DISCLAIMER

This story contains an excessive usage of clichés and should not, in all honesty, be taken seriously. And when I say excessive, I really mean it.

I OWN NOTHING YOU RECOGNISE (AND SOME THINGS YOU DON'T.) If you steal my work, I will take legal action against you. I mean it. I worked really hard on this story and I don't want to read the exact same story on another site with the names changed. Not cool.

© hotcheri.

Sorry I took so long to write this chapter, but Jealousy Best Served Devious is officially finished!

Chapter Thirty Part Two- Kaylee at the Prom

Once we were on our way to prom in the limo, the conversation turned to Jermaine and the fact that Suzi couldn't make it to prom because she was in LA.

"I thought she was moving to LA after prom?" I asked curiously, wondering what kind of android Jermaine was. He didn't even seem upset in the slightest that his girlfriend was missing prom.

He's a robot, and he doesn't even know it.

Shrugging, Jermaine casually replied, "Nah, something came up, so she had to leave early."

Poor, poor Maino.

Shelley and I gave him matching sad looks. "Are you okay?" Shelley asked, leaning forward to pat Jermaine's knee softly.

"Yeah." Jermaine frowned at us. "Why y'all looking at me like that?"

I raised my eyebrows, confused. "Like what?"

"Like I'm a sneaker head who just scuffed his brand new Jordan's."

Tyler snickered loudly. "That's really specific, Maino," he pointed out.

"But it's accurate, right?" Jermaine nudged Janessa, who nodded in agreement as she stared out of the window.

Biting my lip in consternation, I said, "I mean, I just feel bad. You've been together for years, it would have been nice for you to go to prom together."

I can't help being a hopeless romantic, even if you act like you don't care, Maino.

"Eh, it's all good." Jermaine shrugged again. "Thanks for your…sympathy?"

Janessa slowly turned to glower at Shelley and I, a disapproving look on her pretty face. "Where's my sympathy?"

"Me too!" Brandon piped up. "We're both single and have no dates to prom."

Resting her head on Vince's shoulder, Shelley flippantly said, "Why don't you be each other's dates?"

"I beg your damn pardon?" Janessa rolled her eyes as she snorted derisively. "In case you haven't noticed, Brandon is still sulking because Landon didn't ask him to prom."

Pouting, Brandon protested, "Am not! As if a varsity basketball player would ask me to prom." He tossed his head defiantly. "I've got highlighter on, for God's sakes!"

"And it's popping," Shelley appeased him.

Inquisitively, Tyler asked, "Did you even ask Landon if he was going to prom? Or, you know, even hint to him that you were interested beyond saying 'hi'?"

"Are you on my side, or not?" Brandon snapped without any heat in his voice.

Laughing, Tyler said, "I'm just curious, dude."

"It doesn't even matter anymore," Brandon lied, running a hand through his platinum locks. Oh, you know it does. "My mission is simply to have a fun prom. Brandon Pearce is single and ready to mingle." He paused, gazing at the limo's skylight unseeingly. "Even though I hate the kids at our school."

Narrowing my eyes, I glared at him. "Rude."

"Apart from you guys, jeeze."

Once we arrived at the prom location, got settled in a prime position near the stage with punch in our hands, Tyler and Vince meandered away to chat with some of their boys.

"So," Shelley started without preamble, as I pulled at an unruly curl. "I know I didn't tell you, but Vince's cousin works for Best Western."

Before Shelley could continue, I blurted out, "Why does everyone have connected family members?" I started to count them off on my fingers. "Tyler's mom works for FunLand, Janessa's family represents all the sports that matter, Brandon's dad owns a Pho Hoa restaurant-."

"And I work for a Yakuza mob boss," Brandon added, his eyes twinkling mischievously.

I flapped my hands dismissively in his direction. "No, you don't."

"You don't know my life," Brandon muttered, gazing longingly across the hall towards where Landon was standing with some guys from the basketball team.

Continuing, I glumly said, "All I have is a cousin who is currently making questionable choices."

"Judgey pants," Janessa whispered loudly into my ear.

I wagged my finger back and forth. "I saw her knock back those tequila shots. Questionable choices."

"Are you gonna let me finish what I was saying or continue your pity party?" Shelley asked, her hands on her hips.

Oops.

"My bad," I said effusively, sipping on my fruit punch. "Continue."

Not missing a beat, Shelley resumed talking. "So his cousin hooked us up with a room for tonight at a great discount. Are you and Tyler going to join us?" As I wrinkled my brow in confusion, Shelley added, "Vince's cousin can get another room for you two."

"This is a couple thing- I'm out," Janessa cut in, and she walked away from us, her back straight.

Brandon followed her, saying, "Right behind you."

"What do you mean, his cousin can get another room for us?" I asked, completely at sea.

Do I look like I have hotel money? And why?

Rolling her eyes as though I should have been able to read her mind, Shelley said, "So that you and Tyler can hook up."

"Why am I still here?" Jermaine suddenly asked, making me jump because I hadn't noticed that he was still hanging out with us.

As Jermaine walked away, leaving Shelley and I alone in our little corner of the world, Shelley said, "Did you and Tyler make other plans?"

"What?"

Knowingly, Shelley nodded. "You're gonna go back to your house since your parents aren't home, aren't you? That's actually pretty smart, but you could have told me."

"You're losing me, Shelley." I tugged on my ear, trying to get a handle on the conversation we were having. She wasn't implying what I thought she was, was she? Nah. "Tyler and I haven't even talked about what we're doing after prom. As far as I know, we're both heading home." I paused as Shelley shot me one of her patronizing glances. "What-? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"You poor, naïve, innocent girl," Shelley started, a superior smile twisting up her lips.

Scowling, because I hated when Shelley talked down to me, I snapped, "Without the condescension."

"You know what happens after prom, since the beginning of time, Kaylee," Shelley explained as I listened breathlessly. "Tyler's all but expecting you to put out."

My eyes widened with surprise. "He is?" I whispered.

"Well, obviously!" Shelley shot me a pitying look. "Haven't you guys talked about this?"

My mind racing, because what the hell was this, I spluttered, "No. We haven't even been to third base!" pausing, I scrunched my lips up in thought. "I think. Not that it's anyone's business."

"I'm just saying- Tyler's a guy." Shelley cocked her head. "And I'm pretty sure he got down and dirty with his previous girlfriends."

Behind me, I heard Brandon's familiar voice say, "She just said 'down and dirty'. Still couple talk. Retreat."

Ignoring the brief interruption, Shelley continued. "Basically, I'm saying that he's probably expecting you to give up the goods tonight."

"Wouldn't he have- I don't know- asked me about it, rather than just expecting something?" I asked, fumbling at straws. I was so out of my element with this conversation. I barely knew how to be in a relationship, now I had to worry about putting out?

Shaking her hair back, Shelley laughed sardonically. "No way! He's not gonna ask you- he's a guy!"

"So what do I do?" I asked in a tiny voice.

Run for the hills, maybe?

"Take charge," Shelley said firmly. "Bring him back to your place and- let what happens happen."

I kneaded the bridge of my nose, my face flushing as I let my mind dwell on what could possibly happen if I did what Shelley said. "You're making me freak out, Shelley."

"Calm down, it's no big deal." TO YOU! I stared at her, amazed at how flippant she was being. "He likes you, you like him- there's no issue."

Before I could reply (although I wasn't even sure I could talk, I was so shook), Tyler sauntered up beside me and wrapped his arm around my waist as Janessa and Brandon followed him, obviously hoping that the conversation Shelley and I were having was over.

Tyler glanced at my face as Janessa hooted, "You look like a dying duck Kay-Bear- wipe that goofy ass look off your face."

"What did you say to her, Shelley?" Brandon wanted to know.

Innocently, even though she was anything but, Shelley said, "Nothing that warrants that reaction."

"You okay?" Tyler asked, as I tried to arrange the muscles of my face into a more neutral expression.

Plastering a fake smile on my face, I replied, "I'm great, how are you?" as Vince, Janessa and Brandon snickered in the background.

"Okay then." Tyler heaved a long-suffering sigh. "Wanna dance?"

I perked up at the suggestion, even though I was two left feet on the dance floor. "Sure!"

Tyler led me to the dance floor as a slow song started. I gulped nervously as he slid his arms around my waist, pulling me close. Was this a good time for me to take charge and invite Tyler back to my place after prom? Was I even prepared for what might happen?

No, you are most definitely not prepared, Kaylee.

Why hadn't I thought about this before tonight?

Gathering my courage, I cleared my throat. No turning back. "So, Tyler, I was thinking- do you want to go back to my place tonight?"

"Huh?" Tyler's clear brown eyes locked onto mine as his fingers lightly caressed my back.

Stop trying to distract me!

In a rush, I said, "My family isn't home, so maybe we could hang out and- I don't know." As Tyler gazed at me, a confused look on his handsome face, I lost my resolve and hung my head, mumbling, "I don't know how to do this."

"How to do what?" Tyler asked. I stared down at my shoes in silence, and Tyler crooked a finger under my chin, making me look up at him. "What's wrong, Kaylee? You're acting weird as fuck."

Pouting, I said, "No, I'm not."

Not weirder than usual, anyway.

"Liar," Tyler said, a smirk on his face.

I sighed heavily. "I'm just inviting you back to my house after prom. I thought you would want to hang out."

"Actually, I was thinking we could go to the beach, maybe have a little midnight snack or something?" Tyler asked, a trace of hesitation in his voice.

I stopped shuffling my feet to the music and stared at him, slack-jawed.

"What?"

Biting his lip, Tyler started, "I said, I was thinking-."

"I heard you," I interrupted. "But I thought you'd want to hang out."

Are you not picking up what I'm putting down?

Tyler chuckled softly. "Since when is going to the beach not hanging out?"

"I thought you might want to, you know," I said desperately, wondering if I was going to melt into a puddle of embarrassment. Why was I so awkward?

Raising an eyebrow, Tyler asked, "Want to what?"

Enough of the cryptic messages, Kaylee. Just tell him.

"Hook up," I whispered miserably.

As I said it, I realised that I didn't want it to happen. I wasn't ready to hook up with anyone, not even Tyler, and I was pretty sure I loved the guy. But the truth was, I wasn't ready to take such a huge, drastic step, and yet I had just told Tyler that it was on my mind.

FML.

To my complete and utter shock, Tyler started laughing. "That's so cliché."

He leaned in to kiss me, his lips softly brushing mine as I tried not to let him distract me, because exactly what did he mean by cliché?

Apart from the obvious, of course.

"But I thought-," I started, searching for words as he pulled back from the kiss, a smile playing about his lips, most likely directed towards my very obvious confusion.

"You really need to stop overthinking shit, Kaylee." The smile slid off his face, only to be replaced by a very sexy serious look. "Did I ever even hint that I wanted to hook up?"

My lips working, I said, "No, but-."

"Just because Vince and Shelley are going to a hotel tonight doesn't mean that I want us to." He pinched my cheek softly. "I want to spend time with my girlfriend, but I also want you to feel comfortable." A smile crept onto my face as Tyler continued, sincerity ringing in his voice. "And I'll never pressure you into doing something you don't feel you're ready for."

Heaving a sigh of relief, I rested my head against his shoulder. "Thank you." A niggling feeling in my head made me quip, "How do you know I'm not ready?"

"Because of your fucking reaction," Tyler chuckled fondly.

Smiling shamefacedly, I muttered, "True."

"Now can you relax and have a good time?"

I raised my head to look at him. "That depends. When you say 'midnight snack', exactly how big a snack are we talking?"

Laughing, Tyler kissed me again. "You're the most predictable person I've ever met."

I didn't argue. For once, I was comfortable in admitting someone was right.

When we got back to the group, Vince and Shelley were in the middle of a heated discussion about who was going to be crowned prom queen.

Random, I know, but typical of them.

"There's only one person it could be!" Shelley exclaimed adamantly, her brown eyes gleaming with excitement. "Celeste. She's been campaigning non-stop- she lowkey deserves to win."

Shaking his blonde head, Vince said, "I don't know- I think she was too aggressive with her campaigning."

"I honestly can't believe you two are having a serious discussion about the prom queen," Tyler said, a grudging sort of admiration in his voice.

Snorting with laughter, I said, "I can."

Brandon, Jermaine and Janessa showed up just as our principal took the stage, two envelopes in his hands.

Speaking into the mic, he bellowed, "Ladies and gentlemen of the class of 2015, it's the moment you've all been waiting for. Time for us to announce who won Sao Marino High's pick for prom queen and prom king! Here we go. It was definitely a tight race this year, especially when it comes to our prom king pick, but we have clear winners." He ripped open an envelope as I spotted Celeste a few feet away from us, shaking back her hair and preening as she prepared to walk on stage. "This years prom queen is- drumroll please- Janessa Banks!"

Record scratch.

"Wait," Brandon exclaimed, his voice cutting into the sudden silence that cloaked the entire hall. "Hold up."

My mouth had fallen open with shock as I stammered, "Did he just-?" as people started giving Janessa a standing ovation. From the corner of my eye, I saw Celeste's face crumple, and she turned and ran out of the hall.

Shame.

"Me?" Janessa exclaimed, a half-eaten candy bar in her hand. "Well, damn!"

Understatement of the year.

Reaching for a hug, Jermaine rumbled, "Congratulations, Nessa," and let her go to walk to the stage. Fist pumping and blowing kisses to the crowd, Janessa shook hands with the principal and beamed as he placed a crown on her head.

"He's never going to see that crown again," Jermaine predicted.

"And your prom king for this year is Ryder Jefferson!"

More applause as Ryder bounded onto the stage, his golden hair gleaming against the lights.

"At least that's predictable," Vince said.

Nodding, Brandon told Tyler, "I helped count the votes. It was ridiculously close between you and Ryder, Tyler." As Shelley and I gave him identical 'WTF' looks, Brandon added, "I don't know why I told you that."

Shrugging casually, Tyler slung an arm around my shoulder. "Doesn't matter, I've already won tonight." He kissed my cheek as I smiled goofily. "I have you by my side, how lucky is that?"

"You're ridiculously corny," I said, unable to stop my smile from growing.

"You know you love it."

Janessa skipped back to us, beaming widely. "I feel like royalty in this crown. Do I have to give it back? I'm not giving it back."

"Told you," Jermaine said complacently, scrolling through his Instagram.

Crossing my arms over my chest, I fixed Janessa with a piercing look. "How the hell did you win prom queen?"

"Didn't y'all vote for me?" Janessa asked in a tone of mock outrage.

Shyly, I admitted, "I didn't vote at all."

"I forgot," Tyler said.

"Same," Shelley added, shifting from one foot to the other.

Vince said, "I voted for you, Janessa. I didn't think you would win, but I voted."

"Thanks, Vince, you're a real one." Adjusting her crown, Janessa continued. "Anyway, I don't know if you noticed, especially you, Kaylee, because you've been obsessing over Ryder for the past few years, but I'm popular. I can hang with the cool kids, the jocks, the artsy folk and you guys." She smirked. "And I'm not a bitch, so it evens out."

Well, she wasn't wrong, but why did she have to be so blunt?

It wouldn't be Janessa if she wasn't blunt, Kaylee. True.

"Congratulations," I said warmly. "It's well deserved. Plus, I feel like I'm friends with a celebrity!"

The night went on and slowly people dispersed.

Vince came up to Tyler and I as we were slowly dancing and in our own little world. "Shelley and I are leaving pretty soon. Are you guys sure you don't want my cousin to hook you up with a room?"

Tyler nodded, looking at me. "Positive. We're gonna go stargazing at the beach. All we have to do is head home and get some blankets."

"And food," I piped in.

Groaning, Tyler said, "And food, yes, Kaylee, God."

"Just a reminder!"

Laughing, Vince said, "Have fun, you two."

"You too," I said, shooting Shelley a lecherous wink that she ignored.

Shrugging on Jermaine's tux jacket, Janessa said, "I'm going home to watch Doctor Who, since nobody asked." She looked around the emptying hall. "Where's Brandon, I thought he was catching a ride with us?"

"He left with Landon," Jermaine said casually, like it was no big deal.

We all stared at him, and Shelley, Janessa, and I started asking questions at the same time, talking over each other.

"I don't know anything more than that, so you can save the questions for Brandon," were Jermaine's final words on the matter.

In a loud whisper, Janessa said, "I'll make someone tell me what they know about Brandon and Landon. This is good tea." She slapped Jermaine on the shoulder. "Come on, big bro, lets leave the lovebirds alone."

"I'm wit' it." Jermaine raised his hand in a wave. "Later, guys."

Shelley, Vince, Janessa and Jermaine walked out of the hall as Tyler turned to me, reaching out to take my hand in his.

I smiled up at him, wondering what the rest of the night held, wondering how we had gotten to this point, and knowing that I wouldn't want anything to be different. Right here, right now, with the person I was with, was exactly where I wanted to be. How cliche was that? "Ready to go, Kay-Bear?"

"Yes, I am."

I set out to get myself the only high school cliché that had ever mattered to me and I ended up finding out that the one person I never used to want was the only one I needed. So… ultimate cliché goal fulfilled.

Fin. (May 14th, 2012- April 19th, 2017)

A/N: Here it is, the last chapter of JBSD, finished almost five (!) years after I started it. Yes, I definitely have issues with procrastination going on. I hope you enjoy this chapter, and that you've enjoyed the (somewhat) bumpy ride and Kaylee and Tyler's story.

I appreciate all the love you've shown me, all the reviews, Fictionpress PM's, Facebook messages, comments and likes, website comments, Twitter DM's, Wattpad votes, messages, and comments, that you have taken the time to send my way. I may not reply to everything, but I hope you know how much I appreciate every single message I've received, and I read each and every one of them.

I know I enjoyed writing JBSD, in between working two jobs and going to school full time. I also know that I strayed very far from my original plot outline, and there was a lack of continuity with the events, and in regard to the characters' personalities. My bad. I shouldn't have taken so long to write this, because that wouldn't have happened. I'll do better next time, I promise! I wouldn't have traded writing this for the world, though.

So, what's next for me? Well, I'm taking a break from writing for a couple of months to focus on school, but I will be back with the sequel to Kissing Booth Princess (yeah, that's still happening) and maybe something else (stay tuned). In the meantime, feel free to become members on my website, follow me on twitter, where I'm most active, and add me on Facebook (links in my fictionpress profile) for updates.

Thank you for taking the time to read my stories, and I hope that you enjoyed reading them. As for me? I had the time of my life writing for you guys. Thank you.

hotcheri