Only Human

Chapter 18

The second I walked into prom arm in arm with Flash and Ryan, I could feel Flash’s nerves in the grip of his hand.

The gym looked incredible. A giant banner stretched across the entrance: Senior Prom 2017. The red carpet rolled out beneath our feet, leading to the backdrop for our first photo of the night. Around the World in One Night was scrawled above a painted globe, a paper plane soaring across.

We posed together, smiling for the camera, before moving down the carpet, soaking in the scene. Models of landmarks we’d slaved over — the Eiffel Tower, Big Ben, the Sydney Opera House — stood proudly around the room.

“Jess,” Flash whispered, awe in his voice, “the landmarks look amazing.”

I nodded, pride swelling despite myself. “They really did turn out good.”

And then I saw him.

Alec.

He stood in a black suit and tie, handsome and sharp, helping Principal Moore with the stage setup. But his eyes weren’t on the cords in his hands. They were locked on me, a smile so full of warmth it made my knees weak.

I smiled back shyly, trying not to stare. But throughout the night, my gaze drifted, again and again, searching him out in the crowd.

---

Flash and Ryan dragged me onto the dance floor. At first, I felt awkward, stiff, but as Gangnam Style blasted through the speakers and the entire gym erupted into the goofy dance, I couldn’t help but laugh and join in.

That’s when I saw Flick, glittering in her mink lace dress, barreling toward me with her usual enthusiasm. She hugged me so tight I nearly toppled.

“Jess, I told you that dress was perfect. You look stunning!”

I blushed. “So do you. Absolutely gorgeous.”

Flick grinned, tugging Clay over. “Doesn’t she look amazing?”

Clay gave me a bashful smile. “You do, Jess. You really do.”

Before I could respond, the air shifted.

Dean.

He strode toward us in a tailored suit, his gaze zeroed in on me. His eyes — dark hazel, sharp, hungry — made my breath hitch.

“Wow, Taylor,” he said, his voice low, almost reverent. “You look breathtaking.”

Heat rose to my cheeks. “Thanks. You look… handsome too.”

He smirked. “Oh, I know.”

Clay chuckled, shaking his head, and for a moment everything felt almost normal. Until the music changed.

The Rolling Stones’ Wild Horses.

Couples paired off instantly. Flick melted into Clay’s arms. Ruby leaned into Matt. Even Flash pulled Ryan close. And suddenly, Dean and I were just… standing there. Alone.

I turned to leave — but Dean’s hand caught mine.

“Taylor. May I have this dance?”

I froze. Scanned the room. Alec had his back to me, bent over cords on the stage. My heart pounded. One dance. It was just one dance.

“What about Audrey?” I whispered.

His eyes flickered, then softened. “I’d rather dance with you.”

Before I could think, he pulled me into his arms. One hand pressed to my back, the other steady at my waist.

Butterflies swarmed my stomach. His gaze was intense, tender, as though the entire gym had disappeared and it was just us.

I tried to break the tension. “Why Audrey, Dean? Why bring her?”

He smirked, reading me too easily. “Because I didn’t have a date. She was easy. But Taylor—there’s nothing between us. Not like this.”

I looked away, but the truth was undeniable. His touch burned. His breath mingled with mine. My body betrayed me, leaning closer even as my mind screamed for Alec.

When a curl fell across my face, Dean’s fingers brushed it back gently, trailing down my cheek. My chest tightened.

And then the song ended. Bruno Mars erupted through the speakers, the spell shattering.

But we hadn’t let go. We were still in each other’s arms.

Ruby’s stare cut through me. Flash’s confusion. Flick’s wide-eyed excitement. And then—my heart stopped.

Alec.

He stood on stage, frozen, watching. His face was pale, stricken, devastation etched into his features.

The cord dropped from his hand. He stormed out of the gym.

“No.”

I bolted after him, panic clawing at my chest.

---

I found him in the caretaker’s room, hunched on a table, eyes wild, jaw clenched tight.

“Alec—”

“Now I see,” he snapped, voice raw. “Dean’s little ‘nice guy’ routine. The fake redemption. He doesn’t want to f**k with you anymore, Jess. He wants to f**k you. And you’re too blind to see it.”

I shook my head desperately. “It’s not like that. He’s… he’s not as bad as he seems—”

Alec hurled a tool across the room, the crash echoing like thunder.

“And you fell for it. I thought you were smarter. Or maybe you just love the attention. Finally one of the ‘cool’ people noticed you, right?”

Tears spilled down my cheeks. “You’re being cruel.”

He slammed a fist on the table, then looked up, broken.

“It wasn’t just him. I saw you. The way you looked at him. Like he was the only person in the room. Jess…” His voice cracked. “Is there something between you and him?”

I shook my head furiously. “I want you.”

“That’s not what I asked!” he roared. “What the f**k was that? That wasn’t harmless. I saw it. Everyone saw it.”

I couldn’t lie anymore. My chest ached with the weight of it.

“I have to tell you something.”

His face paled, bracing.

“I lied. The night of Dean’s party—I stayed. Audrey tricked me into spin the bottle. It landed on Clay, I refused, but I agreed to seven minutes in heaven with Dean. He kissed me. And I… I kissed him back.”

Alec staggered, as if I’d punched him. His hands ripped through his hair.

“No. Jess. Stop. I can’t—”

“Alec, please! I don’t want him. I want you.”

“Bullshit!” he roared, hurling a chair against the wall. “You looked at him like you do want him.”

The words tore from me in a scream: “Fine! I’m attracted to him, okay? Yes, I feel something. I don’t know why. But I don’t want him. I want you.”

The confession hung heavy in the air, and Alec’s face collapsed into anguish.

“Get out,” he whispered, then louder, shaking with rage, “GET OUT. I can’t even look at you.”

“Alec, please—”

“GO!” His voice cracked, raw and broken. “Before I say something I can’t take back.”

I choked on sobs, stumbling up the stairs and out into the hall. My world felt like it had shattered.

---

I patched myself up in the bathroom, plastering on a mask, though my heart was still in pieces. Flick found me, hugging me tight.

“You’ve been crying. You okay?”

“Just emotional,” I lied.

She gave me a soft smile. “We’ll stay in touch after graduation. Promise.”

I nodded. “Of course.”

But my thoughts weren’t on graduation. They were on Alec.

---

The night blurred after that.

Dean was crowned Prom King. Bonnie, Queen. Clay and Brock were princes. Audrey and—shockingly—me, princesses.

Dean helped me onto the stage, kissing my cheek, grinning like it was destiny. I forced a smile, but my eyes searched for Alec. He wasn’t there.

When the royal court danced, Clay asked me. His gentle words reminded me of our junior prom, of simpler times. But even that couldn’t lift the weight crushing my chest.

After photos and final songs, the crowd thinned. Flick invited me to another party, and against all reason, I agreed. I couldn’t stand going home alone.

This time, the party was wild. Forty people, maybe more. Loud music. Shots. Spiked punch.

I drank too much, too fast, chasing numbness. Audrey cheered me on. Dean watched, concern flickering, but when I grabbed his hand and dragged him to dance, he didn’t resist.

Later, too drunk to stand, he carried me upstairs. I stripped down to my underwear, slurring, “Didn’t you say you wanted me out of my dress?”

Desire flashed in his eyes, but then he sighed, slipped his shirt over me, and kissed my forehead.

“Taylor, I may be an asshole, but I’m not a r****t. Sleep it off. We’ll talk when you’re sober.”

I collapsed into bed, grateful and ashamed.

When I woke, Dean’s arm was around me. His chest rose and fell beneath my cheek. Relief flooded me when I remembered — we hadn’t slept together. But guilt gnawed all the same.

I slipped out quietly, only to catch Audrey smirking at the stairwell, phone in hand.

“Morning, Jess. Fun night?”

“Nothing happened,” I muttered, brushing past her.

By the time I reached my parents’ house, my phone buzzed with messages from Alec.

Message 1: So you really are one of them now, crowned princess and all.

Message 2: I know Dean had a party. Did you finish what you started? Did you f**k him, Jess?

Tears stung my eyes. Anger flared. I typed back with trembling hands:

Alec, if you’re done with me, say so. You know where I live if you want to drop my stuff off.

I hit send, terrified of his reply—but more terrified of silence.