Chapter 222: Accolades, Late-Night Cravings, and Sparks

After the event wrapped up, Eric walked out alongside Emma, Ruby, Tania, Jade, Mike, Monica, Chloe, Priya, Heidi, Laura, and Katie. The girls of The Empress were carrying bouquets of flowers and wearing sashes across their bodies that read "School Pride," as were Emma and Ruby from Nobelia, who wore matching sashes. They all wore tiaras as well, though not the official Prom King and Queen crowns awarded to the other couples.

Once they reached the parking lot,

"Alright, I’m taking off with Jade, Ruby, Tania, and Katie," Mike told Eric.

"Okay... drive safe! Katie, you sure you don’t wanna ride back with me?" Eric asked, turning to Katie.

"Nah, I came with Mike, Jade, Ruby, and Tania, so I’m heading back with them too," Katie replied casually.

"Yep, exactly. Relax, Eric, you can just go straight home," Jade added.

"Anyone up for a late-night bite? I’m actually starving again," Ruby said, holding her stomach.

"Hmm... sounds good to me. What do you girls think?" Eric asked the six girls.

"Sure... let’s grab some food before heading home," Emma answered.

"Yep... agreed. Belting out songs on stage took every last bit of my energy," Monica added.

"Same... I’m a little hungry too," Heidi chimed in.

"Count me in. It makes no difference to me whether we go home now or make a quick stop," Laura added.

"I wanna eat, I’m pretty hungry too," Priya chipped in.

"Alright... so we’re grabbing food first then," Eric said.

"Awesome! Let’s hit up that diner right near Eric’s building," Mike suggested.

"Sounds like a plan! That way I can grab my car from Eric’s garage on the way back," Katie added.

"I wanna go home,"

Everyone immediately turned around to look at Tania, who had been standing quietly the whole time clutching her flowers and wearing the "School Pride" sash provided by her own school, since they knew she was performing tonight.

"You wanna go home? How come?" Ruby asked.

Before Tania could even answer, "ding," a text notification chimed on her smartphone. She pulled out her phone and opened the message, then glanced over her shoulder. Standing a little ways behind them was a handsome guy dressed in a clean button-down shirt and black jeans, featuring neat brown hair and sharp features. The young man raised his hand, offering a friendly wave toward Tania, who replied with a faint, subtle smile. A second later, one of his buddies clapped him on the shoulder and they started walking off, though his eyes stayed fixed on Tania as he walked away.

When Tania turned back around, she flinched in surprise. Ruby, Emma, Jade, Priya, Chloe, Monica, Heidi, and Laura were all staring at her with wide, mischievous grins, while Katie, Eric, and Mike stood quietly in the back with knowing smiles on their faces.

"W... what?" Tania stammered, looking at the girls.

"Looks like that guy you danced with earlier made quite an impression, huh?" Ruby teased.

"Oh... it’s Greg! Wait, isn’t he an underclassman?" Emma asked.

"Yep, that’s Greg! He’s a varsity basketball player. Word is he just broke up with a cheerleader right before finals," Priya shared.

"Greg’s pretty solid... total catch for Tania," Monica whispered.

"Agreed. Plus, he’s a nice guy and doesn’t play around," Chloe added.

"Go get him! What are you waiting for? Oh... was that text just now from Greg?" Heidi asked.

Before Tania could react, Heidi snatched the phone right out of her hands. Tania shrieked as Heidi and Laura huddled over the screen to read the text. Sure enough, Greg had sent a polite message saying goodbye while leaving his number. Laura looked up at Tania, laying a hand on her shoulder,

"Nice... keep it going," Laura stated simply with a small smile.

"And here you were saying you weren’t interested, but turns out you’re a low-key wildcat... well, well," Jade teased.

"Shut up, all of you! We literally just met, there’s nothing going on! I just wanna go home and I’m not hungry, so let’s hurry up!" Tania barked back, her face turning bright red with annoyance.

But before anyone could say a word, "gurgle," a loud rumble erupted from Tania’s stomach. She instantly clapped both hands over her belly, her face flushing an even deeper shade of crimson as a mix of embarrassed emotions washed over her. Watching the wide grins spread across everyone’s faces, Ruby and Jade stepped forward and grabbed Tania by the arms,

"Hey... what are you doing?!" Tania protested.

"We’re eating first. You’re starving," Jade replied smoothly.

"Yep... relax! You can text your crush while we eat," Ruby teased.

"Grrr... we literally JUST met... he’s NOT my crush... stop messing around!" Tania yelled as they dragged her along toward the cars.

Jade snatched the keys right out of Mike’s hand and unlocked the car. She and Ruby practically threw Tania into the back seat, then climbed in on either side to sandwich her so she couldn’t bolt. Emma, Chloe, Monica, Priya, Heidi, Laura, Katie, and Mike just stood there watching the chaos unfold,

"Alright... guess we’ll see you guys at the diner then," Mike said.

"Yep... let’s hit the road," Eric added.

Eric unlocked his car, and the six girls climbed in before Eric slid into the driver’s seat and pulled out. Meanwhile, Mike and Katie hopped into their car and followed right behind Eric’s vehicle.

A few minutes later, as they drove down the street near his building, Eric passed by the fast-food restaurant where he had eaten his very first meal upon arriving in the city. Suddenly, Eric’s eyes widened, and he slammed on the brakes without warning. "Waaah!" The girls jolted forward in their seats.

"What’s the big idea?!" Emma gasped.

"Seriously... why brake so hard? That actually hurt!" Chloe complained.

"Is something wrong, babe?" Priya asked.

"Look inside that restaurant over there," Eric said, pointing toward the large window.

They all turned their heads to look through the glass. Their eyes went wide as they spotted Caleb sitting at a booth, looking utterly wrecked, like a man who hadn’t slept in over two days. Sitting across from him was Avery, cradling baby Abby in her arms while happily munching on French fries. Eric turned back to look at the girls,

"You guys wanna just eat here instead?" Eric offered.

"Oh... sure! We can just grab some burgers here," Priya replied.

"Yeah, sounds good. No need to eat anything too heavy tonight anyway," Monica agreed.

"Alright... let me park first. Can someone give Mike or Ruby a heads-up?" Eric asked.

"On it, I’ll text Ruby," Laura said, pulling out her phone.

Eric pulled into a parking spot along the curb, and everyone piled out of the car. The girls stripped off their sashes and tiaras, leaving them neatly in the vehicle. "Chime!" The entrance door chimed as they stepped inside. Priya, Heidi, and Monica immediately headed over to line up at the counter, while Eric, Emma, Chloe, and Laura walked over toward Caleb and Avery’s booth.

As they approached, Caleb noticed them and lifted his head, his tired eyes blinking in surprise,

"Wait... Eric? What are you guys doing here?" Caleb asked.

"Whoaaah... why does your face look like you just lost a war AND worked a three-day double shift?" Eric teased, pointing straight at Caleb’s exhausted expression.

"Shut up, man! I’m happy, alright?" Caleb grumbled, darting a quick eye-roll toward Avery.

"He looks like this because I’m pregnant again, Eric, hehehe," Avery announced cheerfully.

"Oh... is that so? Wow, congratulations!" Eric said with a smile, feigning surprise since he already knew.

"Whoa... pregnant again?! That’s amazing... congratulations!" Emma cheered, leaning down to give Avery a warm hug.

"Yeah... way to go! Congrats, Avery!" Chloe added, taking her turn to hug Avery right after Emma.

"Impressive... you two really work hard... truly inspiring," Laura chimed in, taking her turn to hug Avery as well.

Eric pulled over an adjacent table and rearranged the chairs, while Caleb and Avery slid further inward to make room. Soon, everyone settled in around Caleb’s table,

"Gyaaa!"

Little Abby patted her tiny hands on the tabletop, looking thrilled as Emma, Chloe, and Laura doted on her under Avery’s watchful eye. Eric turned to glance at Caleb, who was still looking thoroughly worn out,

"You know... around this time last year, we ran into each other right here in this exact restaurant... and Avery was pregnant back then too, hehe," Eric reminisced with a smirk.

"Are you feeling nostalgic or just roasting me?" Caleb grumbled, turning his head to glare at Eric while taking a slow sip from his fountain soda.

"Hmm... a little bit of both," Eric replied with a grin.

"You’re a pain, man, but what can you do since it’s already done... I’m already running on zero sleep right now, and it’s only gonna get worse later... but don’t worry, I really am happy," Caleb replied weakly.

"Huh... are you sure about that? Are you mourning or celebrating right now?" Eric asked.

"Both... and shut up, don’t comment," Caleb answered.

They settled into a easy conversation, and before long, Priya, Heidi, and Monica arrived with trays of food. They immediately showered Avery with warm hugs and congratulations before sitting down to eat.

Shortly after, Mike pulled up with Katie, Jade, Ruby, and Tania. The whole group ended up staying out late into the night, turning a simple fast-food stop into an impromptu celebration for Avery’s second pregnancy over burgers and sodas.