"The new girl?" Jasper didn't bother hiding his surprise.

"She cheated." Alice spoke over the shocked murmurs.

Slowly, like some cheesy scene in a teen movie, everyone started to clap. The applause grew steadily, and some threw in whistles and stupid barking sounds. I didn't know why everyone was surprised. Jessica Stanley had ruled the school since her first day and had every single guy wrapped around her little finger—and some of the ones with girlfriends, too.

"There aren't enough guys in the class for their votes to beat the girls." Alice's brow creased in frustration. "Even if she voted for herself, you still should have come out by a few votes. Plus, Edward and Jasper voted for you."

"I didn't vote for her." Jasper ducked his head apologetically. "I didn't vote for Jessica either."

Alice's cheeks colored as she realized whom he had voted for. A little smile crossed her face before the frown appeared again. "Still. All the girls voted for you; I know it."

"I didn't vote for me." I shot her a pointed look and smiled at Jasper.

"Damn it, guys." Alice stomped her foot and tried not to look pleased. "That's really sweet, but those two votes probably cost you the crown."

"The queen and king will now share a dance." Mr. Letner reminded us of the festivities going on around us.

My heart plummeted to the floor at the thought of Jessica in Edward's arms. I almost couldn't meet his gaze, worried he would already be pulling her into his embrace. When I finally looked his way, I gasped.

He hadn't bothered to pick up his scepter. It lay on the ground in front of him, completely abandoned. Jessica grinned at the crowd and straightened her tiara, oblivious to her king's distress. When she reached for his hand so he could lead her to the dance floor, he jerked away like he'd been electrocuted. All the while, his eyes never left mine.

A mottled red crept up the prom queen's neck as she registered the rejection. With a furious glare in my direction, she tucked her arm through his and dragged him to the steps. The DJ, who would forever be on my shit list, started a sappy love song designed to make the royal couple feel the romance.

"Oh, hell, no." I kicked my shoes off and started to unfasten my earrings, ready for my first ever girl fight.

Before I could swoop in and claim my boy, Edward broke free from her clutches and leapt from the front of the stage to the dance floor. The students all went crazy with applause, probably assuming he was about to dance on his own.

Instead, he ripped the crown off, plopped it unceremoniously onto Mike Newton's head, and then dragged the stunned boy over to where Jessica stood frozen with embarrassment and anger.

"She's not my queen, so I don't really care to be king," Edward announced. "Ya'll have fun."

Without another word, he raced across the floor to where I stood and lifted me off the ground in a crushing embrace.

"Oh, my God, I love you," I whispered.

"I love you, too, baby." He pressed tender kisses to my lips, cheeks, and neck as I clung to him. "This prom officially blows. You ready to get out of here?"

"I was ready about five minutes ago."

oOo

Quick reminder to check out Dirty Cheeky Monkeys on October 3 for the next scene, which will be from Edward's POV. Also, if you want to see his side of the story leading up to the prom, you can read Sugar, starting at chapter 17.