Only Human

Chapter 17

June

Prom week was here — three days to go. The gym buzzed with chaos: ladders, balloons, fairy lights, and the shrill voice of Audrey bossing everyone around like she owned the place. Bonnie at her side, naturally.

I was on duty with Flick, which was fine. Better than sitting home while Alec was at college all day. Still, Audrey’s smug face was enough to make me want to set fire to the crepe paper.

At lunch, I escaped to the garden where Flash and Ruby usually sat. I waved. Flash waved back. Ruby didn’t.

“What’s wrong, Rubes?” I asked, sitting down.

She glared at me. “I’m just trying to understand. Aren’t we good enough anymore? You’ve known Flick for five minutes, yet you tell her everything. Us? Nothing.”

Confusion hit me. “What are you talking about?”

Ruby crossed her arms. “Yesterday I volunteered to help with prom. Audrey said it was a shame your college boyfriend couldn’t bring you. And I stood there thinking—Jess doesn’t have a boyfriend. She would have told me.”

My stomach dropped. The “college boyfriend” lie. The one I’d told Flick and Dean to cover Alec. Now it was unraveling.

“Ruby, it’s complicated. I’ll clear everything up after graduation, I promise.”

Her jaw tightened. “Why not now? Jess, what’s going on?”

I froze. If I told her now, she’d blow up, maybe even confront Alec. There were only nine days left. I couldn’t risk it.

“I can’t explain yet. After graduation, it’ll make sense.”

Ruby shook her head, furious. She grabbed her bag and stood. “Call me when the real Jess is back.” Then she stormed off.

I sighed, turning to Flash. “Do you want to leave too?”

He squeezed my hand. “No. I don’t know what’s going on, but I trust you’ll tell us when you’re ready. Ruby will calm down.”

That’s what I loved about Flash. Always patient. Always kind.

We distracted ourselves talking prom plans: the limo, the outfits, the photo booth. Still, Ruby’s words lingered like a bruise.

---

History class. Dean.

He patted the seat beside him, and I forced a smile. If I sat elsewhere, it would look obvious. My pulse spiked as his leg brushed mine.

“Haven’t seen you much lately,” he murmured. “Flick misses you.”

I kept my eyes on the board. “I miss her too. I just thought… after what happened… some space would be better.”

Dean nodded. “Yeah. But don’t punish Flick. She didn’t do anything wrong. I’m the one who screwed up.”

I turned to him. “No. I kissed you back. I’m the one in a relationship. If anyone’s wrong, it’s me.”

He nudged my shoulder gently. “Taylor, you’re one of the kindest people I know. Don’t beat yourself up. You’re only human. Don’t let one mistake make you a stranger.”

I stared at him, surprised by the softness in his voice. Kind. Even wise. Who was this Dean?

“I promise. You’ll still see me around,” I said quietly.

He smiled, amused, and turned back to the front.

---

After class, I headed for the gym doors when Dean called after me.

“Taylor! Wait.”

I stopped. He looked… nervous. Almost boyish.

“Since Bonnie and I broke up, I don’t have a prom date. And since your boyfriend can’t come… what if we went together? As friends, of course.”

My chest tightened. A few months ago, I would’ve laughed in anyone’s face if they told me Dean Clarke would ask me to prom.

“That’s sweet, Dean. But I’m actually going with Flash and his friend Ryan.”

Disappointment flickered across his face before the smirk snapped back into place. “Two dates? Player.” His tone was sharp, colder, old Dean creeping back through. “Doesn’t matter. Plenty of girls would kill to go with me anyway. Bye, Taylor.”

He stalked off, and I stood there, uneasy. Change or not, Dean would always be fighting his demons.

---

Prom setup was exhausting but worth it. The photo booth, the fairy lights, the international theme — it all looked magical. Flick and I stood in the doorway, proud.

When I got home, I grabbed Chinese on the way. Alec perked up the second he saw the bag, dim sims disappearing into his mouth like he hadn’t eaten in a week.

“Hey! Hands off my dim sims!” I swatted his hand, laughing.

“Too late!” he teased, dodging me with another dumpling in his mouth.

Dinner was warm, familiar. Normal. The kind of normal I craved.

Later, soaking in a bubble bath, I sighed into the steam — until Alec slipped in behind me, naked, eyes burning with want. His lips trailed my neck, the loofah sliding down my body before he tossed it aside and replaced it with his hands.

Water sloshed over the tub as he pressed into me, every thrust sending ripples across the bathroom tiles. My moans tangled with his as he whispered, “I love you, Jess.”

“I love you too,” I gasped, my release crashing over me.

We made a mess of the bathroom. Worth it.

---

Three days blurred in a rush of final prep until suddenly it was here: Saturday. Prom day.

At my parents’ house, I dropped my bag in my old room. A pang of nostalgia hit — and guilt. I hadn’t spoken to them since our fight. Taking a deep breath, I texted them the graduation details: I hope you can make it. I’m ready to move forward.

On my bed, a letter waited. Australian stamps. Nan and Pop. My hands trembled opening it: a birthday card, and a plane ticket. Come visit us for summer, sweetheart. We miss you dearly.

Tears stung my eyes. Maybe Alec could come too.

I tucked the card into my memory box, alongside Clay’s bracelet, Dean’s flower chain, and my movie ticket with Alec. A box of my life.

Then it was time.

Miranda, the stylist Flick had hired, worked magic with brushes and curling irons. Smoky eyes, soft lips, loose curls braided into a half-up crown. When she finished, Flick’s eyes went wide.

“Jess. You look… gorgeous.”

I slipped into my burgundy gown, corset laced tight, chiffon skirt flowing. For the first time, I looked in the mirror and thought: I’m beautiful.

Flick clasped her hands to her chest. “You look like a princess.”

“Thanks. Will you lace me up?”

She grinned, pulling the ties snug.

When she left, she dropped a bomb casually: “By the way, Dean’s taking Audrey.”

I froze. Audrey? My stomach twisted. Why did it bother me so much?

---

The limo arrived. Flash whistled when he saw me. “Jess, you’re stunning. Don’t move — photo time.”

Ryan’s parents wanted a picture too, so he wrapped an arm around me. “You look beautiful,” he said shyly.

We picked up Ruby next. She looked breathtaking in sky blue silk, hair swept into a bun. Her smile faltered when she saw me.

“You look beautiful, Ruby,” I said.

“You too,” she replied flatly.

Flash elbowed her. “It’s prom! Let’s not fight tonight.”

Ruby sighed, pointing a finger at me. “Fine. But after graduation, Jess — no more lies. You owe us the truth.”

I squeezed her hand. “I promise.”

Her smile softened. “Then let’s party.”

We laughed, cheered, the limo lights flashing around us. For a moment, everything felt light. Normal.

And then we pulled up to the school.