himself.

But my eyes were on her. Only her.

She looked around the room cautiously, like she didn’t want to be noticed—but how could she *not* be?

And for a second—just one—our eyes met.

She looked away first.

Again.

But this time… she smiled.

Not at me. At something Noah said.

Still, that tiny smile shook something loose in me.

Later, after food and awkward dancing and endless flashes of cameras, the music stopped. The lights dimmed. The DJ grabbed the mic.

“Alright, people! Time to announce your prom king and queen!”

The crowd whooped and clapped.

I stood still, half-listening, not caring.

“And the prom queen is…”

Pause.

“Alice Bennett!”

Gasps. Cheers. Surprise.

I blinked. Looked straight at her.

She looked just as stunned as I felt.

People pushed her gently toward the stage. She climbed it, hesitant, clearly overwhelmed. But beautiful. God, she looked beautiful.

“And prom king…”

Another pause.

“Lucas Stone!”

Louder cheers.

My jaw tightened.

I didn’t move right away.

Amelia’s smile dropped.

Then I stepped forward, slowly.

When I joined Alice on stage, she barely looked at me.

I took the crown, nodded to the crowd, and for the first time that night… I smiled.

Not for the cameras.

Not for the attention.

But because she was next to me again.

Even if just for a moment.

And maybe, just maybe… it meant something.