They were greeted at the gym’s entrance by a handsome man dressed in a tuxedo. He looked like a Calvin Klein model. “Welcome, ladies, you look beautiful tonight. Happy Valentine’s Day.” He held the doors open for them. “Enjoy the dance.”
“We’ll try,” Claire sighed.
Massie elbowed her in the ribs. “Confidence,” she whispered again.
“Sorry.”
“Ehmagod,” was all Massie could say when she saw the inside of the gym. It had been completely transformed.
All of the fluorescent lightbulbs had been removed and replaced with pink ones, giving the room a warm, rosy glow. Long black lace ribbons dotted with cinnamon hearts dangled from the ceiling and hovered a few inches above the floor. Everyone was pushing them aside as they walked. They reminded Massie of those long rubber strips that cleaned the Range Rover at the car wash. Four tall silver machines, one in each corner of the room, blew big red bubbles that drifted across the entire gym. The DJ booth was covered in red shag carpet and glitter. The DJ wore only a diaper, like Cupid. It looked like everyone in the entire county was there. The room was packed.
“Look.” Claire hit Massie on the arm, then pointed to the giant heart-shaped ice sculpture in the middle of the gym.
Cam and Chris Plovert were laughing hysterically because Derrington had licked the ice and was pretending to be stuck.
Massie was starting to sweat all over again. How could the boys be having so much fun without her? She wanted to run to the bathroom, regloss, wipe her pits, and check her hair, but she had to follow her own advice and act confident. “Children.” She shook her head.
“This is stupid,” Claire said. “Shouldn’t we say hi or something?”
“No, let’s go find everyone,” Massie instructed.
Claire stomped her foot. “How am I going to kiss him if I can’t even talk to him?”
“You’re not. Look, there’s Kristen and her mom. Let’s mingle. We don’t want to be seen standing by the door watching the party—it makes us look like pathetic losers.”
Massie pulled Claire over to the round table where the Gregorys were nibbling on red-frosted sugar cookies. She rolled her shoulders back and lifted her head as she walked, just in case Derrington happened to notice her.
“Hey.” Kristen jumped out of her seat and hugged Massie. She was wearing thick gray pleated slacks and a white turtleneck sweater with a blue teddy bear hugging a heart knit right into the front. The heart said, “I’m Blue Without You,” in pink script.
“Thank Gawd you’re finally here,” Kristen whispered in Massie’s ear as she adjusted her navy beret. “You have to get me away from her. Look what she made me wear. There’s no way I can talk to Kemp in this.”
Massie gave her a reassuring squeeze before pulling away. In the distance, Strawberry was dancing like a maniac to a Simple Plan song, until she slipped on a soapy bubble and fell.
“I think I just willed that to happen.”
Claire and Kristen laughed.
“That’s what you get for telling on us,” Massie said to no one in particular.
“It’s not funny. She could be hurt.” Mrs. Gregory ran over to Strawberry, who was rolling around on the floor, grabbing her kneecap.
“Thank Gawd she’s finally gone.” Kristen held out her hand and Massie gave her the coat check ticket.
“Isn’t your mother going to notice you’re in a different outfit?” Claire asked.
“Hopefully I can change, kiss Kemp Hurley, win the bet, and change back before she notices,” Kristen said. “Has anyone seen Landy?”
“Dylan couldn’t come,” Massie told them. “Her mother said she was too sick.”
“Awesome! Does this mean I automatically win the bet? Where’s Nina?”
“I don’t think so,” Claire said.
“Why?” Kristen stomped her foot.
“Because Dylan’s sitting over there with Chris Plovert.” Claire pointed to the buffet. “Look, she’s smearing icing on his cast.”
“No yaw.” Kristen looked stunned. “She’s way too sick to be out.”
“I think she looks good,” Claire put in.
Massie agreed. Dylan’s red ringlets were perfectly conditioned so that they bounced and gleamed every time she moved her head. She was wearing a slimming Louis Vuitton black V-necked dress with a tulle tutu attached to the bottom. It was elegant and tasteful and probably stolen from her mother’s closet.
As if she could read Massie’s mind, Dylan looked up and waved them over.
“What are you doing here?” Kristen asked. “I thought your mother wanted you to stay in bed.”
“Doesn’t bean I’m going do.” She was obviously trying to sound cool in front of Chris.
“Ye-ah, I love it.” Chris tossed his thick silver tie over his shoulder and high-fived her.
Dylan looked at Kristen and smirked.
“I like your dress,” Claire said.
“I sure could have used a pair of cool boots to wear with it though.” She turned to Kristen. “But I should have those any minute now.”
Kristen’s cheeks turned dark red. “Hey, Chris, have you seen Kemp?” She smeared a coat of gloss across her thin lips.
“I think he went to flirt with the cute coat check girl,” Chris said as he slid a fork inside his cast and scratched his leg. “Wait.” He stopped scratching. “Aren’t you his date?”
“No.” Kristen turned to leave. “He’s mine.” She flicked the coat check ticket with her index finger and took off.
“Dice sweater.” Dylan chuckled as she watched Kristen stomp across the gym, pushing bubbles out of her way with every angry step she took.
The music suddenly got louder, and Massie and Claire turned their backs on Dylan and Chris to look at the dance floor. Suddenly the party was in full swing.
The DJ had a mic but shouted anyway. “I need a lot of cooooool couples on the dance floor because it’s getting ‘Hot in Herre,’” he said before blasting Nelly’s old hit. Suddenly Massie felt like she didn’t belong. The dance floor was packed with couples.
Massie felt her phone vibrating and was instantly relieved. She was tired of looking at happy people. She snapped open her silver-and-black snakeskin Isabella Fiore clutch and checked the display screen on her phone. Alicia had sent a text message. Massie retrieved it quickly so that anyone watching her would think she had important business to take care of. Way more important than dancing.
ALICIA: ? Are U?
MASSIE: Buffet table with C and D. U?
ALICIA: Just got here with Nina. She’s already dancing. Look.
Massie scoped the dance floor like she was desperately looking for someone. If anyone was still watching her, hopefully they would conclude that the important caller needed Massie to find someone urgently.
“What’s wrong?” Claire was bopping her head to the beat of the song.
Massie didn’t say a word, so Claire followed her gaze.
“No she is not.” Claire saw Nina surrounded by Cam, Derrington, and Josh. She was in the middle of their circle, twisting and twirling her arms in the air like a belly dancer, which was exactly what she looked like.
Nina was wearing black see-through harem pants, gold pumps, and a gold satin halter top. Her thick dark hair had been straightened and was pulled into a high ponytail. It looked like a horse’s mane was growing out of her scalp.
“Why does Josh like her so much?” Alicia asked as she squeezed in between Claire and Massie. “She has the worst style.”
“I know, and we have ah-mazing style,” Massie said. “It makes no sense.” Massie silently admired Alicia’s turquoise halter dress and chunky salmon-colored necklace. The bright colors looked ah-mazing against her dark skin, and Massie felt the biting sting of envy. She wanted someone to think that she looked beautiful, and so far her parents were the only ones who had complimented her all night. And they didn’t count.
Massie, Claire, and Alicia watched Nina dance with their guys for the rest
of the song. They had no idea what to do next. A few schemes darted through Massie’s brain, but nothing good enough to execute. They would make her look more desperate than Nina, and that was not what she was going for. Besides, that was what Layne, Meena, and Heather were for.
The three of them rushed the dance floor wearing nothing but potato sacks, chanting, “Nina the Obscena.” But Nina didn’t seem to mind. She started clapping along with Layne and trying to get her to join their circle of love.
“Oh my Gawd.” Claire covered her smile with her hand. “Someone should be screaming, ‘Layne is Insane.’”
“Mark the time and day.” Massie grinned. “I just decided I officially like that girl. She’s hilarious.”
“What’s with the potato sacks?” Alicia asked.
Massie and Claire shrugged.
Layne kept running away every time Nina pulled her closer, until eventually she left the dance floor in a huff.
“Layne,” Claire yelled over the thumping beat of Eminem’s “Just Lose It.” She motioned for her friend to come over. Layne saw Claire and smiled. She hopped twice, then ran across the gym.
“I came as soon as you called,” Layne panted. Meena and Heather pulled up behind her. “Did you want to join our protest?” She slid her orange faux-fur backpack off her shoulders and pulled out three more potato sacks. “I have enough for everyone.”
Massie and Alicia jumped back as quickly as they could.
“No, that’s okay,” Claire said. “We just wanted to know what they were for.”
Meena stepped forward. “They were my idea.” She tucked a thick black corkscrew curl behind her ear. “They’re meant to show people like Nina that you can still look beautiful in modest clothing.”
“I got them from my dad’s grocery store,” Heather announced proudly.
“They should never have allowed boys at this dance.” Layne shook her head. “They always bring out the worst in girls.”
“You guys should change your names to the Sad Sacks.” Massie’s moment of affection for Layne was officially over.
“Hilarious,” Layne mocked flatly. She stuffed the sacks back in her bag and walked away. Meena and Heather followed her.
Alicia cracked up. Massie joined her when she noticed Derrington wipe his sweaty bangs away from his forehead and leave the dance floor. She wanted him to see that she could have fun without him. But he never even looked her way.
“Uh, ’bye, Layne,” Claire called.
Layne lifted her hand over her head without turning around.
“Has anyone seen Kristen?” Mrs. Gregory said as she approached the girls. She was walking so quickly, Massie wondered if she’d be able to stop once she reached them or if she’d just smash into the wall.
“Uh, I think she’s in the bathroom,” Massie offered.
“As long as she’s not hanging around that vixen on the dance floor,” said Mrs. Gregory. “Where are that girl’s parents?”
“Spain,” Alicia replied.
Mrs. Gregory shook her head in disgust, then sat down with Dylan and Chris.
Massie felt a tingle in her stomach when she remembered that tonight was the night they were going to bring Nina down once and for all. She checked her diamond-encrusted Chanel watch. The big moment was only ten minutes away.
“Is everything set?” Massie asked Alicia.
“Given.” Alicia swiped a red spot off her turquoise dress.
When she brushed her hand against it, it moved to Massie’s shoulder.
“Ew, what is that?” Massie tried to wipe it off, but it moved to Claire’s cheek. She lifted her hand as if she were about to smack a mosquito. “Kuh-laire, it’s on your face.”
Claire grabbed Massie’s arm before she could do any damage. She turned her head and looked over her shoulder frantically, as if the mosquito had gotten away and she was trying to find it.
“There it is.” Alicia pointed to the floor. “It’s a laser light.”
“Todd, where are you?” Claire shouted. Instantly he appeared, crawling out from under the table Dylan and Chris were sitting at. His tiny friend, Nathan, came out after him. They were both dressed in black cat suits.
“Please tell me those aren’t my old dance clothes,” Claire begged.
Tiny Nathan laughed, but it sounded more like a squeak.
“Claire, we have no time for banter.” Todd lifted the rim of his black baseball cap, revealing a few strands of sweaty hair that had stuck to his forehead. “I am on a special mission. If we get caught at this dance, it could mean trouble for everyone.” He was speaking from the side of his mouth. “So try to be cool.”
He slipped Claire a CD case.
“What is this?” Claire said.
“Shhh,” Todd and Nathan said at the same time. Then they giggled.
“It’s a CD from you know who,” he said.
“No way,” Claire said. Her entire face lit up.
Massie felt her insides fill up with a heavy sadness. But she forced herself to half-smile, for Claire’s sake.
“And this is for you.” Todd reached into his pocket and pulled out a gold heart-shaped ring. It was oversized and made of plastic, but Massie didn’t care. It fit perfectly, like it had been made just for her. She could feel herself smiling. Maybe her luck was about to turn. “Is this from Derrington?” she asked coyly.
“No.” Todd sounded proud. “It’s from me.” He looked up at Massie with a loving smile.
Massie pulled off the ring and stuffed it down the collar of Todd’s tight cat suit.
“Ouch. You’re like a vicious animal!”
“Did you come all this way just to give me the CD?” Claire asked without taking her eyes off the front of the jewel case.
“Uh … ” Todd looked nervously at Massie.
“He came because I made him.” Massie grabbed him by the ear and pulled him toward her. “If you think he’s getting away with spying on me, you’re wrong.”
Claire finally looked up. “Huh?”
“I figured he could help us with our revenge plan,” Massie said. “And if he does a good job, I’ll consider us even.” She tugged his ear again and Todd moaned in pain.
“What does he have to do?” Claire’s ah-nnoying protective instincts were obviously starting to kick in.
“Nothing too bad.” Massie let go of Todd’s ear and turned to face him. “All you have to do is offer to give Nina a foot massage. And while you do, Nathan will creep up behind you like a tiny mouse and steal her shoes.”
“Then what?” Nathan squeaked.
“Then you will bring her shoes to me. I will make a few adjustments, and you will sneak them back to her.”
“But her feet are all sweaty,” Todd whined. “Look at her: she’s dancing like a maniac.”
“I never said this was going to be easy.” Massie grinned. “Now go!” She slapped Todd on the butt and he took off toward the dance floor with Nathan trailing close behind.
Alicia started clapping, and Massie waited for Claire’s reaction with an expectant smile on her face. She couldn’t wait for Claire to jump up and down and congratulate her on thinking of another way to get Nina.
But all Claire said was, “I can’t believe Cam didn’t include a note.”
“It looks like his playlist is the message,” Alicia offered.
Claire looked at the CD cover one more time. “You’re right.”
“What does it say?” Massie figured that if she sounded interested, they’d never know how hurt she was that Claire wasn’t excited about her latest revenge plan. And, more importantly, that Derrington hadn’t sent anything for her.
Claire held the CD case in front of her face and read out loud.
“Sorry” Foxy Brown
“More Than Meets the Eye” The Bangles
“Don’t Judge Me Bad” Monsieur Jeffrey Evans & the ’68
Comeback
“Trouble Will Soon Be Over” Blind Willie Johnson
“True” Ryan Cabrera
“Great Big Kiss” New York Dolls
“Happy Valentine’s Day” Outkast
“I have to find him. He totally wants to kiss tonight. The candy was right—it said ‘Whatever Your Heart Desires,’ remember? I knew he’d send me a sign. I knew it.” Claire hugged the CD and ran off to find Cam.
“It looks like she’s chasing a little puppy.” Alicia watched Claire zigzag frantically around the room, pushing innocent victims out of her way as she bobbed and weaved through clusters of people.
“She kind of is,” Massie said.
Alicia giggled.
Massie felt bad insulting Cam, because she genuinely liked him. But acting mean helped her get rid of her pent-up Derrington anger. And she had a lot to get rid of.
“I’ve been waiting for like ten binutes for you to save us,” Dylan whispered in Massie’s ear.
“Huh?”
“Bissus Gregory has been sitting with us for the last twenty binutes. If she doesn’t leave us alone, I’ll never win dis bet.” She blew her nose in a pink cocktail napkin, then casually dropped it on the floor.
“Is he really going to kiss you with that cold?” Massie asked.
“How are you going to breathe?” Alicia wondered.
Chris Plovert walked up and stood beside them.
“Uh, yeah, so I think I did okay on that bath test,” Dylan said louder than she needed to. But she obviously didn’t want him to know what they were talking about.
“Uh, when you’re done talking about math, we could check out my brother’s new car,” he said to Dylan.
“Uh, sure.” Dylan twirled her hair and rocked back and forth on the heels of her gold wedge sandals. She looked casually over her shoulder. “But let’s wait until Kristen’s buther stops staring at us. She’s giving me the creeps.”
Chris rolled his eyes but agreed.
Massie was relieved. Obviously, Dylan was too nervous to be alone with Chris. Maybe she wasn’t the only one with a kissing phobia after all.
“Let’s go get some hot cider and cake,” Dylan suggested, while biting her thumbnail, something she rarely did. “Then we can go to your brother’s car.” Dylan stared at Massie and Alicia with wide eyes, silently begging them to join her.
Invasion of the Boy Snatchers Page 16