Rumor Has It: The Complete Series

by Tucker, RH

  “Hey, Mr. Garrison,” I greet him, grabbing a small drink from the table.

  “Mr. Hillard, looking good. We’re all set up, and all the votes are counted. I saw Yvette and Oscar about five minutes ago, so I’m sure we’ll be able to announce the king and queen on time tonight.”

  I try to hide the fact that my entire body stiffens with the mention of Oscar. He’s here, so that means Izzy is here too. Nodding, I turn and look around. The DJ is playing something fast and upbeat, but the dance floor is empty. Looking across the way, I see Yvette standing with a couple friends, but no Oscar. Then Yvette sees me and waves.

  I wave back and try to start moving out of the room, but she catches up and gets in front of me.

  “I’m glad you shaved.” She smiles, rubbing her fingers against my cheek.

  “Why?” I grab her hand, pulling it away.

  “Because, silly.” She giggles. “When we win king and queen, I don’t want that scruffy stuff scratching me.”

  I nod, raising my eyebrows. “You really think we’re both gonna win, huh?”

  “I don’t think, I know.” She leans in closer, not breaking eye contact. “I came with Dominic tonight, but he knows our situation.”

  “And what situation is that?”

  “Our situation.” She grabs my shirt, putting more emphasis on the words. “We’ll win. We’ll have the king and queen dance. And after prom,” she licks her lips, smiling, “we’ll celebrate.”

  Good lord. This girl does not give up. Now I understand what Carter went through a few months ago. All I can do is stand there. My mouth open like a fish.

  “I have to go,” I manage to stumble out and head outside the dance hall.

  Carter and Emma are off to the side of the photographer’s area. While Jen and Franco are setting up to take a picture, a line starts to form as more people show up.

  “Dude,” I walk over to Carter. “Have you seen Oscar?”

  “Nah.”

  “Say cheese!” Emma shouts, raising her phone up to take a selfie of all three of us.

  I plaster on my fake smile, while Carter leans over and kisses her cheek.

  “Emma, you just took pictures,” I say as she drops her hand.

  “I know, but these are my pictures. Besides, it’s our senior prom, Matt. After tonight, no more high school dances.”

  “Yeah.” Carter grins. “Now we got college parties to look forward to.” He wiggles his eyebrows at her.

  I laugh, my first real one of the night. I have no idea what I’m doing for college, but I know I’ll still be friends with them. That’s at least a silver lining. My smile fades as I turn around and see Oscar standing at the end of the hallway, near another entrance to the dance hall.

  “You good?” Carter asks as I realize I let out an annoyed grunt.

  “Yeah,” I answer, turning away.

  I see a couple other people with him, but don’t see Izzy. I don’t turn back around to look for her because I really don’t want to see how beautiful she looks. Cosplay dress or prom gown, I know she’s going to look gorgeous.

  “Huh,” Carter mumbles, looking over my shoulder. I look at him for an explanation. “She’s not there.”

  “What?” I turn around.

  Sure enough, Izzy isn’t there. Or either of her friends. But Tammy is, and that’s when I see her lean into Oscar, whispering something to him. Jeremy’s standing next to him, his date already with her tongue down his throat. My feet move before my brain knows what I’m doing.

  “Matt.” Carter grabs my arm, but I pull away, making a beeline for Oscar.

  A small smile crosses my lips, as I see the bruise still on his cheek. The swelling on my lip is still there, but he looks worse than I do.

  “What the hell, Cappelli?” I shout, making others around us take notice.

  “What?”

  “I thought you were coming with Isabel?”

  “No, I told you she was an option,” he says with a crooked smile.

  “And did she know she was just an option?”

  “I don’t know.” He shrugs me off. “Honestly, I just didn’t want to get involved in your drama bullshit.”

  “Did you even tell her you were coming with someone else?”

  He stares at me, cocking his head to the side, a douchebag grin sliding across his mouth. “Oops.”

  I lunge at him, but before I can do anything, Carter grabs me and pulls me back. Franco and Jen are catching up behind us, both of them looking on, unsure what’s happening.

  “No, bro.” Carter ushers me away. “Just let it go.”

  Jeremy and Oscar are laughing at something, but I don’t hear what they say, my pulse bouncing in my ears.

  “Shit, what did I do?” I groan, clenching my fists.

  “You didn’t do anything.”

  “Yeah, I did. Damn it!”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “I could’ve come with her to prom, but instead I let that asshole ask her. And now she’s probably waiting for him.”

  “Dude, it’s gonna be okay.”

  “No, wait. I can fix this.”

  “Matt, you need to calm down.”

  I start nodding, the idea forming in my head. “I can fix this. I gotta go.”

  “What? Where? Matt, we don’t have a car here.”

  “That’s right. Shit!” I look around, trying to think. “I can Uber it. I’ll be back.”

  “All right.” Carter let’s out a disbelieving chuckle. “Go get her.”

  I rush towards the exit, only to be halted by Yvette.

  “Matt, what are you doing?”

  “I gotta go.”

  “Go? Go where?”

  “I’ll be back.” I skirt around her, pulling out my phone. Before I can open the Uber app, she grabs my hand.

  “Matt, they’re announcing the king and queen in an hour. You have to be here.”

  “I don’t care about that.”

  “Well, I do!” she yells. “You better get your ass back here.”

  “Whatever.” I yank my arm from hers and run out the doors.

  Chapter 35

  Izzy

  We take a little longer at Chart House, but it’s delicious. And Oscar never texts or calls through any of it. I don’t think about that though, as Veronica and I laugh at Cindy, who flirts with our waiter. When we finish, we pay the check and make our way to the dance in Cindy’s dad’s BMW.

  I’m smiling as Veronica still giggles at how our waiter started to blush at Cindy, but as we make our way down the 405 freeway, my mind starts to roam. Not about Oscar, because I couldn’t care less about him, even though I should be pissed he stood me up. But I keep thinking about Matt. I wonder if he ended up getting a date. If he did, will I be mad when I see her? I find myself wishing he had just asked me one more time, and I would’ve said yes. Then I get mad at myself, because why did I leave it up to him to ask me again? I should’ve just asked him and told him the truth. Told him how I felt. No, I can’t think like that anymore, because what is there between us now?

  “You okay, over there?” Veronica asks from the back seat. I see Cindy look over from the driver’s side briefly.

  “Yeah.” I cough. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

  “You should text him. Tell him you want him to save you a dance.”

  I give a half-hearted smile. “V, I don’t know if he’ll even want that dance anymore.”

  “Well, then he’s a dummy.” She starts to laugh, and I turn around to see why. “He’s no longer Hottie McFanboy; he’s now Hottie McDummy.”

  I can’t stop from giggling, Cindy joining in with us.

  * * *

  It takes us about thirty minutes to get to the dance. The parking lot is filling up, and as we enter the hotel, I try not to focus on all the couples walking in, hand in hand. I make an effort to keep my eyes from looking for Matt, but I do it anyways. I’m pretty sure he didn’t end up getting a date, but if I see him with one, I’m not sure how I’ll react.
/>
  We decide to wait in line for pictures first and then head into the dance hall. The music echoes and there are a few people on the dance floor, but not many. I see Carter standing on the other side of the dance floor. Our eyes meet, and he looks confused to see me. I don’t know why he looks confused, but I turn around, and I’m instantly hit with shock and rage. The feelings I should’ve felt earlier when Oscar never bothered to text me. The emotions boil over, as I watch him suck face with some blonde girl in a pixie bob with red highlights.

  “What is it?” Cindy asks, but I don’t answer.

  My feet move with purpose as I stride straight to him. I think I hear Cindy and Veronica calling me back, but I’m too pissed off to stop. He and the girl are standing next to a table with appetizers and drinks. I clear my throat loudly, trying to get his attention, as he still has his tongue down her throat.

  I don’t know why, but I expect him to be surprised to see me. Maybe not sorry, because obviously I was the last thing on his mind today, but at least to have some decency and act like what he’s doing is, if not wrong, at least highly uncalled for. I’ll even settle for a slight look of apprehension from him.

  But as he turns around and sees me, I don’t get any of that. He gives me a smirk, raising an eyebrow, as if to say Come on, seriously?

  “What?” he says.

  I open my mouth to cuss him out. Or just scream at him. But I surprise myself, this time by my own reaction. I can feel Cindy and Veronica behind me, but they’ve gone quiet.

  “You know what?” I tap a finger to my lips. “Nothing. You’re not worth it.”

  “Right.” He gives me an incredulous chuckle.

  If he didn’t say anything, I might just turn around and walk away. But the look he gives me? As if any girl would kill to be the one he’s playing tonsil hockey with, and looking at me like somehow, I’m the idiot in this scenario. Without a second thought, I quickly grab a cup of whatever drink is on the table and throw it in his face. The girl he’s with screams and his friends around him scatter. I guess it’s punch because he’s dripping wet and the white shirt under his tux turns to pink.

  “Shit!” He shakes his arms. “This is a rental!”

  “Sorry,” I say in the cutest voice I can muster. “Hope you got the insurance.”

  I turn around to see the girls holding in their laughs as we walk away.

  * * *

  Matt

  * * *

  I can’t stop wringing my fingers, wiping my sweaty palms on my legs, as the Uber driver makes his way to Izzy’s house. I have no idea what I’m going to find. Is she going to be pissed Oscar stood her up? Will she be crying? Will she even want to talk to me after everything? For a moment, I wonder if she’ll be happy, like we’re playing out some kind of movie. I shake away the thoughts, trying to get my nerve back, as the driver pulls up to her house.

  “Hey.” I look over at the driver as I open the door. “Can you hang on for a moment? I think we’ll need a ride back. This way I don’t have to schedule another pick up.”

  “Sure, no problem,” the driver replies.

  “Thanks.”

  I get out and head to the front door. Taking a deep breath, I wrap my knuckles against the door, waiting for someone to answer, still nervous as to what I’m going to find.

  “Matthew?” Her dad answers, looking surprised to see me.

  “H-hi, Mr. Jacobs,” I try to smile, but I’m sure it looks as awkward as I feel.

  “What are you doing here?”

  Damn. Am I really going to have to explain to her dad that she got stood up?

  “Um, well, I was at the dance, and I saw …” I pause, not wanting to continue. He doesn’t say anything though, still looking at me, like he has no idea why I’m here. “Um, sorry. The guy Izzy was supposed to go to prom with was at the dance, and I didn’t see her. So, I just wanted to make sure she was okay.”

  Staring at me a moment longer, his face softens. Then he smiles. It’s not a smile I’ve seen very often from my own father, but every time I’m around my mom, it’s the same one. It’s a heartwarming smile. A smile that says she’s proud of me. I look back at him confused.

  “That’s really thoughtful, Matt. But she’s not here.”

  “What?”

  “She never heard from her date, so she left with her friends a while ago. They went to eat before heading to the dance.”

  “Oh.” My jaw drops.

  He lets out a light chuckle. “Yeah, sorry you left the dance.”

  “No, it’s okay. Actually, I’m kind of glad now.” He raises an eyebrow. “No, sorry, not glad he didn’t show up. But, you know, that she left without him.” I let out a light laugh of my own. “Well, I guess I was worrying for nothing.”

  He puts a hand on my shoulder. “You’re a good kid.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Go on, get back to the dance.”

  “Yeah. I think I will.”

  We exchange smiles one more time before I turn around and head back to the car. My nerves are gone, replaced with an idea.

  “Back to Newport?” the driver asks as I get back in.

  “Actually, you can drop me off at home.”

  Chapter 36

  Izzy

  “Okay, everyone, just a few more minutes and we’ll be announcing—”

  “No.” Yvette cuts off Mr. Garrison, who promptly pulls the microphone away.

  She’s waving her hands in the air and keeps pointing to the door, but I have no idea what’s going on. It’s been over thirty minutes since we showed up and I still haven’t seen Matt anywhere.

  “What do you think’s going on?” Cindy asks.

  “I don’t know,” I answer, scanning the room for probably the hundredth time, but still don’t see him anywhere. Part of me wonders if he just decided not to come at all, but I don’t think he’d do that. Maybe he just left early.

  Veronica makes her way over from the drink table, her cup still in her hand. “You guys, everyone’s talking about Matt.”

  “What?”

  “Yeah, I guess he almost got in a fight or something earlier.”

  “With who?” Cindy asks.

  “Oscar.” Veronica raises her eyebrows to me.

  I turn around to see Oscar, Greg, and Yvette on stage with Mr. Garrison. Oscar and Greg are just listening, as Yvette continues to try and convince Mr. Garrison of something. He finally puts a hand on her shoulder, shaking his head, as if he’s consoling her. She turns around, eyeing Oscar and Greg, who both just stare back blankly.

  “Okay, we’ve waited as long as we can. It’s time to announce the king and queen,” Mr. Garrison says again. This time Yvette stands behind him, frowning. Her bottom lip jutted out and her arms crossed.

  “This is it.” Veronica hugs me tightly.

  Despite me telling both her and Cindy I don’t think I’m going to win, she still thinks I have a chance. I guess I do technically have a chance, but Yvette looked determined throughout the entire week at school. She desperately wants to be prom queen and have Matt be prom king with her.

  The DJ lowers the music as a hush falls over everyone in the dance hall.

  “I’d like to ask everyone who is on the prom court for both guys and girls up to the stage please,” Mr. Garrison requests. “We are starting with the girls this year as we’re still looking for one member of the guys’ court.”

  A murmur flows through the crowd. Cindy and Veronica both look at me before giving me another hug, and I make my way up to the stage, falling in behind Jen.

  “Good luck,” I whisper over to her.

  “You too.” She smiles back, reaching over and giving my hand a squeeze.

  “This year’s vote was one of the closest votes for queen we’ve had at Woodbridge in a number of years.” Mr. Garrison holds an envelope in his hand. “There were only fourteen votes separating the winner with the runner-up.”

  I scan out over the crowd, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous or anxious, a
small part of me hoping I win. Veronica and Cindy both give me a thumbs-up.

  “This year’s prom queen is …” He takes a dramatic pause as the DJ plays a drumroll sound effect. He looks down at the piece of paper in his hand. “Yvette Morales.”

  The DJ hits the music, and everyone in the hall lets out a cheer. A teacher welcomes Yvette to the front, presenting her with a crown. Cindy and Veronica both offer me frowns, but I simply lift my shoulder, smiling back at them.

  “Oh well.” Jen smiles at me, offering me a hug.

  “Hey, at least we were on court.”

  “True. And, girl …” She holds me at bay, eyeing over my dress. “I don’t know what you’ve got on here, but you are definitely rocking it. I love it.”

  “Thanks.” I look over her dress. It’s elegant and sexy. Her blonde hair is curled, and pulled back, with what looks like a jade studded rope, holding it in place. She’s wearing a beautiful black and emerald dress, that’s got a ballerina neckline, and the emerald seems to sparkle when she turns in the light. “You look gorgeous.”

  “Thank you.” She smiles and then looks over at Franco, who stands with the rest of the guys. “Maybe one of us will still be at the dance with the prom king.” She giggles.

  “Okay.” Mr. Garrison gets everyone to quiet down, and the DJ drops the volume of the music again. “And now, for the prom king.” He scans the crowd. “Um, Mr. Hillard, if you’re out there, your presence is requested.”

  Some people laugh, while others look around. I do the same and still don’t see him. Franco and Oscar bump fists, and I can’t help but snarl my lip a little at how smug Oscar looks, even with his punch-stained shirt. Bret stands next to them, and at the end stands Sam, shifting awkwardly. Even though Mr. Garrison has tried to get everyone to be quiet, Matt’s name continues to be whispered around.

  “Okay, and this year’s prom king is …”

  He offers another dramatic pause, as the four guys look on. Yvette closes her eyes and seems to be whispering something to herself, her crown sparkling in the lights.