Prom Queen Winner (Aria)

The teacher opens the envelope slowly, the room dropping to a near hush.

Teacher: She looks up at the crowd with a smile. Seniors, your prom queen is... Aria!

The room erupts.

Aria's reaction is a half second of genuine surprise that she recovers from almost immediately, her expression settling into something composed and satisfied as the crowd parts around her. She moves toward the stage the way she does everything, unhurried and deliberate, the red dress catching every light in the room.

Miles watches her from the floor, clapping with everyone else.

She steps onto the stage and accepts the crown with the particular grace of someone who decides in real time to own a moment rather than be overwhelmed by it. She looks out at the crowd briefly, finds Miles without any apparent effort, and holds his gaze for exactly one second before looking away.

Teacher: and now your prom king is...

She opens the second envelope.

Teacher: congratulations to this year's prom king... She reads the name. The crown goes to someone else tonight.

Miles claps. Around him people react, some surprised, some not. He keeps his expression neutral.

On stage Aria accepts her bouquet, the crown sitting perfectly in her dark hair, looking every bit the part.

The DJ drops into something slow for the royal dance.

Miles watches her take the floor with someone else's arm in hers.

Teacher: and now let's get everyone back on the floor for our final slow dance of the evening.Sonnet 4.6