Fashionably late and all other guests were already at the school hall when two Range Rovers pulled up with chauffeurs and security. The hand me down black suit had a red rose button hole and Tom's date Annalise was wearing a long red sequin dress with a knee high slit and showed off her feminine frame and also had passed parental approval. She carried a clutch adorned with a fresh rose. The couple in the next car were both dressed in white linen suits with white rose button holes. Simple and stylish. Alex and Nic entered holding hands.
Miss Bedfordshire spoke briefly to Tom Harris and his date from Sacred Heart. She then took in the vintage designer classics worn by Alex Rider and his plus one. The dark haired young man wearing designer shades and a diamond necklace, hence the security guard.
"Good Evening, Miss Bedfordshire, may I introduce you to my date this evening, Nicolas Pierre Marc." In fast fluent French, he then gave a short speech about the kind and ever supportive school secretary.
"Enchanting," for once Nic smiled and bowed in greeting to the woman Alex had waxed lyrical about.
Alex then added "you don't have to worry about me, I'll be attending the International School in St. Moritz. Now I have more control of my trust fund, I was finally granted full emancipation. I promise to keep you posted. The school won because it's got a great winter sports programme."
The woman then asked after their suits "where did you get matching Dior suits? 1983 collection, if my memory is correct?"
"Spring summer, job lot in the charity shop and got them dry cleaned yesterday." Alex laughed, Nik had kissed him because the high likelihood of hazing and high jinx meant the fashionista had not any of his clothes to be ruined. Alex then added, "silk lining and I adore the OTT shoulder pads."
The school's main hall, gaudily decorated in purple, red and pink streamers and bunting, sparsely lit by the limited stage lights and a single disco ball. Nic then commented "mon Dieu, c'est tragique"
Alex then promised "one dance, I tell Bray he's a cunt and we can be back to the Dorchester to entertain the Grand Dame herself. Don't drink anything. I know you won't eat the shit on offer at the buffet either. Considering your critique of the five star chef last night."
Music for once did not suck, as the couple joined Tom and Annalise as the only ones dancing. Nic held Alex close and both were lost in each others eyes, sensual touches and easy laughter. A show of maturity for the spectators hugging the walls.
Mel looked at the dance floor and suddenly wished she was dressed in white as Alex's date, even just as friends. Tom Harris' new girlfriend was daring enough to wear red with her strawberry blond hair and natural makeup. The girl felt like a fool in her polyester cocktail dress and plastered on makeup, only caring about her appearance to fit in with the in crowd, who preferred character assassination over genuine fun. Finding her backbone, as fashion was her true specialist subject and firmly stated "They're wearing vintage Dior!"
James Hale then scoffed "that sequin dress is Miss Selfridge".
"No you dolt, the white suits. Ready to wear, I admit, but look at the cut." She noted the white converse. It just worked. In a sulk Mel left, sick of the Petty childishness. She rang her dad to pick her up. This was an epic fail as all her date has done was talk about some comic book with his mates like she did not exist and her supposed BFF was too busy snogging Collins. Transferring to do art foundation at Hounslow was sounding better by the minute.
Alex had noted the box of paint, glue and feathers barely hidden under the buffet table. He went to talk to Henry Bray with Nic continuing his critique detailing every fashion disaster in the room.
"Alex, have you been accepted into Harrogate?" The headmaster had a superior smug sneer on his face.
"No, my full emancipation means I'm off to boarding school in Switzerland. Ranked in the top 20 educational establishments in Europe. One you need to be invited to attend. I was asked two years ago but my uncles executor thought Brookland was handier for him to control and use me."
He handed the Headmaster and envelope. "It's not a donation or a letter begging attendance next year. It's a printout from the UNICEF's website on signs to look for in abused and trafficked children and teens. Numero uno under 16 you are a child. It's a nice check list of behavioural changes, acting out, stupid stunts, purposefully getting into trouble, sliding grades, strange absences and obvious lies being used as excuses for injuries. Ian Rider sucked as a guardian big time, but the threats, lies and manipulation I endured since he popped his clogs led to abuse, emotional, physical and sexual, despite everything I survived. I survived and I'm not a victim. I have a small network of true friends. You and your staff failed me. Please do not fail anyone again. I've been very lucky, I could have died. My friend Freddie did die. I'm wearing white cause I'm a Buddhist and I'm in mourning. Your school also needs an update on bullying policy and protection for LGBTQ teens coming out. I can honestly say it's been a shit show here since Year 9. So, it's cheerio from me. I won't be asking for a reference or anything official. I'd rather say I dropped out than admit I graduated here."
With a mock salute he and Nic left. Tom Harris had already taken his date out for dinner after one dance. The loved up pair would be sharing a plate of spaghetti at Luigi's for a more memorable first date.
"I've got a gift for Miss Bedfordshire, you can go wait in the car, Nic"
….
Dean McAllister had been asked to photograph the prom by his niece. Only Mel had already left after having her picture taken with her dad not her date. The best pair so far had been the two boys dressed like they were attending their wedding not the worst school disco ever. The organising committee for Brookland's prom deserved an F- for effort. Melanie had described the debacle in detail as Jool's way or the highway.
He took a stunning photo of Alex with Jane Bedfordshire. The lovely kid had given her a £400 gift certificate for Selfridges for some retail therapy. He'd also overheard the full dressing down of the headmaster. Good thing, his niece was leaving. He had been under the impression the local authority gave training for all teachers to spot signs of abuse and that rampant bullying was a thing of the past, considering the school's supposed policy of zero tolerance. He moved outside as he wanted to get a few more shots of Alex Rider in his divine white suit. Shame that the kid's beau was already waiting in his car.
The photographer got outside to see a crowd of teens waiting. Balloons and condoms filled with paint and glue, poised and waiting for their victim.