I can barely stand, but with Wills’ and Blair’s help, I do, and I even manage to wave to the people around me. It’s a little while before everyone calms down and takes their seats again, and Dr. Baxter has to ask everyone three times before it’s finally quiet enough for him to continue.
“Now then, on to the highlight of the evening. I am delighted to announce the student winners of the auction competition, and the king and queen of the Valentine’s dance tomorrow. For the men in the school, the student whose auction items raised the most money at nearly two hundred thousand dollars, is Astor Hawthor
ne. Congratulations, Astor!”
I freeze in my seat as there’s another round of applause, and Astor stands. He’s looking like the king that he is, that he has always been, wearing a tuxedo and appearing almost as if he’s James Bond.
Shit. I forgot about the boys. I forgot who would be standing by my side.
I was so wrapped up in winning for myself, that I never thought to get Blair or Wills into the running.
That doesn’t stop Astor from looking beyond handsome in the dim light.
Victoria, at his side, doesn’t even make an effort to cheer him on. It’s plain to see that she has been crying, and she’s absolutely miserable. I’m happy to say she’s an ugly crier.
Dr. Baxter continues again. “Now, for the ladies. Our queen has raised a tremendous amount of money with what is unquestionably the best collection of auctioned items this school has ever seen. With her contributions, she raised a total of one million, two hundred thousand, nine hundred and twenty-seven dollars, to be exact.”
Gasps sound throughout the crowd. The auction items weren’t exactly listed out under who donated them, but I can tell from the way the audience is swiveling in their seats to peer at me again, they know what’s coming next.
Holy hell. I had no idea it would be that much.
I would’ve organized a charity fundraiser for myself years ago if I knew I could rake in that kind of money.
“I think it comes as no surprise when I introduce our Valentine’s queen, miss Teddy White.” Dr. Baxter is turning pink, he’s so happy. It’s not because of me, he still hates me of course, but the money might be starting to sway that opinion.
I feel a swell of pride and excitement rising in me as the room grows deafening again with adoration. I’m surprised when Astor is the first one in the room on his feet, looking at me and applauding, much to Victoria’s fury.
Everyone else is only half a heartbeat behind him, and I’m being hugged by so many people and congratulated all around to the point that it’s all a blur of love and joy. It is one of the happiest nights of my life for many reasons.
The least of which is not Victoria’s final and utter defeat.
It looks like I didn’t have to murder her after all.
The glow of delight and joy stays with me as the evening draws to a close. The boys, Laura, Dana, and I walk back to our room as soon as it’s over. We all sit together in the cramped space and talk for a long while, until everyone is tired. It’s been a long time coming. A lot of preparation, time, and calculation went into what we accomplished tonight.
Finally, everyone else leaves, and Dana and I slip into our pajamas and crawl into bed; exhausted.
“You won it all tonight, Teddy,” Dana says so happily. “The ticket sales, the auction, the crown of the Valentine’s queen … even your bid for the trip to Nice! I’m so excited for you, I don’t know if I can fall asleep!”
“You’ll fall asleep, but when you do, dream of Nice, because I’m taking you, Laura, and the boys with me. It’s my spring break gift to us all. We’ve earned it!” I tell her with a blissful sigh as I nestle down into my pillow.
Dana doesn’t respond, and I look over and see that she’s already fast asleep. “Sweet dreams, sister,” I whisper, and turn out the light.
Chapter 15
The school is buzzing with excitement for the dance, but I don’t see or hear from Victoria all day on Saturday, which is a nice break.
Everyone sleeps in after the late night before, but we meet up for breakfast in the dining hall. Instead of a leisurely breakfast, everyone in our group is surprised when a seemingly endless stream of students keeps coming by to congratulate me and be friendly with me, most of them telling me that they voted for my Valentine’s Day dance theme.
This must be what it was to be Victoria, in her heyday.
To be quite honest, it’s exhausting.
After our busy breakfast, Wills takes all of us out onto the lake by the school and we go sailing for a while before leaving campus to have a quiet lunch in town. Ice has formed a thin sheet along the outer rim of the lake, but a few boats still bob in the water at the end of the dock.
It’s freezing, but the brisk air only makes me feel more alive. We stay out until our teeth begin to chatter and our lips are blue from the cold, despite the thick winter jackets we wear.
When we come back to school after lunch, it’s time to get ready for the dance.