Blood Pearls

II

It was hard to believe that yesterday everyone in their grade had graduated high school this year! Phoebe was valedictorian and she honored her graduating peers with a beautiful year-end speech about some getting married to their high school sweethearts and living happily ever afters. Some would go on to travel around the world, some might leave this place and never look back. Whatever they were doing, they'd be doing together. Friends might stick together, reality being life would take them in different directions.

One thing was for sure… that they'd remember their graduating day for the rest of their lives. Most importantly, prom night! She was head of the school council and they had a pretty good thing planned. Their theme was 'Jungle Escape'. "Hiya girlfriend," Geneva caught up to Phoebe and walked with her. "where are you off to in such a hurry?"

She giggled. "To get a french mani and pedi before getting into my exclusive Mori Lee A-line with an accentuated sweetheart neckline, prom dress!"

Geneva grinned. "Damn, that's precise hon."

Phoebe nodded eagerly. "Absolutely, and it's cougar printed. Just representing our 'Jungle Escape' theme to the best of my ability."

Geneva tapped an acrylic nail on her own nose in thought. "And… what about Bryce?"

"Oh he has a matching tie, don't you worry." The girls laughed until they bumped into Iden.

"Hi honey's!" He greeted them flamboyantly. "Y'all best be coming to my exclusive ditch-prom party."

"Ditch prom?" Phoebe's heart fell slightly. "But..."

He waved his hand in ultimate protest. "No, no sweetie… not a 'not show up to prom' party… just an… 'if you wanna get white girl wasted in celebration, here's your chance' party."

Geneva couldn't hold back the smirk that was growing. "Well, who would I be if I passed up a chance to get wasted white girl style?"

"You wouldn't be you if you did pass it up." Meygan said jokingly to Geneva, as she continued walking past the small group with a box full of stuff from her locker. "Oh Iden, don't forget to give my sweater back. I will hunt you down boy." She glanced towards the male as she continued to take the box out to her car.

Iden rolled his eyes. "I can't help it if I have the rack to hold it up and you don't." He snorted. Though he'd have to try and look for it. He had her sweater since… Freshman year? He wore it every Friday religiously.

Just at that moment, Alek came running up to the group wearing a smile that could be seen from outer space. "You guys will never guess what happened!" he exclaimed before giving anyone a chance to guess what he was talking about, he held out his left hand. Showing off the ring that now rested on it. "He finally asked!" He added, nearly jumping with joy.

"Honey! I was gonna ask if you got laid yet but this is definitely a step closer." Iden grabbed Alek's hand and yanked it towards him, examining the humble engagement ring. It was cute… but if anyone was putting a ring on Iden's hand, the rock would have to break his arm and shimmer perfectly in the light of the moon on a forty-five degree angle.

The girls gathered around to look at the engagement ring. "Alek, that's huge!" Phoebe hugged him and gave him a Euro-kiss, one on each cheek. "That's wonderful. I'm so happy for you."

"Thank you so much, I had to show you guys. I mean it only took three years for him to ask me." Alek said as he purposely let the glow of the fluorescent light bounce off it perfectly. His eyes suddenly widened in realization. "Don't tell Zack, I haven't seen him yet to show him or tell him."

"Oh that boy is getting a text *right now." Iden pulled his andriod out to begin texting.

Until his phone was pulled out of his hand. "Iden, stop being an ass even though it's your favorite pastime." Dylan held it out of Iden's grasp for a couple minutes. "I'll give it back when you promise not to use it for gossip."

Iden snorted. "Why do you think the cellular phone has advanced the way it has? In one press I can share to at least four different social media platforms."

Dylan held the phone up a bit higher. "Be nice, Iden."

Iden stomped on Dylan's foot and grabbed his phone. "Nice try you big, hairy-ass neanderthal."

"Iden don't you dare." A voice could be heard down the hall. "You honestly don't need to spill the tea, every time." Cade walked up to the group wearing a devilish smirk of his own. "Let's say you keep those pretty lips shut and I finally delete that real ugly photo of you."

"Not before you show us the picture!" Alek added, he still wanted to see this famous photo that Cade had been holding over Iden since junior year.

"Or if you want I can send it to everyone you're talking to on the dating sites you use." Cade stated.

He gasped dramatically, as Iden did most everything, and crossed his arms over his chest. "You wouldn't dare you motorcycle-riding hippie."

Geneva giggled. "Be careful sweetie, don't tempt him to send it, just in case he isn't bluffing."

Phoebe shook her head at the group so far. "Iden… let's talk about this… white girl wasted party."

Iden beamed as he put his phone away in the pocket of his favorite pair of jeans. Actually, they were Jade's. He had this pair since Sophomore year and wore them religiously every Thursday. "Yes, let's." He cleared his throat. "So we're still gonna show up to escape the jungle and all, but it's after the lame ass dance ends at 9 or so. I'm talking about the scandalous 'after party' at my parents' luxury beach house. Beers colder than all of Dylan's ex-girlfriends and my bubbling hot tub more scorchin' than Channing Yum-Yum. Am I right?"

"Sounds like a fun time. Please tell me we can gets our hands your father's sound system?" Cade questioned.

"But Mr Yum-Yum isn't all that yummy." Alek pointed out as he rolled his eyes. "Like on a scale of one to ten, he's about four point five. At best."

Phoebe put a hand up. "Duke it out later guys, Iden… do you have everything you need for this party?"

Iden nodded. "Absolutely I do. I have various beers on tap via the wet bar in the beach house, x-amount bottles of wine are chilling on tap." He whispered. "I even have a couple friends who will make 'edibles' so bring some extra cash." He told them with a smile.

Cade narrowed his eyes. "What a hypocrite."

"Shut your pretty fuckin' face, Cade." He turned his attention back to Phoebe. "I believe I have everything we're gonna need."

She blinked in shock. "Uh, what about normal food? Plates? Napk- oh my, this won't do. If you don't feed the guests you'll have them staggering and vomiting all over the beach house."

Iden thought about it. "Good, it'll put the replacement maid to actual work for once. That girl can't do shit properly. If she cleans it up enough she'll remember how to do it efficiently the first time."

Geneva crossed her arms over her chest and heaved a sigh. "I've seen, hell, been with some entitled rich guys but you take the cake Iden! You're a straight up prick to work for. I'd be taking a shit in your hot tub and your bed."

Iden was near-speechless. "That's absolutely why you don't work for me."

Phoebe sent a group text out to her best girls who could always get things done. "I recruited Cloe, Sasha, Jade and Yasmin to pick up some munchies and bowls. I'm sure I can get one of the guys to do a bit of barbeque." She slid her phone back into her purse. "You don't want the party to fail in areas it really shouldn't."

Iden shrugged his shoulders. "Whatever babe, be done set up around 3 this afternoon if you can. I need to get a mani, pedi and facial all done before prom and if I don't look perfect, I'm not attending."

Dylan chuckled. "Alright drama mama, chillax. I'll take you to your first appointment but I gotta ditch you after that to pick up my hot tamale." She wouldn't tell him what she was wearing to his prom, but he knew she was gonna look damn fine. She always did.

"Alright, beggars can't be choosers. Bye losers! Kiss, kiss." And with that, everyone was free to do as they pleased now that the 'Prince' had left the hallways… for the very last time it seemed.