The corners of my lips curl up from behind my camera as I find Felix in my viewfinder. Snapping a quick photo, I drop the camera from hiding my face and hold onto the lens with one hand. Felix grins at me from the dance floor, raising his hand to wave at me. I hold in the butterflies in my stomach as I raise my hand, waving weakly his way.

Music is bouncing off the walks of the gymnasium, the heat of the upperclassmen dancing making it ten times warmer. None of it seems to matter though because the atmosphere has everyone high on the beat and unaware. Everything is perfect, from the decorations to the photo booth. Everyone in their own element and for once, I'm wishing I wasn't behind my camera and instead in front of it.

I want to be apart of the event and not documenting it. I never really realized just how disconnected I've made myself from everything because I felt the need to stay in the same cycle. Sure, I can say I've been to every dance, football games, and pep rallies. All the things that make up a high school career but I can't say I experienced any of them.

"Stevie Margaret Alexander, I swear to God," Robyn swears, using my full name as she marches towards me at the corner of the stage with Isla following closely behind. "If you do not put down that damn camera I'm going to tear it from your hands."

"Robyn, it's my job! I can't just abandon it," I argue.

"You're acting like you get paid to do this," she shakes her head and crosses her arms over her chest. "Stevie, I did not spend an hour getting you all hot for you to stand on the sidelines and not be with your date. You promised you would dance!"

"I can dance right here!" I grin enthusiastically as I shake my hips and move to the music. "See? I danced."

"Funny," she rolls her eyes.

"Isn't the whole point of you paying your dues as a freshmen and sophomore is so you can actually enjoy dances as an upperclassman?" Isla questions. "You have a date, Stevie! Felix didn't ask you to come for you to avoid him the whole time."

"I'm not avoiding him."

"Sure, you aren't," she hums out. "Come on! Let the junior photographers handle this. You deserve to have some fun and you don't have to be so in control all the time."

"Guys, I can't! I'm sorry," I frown, exhaling softly. "I have to."

"No, you really don't but fine," Robyn exhales. "Be stubborn."

"Love you too," I smile gently as they leave me to my duties.

They're right. More right than I want to admit because I don't want to face the fact that I've been on edge since Felix's rooftop. I'm still not sure if it's because I'm afraid of what it means, or if it's simply the fact that I don't know how to react to the idea of having someone's heart.

It's alot of pressure.

It's alot to hold.

"Alright, Malibu Heights!" Lena cheerfully talks into the microphone on the stage, calling the attention of everyone as the music fades to a quiet background noise. "It's time we announce the king and queen of our homecoming court."

Cheers abrupt throughout the gym as I move towards the back to get a clean shot of the stage. The two-inch heel of my red sandal clicking against the shiny hardwood floors, leading my path as I found my spot. My thoughts are drowned out when I see Felix among his fellow nominees. So distracted that I'm not even listening when Lena announces the head cheerleader as homecoming queen.

"And now, for our homecoming king," Lena says with just as much enthusiasm in her voice as always, her tone never not cheerful. "And your king is...Felix Montgomery!"

It doesn't take long for the applause to follow the announcement, as Felix steps up to take his crown. I have to admit it suits him. He's clean cut, the perfect image for a high school court but as I bring my camera up to snap a picture – I can see the desire in his eyes to blend into the crowd unnoticed.

And as quickly as the excitement comes, it's gone and before long Felix is walking towards me. I lower my camera to meet his eyes, a small smile curling up on my lips.

"How about a dance?" He asks.

"I'm on duty."

"That's a poor excuse," he hums and takes a step closer to me, reaching forward he rests his hand over mine and with his other moves the strap over my head before peeling it away from my grasp. "Time to dance, Nicks."

"I can't say no?"

"No," he shakes his hand and side steps to the high rise table were some of the teachers stand, Miss. Arthur among them. "Sorry, Miss. Arthur but I'm stealing her."

Miss. Arthur nods her head and brings my camera closer to her, promising to watch it for me as Felix pulls me into the crowd. My initial reaction is to protest, the same way I did with Isla and Robyn but I find it hard to say no to Felix. Especially when he's looking as cute as he does tonight.

"Have I mentioned how gorgeous you look?" He hums out the question as his eyes run down my body, pulling me into his chest.

"Thank you," I grin as his hands move to the small of my back, mine wrapping loosely around his shoulders. "You don't look so bad yourself."

"Thank you, thank you," he chuckles lightly, peppering my cheek with kisses.

"You know, this crown is much nicer than the one Greyson got four years ago," I mumble as I trace my finger over the plastic gold resting neatly in his hair.

"Oh, yeah?" He hums as he takes it off his head and rests it on my, tilting it back slightly. "Looks much better on you."

My lips curl up, "Does this make me queen?"

"Mine, at least," he chuckles as I lean into him, resting my chin on top of his shoulder as my fingers curl into the fabric of his suit jacket. "I freaked you out, didn't I?"

I move away to meet his eyes, a cold rush running down my spine at his words.

"What I said on the roof the other day. It freaked you out," he continues when he sees the look in my eyes.

"No," I shake my head, meeting his eyes. "You didn't freak me out, Felix."

"You know I didn't say it to pressure you into saying something back, right? I just, I want to be honest about the way I'm feeling and I said it because I felt it," he explains and my lips curl up as I nod my head.

"I know," I smile. "You didn't put any pressure on me. I feel the same way. It's just...I've never done this before. I've never felt this way before and sometimes I get myself worked up when all I have to say is I feel the same."

"Okay," he nods. "Good."

"Yeah, good," I grin. "I'm sorry I made you feel like you put pressure on me."

"What did I tell you about apologizing?" He asks and I answer by leaning forward and kissing him.

"Sorry."

"Nicks," he whines, pinching my hips causing me to squirm and jump back from him. A giggle falling from my lips until I feel arms wrap around me from behind, a squeal replacing the laughter.

"Feel like getting out of here?" Riker's voice settles my heart as he sets me back on my feet, his question directed at both of us. "I mean, if you can your majesty," he playfully bows in Felix's direction.

"Funny," Felix rolls his eyes before smiling. "It's up to you, Nicks."

"Yeah, let's go," I eagerly nod my head. "Where are we going?"

"Beach," Riker squeezes my arm. "Invite the girls. I'll text you where to meet us."

"Okay," I wave as he walks off.

"I'll get your camera," Felix leans down and kisses my cheek. "Go find the girls and I'll meet you at the doors."

I nod and turn to scout out my friends, finding Isla and Miles easily dancing with each other. Moving through the maze of people, I reach them in no time.

"Feel like going to the beach?" I ask.

"Sure," Isla laughs as she leans into Miles embrace. "I think, Robyn's by the photo booth."

"Okay, I'll go find her," I nod and move towards the booth, to find her with some of her friends on the cheer squad.

"Stevie!" She breaks away from them to greet me when she spots me. "Nice crown," she says short of crushing me in her embrace. "I take it Felix got you out from behind your camera?"

"Yes," I laugh. "Feel like getting out of here?"

"Ditching the dance?" Robyn asks with a small smile. "Stevie, I thought you had to work."

"Ha-ha," I stick my tongue out at here, offering my arm to her. "Let's get out of here, you big goof."

"Who says I want to leave?"

"You're expecting me to believe that you don't want to run out on the dance to have a bonfire on the beach with your best friends?" I hum in response, tilting my head to the side slightly in question.

"Yes, I do," she laughs as she hooks her arm through mine. "But because it's you asking, I'll come with you. I mean, it's not every day you see Stevie Alexander skip out on her duties."

"You're not funny."

"Are you sure?" She asks with a smile. "I think, I'm hilarious."

"I know you do," I poke her side.

"Let's get out of here, my queen," she bows slightly, smirking as she leans into me – resting her head on my shoulder and it seems like this night couldn't be more perfect.

a/n;

I'll probably post another chapter is a few hours and it's by far in my top five chapters for this book.