6:59

by Nonye Acholonu

  Her words rang repeatedly through my head, like a song stuck on repeat.

  When we finally got to the dance, I was amazed at how many faces I saw packed into the large ballroom. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many teenagers in one room before. There had to be at least a thousand kids there, all crowded around in their super expensive outfits, eating, drinking, dancing, and hanging out.

  “Let’s dance!” Hudson cried out, grabbing Armando’s hand and leading him to the dance floor.

  I watched the two of them make their way through the crowds and settle on the dance floor, moving their bodies to the rhythm of the music. Soon, the song was engulfing my own limbs, and I was suddenly bobbing around to the music as well.

  Olive laughed and grabbed my shoulder. “If you wanted to dance, you should have said so.” She led me over to the dance floor and soon we began dancing around with Armando and Hudson.

  While we danced I looked around at all of the kids, trying to spot the ones I’d seen in Cameron’s yearbooks. A lot of them were there, all dressed like movie stars on the red carpet. I also noticed the typical wallflowers lining the walls and glancing around at the couples on the dance floor. I felt sorry for them, realizing that if it hadn’t been for me, Olive would’ve been one of those lonely kids hiding in the shadows. They were probably just like Olive — embarrassed by their dance moves but still yearning to attend the dance. I made a note to invite them onto the dance floor when I got the chance.

  “Loving what you’re seeing?” Olive asked, drawing my attention back to her pretty face.

  In response, I smiled and kissed her, saying, “I certainly do.”

  She giggled and we continued dancing, the songs changing every few minutes or so. I was having a blast out there, dancing my heart out and pumping my fists to the music. I was digging the whole club vibe this dance had going on; I was feeling more and more comfortable with each passing minute.

  After a half a dozen songs, Olive called it quits and led me over to our table which was occupied by Armando, Hudson, Anjolie, and two super-tan, super-plastic kids. I nodded at everyone, taking a seat between Olive and Armando.

  “Saw you out there, Cameron,” Armando called over the music. “You were really living it up!” In the dim lighting, his smile contrasted profoundly with the rest of him.

  I nodded, smiling at his compliment. “What can I say? Dancing is what I do.”

  Armando laughed and sipped his drink. “Understatement of the year, my friend,” he said, clapping me on the back.

  I laughed and focused back on Olive, wrapping an arm around her slender shoulders. “Did I tell you that you look absolutely stunning tonight?” I asked, nibbling on her earlobe.

  She smiled, cooing at my words. “Only, like, a million times,” she answered, interlacing her fingers with mine.

  “Well, apparently not enough, then.” I ran a hand through her chocolate locks, coming to a rest at the bare space between her shoulder blades. I went to kiss her, but froze when I saw Anjolie’s camera lens pointed directly at us.

  Blushing, I shot away from Olive, grabbing Armando’s drink and sipping from it nervously. I almost got caught making out with Cameron’s girlfriend. His own girlfriend. On his special night. If I was trying to give Cameron’s life back, this wasn’t a very good way to do it.

  “Why so blushy-blushy, Sloane?” the tan, plastic-looking girl from across the table asked me. “She is your girlfriend, isn’t she?” She smirked with her full lips and tossed her golden-brown hair over her orange shoulder, eyeing me viciously.

  With incredible haste, I mentally scanned Cameron’s yearbook, trying to match her face with the ones I saw. Please don’t be a freshman, I begged silently, knowing that I completely skipped that section earlier when Armando showed up with the contacts. I had tried to memorize every face, but it was too difficult. Everyone resembled plastic dolls at this high school.

  “Mind your own business, Tanya,” Olive snapped, rolling her eyes.

  Tanya! Dave and Tanya!

  “No one was talking to you, Olive,” Dave spat, coming to his girlfriend’s rescue. He slung his arm over her shoulder and glared at us.

  Olive just looked away, crossing her arms. I knew Dave and Tanya were the “mean kids” that every high school had, but I couldn’t feel the intimidation that everyone seemed to feel. I mean, come on! They were the bad guys? They couldn’t kill a fly if it landed under their fly-swatter!

  “Oh, you’re so big and bad, Dave,” I said, rolling my eyes and wiggling my fingers. I, too, slung an arm around Olive’s shoulders, sitting back and shooting a cocky grin at him.

  Dave’s little glare did nothing to dissolve my smug persona. Noticing this, he huffed like a little child. “Your words, not mine,” he retorted, crossing his arms.

  I scoffed, flinging a rolled up napkin in his direction. He dodged it, glaring at me with wide, green eyes. “Get lost,” I said, rolling my eyes.

  And surprisingly, they did just that, gathering their things and stalking off toward the punch table.

  Armando clapped me on the back, laughing hysterically. “Okay, that was weird,” he said in between spurts of laughter. Hudson and Olive laughed as well, shaking their heads at my actions.

  I shrugged innocently. “What?” I asked, meeting their eyes.

  But all they could do was shake their heads.

  I was just about starving when the principal made his way up to the podium to announce Homecoming king and queen. Stuffing my face with chocolate desserts, I reluctantly followed Armando and Hudson up to the stage, my hands full of pastries. On our way there, Hudson was practicing her surprise face, her eyes and mouth repeatedly forming the shape of an O as she continued to switch expressions. I would’ve laughed if I hadn’t noticed how serious she was about this.

  As I watched Hudson’s manic expressions, Armando took the pastries away from me, scolding me in his Spanish language. “Are you trying to embarrass yourself?” he whispered, flipping each into the nearest trashcan.

  I shrugged. “I’m hungry, dude,” I said, wiping my hands on my pants. “Sue me.”

  Armando just rolled his eyes and pushed me onto the stage. Once up there, I was joined by Anjolie, the camera still in her hand as she videotaped the crowd staring up at us. I saw her turn the camera to her face and say, “Can you say stage fright?” and giggle coyly. By the way she was conversing and laughing with the camera, it was as if the camera itself were her date. I almost felt bad for her. But when I saw Olive’s smiling face in the crowd, waving at me, the feelings all but disappeared from my body.

  “What a lovely night we are pleased to have on this enchanting day,” the principal was saying as he addressed the crowd. I tuned him out as he went on to comment about other things and thank the teachers and Homecoming committee for the dance. Frankly, I don’t know why he decided to choose this specific moment to make his lame-o speech. No one cared about who supplied the refreshments — they just wanted to know who were king and queen!

  “Nervous, Cameron?” Dave asked me, fixing his bowtie. He was smiling at the crowd, apparently believing that the voting polls were still open and that his smile alone would earn him more votes. What an idiot.

  “Not even the slightest bit,” I said, mimicking his smiles and even adding a few waves — you know, just to get on his nerves.

  He chuckled charmingly. “Well, you should be,” he said through smiling teeth. “Everyone knows you’re only up here ’cause of your newfound looks. Without them, you’d still be that loser kid reading some history book in the corner of the library.”

  “And what are you up here for? For being a little freak?” I retorted.

  He chuckled and patted me on the back. “Face it, Sloane. You and Anjolie don’t even belong here. This Homecoming court is for the big dogs, and, well, you’re nothing but a stupid little puppy.” He finished with a wave at a few admiring girls.

  I frowned, contemplating silently in my head at his words. I could’ve done o
ne of two things at that moment — either socked him in the face and pushed him off the stage, or be like Cameron and hold my composure.

  I decided on the latter — but with a little twist.

  Smiling innocently at the crowd, I grabbed onto the back of his neck, squeezing with the might of a thousand suns. He yelped silently, struggling to maintain his bright smile. “Now you listen here, you piece of crap,” I said through smiling teeth. “You’re messing with the wrong guy, alright? You wanna dance? We’ll dance. But right now is neither the time nor place.” I released him, giving him a little shove. He glared at me as he rubbed his neck. I continued to smile at the crowd but managed a deathly glare in his direction. “Don’t worry; there’ll be enough time for me to break your legs after I win Homecoming King.”

  See? Composure.

  Before Dave could spit out any more of his idiotic threats, the principal began to announce king and queen. “This year’s Homecoming Queen is…” He opened up a small envelope that was handed to him by some small freshman. “…Hudson Mendoza!”

  Hudson gasped dramatically and covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes wide, her mouth gaping like the crowned winner of a beauty pageant. Everyone clapped as the principal placed the diamond encrusted crown — weren’t those supposed to be fake? — on her head and handed her a bouquet of flowers. She smiled and waved at the crowd, going to stand at the side and wait for her king.

  The principal then grabbed up the king’s crown, the extravagant jewels and velvet flashing in the brilliant lights. That thing looked like it cost more than a newborn child. “The king, ladies and gentleman, is…” he opened the envelope, “Cameron Sloane!”

  Who’s the man? I am.

  Shooting a cocky grin at that stupid Dave guy, I saddled over to the principal and bent my knees, allowing him to place the heavy crown onto my head. I tried not to appear too excited, but I couldn’t hold back the happy smile that was plastered onto my face. What a lucky guy that Cameron was.

  The principal patted me on the back and handed me my pimp staff. “Good job, Cameron,” he congratulated. “All that studying and hard work, and you still win the hearts of the school. I’m proud of you, Mr. Soon-To-Be-Valedictorian.” He gave me a nod and gestured over to Hudson, indicating that it was time for our dance.

  I thanked the principal and then high-fived Armando and hugged Anjolie. They seemed really happy for me, smiling as if it were their own child winning his own award. I smiled at them before joining Hudson and leading her to the dance floor. I even managed a humble smile in Dave and Tanya’s red faces, avoiding the ruder gesture of flipping them off.

  When Hudson and I got onto the dance floor, I took her into my arms and we began swaying to the slow music while everyone watched from the crowd.

  Hudson and I met eyes and smiled shyly at one another, knowing that this was the first time the two of us were ever this close. Trying to diminish the awkwardness of the situation, I contorted my face into a funny expression, and she laughed, tossing her head back with amusement.

  “You are never serious, Cam,” she said, looking at me with her smiling mahogany eyes.

  I shrugged a little, cocking my head to the side. “What’s to be serious about?” I asked coyly.

  She just shook her head, smiling as she looked away from me, looking through the crowds. When she spotted Armando staring back at us with stern eyes, she sighed and rolled her eyes. “Even at a dance, he’s still jealous,” she said softly.

  I looked over at him and gave him the nod. He returned the gesture, but his eyes still remained on Hudson. “What’s he think we’re gonna do? Make out?”

  I was joking, but Hudson answered seriously. “Yes.”

  I looked at her, shooting her with a confused expression. “Why would I do that? You’re his girlfriend!” I mean, Hudson was hot and all, but I had my own girl waiting for me in the crowd.

  Hudson shrugged one shoulder, looking away from Armando’s piercing eyes. “Well, you took Cameron’s girlfriend,” she responded lightly. “What makes him think you’re not going to take his girlfriend?”

  The question was rhetorical but I felt the need to answer anyway. “I’m not!” I said, stung by Armando’s distrust. “I would never do that to Armando!” I looked over at him, watching as he stood there, arms crossed, staring wistfully at his girlfriend dancing in my arms. I was so repulsed by his suspicions that I wanted to step out of Hudson’s arms and get as far away from her as possible. Armando was a good guy; I could never do such a horrible thing as steal his girl.

  “And I didn’t steal Cameron’s girlfr—” I looked back at Hudson, who now had her head resting on my chest. I quickly shrugged her off. “You probably don’t want to do that,” I warned, glancing surreptitiously at Armando. “It’ll make him even more jealous.”

  She sighed and rolled her head back up, meeting my eyes. “He’ll always be jealous,” she said defeated, “it’s one of the reasons why I can’t just go off and be queen for real in Galicia.”

  “You want to be queen of the Gray Eyes?” I asked in bewilderment. I thought that job sucked! Who would actually want it?

  She smiled, finding my astonishment amusing. “Well, yeah,” she said, “I’ve always wanted to be queen of something. All the luxury, you know. I don’t see anything wrong with it, really.”

  I nodded, her words ringing truthful in my mind. What was I saying? Who doesn’t want to be queen? “Well, you should be queen of the Gray Eyes,” I offered. “You seem like you’d be good at it. Not all mean and ruthless like your father.”

  “Exactly!” she said, grinning at me. “You Gray Eyes need me. He’s getting too old for that job, anyway.”

  I was about to respond but was distracted by the sudden movement at my side. It was Armando and some other chick, dancing awfully close to us. Armando was staring daggers at the two of us, but while I was struggling to retain my composure, Hudson seemed at ease, dancing with an air of tranquility.

  Taking my eyes off of Mr. Jealous, I looked around the room, taking in all the flashing lights and pizzazz that were sprinkled everywhere. I realized that this frilly-frilly atmosphere was fun and all, but Cameron would’ve enjoyed this a lot more than I did.

  But he couldn’t be here. Not at nighttime.

  The wave of pity flew over me again as I looked at Olive, her smile bright as she stood beside Anjolie and her camera, smiling at me. Hudson’s words about how I stole Cameron’s girlfriend took over my thoughts. Staring at Olive’s happy face, I realized that I did take his girlfriend. And… I wasn’t sorry for it. I literally had no remorse for taking her. And it killed me to know that.

  In a way I was becoming Cameron, and this wasn’t good. I took his friends, his girl, his dad, his home — his everything, and he could do nothing about it. Here I was, basking in his glory while he’s just dormant, having no clue about what’s going on. Anjolie had to take a camera for him to witness this special moment. He worked for the crown, and… I’m wearing it.

  I shook my head, disgusted at my realization. I had to get out of this body and soon. And I think I had an idea how.

  I glanced back at Hudson and met her eyes. “Hey, Hudson,” I asked when I had her attention, “When did you say you were going to visit your dad?”

  Chapter Fifty Four

  Cameron

  When I awoke the next morning, the first image that popped into my head was Anjolie’s sad face when I told her that I couldn’t drive her around anymore. I felt horrible about letting her down, forcing her to walk everywhere from now on. It was like giving someone a million dollars and then snatching it away from them right when they were about to make their first purchase. I knew I had to make it up to Anjolie some way, somehow. Just soon.

  Rubbing my face, I glanced at my bedside table, noticing the large crown that sat next to my phone. I smiled, reaching over to feel the cool, red velvet. I won. I won Homecoming King. All these years of trying, and I actually won.

  I picked up the note that
lay right under the hat and read it.

  Cameron,

  You won, bud! Congrats with the win. I had a great time at the dance. Thanks for that!

  Cam

  Smiling, I placed the note back on the table and rested my head back on my pillow. I’m glad he enjoyed the dance. I won the crown and he got to party. In a way, we both got what we wanted.

  The knock on my door forced me to sit up in bed and walk over to answer it.

  “Good morning, Dad.” I greeted him as I opened the door wider.

  He walked in and sat on the foot of my bed, grabbing up one of my weights and flexing his biceps. “Hello there, kiddo,” he said. “How’s your morning so far?”

  I flexed my neck and rushed a hand through my hair. “It just started, Dad,” I answered, rummaging in my drawer for a pair of socks. At the moment, Cam had me dressed in casual basketball shorts and a plain white T-shirt. But since it was almost November, the temperature had been plummeting and it was getting seriously cold out. Definitely not the kind of weather for walking. The thought of Anjolie having to walk everywhere appeared in my head again, pulling a tight knot in my stomach.

  I shook out the thoughts and reached for a pair of socks. “So what brings you up here so early, Dad?” I asked. I pulled on the thick, black socks, tugging them all the way up to mid calf. Now, where was my sweatshirt?

  Dad shuffled around in this packet he had suddenly brought out, pulling out large, glossy photos. “Did you wanna see the Homecoming pictures?” he asked me, spreading them out onto the bed.

  I complied, joining him on the bed and leafing through the photos. They came out pretty awesome and everyone looked super fancy in their Homecoming attire. I was surprised that even though I, well, Cam, was his son, there were so many photos of Hudson and her beautiful dress — almost as if Hudson were his daughter.