Kyla's POV

Last nights session with my mother did not go as expected. I thought it was just going to be a mother-daughter bonding type thing, where she gives me ideas about campaigning. The last thing I expected when I got home was Derek Martin's mom, sipping bubbly with mother dearest. I've met Mrs Martin a few times over the years, her and mom have their house wives' clubs together, but I barely know her son Derek. He's in my year and we've been forced to go to the same parties the parents social circle hosts, other than that we barely know each other. I could count the amount of conversations we've had over the years on one hand, if you count a few sentences as a conversation.

Both women were prom queens of their schools and had a lot of orders to dole out. I say orders because they certainly didn't come over as opinions. Any input I tried to give was laughed at. There's not a doubt in my mind that if either of those ladies could posses my body not even an exorcist would release their claws. I've grown up hearing tales of mom's campaign and how she felt to win, now I know in extreme detail Derek's mom's story. Even the unwanted, vomit inducing details. I'm talking under the bleachers type details that no-body wants to know about a middle-aged woman.

"Now Kyla you probably think you can win this just by being your normal popular self, after all it's just a popularity contest. You'd be dead wrong. This is about the correct calculated exposure." Mrs Martin states. The seriousness of this is conversation seems a little over the top but I bite my tongue and hold back the giggle. She's making it sound like I'm running for office.

In the same serious tone my mom joins in. "She's correct. The next few weeks running up to prom are going to be planned down to the letter. You need to be seen around the school but only in the right situation. Be seen with the right people at the right times. No scandals."

No scandal? So basically don't reveal I'm a lesbian. Ha, like I even plan on doing that, no thank you. I love Holly but no way in hell am I ready to tell others that. A part of me feels bad that no-one knows about Holly. It would have made the start of our story a lot easier if I'd had someone to talk to about my feelings for her. The only thing that saves me in this topic is that Holly also hasn't told anyone.

I must have been pulling a face without realising it, the mothers mis-read this. "Yes, now you're starting to realise how much hard work goes into a campaign but you're lucky you have two former prom queens to help guide you during this time."

Guide? Yeah, right. Dictate more like.

They poured themselves over a hand-made journal that they started calling their bible. By the end of the night a time-table was set-up with my tactics to become queen finalised. I still didn't have much say in the options, I didn't really need to be present at all.

To think I missed out on a night with Holly for this. A night where we could have had some rare private time.

The hairspray duo – as I started quietly referring to them by the end of the night, because even the sixties used less hairspray than these two – even had a say in who I should take to the dance. Surprise, they picked Derek. Because he's a nice respectable gentleman in their society. Not because he's hairspray duo junior. Derek is not in the running for homecoming king, not being involved in any sports and only being on the student council because he has political aspirations. He's not exactly someone that people warm up to easily.

Sure, Derek seems an okay guy. We've gone to similar parties over the years but I wouldn't call him a friend. We don't even acknowledge each other in the hallways in school, I barely know the bloke. If I could be truthful I could say that there is only one person I want to go with, but that means admitting a part of me that I'm not ready to share yet. Besides Holly and I have talked about having our own prom night the next day. Getting a hotel room, making our own play list and dance together all night long.

I really wish I'd gone over Holly's instead last night.

Thinking of Holly has me desperate to look at her. She is currently standing further down the hallway from me, chatting to her friend, Tanya. Other than a quick eye contact moment we don't acknowledge each other. After all this time we've got this down to a fine art. We both like to register where the other is but we don't mix. Back when we first started dating there was a few moments when my friends would catch me smiling when I saw her across the lunch room or staring at her down the hall. It only took a few "what you looking at?" before we decided on our current plan. It may not be the most romantic but it works for us.

I'm in the middle of telling my friends the plan that the hairspray duo set-up for me yesterday before my vision is blocked by a face. Rough lips land on my shocked mouth and my eyes widen.

What is happening?

"Put her down Derek." One of Derek's mates hollers.

Derek steps back from me and chuckles. "Piss off Mike. I'm having a moment with my girlfriend."

Wait. What?

I'm frozen in the same position I was in when Derek encroached my space. What the hell is going on here? Have I entered a parallel universe where I'm dating Derek? I certainly have no memory of him ever asking me out, and it's not like I would say yes even if he did. Hello, I'm gay. I'm already in a committed relationship. Somehow my eyes widen even more.

Shit, Holly.

"Holly!" Tanya calls from down the hallway. Double shit. She saw that. I look down the hall to see her practically sprint around the corner. Everything in me wants to chase her down. It's only the continued presence of Derek's hand on the small of my back that stops me running off. I need to stop this first before finding an excuse to find Holly.

"Derek, what are you doing? We are not dating. Where did you get that idea from?" I ask, shortly.

"Mom came home and told me the plan for prom."

"The plan certainly never included me and you dating. We're friends, that's it."

"Sure, sure." Derek placates me with a tone that makes me think he's no longer listening. Got to hand it to him, he's already got the political smile down.

Moving out of his grip, I give him a quick reminder to not do that again before leading my friends away.

How did everything change so fast and how am I meant to keep a straight face for the rest of the day? Already the girls are giggling like having Derek declare me his girlfriend like that was so romantic. Try being on the receiving end because that felt more like sexual harassment than a romantic gesture. Where does he get off thinking he can treat me like that? Do people actually fall for that egomaniac rubbish?

"So how long have you and Derek been a thing?" Jill, my gossip of a friend, asks.

Did she seriously miss the part where I told Derek that we are not together and to not do that again? "Since never. We are so not a thing."

She exchanges a look with the others. "Sure, looks like there is something going on."

"Well there's not." I snap. Ugh. Why do I have to deal with this now? All I want to do is go after Holly but I don't know where she ran off to plus, I can't shake the gossip seekers. Bloody hell this day has turned to shit.