The Reluctant Prom Date (The Reluctant Series Book 4)

by Melanie Brown

  "No, she thought it was funny."

  "Why is she going in your place?"

  Looking sheepish, I lifted my boobs up slightly and said, "These things. Like I said before, I can't go to the contest if I've had surgery recently. Coach is afraid I'll get hurt."

  "I know, man! And it's my fault you're not going!" said Joey sadly. "Again, I am so sorry, Chrissy!"

  "Joey it's not your fault!" I exclaimed. "Like I said before, please don't blame yourself."

  "If I hadn't offered you the surgery in the first place, you'd still be going to the contest." Joey bumped his head against his locker door and said, "Am I a screw up or what?"

  With a stern voice I said, "It's not your fault, Joey and I won't hear another word about it!"

  Looking at the floor with an upset expression on his face, Joey muttered, "I guess there's no reason to ask you what I originally intended to ask you."

  I softened my voice and expression and stepped closer to Joey. I said, "Joey, I'm not mad at you, okay? Just forget it. What were you going to ask me?"

  "It was going to be hard enough to ask in the first place, but now..."

  "What?!"

  Joey swallowed and hesitated a moment, still staring at the floor. Finally he said, "I was wondering if you... if maybe you would... if you would, I don't know... maybe go to the prom with me?"

  "You want to take me to the prom?" I asked in almost a whisper.

  Joey said, "I know. Stupid idea, huh? I mean you've probably been asked by every jock in school by now. I can't think of any reason why any girl would go with me, you know? I shouldn't have asked."

  I couldn't believe Joey ask me to the prom! He's my oldest friend and he's the only one in school outside the squad and Jeff who knows who I really am. And while there're lots of girls he could ask, he asked me! And I know I'm not the only girl he could ask. I've overheard quite a few girls talk about him.

  "Yes."

  Joey said, "Forget I said anything. You'll want to go with some big handsome jock. I'm just a geek and I messed things up for you."

  "I said 'Yes' Joey."

  Joey said, "You'll want to be with someone who'll impress all your friends and..." He paused a moment and looked back up towards me. "What? Did you say?"

  Interrupting I said, "Joey, I'd love to be your date to the prom!"

  Joey's face lit up like a Christmas tree with a huge ear-to-ear grin. "Honest? You'll go with me?"

  "I wouldn't want to go with any other guy," I said sincerely.

  Joey suddenly hugged me. "Thank you, Chrissy! Thanks for letting me take you to the prom!"

  * * *

  Chapter 11

  “Why Joey?” asked Mandy after taking a bite of her salad. “I mean, like some of the most gorgeous hunks in school like, asked you to the prom, you know? And you like, picked that geeky computer guy?” She shook her head.

  Leaning across the lunchroom table, Brandi said, “Yeah. Like, what’s up with that?”

  “What's wrong with Joey?” I asked. “You don't think he's cute?”

  Stephanie leaned around Mandy and said, “Oh, he’s very cute, but he’s not a jock. A girl like you deserves to be on the arm of a big hunky jock.”

  From across the table, Brittney said, “Yeah. I mean, Joey’s kinda skinny. He looks like a nerd. I mean, we heard like, Zach asked you to the prom!”

  I laughed and said, “Okay guys! Yeah, it was great to be asked out by Zach and Tony, and some of the others, but Joey really is the best choice for me. I mean, like think about it. How can I realistically go on a date with a guy who doesn’t…” I looked around and lowered my voice before continuing, “who doesn’t know about me?”

  Mandy gave me a funny look and said, “Joey knows? He knows about yourum…” She glanced down at my crotch and said, “… your birth defect? How? Did you tell him?”

  Shaking my head I said, “No, I didn’t say anything to him. He’s known from the beginning. I mean, I’ve known Joey for a long time — since before first grade. We used to play computer games together a lot. I never really like, expected him to ask me out.”

  Brandi said, “Why would he ask you out? Is he gay?”

  I frowned at her and said coldly, “No. He’s not gay. I’m a girl, remember?”

  Mandy said, “Brandi, like don’t be so stupid. Guys are visual. I mean, look at Jeff. Guys only see a pretty girl when they look at Chrissy. And we all know that a guy stops thinking with his big head when he like, sees a pretty girl.” The girls all nodded and giggled.

  Turning to me, Mandy said, “I’m happy for you, Chrissy. I agree. Joey’s a great choice for you. He’s cute, he’s funny and he must really like you if he asks you out even though he like, you know, knows.”

  * * *

  We left the Pizza Hut hand in hand, Joey and me. I couldn’t believe the excitement I felt holding his hand. As we walked toward his car, I glanced over at him and smiled. I had never realized how I had felt about Joey until this, our first date. As we had sat across from each other and talked about everything, it finally dawned on me that I had been crushing on him for months, but denying it to myself. And I really don’t believe that I have these feelings just because I’m angry with Jeff.

  Joey noticed me smiling at him, smiled back and said, “That’s such a beautiful smile.” We stopped in front of his car, Joey still squeezing my hand as he continued, “And you’re such a beautiful girl.”

  A tingle shot through me at the sound of his words. I was almost beside myself in the euphoria I felt just standing next to him. The feelings that were percolating inside me were just as great or maybe even more than what I felt around Jeff. “Thanks!” I squealed and cast my eyes shyly to the ground.

  Joey stepped to the side, unlocked, and then opened the passenger side door of his car for me. Despite the cooler temperatures, I’d worn my shortest pleated denim skirt,

  so as he opened his door, I carefully climbed into the car so I wouldn’t flash my underwear at any one.

  As he started the car, Joey turned toward me and said, “Are you sure you don’t have time to go to a movie tonight?”

  Smiling at him, I said, “Oh, I wish! But I like, really need to help Diane with her hair and to help get her packed for the trip tomorrow.” The squad, with Diane going in my place, were going to be riding in the school van to the cheerleading contest. Diane needed to darken her hair so that it would look more like mine. I needed to help her pack and coach her on names of some of the other non-squad members who were also going. To make it even worse, the van was leaving the school at five in the morning. They were going to drive all day Friday for the contest on Saturday.

  Joey shook his head and said, “Just my luck. I finally manage to get the most beautiful girl in school, and I only get one short date before not being able to see you for several days.” He backed the car out and started exiting the parking lot before saying, “I don't understand why we can't see each other? Your sister is taking your place at the contest, right?”

  Laughing, I pushed his head playfully and said, “Duh! I can't be seen if I'm supposed to be at the contest! Don't worry, we'll get to see each other soon enough. And we can still talk on the phone. Better yet, maybe a little ‘deathmatch’ this weekend. I think my computer still works.”

  Joey laughed and said, “Why bother? There's no way a girl can beat me!”

  Feigning anger I said, “Look here, Saotome! This girl has like, seriously kicked your butt on more than one occasion!”

  Joey laughed and started to say something. He then looked thoughtful for a moment, and looked straight ahead out of the windshield. “Only you weren't a girl then. You know, maybe this...”

  I reached over and placed a finger on Joey's lips and said, “Don't say it. Don't even think it. Please don't ruin what's been a really great evening.”

  Joey nodded and smiled weakly as he said, “You're right.” He looked over at me and shaking his head said, “Yeah, there's no boy left in you at all.”


  We didn't say much on the drive back to my home. It bothered me that Joey would suddenly have second thoughts. He's known about me for six months and still asked me to the prom only to have doubts? Maybe it's because intellectually, he realizes what's between my legs regardless of anything else about how I look or behave. I hoped he could get over it because there's nothing I can do about that. Not now, anyway.

  Joey drove the car to the curb by my house and I felt disappointment as he got out of the car as soon as it stopped rolling. He walked around to my door and opened it. Frowning, I got out of the car guessing that at least for tonight, he couldn't get past the fact that underneath, I'm a guy.

  As he shut the car's door, he said, “I'll walk you to your door, Chrissy.” He took my hand and led me to my front door.

  We stood on the porch and he said, “Chrissy, I really enjoyed being with you tonight. I wish we could have had more time.”

  I smiled, “I did too, Joey. I had a good time. I’m really looking forward our next date.”

  Grinning, Joey looked like he was about to say something. He just stared at me for a moment, looking straight into my eyes. He reached up with one hand and gently brushed some loose strands of hair from my face. His hand lingered for a moment against the side of my face and ear.

  He leaned in toward me, and then hesitated. I smiled and cast my eyes downward for a moment and leaned into him. I looked up at him and smiled shyly. I leaned further into him and started to close my eyes.

  And then his lips were against mine. I put my arms around his neck as he pressed into me, kissing me softly. We pulled apart for a moment and smiled at each other, and then we embraced again, his kiss more passionate. I heard him moan softly as I slid my tongue into his mouth. Our tongues touched as we held each other close.

  We stood there and kissed for several minutes. Joey pressed into me and I could feel that he was aroused. I pulled away from him slightly and somewhat breathless said, “I probably should get inside…”

  Suddenly looking embarrassed, Joey said, “Um, yeah. Okay.” He looked down at his feet. “I need to go anyway.”

  I lifted his chin back up and smiled at him. I said, “I had a really great time, Joey.” I then gave him a soft, lingering kiss. I then stepped back from him and put my hand on the doorknob.

  Joey took a couple of steps backward, flashed a nervous smile and said, “Hey. I'll... uh... call you, ok?”

  Smiling back at him I said, “I'll be waiting for your call.”

  He gave me a little wave, shrugged and turned around and walked back to his car.

  * * *

  “I can't believe I'm going to be stuck in the house for three days!” I complained to Diane while she was bent over the sink rinsing out her hair. It looked too dark, but it was also wet. Hopefully, when dry, Diane's hair will be the same shade as mine.

  Diane started wringing the excess water from her hair as she said, “We'll lighten your hair so you can look like me. That way you can go to the mall or out to eat with Dad or something. You know all my friends. I think you could fake your way through a few days.”

  I shook my head and said, “I don't think I could pass for you. I mean, I don't look that old!”

  “Old?!” Diane yelled. “I'm not old!”

  I shrugged and said, “Face it sis. You do look much more mature than I do.”

  As she wrapped a towel around her head and stood up, Diane sneered, “I'll loan you my cane.”

  I followed Diane back to her bedroom. I flopped on her bed as she sat down at her vanity. I said, “Thanks for doing this, Diane. I really do appreciate it. I just wish I was going.”

  Diane unwrapped the towel and let her damp hair fall around her shoulders. She said, “Honestly Chrissy, you should have asked Coach about any surgeries and waited to get your boob job. They can’t have one of your boobs falling off during a routine, you know.”

  I nodded and said, “I know, it was stupid of me to have this crazy desire to have breasts. Still, I’m glad I have them.”

  “Nothing we can do about it now, anyway,” shrugged Diane. She ran a brush through her damp hair and continued, “Now, if we lighten your hair, and you wear my clothes and wear your make-up more like me, I think you’ll have no trouble passing for me.” She turned around to watch herself brush her hair.

  “Do you think I could pass for you? Over several days?” I asked.

  After running the brush through her hair a few more strokes, she motioned for me to sit next to her and said, “We definitely look alike. I think we’ve proved that more than once. I mean, I wouldn’t even be going to the contest if we didn’t pass for each other. The biggest difference is that you’re not quite the bitch I am.” She moved to the chair in front of her vanity. “Let me show you how I wear my make-up so you can look exactly like me.”

  I pulled up the spare chair in her room and as I sat down, she started going through some of the cosmetics scattered on her vanity. I said, “I just washed my face, Diane. And I know how to wear make-up.”

  “Well, you can just wash your face again. Let’s take a look.” She started smoothing foundation on my face. “Let’s see what you look like wearing your make-up like I do. Unlike you, I don’t keep Maybelline in business all by myself.”

  I just sat there for the next few minutes while she made up my face. She’d do the same to her face with each item after she was done with me. I thought to myself about how this didn’t seem strange to me at all. In fact, the only thing that annoyed me was her comment about how I do my own make-up. My old life was now very far behind me.

  “There!” she announced as she sat back and placed the mascara bottle back on the vanity. “Come here. Put your head next to mine and look in the mirror.”

  I stood up, moved behind her and crouched down to make my face even with Diane’s and pressed my cheek against hers. With her hair now darker to match mine, and even though we’ve done this comparison before, we both gasped as we stared into the mirror. If I didn’t know which one was me, I wouldn’t have been able to tell us apart.

  “Oh my God! Diane, we’re twins! I look just like you now. Only younger, cuter and less bitchy.”

  * * *

  I stood by the window and watched Mom drive Diane away to school to meet up with the others to ride in the school van to the contest. We hugged, kissed and cried and she was finally on her way to go to my contest. The contest I’ve been striving for since becoming a cheerleader.

  Sighing, I turned from the window. I realized it was probably for the best since it meant not having to do anything outlandish to swap between Diane and me for the physical inspection. And with TV cameras and thousands of people, I would have been under greater scrutiny than ever before. And, while I’d never admit it, Diane is a better cheerleader than me. Despite her advanced age.

  Instead of crawling back into bed, I instead wandered into the bathroom. I looked at my disheveled but now blondish hair. I hoped that by becoming blonde I hadn’t killed off very many brain cells. A quick assessment of myself indicated that I still could recite some scientific concepts and that I hadn’t developed any predilection towards giggling.

  I giggled at the thought of my self-evaluation and immediately stifled it with the sobering thought that the blondeness will slowly creep into my brain, destroying higher brain functions over time, rather than all at once.

  Looking at the jumble of cosmetics on the bathroom counter, I picked out the make-up that Diane preferred and got myself ready to face the day.

  * * *

  Not having anything else to do, I decided to visit the mall. I’d seen Gwen’s car in the parking lot and thought I’d visit her and see if I could fool her into thinking I was Diane.

  As I entered the theater, Denise, one of the girls behind the counter looked up, “May I help… Chrissy? Girl, what are you doing here? Aren’t you…” A puzzled look came over her face as she began to notice the differences like my hair and clothing choices. “… Oh, you’re not Chrissy, are you?�
�

  I laughed, “No, no. I’m her sister Diane. I just came by to visit Gwen. Is she around?” I asked as I looked around the mostly empty theater lobby.

  Denise nodded towards Gwen’s office, “Yeah, she’s in her office with some salesman. She should be done shortly. It’s odd though. She hates talking to salesmen so she’s usually done with them in ten or fifteen minutes, but for some reason she’s given him over half an hour.”

  I just shrugged. I wanted to say I knew that since I’ve been working there for months. But Diane hasn’t, so I just said, “You mind if I hang out for a few minutes in case she’s done soon?”

  Denise shrugged back at me, “Okay with me.”

  I spent the next few minutes, wandering around the theater, looking at the posters of coming attractions. Funny how I never spend much time hanging out at the theater. When I’m done with my shift, all I want to do is get the heck out of there. I turned to head back towards Gwen’s office when I heard her door swing open.

  The salesman exited the office, with a smiling Gwen following close behind him. Something struck me as familiar with the salesman, but as I hadn’t gotten a good look at his face, I couldn’t be sure. I continued walking towards Gwen’s office. And that’s when the salesman turned to look at me.

  He suddenly stopped dead in his tracks and his jaw dropped. I just stood there, a shock flashing down my spine. This guy was drop dead gorgeous and I’d seen him before.

  “Diane!” the salesman shouted. “My God, I can’t believe it’s you!”

  “Ph… Phil. I never thought I’d run into you again.” It was Phil, Diane’s ex-boyfriend that I’d wound up kissing when Mom, Dad and I went up to the university to bring her back home.

  Gwen stepped up, a look of mild confusion on her face and possibly a hint of annoyance as she said, “You two know each other?”

  Phil laughed and without taking his eyes off me said, “Yes. We went to college together. We even dated some.”

  Not really sure what to say, since I really didn’t know him, “That’s right. I never thought I’d see you again.”