One week later, the result of the dance competition was finally here. All the students assembled in the hall for result declaration. The host came near the podium and greeted everyone. All the participants were waiting in anticipation. Crossed fingers. Eyes closed, praying for themselves. The entire hall was buzzing with noise. People were trying to guess who was the winner. Others were making bets on the participants they supported.
Finally, the moment came. "So ladies and gentleman, the final moment is here. The winner of the dance competition is Adrian Rains and his beautiful partner Jennifer Williams. Give it up for them." The entire hall burst into claps and hooting. Jennifer and Adrian walked up to the stage to receive their prize from Mr. Suarez who was their principal. He even praised them in a small speech. Jennifer was so happy. She had finally worked her way out of Adrian's cold behavior. She had won the championship. It was a really good day!
Although Adrian was happy, he didn't show it like Jennifer. He retained his cold 'Whatever' behavior. Jennifer could notice that but inside her heart, she knew that Adrian was happy. He was just aloof for some reason that she didn't know but the explanation could wait, Jennifer was happy today and she wouldn't let anything drown her mood. "Adrian, at least smile for the photo." She nudged him as she noticed that the photographer had been struggling for about five minutes just to take a perfect photo view from where Adrian would appear smiling.
Adrian looked at Jennifer, heard her and still maintained a menacing look. Finally, the photographs ended and the ceremony was over. Adrian and Jennifer were stepping down the stage when Jennifer said, "What's with the look? You have won a prize not a punishment." She looked at Adrian. The answer Adrian gave was so amusing. "I was trying to hold in my cough." Jennifer burst out laughing. Adrian glared at her, just to shut her up immediately.
"Now go! Don't come near me when in school." Adrian told her as he put some space in between both of them. Jennifer felt a little bit sad but decided to go. Darius came and congratulated her. "Hi. Congratulations! I was rooting for you both. Your performance was just so amazing." He said. Jennifer smiled. "Thanks." She said and then she noticed Debbie coming near her. What the hell! She had a paint bottle in her hand.
Too late. Even before Jennifer could tale a single step in attempts to evade her, Debbie came near her and spilled a bottle of red paint on her purple peplum top and white jeans. Jennifer gasped as she saw the paint move through her hair and her neck, on her top and then on her jeans, ruining her outfit entirely. Even her face and hair were ruined. "Congratulations loser." She said to Jennifer as she filled her hair in front of her, rolling her eyes at her.
"What did you do?" she shrieked in panic. "What do you think? I printed you in red so we could finally stuck you up in the Louvre Museum." Debbie wasn't even guilty for what she did. If nothing, she seemed proud like it was some act of courage she had done to save the nation's prestige. Far away from Jennifer stood Adrian and James talking to each other when Jennifer's scream reached their ears. They both turned instantly to see what happened. And what they saw left their mouth hanging.
Jennifer looked like she had fallen into a pool filled with red paint. Head to toe, every feature of her beautiful body was covered in red paint. From her silky hair to her Gucci heels she was wearing today, everything ruined completely.
A few steps away, they saw Debbie laughing at Jennifer's miserable state. At once they knew who was the culprit in this case. But Debbie did it so openly, she didn't even seem scared of the school authorities. How? Of course! Adrian's trained eyes searched for the catch in the situation. A mafia in never off duty. And then he spotted it. The mastermind backing the underdog. What! Kurt. Again. Wasn't this enough. "Handle Kurt. I'll handle her." Adrian said instantly.
He knew at once that if Kurt came into his vicinity right now, he would be murdered in broad daylight even without a second wasted. Adrian was so angry. His rage took over him with each step as he shoved people aside to reach where Debbie and Jennifer were standing. His aura had become so dark and intimidating that those who weren't even looking at them turned around to see what had happened because of the intensity of the energy passing through Adrian.
He looked like a personalized figure of hell fire. As if one day devil woke and decide to make fire flow through his veins rather than blood. It looked so hot. But Jennifer would have been able to notice it more carefully if the red paint dripping from her bangs had not been entering her eyes, making them water up and itch. Her eyes had also turned red due to the stinging sensation. Nevertheless, she did notice Adrian come near them and Debbie who turned to look at him.
Instantly Debbie took a step near him. "Addy, congratulations! I loved your dance performance. You looked so amazing." She said in a fake sweet tone. Adrian's didn't reply. His eyes were fixed at Jennifer who was currently too busy to notice their exchange of words. She was trying to push her bangs on either side of her face so that she could at least see something. Adrian helped her bit in the process his fingertips got some paint on them.
Debbie was quick enough to take in charge of the situation. "Oh! You got some paint. Here, let me wipe it for you." She instantly produced a handkerchief from her pocket and wiped Adrian's finger clean. "Don't touch him!" Jennifer's voice could be heard after long. Debbie made a really mean face. "Why? He's my boyfriend. Do you have any problem?" she asked in a veil of fake innocence and sweetness. But Jennifer knew better.
"Oh. I don't have any problem with him being your boyfriend but he's just a boyfriend for you. For me, he's my man. Now, put your dirty fingers away from him before I break them into tiny pieces and feed them to Anthony." Jennifer was angry. Anthony was Debbie's pet dog. Debbie's eyes turned into slits and her mouth opened to say something in response to the insult but nothing came out.
That's when it struck Adrian. If he had to break Jennifer's heart. There was no time better than this. This was so far the worst thing Debbie had done to Jennifer.