Thirty
Now that state testing is over and AP exams are long gone, it seems like the year is crawling to an end. Our teachers have spent the last five months preparing us for tests that seem meaningless to us, but mean so much to them. It feels like there’s a sense of relief and they have the freedom to teach us things they’ve been dying to share all year. Andi’s English teacher has them pouring out their hearts into a class anthology filled with their own poetry, lyrics, and free writes. It’s so cool. Makes me want to transfer.
In math, we’re working on creating our own art. It’s connected to math, of course. We’re using ratios, angles, and all kinds of other measuring crap. Some of my classmates are working on cool stuff. I’m so not creative when it comes to something like this. What’s supposed to be a picture of my house looks more like a TV entertainment center.
A tap on my shoulder rips me from my daydreaming. “Hey, your phone is buzzing. You forgot to turn it off,” Eric whispers.
I dig in my bag, look around for my teacher, and use my desk to shield my illegal activity. I swipe my finger across the screen, tap in my password, and read my messages.
They’re from Amy. She wants me to meet her outside.
I raise my hand. “Can I use the restroom?”
“Yes, take the pass.” My teacher moves on, circulating around the room.
When I swing the door open, I’m surprised to see Amy standing right outside our classroom. “What are you doing out here? You’re supposed to be in class.”
“Just relax, Meg. Like I give a shit about math.” She stares me down, nostrils flared, heavy breaths. “Why is Mrs. Flores trying to get me to talk about something?” I try to look innocent. “You told her, didn’t you?”
“Okay, you need to relax and listen to me.” I grab her arm and lead her around the corner of the building, outside of earshot from open classrooms and out of view from our own classmates. “You need to talk to someone. And you won’t talk to me. Mrs. Flores can’t tell anyone. It’s the law.”
“So you thought I’d like to spill my guts to her? Are you crazy?” She waves her hands wildly at me.
“Look, I’m sorry. But you brought me into this. I didn’t ask for it. Things are getting bad for you, and I don’t know what to do. I needed help and so do you. You can’t deal with this by yourself and you know it.”
She glares at me for a few seconds before storming off with a growl.
Whenever I imagine prom, I still think about classic high school movies. Prom, for me, hasn’t been all that great. Freshman year, I found out Amy was screwing Eric. Then, last year, I didn’t go. This year, I’m going with Josh. And so is Keesha. I want the romantic movie. She’s All That. Never Been Kissed. 10 Things I Hate About You.
Wait. Never mind. Those proms were kinda shitty too. The happily ever afters didn’t come until the end of the movie. I’m ready for the end of my movie. I want to get the guy.
My phone chimes.
Have fun tonight. Send me a pic. I wanna c how gorgeous u look.
Oh stop
Alex can make me blush from four hundred miles away. He kills me.
Im serious
I know. Will send in a few min
“Are you ready, honey?” Dad asks. “I want to get a few shots of you and your mom before Josh gets here.”
“Sure am,” I tell him, opening the door.
“Oh.” The color drains from his face. “I’m not so sure you should go out in that. You look like you’re ready for some music awards show. Shouldn’t there be more material?” He waves his hand in front of his chest.
I scoot past him and walk down the hallway. “Mom, Dad’s freaking out over my dress. He needs oxygen.”
“Megan Miller, you look fabulous,” Mom tells me, holding out her arms. I allow her to hug me lightly. “I’m so glad you picked this dress. It was made for you.” She’s talking about my floor length, backless, tight black halter dress.
“Thanks, Mom.” I hand her my phone. “Can you take a picture of me with my cell?”
“You’re gonna make that boy wanna jump in the car and drive home.” She holds up my phone. I stand with a hand on my hip and smile. “Great pose. One. Two. Three. Here. Send it. I wanna see what he says.”
I love how my mom knows exactly what I was doing. I didn’t have to explain it to her. She knew I wanted a picture for Alex.
I tap on my phone for a second and the photo is off.
“Now that you got that taken care of, let’s go outside and take a few pictures,” Dad says.
As we head outside, a text comes in from Alex.
Stunning! Wish I was in Josh’s shoes tonight.
Haha. Next year. Maybe.
Something to look forward to. Ok. No more from me. Have fun. Take lots of pictures. Miss you.
Miss u 2
I tell my mom what he said. She smiles with a sigh. Sometimes I think she wishes she could do high school all over again. She still gets all gooey talking about teenage love.
Keesh and Josh show up right on time. If I had to smile for one more picture, my cheeks would have got stuck in a grinning position. I wiggle my jaws and stretch my mouth open, trying to regain some feeling.
“I’m ready for some pictures with my ladies,” Josh says, holding out his arms. “Come on now. Move in close.” The smirk on his face makes me laugh. He’s enjoying this way too much.
“Hold on a second. I’ve already taken a hundred pictures. My mouth hurts,” I tell him.
He pops back with, “That’s what she said.” My dad raises a brow. “Oh, just kidding, Mr. Miller. Sorry.” We all bust up laughing as Keesh and I cuddle up to Josh. “I can’t wait to see these pics. I’m gonna post them all over the place. I’m gonna look pimp with my hot … women.”
It’s a good thing he filtered himself with that one. The last time he said that, he called us his hot bitches. I thought Keesh was gonna knock him out. Only this time, he’d have to deal with my parents and Keesh. Not a good combination.
Several thousand pictures later, The Pimp has his bitches in the car and we’re on our way to our junior prom.
We arrive to Cinderella’s ball (cheesy theme, I know) before the rest of the crew. We all decided to come separate, which is weird. We’re so used to doing everything together. While we said we were going to enjoy a single ladies year, it has yet to happen. Staying at arm’s length from the boys is nearly impossible. I think we all just got sick of fighting it. I know I did. Not to mention, our plan was failing. Our dates were disasters.
Finding a table is easy with so few peeps here. I take a minute to soak it all in. It’s exactly how I remembered it. Beautiful ballroom. White linens, fancy table settings, and lots of twinkly lights. Tiny little finger foods are being served by guys dressed in white long-sleeved dress shirts and black vests, bow ties, and slacks.
Josh disappears to find us some drinks. Surprisingly, Keesh and I take more photos. This time, we use our cells, holding them out in front of us to snap a shot. Of course, they’re major close-ups.
Stephanie and Dominic are the next to arrive. Steph and Keesh are wearing identical dresses, but in different colors. Don’t freak. They planned it. Steph saw the cotton candy pink satin dress first. Strapless, fitted down to the waist until it poofs out like a ball gown to the floor. Sparkling rhinestones sprinkle the top of the dress, while shimmery chiffon layers the bottom. Keesh bought the same thing in Tiffany blue. Even though they’re wearing the same dress, they look completely different. Steph’s hair is down. Keesh has a crazy updo. Steph has simple jewelry. Keesh has long dangling earrings and a giant choker. But they both look gorgeous.
We take more pictures with the five of us. I shoot off a few to Alex, Ben, and Jonathan. I know we’re gonna have a good time tonight, but it would be a thousand times better if the rest of the boys were here. I’m sure I’m not the only one missing the three of them.
Andi and Travis show shortly after. He leads her through the room hand in hand, his eyes gl
eaming with bliss. I’m so completely happy he found someone as sweet and funny as Andi. He’s such a special person and close friend, I don’t know if I would have been okay with him going out with just anyone. Not that it’s any of my business. I’d feel the same way about any of the rest of the guys.
“Dude, this place is amazing,” Andi says as she gets closer. “I feel like I go to a rich school in a movie or something.”
“No doubt,” Travis agrees. He hooks a hand around her waist, and she leans into him.
The servers seem to be coming around with our entrees. “Looks like we should sit down and get ready to eat,” Dom says, pulling out a chair for Steph. I look to Josh. There’s no way he’s going to do the chivalry thing. He sits. Of course not. I chuckle inside.
“Yeah, let’s get the show on the road. Eat fast so we can hit that dance floor,” Keesh says.
“I can’t believe we spend all this money to get all glammed out for just a few hours before we look like mangy dogs,” Steph says, as we drag ourselves back to the table after an hour and a half of nonstop dancing. “My hair is a frizz ball and my makeup melted off.”
“I know. It’s a good thing we got pictures or I’d never believe we ever looked that good,” Keesh adds.
“Dude, it’s so hot out there, I think I lost a few inches. My dress feels like it’s going to fall off.” Andi wore a cute purple party dress. Super short and super sexy. Travis hasn’t been able to take his eyes off her.
“I’m so sweaty, my dress feels like it’s gonna slide off too.” It’s gross. The air should be cranked down to about forty degrees. It feels like the inside of the sun in here. “I gotta pee. I’ll be back.”
Steph bends over to unstrap one of her heels. “I’d go with you, but my feet are already barking.”
“I’m gonna wait for the guys. I’m dying of thirst. How long does it take to fill up a cup of punch?” Keesh rolls her eyes.
“Want me to go with you?” Andi asks.
“No, stay here. I’ll just be a second.” The look on her face is relief.
As I walk away, I glance at my friends. They’re allbeat. And we still have a few more hours left. We just need to ditch the shoes, hydrate, and get back out there.
I go into the restroom, do my business, and when I come out, Amy is leaning against the sinks. I never expected to see her at prom and I sure didn’t expect her to follow me into the restroom.
Our eyes meet and I mutter, “Hey.”
“I talked to Mrs. Flores.”
I move to wash my hands. “Good.”
“It’s helping.”
I take a paper towel and dry my hands. “Good.”
“Thank you.”
I toss the crumpled paper in the trash. “You’re welcome.”
She pushes off the sink, turns toward the door, and leaves.
The dance floor is clearing out as the night moves on, but we’re not going anywhere.
Us girls dance together, waving our hands in the air, getting low to the floor, and making our way back up. Keesh and I double team Josh, freaking him like there’s no tomorrow.
At one point, he laces his fingers behind his head, like he’s kicking back while we service him. “Go, Josh. Get your pimp on,” Dom shouts to him.
Josh should never be egged on. He places his hand on Keesh’s back, pushes her forward, and pretends to smack her ass. Travis whips out his cell and takes some pics before she realizes what he’s doing.
“Jon is going to kick your ass,” she yells at Josh, but starts laughing anyway. It’s hard to be serious when Josh is thrusting his hips and spanking the air. To Travis, she says, “Send me that picture.”
The last song of the night comes along. A slow jam. Keesh and I look at Josh. “You guys dance,” I tell them. “I’ll get a head start putting my shoes back on.”
“Hey, Meggie, dance with me so I don’t feel like a dumb ass,” Brody mutters, shoulders slouched like he’s a four year old who just got scolded.
“What happened to Misty?”
“A six-foot-tall football player happened.” He pouts, jutting out his lower lip.
“Her loss is my gain,” I tell him. “I’ll dance with you, but if you touch my ass, I’m gonna knock you out.”
“Forget it. I’ll just go home.” He turns to walk away, but stops mid-stride, laughing. “Just joking.”
“All right, we’re all good. We all have a partner. Let’s go dance,” Keesh says. “The song’s gonna be over before we get out there.”
And with that, the eight of us sway back and forth, some bodies a lot closer than others, to the last song of the evening, as the seconds count down to the end of our junior prom.
Thirty One
Studying for finals blows. The only thing good about final exams is they’re followed by summer break. The end of the year is right around the corner. Brody has created his foolproof study schedule and note cards for chem so I’m not worried about that at all. Since I took the Advanced Placement exam for history, I don’t have to take a final in that class. You’d think I’d be less freaked with only math and English to be worried about, but I’m not.
“Forget it,” I say, tossing my math book on the floor. “If I don’t know it already, it’s not gonna suddenly take up residence in my brain. I’m wiped out.”
“I second that,” Keesh says, chucking her book on top of mine.
Steph sighs. “You guys are a bad influence on me. We should really keep studying. We’re barely hanging on to our 4.0s for the semester. Getting a crappy score on the final is gonna ruin it.” Leave it to her to try and talk sense into us.
“I’d be happy with a B.” Keesh flops back on one of my pillows. “Straight A’s are overrated. It makes us look like we’re stuck in the books, not well rounded.”
“Good theory. See, getting a B will make colleges think we’re multidimensional, not just book smart.” It sounded good when I started talking, but not so much anymore.
“You guys are full of crap.” Steph piles her book on top too. “But I’m tired and a B is looking pretty good to me too.”
“So, what are we doing for your birthday, Meg?” Keesh asks.
“I don’t know.”
“Will Alex be home by then?” Steph asks.
“Yeah, he’ll actually be home before graduation. I can’t believe he’s going to be home the entire summer. I got used to him being gone for so long and now he’s gonna be here for a couple of months. It’s gonna be weird.”
“Enjoy it. Enjoy him before he goes back.” Steph curls up with one of my pillows and yawns.
“I will.” I scoot Keesh’s feet over and stretch out on my bed with the girls. “But it’s not like I’m going to go back to being his girlfriend just because he’s here.”
“Why not?” Steph asks. “I think we’ve all figured out this single shit doesn’t work for us. Not when we can have the guys of our dreams who are obviously our soul mates.”
“I know. I just want to wait until he’s home for good and I’m done with high school. If it’s meant to be, then he’ll still be there and I’ll still want him. If not, well …” I have no idea. Somehow, that doesn’t feel like an option.
Keesh props herself up on her elbow. “Okay. We still need to make plans for your birthday.”
I shake my head. “Not now. Let’s just wait until after finals and graduation and then we can figure it out. There’s no rush. My birthday isn’t going anywhere.”
My birthday is during the summer. The way the calendar falls this year, graduation is early and my big day isn’t until the weekend. I like it this way. I can concentrate on end-of-the-year crap, then celebrate the beginning of summer and my seventeenth in one big swoop. And Alex will be here for it all.
“Meg, happy early birthday,” Mrs. Gelson, I mean Mrs. Fuller, tells me when the bell rings, handing me a gift bag. “I hope you have a great time this weekend. Tell Alex I said hello, and have an amazing summer.”
“What is this?” I ask, taking the b
ag. “You didn’t have to get me anything. Thank you.” I lean over to hug her. “When we get back in the fall, I’m hoping you’re gonna have a big belly popping out. I promise to babysit whenever you want.”
“Thanks for the offer. I’ll have to take you up on that someday.”
“We’re seniors, bitches!” Keesh yells, as we make our way out of the building after our last final. “School’s out. We only have to do this one more time next year and then we’re off to college.” She gazes at all of us. “Oh shit. That’s scary. This time next year, we’ll be getting ready for graduation.”
“Stop,” Steph tells her. “I’m not ready to think about that yet.”
“No, keep going.” I find it bleeping exciting. “We’ll be putting on our caps and gowns, family will fill the stands, and we’ll walk along the football stadium to the graduation song. I can’t wait.”
“Dude, neither can I,” Andi says. She and Travis walk up, hand in hand. “I’m so ready for high school to be over. I can’t wait to go to college.”
“Do you know where you want to go? Somewhere here or back in Boston?” Keesh asks her.
“Good question,” Travis says.
Andi hesitates. “I’m not sure. I haven’t thought that far ahead.”
Travis blinks away his worry. I doubt he’s ready to give up Andi, the way I had to give up Alex. Things will be different for them. If they’re still together next year, they can apply to schools in the same area, or even the same one.
“None of us have, Andi,” I say. “Let’s just try and get through the summer and then we’ll talk colleges. For now, let’s go to my house and cool down in the pool.”
“I’m in,” Josh says. “Let’s go.”
“Can we stop and get a Slurpee first?”
“For the birthday girl, anything,” Josh says, with a cheesy grin.
Double Time (Double Threat series) Page 20