A Prom to Remember(27)

“So you’re breaking up with him because you’re a lesbian?” Teagan asked.

“No, that’s not what I mean. I mean, I might be like bi or something, I haven’t even really considered other people because I’ve always been with Jamie. You guys have had a million crushes each.”

“You’ve had crushes,” Josie pointed out.

“On celebrities. But in real life it’s almost like I’ve been blind to everyone who isn’t Jamie. I don’t know. I guess my point is, it’s time to try something new. We’re not married. Why do I always act like we are?”

“Because you’re a good and loyal person,” Teagan said.

Cora had to smile at that. “Thanks.”

“It’s true, you really are,” Josie agreed.

“Do you really think you’re bi?” Teagan asked. Cora couldn’t see her face, but her voice was normal and not strained as if she was worrying Cora was about to try to make out with her.

“I don’t know,” Cora said. Her thoughts drifted for a moment to the way her lab partner Madison’s hair fell in front of her face when she was using the microscope. Cora had always admired the way Madison’s hair fell, but maybe she was really admiring Madison.

“Well, if you are, that’s cool,” Josie said. “I don’t mean, like, I just mean, I’m cool with that.”

“Yeah, me too,” Teagan said.

“Thanks,” Cora said, grinning at her friends’ slightly awkward declaration. And she knew it was true when the subject changed.

“What are you going to do about next year?” Teagan asked.

“That is a good question,” Cora said. “It’s too late to switch schools. My parents already put down a deposit. I might just have to suck it up and go to BU. And it was my idea to go there in the first place!”

“It’s a big school, so maybe you won’t have to see him that much,” Teagan offered.

“When are you going to tell him?” Josie asked.

“I don’t know. I want to do it like right away. I feel like I’m lying to him at this point, but I don’t really want to break up with him before prom. That feels sort of mean, you know?”

“I guess. I don’t know what’s meaner,” Teagan said. “Isn’t it a little bit like stringing him along at this point?”

Teagan pulled up in front of Cora’s house, and Cora leaned against the front seat to look at them. “Thanks, you guys, for listening and for saying nice things to me.”

Teagan put the car in park. “Of course and always.”

“Now go home and watch your show.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Teagan said, saluting Cora.

“Text me if you need me,” Josie said.

“Yeah, me too,” Teagan said.

Cora didn’t want to leave her friends and go out into the cool night air, but it was time. Teagan honked as she pulled away from the curb, and Cora felt like maybe she’d be able to accomplish this. Like maybe she’d be able to break up with Jamie. She definitely felt better suited for the task now that she knew she had her two best friends by her side.





Chapter 13

Lizzie

The laptop cart was ready and waiting at the front of the classroom when Lizzie walked into English class Friday afternoon. The cart had been absent for nearly a week.

About time, Lizzie thought. She had missed their conversations.

She opened up their shared document to see what else he had to say. After Lizzie read the brief message a couple of times, she worked on writing back for most of the rest of the period. She couldn’t stop smiling, just thinking about the reality of meeting him. Though Mystery Boy was right, it was better to have a concrete time to meet up.

After telling him she agreed with the new plan, she added some more thoughts.

Is it weird that even though we still don’t know exactly who the other person is I suddenly feel a lot more vulnerable? (Don’t worry; I’ll answer that for myself. Yes. It’s weird.) I guess the idea of meeting you and you meeting me and therefore meeting each other. Yeah, so that’s super redundant.

But anyway. I’m really glad you want to go with me. Or meet me there. Are we going together if we’re meeting there? I don’t know how that works.

Lizzie wrapped up the message soon after that, feeling like she was babbling an awful lot. The rest of the period dragged on, but as soon as the bell rang Lizzie sprinted off to her locker.

Two seconds after she got there, Madison came up next to her.

“So,” Madison said, her eyes wide with an unspoken question. “How was English class?”

Lizzie leaned against her locker and sighed dreamily. It was proof of Madison’s loyalty that she didn’t make fun of Lizzie’s heart eyes.

“He wanted to talk more about logistics and meeting up and everything. He keeps saying how happy he is that we’re going to meet.”

Madison let out a loud whoop and leaned on the locker next to Lizzie’s, getting comfortable. “And you’re obviously pleased with these developments.”

“I do feel happy. I feel like I’m going to the prom with a boy and I never expected this to happen to me.”

Madison tsked. “As your best friend, I can totally tell you this was going to happen for you.”