“Oh.” A flustered look appeared on Cindy’s face, but in a blink of an eye, she was smiling again. “Of course.” She put the hot pink dress back on the rack before pulling out a lime green one that was just as short as the other one but had a bunch of sparkly stars on the top half. She held the dress out proudly to me. “What about this one?”
“Uh…” I tried to find the right words that would hurt Cindy’s feelings less. “Bright colors like that really aren’t my thing.”
“Oh.” Cindy’s perky smile fell from her face as she lowered the dress and hung it back on the rack. “Well, how about–”
“Actually,” I interrupted, “I think I might look for myself again if you don’t mind.”
Cindy turned to me and I could see some of her frustration etched in the small lines of her face. “Yes. Of course.” Raising her nose up toward the ceiling, she stalked off.
I felt bad that I had hurt Cindy’s feelings as I stepped closer to the rack she just stepped away from. I hadn’t wanted to offend her, but her styles just weren’t me.
Shaking my head to rid Cindy from my mind, I focused on the dresses in front of me, trying to figure out which one would make me look less like an airhead.
* * *
“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” I mumbled for the hundredth time as I twisted around, eyeing my dress in the full-length mirror that hung on the back of my bedroom door. After Cindy had left me, I had searched around for a good fifteen minutes until I found the one dress that made me want to gag less. It was a one shoulder, baby blue dress that was a little longer than mid-thigh.
“Jaqueline! Alec is here,” Dad called from where he sat in the living room, checking the weather station for tomorrow.
“Okay, here goes nothing,” I mumbled to myself as I hurried to my dresser to add some mascara and lip gloss, before hurrying out into the living room.
“You look very nice,” Dad complimented, getting up from the couch once I entered the living room.
“Thanks.” I brushed out a few wrinkles from my dress. “I’m probably not going to be there very long tonight.”
“No?”
I shook my head. “Just for an hour or so, being that it is my last Homecoming dance.”
“I see.” Dad nodded his head in understanding before reaching into his back pocket. “Here.” He pulled out his wallet and offered me a few bills.
“Dad, it’s not necessary,” I said, holding my hands up, palms out facing him. “I’ve got money. And if I run out, Alec owes me.”
“Are you sure?” Dad asked. He started to put his money back and stuffed his wallet into his pocket.
I nodded. “Yes, but thanks anyway.”
“Well, have fun.” He opened his arms out to me. I instantly stepped into them.
“I will.”
Stepping out of Dad’s arms, I hurried through the kitchen and left.
As I walked over toward the Mom Van, I met Alec’s eyes through the windshield. He smirked at me.
“I hate you,” I stated as I climbed into the passenger seat. I slammed the door close before meeting Alec’s green eyes. I glared mockingly at him.
Alec laughed. “You don’t mean that.”
I rolled my eyes as I settled back in my seat. He knew I didn’t hate him. I didn’t think I could ever hate him. We’ve been friends for over ten years.
Closing my eyes, I thought back to the day when Alec and I had first met. I had been building a sandcastle in the sandbox at school when Alec had suddenly appeared out of nowhere and smashed it down. But instead of crying, like most kids at that age would have done if someone had wrecked something they worked so hard to make, I stood up and shoved his chest, sending him toppling to the ground. After that day, we instantly clicked.
I smiled at the distant memory.
“We’re here,” Alec announced, startling me from my memory.
I opened my eyes and saw that we were parked in the school lot. Even though it was getting darker earlier now that winter was approaching, I could still make out the couples that stepped out of their vehicles and started for the school.
“I still can’t believe you’re making me do this,” I grumbled as I unbuckled myself from the seat.
Alec chuckled again. “Oh, come on. It’ll be fun.”
Says one of the most popular guys in school. I pushed open my door and slid out into the chilly breeze. I instantly regretted not bringing a jacket.
“Ready?” Alec asked, even though he already knew I wasn’t. He was just saying it to tease me.
I frowned at him. “You know I’m not.”
He smiled and stretched out his hand toward me, waiting for me to take it. But instead of taking it, I just slapped my hand against his and continued forward, my head held high and my dress fluttering softly in the breeze.
Behind me, I could hear Alec chuckle.
We walked toward the school in comfortable silence. We entered the light brick building behind two freshman girls, who went overboard on hairspray and makeup. They giggled to one another as they swung open the door, the last of the two holding the door open for me.
“Your Majesty,” I teased as I held the door open for Alec. As he passed by with a smirk on his face and mirth in his eyes, I did a little curtsey before following him into the school.
We walked a few empty hallways that were dimmed for the night before we reached the gymnasium where the dance was being held. Once inside, my eyes danced around, taking everything in. There was white and green Christmas lights and streamers strung up above our heads and tables placed in one fourth of the room, all of them already occupied by students who didn’t want to dance. There was a DJ table set up in the farther side of the gym, a woman who looked to be having a midlife crises by wearing a super tight, cheetah-printed dress and a gallon of makeup, played irritatingly upbeat music.
“Alec, we should leave,” I said, reaching out to grab Alec’s arm as he paid Ms. Burtan for me to get into the dance. Being that he was on Homecoming Court, he got in for free. I could already feel my nervousness spike. I looked around and saw Lindsay and Audrey at the small refreshment table near the seating area; Lindsay in a Pepto-Bismol pink dress that made her highlights stand out, and Audrey in that lime-green dress that Cindy had showed me at the store earlier today, with all the sparkly stars on the top half. The light color popped out against her dark skin. Lindsay was already wearing her tiara, the gray rhinestones sparkling in the multi-colored lights. The sight of her made me nauseous.
“J.J., it’s going to be alright, okay?” Alec said, his smile disappearing from his face. He looked at me with a serious expression, his eyes locking with mine. “Besides, I have to stay at least until they announce the court.”
I pulled my arm away from him and nibbled nervously on my bottom lip. My eyes flickered around, trying to figure out what to do. I looked over to the small cluster of tables, and saw a couple get up as the music switched. I took this as my chance. Abandoning Alec by the door, I hurried to the vacated seats, claiming one for myself.
“You’re not even going to dance?” Alec claimed the other chair next to mine a moment later.
I opened my mouth to say something like “I didn’t even want to come to this stupid dance so you really think I’m going to dance?” but before I could, Pepto-Bismol and Lime came over with a sparkle in their eyes.
“Hi, Alec,” Lindsay greeted with a sugary smile, her hands hidden behind her back. Beside her, Audrey matched her smile. “I came here to give you this.” She pulled her hands from behind her back, and held out the king’s crown with fake sapphires and emeralds.
“Uh, thanks Lindsay.” Alec pressed his lips together and smiled, taking the crown from her.
“No problem.” I expected her to leave and go back to Graham, who was hanging out with some other guys from the football team, but instead she stayed put. “And to answer your question, Alec, animals don’t dance.” She flashed a sticky-sweet smile in my direction, her light brown eyes sparkling with hatred. Audre
y giggled behind her hand as Lindsay flipped some of her hair off her shoulder, then turned and walked back over to their dates.
I swallowed a painful lump in my throat as I felt emotions stirring within my chest.
Don’t take her words seriously, J.J., I told myself even though my eyes stung with unshed tears.
“Don’t listen to her, J.J.,” Alec said, his voice hushed. He looked at me with concern in his eyes.
“When do I ever?” I turned to meet his eyes with a forced smile on my face.
“J.J…” He started to reach out toward me, seeing the watery glimmer in my eyes.
“Alec, I’m fine,” I said sternly. I watched him pull his hand back and rest it on his knee.
I don’t know how long Alec and I sat there in silence, listening as the music switched from one upbeat song to another, with an occasional slow song here and there. I had passed the time, fiddling with the bottom hem of my dress and observing the other dresses. After a while, though, the music stopped and the lights came on, startling me from twisting a strand of dark hair around on my finger.
“Alright, everyone,” Ms. Burtan announced excitedly, taking over the DJ’s microphone. “It’s time to announce this year’s Homecoming court!”
I stifled back a groan as Ms. Burtan said, “Representing the Freshman class is Bethany Davis and Conlan Grady!”
The whole gym erupted with applause as the two skinny-looking freshman made their way toward the DJ’s table, in front of the school. Even I gave them a little applause.
“For the Sophomore class is Claire Paxton and Brody Jefferson!” Ms. Burtan continued. Another round of applause.
As Ms. Burtan announced the juniors, I peeked over at Alec, who was arranging his crown on top of his head. When he saw me peeking at him, he turned to me and asked, “Do I look okay?”
I smiled lightly. “You look like a king.”
He smiled lightly back.
“And now, for the moment you’ve all been waiting for,” Ms. Braxton said into the mic. “Your 20– Homecoming king and queen; Lindsay Fischer and Alec Griswald!”
I clapped, despite Lindsay’s name being called, as Alec rose tentatively from his seat beside me and walked up toward the rest of the Homecoming court. I watched Alec as he stood in line with a hint of color in his cheeks as Lindsay looped her arm through his, even though he didn’t offer his to her.
“Now it’s time for the Homecoming court’s dance,” Ms. Burtan announced before moving away from the table, just as the lights dimmed down again, so that the DJ could play something slow and melodic.
When the song started to play, the court couples moved together so they could sway like the branches of a Willow tree to the sound of the music. I had to tear my eyes away from Lindsay and Alec, whose crowns sparkled and glittered as they moved together as one.
I played with the silver and green confetti that was scattered about the surface of the table, before a shadow stepped in front of me, blocking out the green light that had been shining down on me. For a moment, I was afraid I had been so bored that I had fallen asleep, but then I looked up and saw Alec standing before me, not Reve.
“Wanna dance?” he asked.
“I thought this was the court’s dance?”
Alec shook his head, his crown staying perfectly in place. “The court only has to dance together for half of the song. We can dance with whoever we want for the last half.”
“Oh.” Now that he mentioned it, I could see that the court did break apart and were now dancing with their respective dates. Turning my eyes back to Alec, I said, “Alec, you know I can’t dance.”
“Don’t be ridiculous; everyone can dance.” He held out his hand for me to take. “Come on. Just this half of one.”
“Fine. But if you step on my toe, I’m going to stomp on yours.” I took his hand and let him pull me out of my chair and onto the dance floor.
When we got out there, I let Alec wrap his hands around my waist (despite how awkward it felt) as I let my hands wrap lightly around his neck. As we slowly stepped side-to-side in a small circle, I looked at the other couples who were dancing and was surprised to see Lindsay sitting next to Graham at one of the tables, cloaked in shadows. Graham was messing with something on his phone, while Lindsay fumed in her chair, her arms crossed over her chest and her bottom lip sticking out as she observed the people around her.
“See, this isn’t so bad.” Alec’s voice came out low and a little husky next to my ear.
I turned my head to look at him, not saying anything. I didn’t want to admit that he was right.
Alec and I danced in silence for the rest of the song. It was strange dancing with my best friend. I didn’t want to look at his face because it reminded me of how close we were, so I ended up looking everywhere else but him. That’s how I saw Lindsay and Audrey approaching us, just when the song slowed to an end, a wicked glint in their eyes and a glass of fruit punch in their hands.
“J.J.!” Lindsay called, coming nearer.
Confused, Alec and I pulled apart.
“What do you want, Lindsay?” I asked, not liking that devious sparkle in her eyes.
“I just wanted to come over and say that you’re dress is really cute. Ooh!” She faked a stumble once she was near me, dumping the contents of her drink onto me. I gasped as the cool, red liquid splashed onto my light blue dress, staining the material an ugly purple color.
“Oops! I’m so sorry, Jaqueline.” But by the smile she tried to suppress behind her hand, I could tell she wasn’t being sincere. Behind her, Audrey giggled before taking a sip of her own punch.
A few people around us stopped dancing to look over at us with gawking faces. I could feel my cheeks heat up and my throat swell up. Tears poked at my eyes.
Alec frowned. “Lindsay, why would–”
Not being able to stand the gazes of the dancers nor the triumphant glee in Lindsay’s and Audrey’s eyes, I ran from the gym, as fast as my feet would let me.
* * *
Cool wind wrapped around me in a unwanted hug when I broke through the front doors of the school and into the night. I was nearly gasping for air when I dropped to the grassy lawn, just right to the cement path that led to the school’s front door. I barely registered the pain that spiraled through my knees when they slammed against the ground, being too suffocated by embarrassment to care.
“J.J.! Where are you?” Behind me, I could hear the front door of the school open, and Alec rush out.
I opened my mouth to say “Get away, Alec,” but all that came out was a choked sob.
“J.J.?” A moment later, Alec was kneeling in front of me. Even with the scent of fresh cut grass and dying leaves surrounding me, I could still smell Alec’s Old Spice.
“I hate her,” I said, finding my words through all of my sobbing. I raised my eyes to lock with Alec’s, not caring that my mascara was probably smudged and running down my cheeks. “I hate Lindsay Fischer.”
A sad look crossed Alec’s face. I could sense him watching me as I looked down and pulled the stain on my dress taught. “I mean, look at what she did to my dress. I mean, yeah, I didn’t pay very much for this, but I still paid for it with my own money. Not all of us have rich daddies who can afford hundred dollar dresses to wear for one night.” Another tear escaped my lashes. I could feel it roll down my cheek and fall into the cress of my lips. It tasted salty.
“Maybe it’ll come out with some Shout?” Alec offered meekly.
I shrugged my shoulders, before letting go of my dress. I sucked in a deep breath and closed my eyes. Around me, I could hear the chorus of crickets and the buzzing of bugs. There was a soft breeze that whispered through the night and stirred my hair in front of my face. I didn’t even bother to push it back.
“J.J., can I do something?” Alec asked, his voice soft and unsure. He raised a hand and pushed the strand of hair that danced in front of my face back behind my ear.
I opened my eyes and raised a suspicious brow at him. “Lik
e what?”
“Close your eyes again.”
“Why?” If he planned on tickling me to make me feel better, like he did when we were younger, I was going to smack him.
“Just do it, okay?” There was a small shadow of plead in his voice.
“Fine. But you better not tickle me.” With a little huff, I closed my eyes. “Okay, now what?”
For a moment, nothing happened, but then Alec’s soft voice, stirred the hairs around my left ear. “Please don’t get mad at me.”
I frowned. What would I get mad at him about?
Then, something soft touched my lips, pressing and molding against mine. Out of instinct, I leaned forward, molding my lips more with his, until I realized it was Alec. My best friend Alec. With a gasp, I yanked away from him and stood up to my feet, not even bothering to brush off the grass and dirt that stuck to my knees. I stared down at Alec, who looked slightly panicked, my mouth hanging open, my eyes bulging. “What the hell was that?”
“I told you not to get mad,” Alec said, rising to his feet. Panic was etched on his face.
“Not get mad? Alec, you freakin’ kissed me! Why the hell would you do that?”
“J.J…” I watched him in the dim lighting that came from the yard lights that stood throughout the parking lot, take off his glimmering crown to run a hand through his gelled hair. “I like you. I like you more than just my best friend.”
I stared at him, my mouth hanging open and my eyes popping out like an idiot. “What? How?”
Alec looked down at his black dress shoes, taking a moment to gather his words. When he looked up, he said, “J.J., we’ve known each other for over ten years. You’re the one girl that makes me laugh and that I can be myself around. I know the skeletons in your closet and you know the ones in mine. We have a connection. And for me, it’s more than just being your friend.”
I took in a deep breath, trying to calm my racing nerves. Was Alec saying that he liked me in the girlfriend kind of way? But that could never happen. We’re friends. It would just be too weird.
I opened my mouth, ready to tell Alec exactly this, but one look at his eyes, made the words freeze on the tip of my tongue. So instead, I just shook my head, my bangs falling into my eyes, and walked past him toward the parking lot.
The Land of Dreams Page 4