Heartbreak Boys
Page 27
We both laugh.
“Aw,” Elliot says. “Look at you two, laughing in unison. His and his laughter! Cuuuuute!” He puts the doughnuts down and reaches into his rucksack. “Also … TA-DA!” He pulls out two golden plastic crowns. “I was going to do this anyway, whether you got together or not, and I was obviously hoping you would, because frankly the sexual tension on this trip has been mental and I reckon we would all have exploded if you didn’t kiss just now, but since prom was so horrible for you both, we’re going to do what should have been done then.” He stands up. “Please both kneel so I can crown you, our prom princes!”
We do as we’re told, and Elliot places a crown on each of our heads. And that’s the moment the little band further up the beach start playing “Embers” by Owl City.
I instinctively turn to Jack.
He’s sheepish. “I went to ask them if they’d play it while you were chatting to your dad.” So weird, seeing this side of him – almost embarrassed, slightly awkward, and he can’t quite look at me. He flicks his eyes up to mine. “Our song, right?”
Right. A song that’s been an unhappy memory for so long, not just because of what anyone said at that year seven disco, but because it’s everything Jack and I once were, everything we lost, both in ourselves and with each other.
Well, tonight, Jack and Nate are back. Tonight, we fly. Tonight, anything is possible, and I want to drink in this feeling for ever. I jump up and thrust my hand out for him to take. At first he just stares, and then, seeing I’m serious, he smiles. He takes my hand and I pull him to his feet. “Let’s dance,” I say.
Jack isn’t holding back. He’s right there, jumping up and down as soon as the chorus kicks in. I used the word “dancing” but it was always more like we were deep in the mosh pit – it’s hardly choreographed, it’s just … fun. Joyful.
Elliot doesn’t need any encouragement to join in, and I sure as hell don’t either. I bounce up alongside Jack and I don’t care, it’s our dance, our song, I can be me, we can be us, and no one else matters.
We don’t need a photo of this. No amount of pixels could ever capture the true brilliance of this moment. We want to feel it, live it, every sight, sound and taste of it; not filter it, crop it, and hope people like it. This is ours, just ours. We’re burning so bright, tonight will be etched on my brain, and if I do ever forget, when I get old, it won’t matter, because it’s also right here, deep in my heart. And I won’t ever let those flames die again. Not ever.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Picking the right people for a summer road-trip is crucial, but here’s a few who would definitely get an invite…
I’ve been lucky enough to work with two fabulous editors on Heartbreak Boys, so massive thanks to both Linas Alsenas and Jenny Glencross, not just for all your brilliant notes and feedback, but for being THE BEST fun too.
Thank you to the rest of Scholastic UK – Lauren Fortune, Pete Matthews, Harriet Dunlea, Rebecca Gillies, and the rest of the gang in PR, marketing, sales, rights, editorial and the team from Bounce.
Liam Drane, you’ve illustrated and designed yet another awesome cover that I love from the bottom of my heart – thank you!
My marvellous agent, Joanna Moult at Skylark Literary.
The long-suffering Sarah Counsell.
All the wonderful school librarians who have championed my books and invited me in to their schools. A special mention to: Jane Earley (Cavendish); Iayat Riaz (St. Peter’s); Susan Mulkern (Chichester High); Wendy McCabe (Brooke Weston Academy); Laura Ferguson (Wirral Grammar School for Girls); Heather Grainger (Weatherhead High); Debbie Haynes (Prenton High); Julie Lawrence (St. Osmund’s); and Claire Marris and Sophie Jones (Toot Hill School).
Jim, Uli and Erica at Gay’s the Word, the team at Pickled Pepper Books, Seven Stories, along with so many other lovely booksellers everywhere, with special mention to Liam and Gavin at Waterstones Gateshead, for possibly the best Alex in Wonderland display I’ve ever seen.
The picpoul gang.
All the lovely bloggers and reviewers.
Mum, Jonathan, Liz, Alfie, Sue and Peter Counsell, Tricia, and Iris Merrifield, for being a one-girl marketing team up in Lincolnshire!
And finally to all my readers, wherever you are in the world. It’s always a joy to hear from you online, by email, or in a letter, and your kindness and support means a lot to me.
Right. I’ve got some sleeping bags, so who’s bringing the wine?
ALSO AVAILABLE FROM SIMON JAMES GREEN
Scholastic Children’s Books
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First published in the UK by Scholastic Ltd, 2020
This electronic edition published by Scholastic Ltd, 2020
Text © Simon James Green, 2020
eISBN 978 0702 30692 1
A CIP catalogue record for this work is available from the British Library.
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