And Then There Was Victor

Chapter 5

"How about Clem, is he going to dance with me?"

Clem paused and slowly looked at me, he pushed his sunglasses up into his hair.

"Hi," I said.

His throat bobbed up and down. He walked to me and kissed my cheek.

"Hey," he said.

He smelled incredible and I tried not to look utterly pathetic. Clem's eyes searched my face and he opened his mouth to say something when Victor fucking Manning arrived, announcing it to the entire area with a loud 'FUCKING PROM, YEAH!'

Hands slapping, chests bumping, loud whistles, and cheers. Clem instantly pulled from me and turned to greet Victor along with the rest of his crew. I could've killed Victor as I was utterly forgotten by Clem and pushed aside for the guys to greet one another. I noticed that Helene was stuck on Victor and I remembered Mercy mentioning that they were now a couple. How she put up with this idiot, I didn't know.

She glanced at me and we smiled at one another. "You look so pretty, Becka, I love your dress."

I thanked her. She didn't look pretty, she looked sexy. Super sexy. Like a grown-up, like Mercy looked. Her dress was red and tight with a long slit that went up her leg showing off her well-formed thighs. Victor wore a matching bowtie and I wondered who had coordinated their outfits.

"And you look super-hot."

She laughed and touched her stomach self-consciously. "Thanks. Where are the girls?"

I gestured behind me. "Back there. I heard you got accepted to Dallas, congratulations!"

Her face lit up. "I know, I'm so nervous about leaving!"

"Ladies!" And then there was Victor, his arms draped over both of our shoulders and I instantly smelled liquor in his breath. Helene looked embarrassed and I tried to smile at her but couldn't with Victor so close to my face.

"Victor." Helene's voice was that of a warning and he glanced at her and then looked at me with a predatory grin he had never shared.

"Becka Montana, look at you. You're almost pretty."

I scowled, ready to shove him off me but he let go of Helene and took me in, his arm still draped over my shoulders.

"Are we going to be friends tonight?" He looked me up and down.

I shoved at his chest, but he didn't bulge, he was hard and unyielding.

"You haven't earned that," I sneered.

His cheeks tightened and I thought I would have to hit him when my hand was grabbed, and I was pulled from Victor's arms and into the arms of someone solid and strong.

Clem. Clemente Cruz, love of my life.

I swallowed my heart and it landed like a jelly in my stomach. Clem was looking at Victor, his jaw tight and sharp, his sunglasses back on his eyes.

"I'm dancing with her," Clem said.

Victor looked like he would hit him but then looked at me and I swear he looked pleased but quickly turned and grabbed Helene to stalk off.

Then Clem escorted me to the dance floor. The song wasn't even romantic or slow, it was a fast beat and Will Smith bid us all to dance. I took what I could as Clem let me go so that we could sway and dip and before I knew it he was smiling and laughing and I was having the best time of my life. More and more people joined us on the dance floor and what went from Clem and I dancing turned into everyone pumping and moving together. In the crowd I lost him and when I saw him again he was dancing with another girl. For a minute, it had been all wonderful, for a moment he had rescued me. I tried to enjoy myself the rest of Prom but my eyes kept drifting to Clem and who he was with and how much fun he was having.

I noticed Victor and Helene once in the lobby of the hotel, away from everyone, having an epic argument. Victor's hands were in his hair as Helene rimmed him for what I was sure too much drinking and being an overall ass.

"She can do so much better," Yara said.

We all agreed but were too busy enjoying ourselves to think much about Victor. I was asked to dance a few other times and I did have fun, despite the sandals forming blisters on my feet, I had a great time. It was the cusp of youth and it was brilliant, it was everything those final moments of High School should be. As the party started to wind down, I hobbled to the lobby to slip my shoes off and I stumbled but a hand reached out to steady me. I was stunned to find Victor there, his large hand holding my forearm so I didn't land on my face. He looked rather sober, his tux mussed, and face in an unhappy scowl. I yanked my arm from him, desperately wanting to give him a piece of my mind.

"You're welcome," he said.

"Do me a favor, don't lend me helping hands."

"But you got to dance with dashing Clemente," he glanced at the ballroom. "Cost me a pretty argument but you're welcome."

I studied him; he was completely sober, nothing like he was earlier, and I opened my mouth to question him, but he pursed his lips.

"I told you, find yourself someone who says fuck it all and goes after you," he said. "Aren't you tired of chasing after Clem?"

"I'm not –"

"Yeah, you are, you're still chasing, Becky-girl."

His jaw tightened and he stuffed his hands inside his tux pants making him look rather handsome, but I would never admit that to him.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to find my girlfriend and try to convince her that I'm not a drunken asshole."

I swore a small smile fluttered through his lips, but he turned and left me alone. I watched him retreat, his broad back hunched, nothing like a Captain of the football team should look like on Prom. I decided to let go of my little battle against Victor Manning. His tactics needed improvement, but if I saw him in the future, I'd at least say hello. I decided to keep that conversation between us a secret and I realized it was the first time I'd held information back from my girls.

As the valet brought our limo around, we were exhausted but flushed with the good time we'd had. We chatted animatedly the entire ride to Rosalind's house where we passed out in a sea of dressed, blisters, and dreams of the future. 

Recommended 90s Playlist (will grow with each chapter)

1. Gettin' Jiggy With It - Will Smith
2. Kiss The Rain - Billie Myers
3. Come Baby Come - K7
4. Tubthumping - Chumbawamba
5. Bitch - Meredith Brooks
6. Something to Talk About - Bonnie Raitt
7. WannaBe - Spice Girls
8. Miami - Will Smith

AUTHORS NOTE: If you enjoyed this story please follow me on Tiktok (isabelleolmo) or Instagram (isabelleolmobooks) to follow my journey as I publish my first novel!