“Can I have everyone’s attention?” Principal Seacord is tapping on the mic, and oh God, I forgot about this stupid king and queen shit. Judging by Amber’s quiet groan in my ear and Miguel’s not so quiet “kill me,” they weren’t thinking about it either. Which is slightly more problematic for them, seeing as they’re nominated. “It’s time to name your homecoming king and queen. But first, let’s get the whole court up here.”

“Yes, let’s!” I say sunnily to Amber and Miguel, both of whom shoot me death stares.

“If you step more than a foot away from me while he’s up there, I’ll end you,” Malcolm warns me.

“Sweet deal.”

The potential kings go up first, and Miguel gives Malcolm’s hand a quick squeeze before taking his place with Matt Devlin—who steps aside like Miguel’s very presence might turn him gay—Austin Barrett, Aidan Manos, and Mason Blackfoot. Then it’s my turn to lose Amber to the stage, and Malcolm and I immediately reach for each other as we watch her go up.

For those who somehow haven’t caught on to the recoupling, there aren’t any questions raised by Amber and Miguel moving to the ends of their lines so they’re standing as close to each other as possible. But it’s clear Seacord knows what’s up, because when he announces, “Your homecoming king is … Miguel Santiago!” it’s immediately followed by a muttered “Oh boy” he definitely did not mean for the mic to pick up.

“Congrats,” I murmur to Malcolm. “Your boyfriend is homecoming king. Not many people can say that.”

“Just me and your girlfriend,” he shoots back, and we both snicker while we wait for the announcement of queen.

“And your queen is…”

“You just announced the queen!” a voice yells out that almost definitely belongs to Dan Sanchez.

Miguel grabs the mic from Seacord and yells back, “Yeah, and my first royal order is to shove my foot up your—”

Seacord grabs it back and helplessly declares “Amber McCloud!” which gets an enormous holler from me and Malcolm, but we’re not alone. It’s not the whole squad that’s lining up and cheering, but it’s Crystal and Nia and Ella and Virany and it’s enough. Everyone spreads out to give Amber and Miguel room for their spotlight dance, and somewhere in the distance I imagine Seacord has run off to his office for a drink.

Malcolm and I go ahead and dance next to them, and when the song is over, we take our partners back. “So,” I say to Amber, playfully adjusting the shiny tiara on her head. “Homecoming queen. That feels like potential future captain material.”