A Prom to Remember(71)

That’s not something a background character does.

That’s the move of a Boss Level Prom Savior.

And Jacinta couldn’t stop smiling.





Chapter 34

Henry

After Paisley wandered off, Henry made a beeline for Cameron. Henry was holding a tray of Rice Krispies Treats that his mom had somehow managed to throw together in the ten minutes that Henry had spent looking for his bathing suit.

“Oh man. Can I get one of those?” Cam asked, gesturing toward the tray.

Henry grabbed one and handed it to Cameron.

Cam sighed contentedly. “I haven’t eaten all night. Thanks for this.”

“You’re welcome.”

The two boys stood in silence for a minute while Cameron’s jaws were glued shut by marshmallow-y goodness.

“I’m so sorry I didn’t make it to the prom,” Cam said. “I know I said I’d be there to cheer you on with the prom king stuff.”

“It’s cool,” Henry said. “I was wondering where you were.”

“Yeah, I probably should have texted or something. But I had like the craziest night.”

“Oh yeah? Did you meet the girl from the laptop thing?” Henry asked.

“I did. It was Lizzie Hausner. She’s inside changing out of her dress.”

“Huh,” Henry said. “I didn’t have a guess who it was. But I feel like Lizzie makes sense.”

Cameron nodded. “Anyway. I hope it wasn’t too terrible.”

“Confession. I may have hidden in the bathroom when Ms. Huang announced my name.”

“That sounds about right for you. Like when you hid under the table while everyone sang “Happy Birthday” at your seventh birthday party.”

“You remember that? Man, I still want to hide under the table when people sing “Happy Birthday.” Guess that’s something I’m not going to grow out of.”

Cam shrugged. “It’s all part of the Henry Lai experience.”

As Lizzie came out of the house, Henry smiled at her before fist bumping Cameron and moving on. He didn’t need to play third wheel to anyone tonight.

After his conversation with Cameron went so well, Henry decided to track down Jacinta. It took longer to find her than he would have guessed. As he walked around the yard in search of Jacinta, he handed out Rice Krispies Treats along the way, interacting with more people than the two he had promised Paisley. Even if he did kind of feel like a cater-waiter.

Finally Henry found Jacinta in a gaggle of girls in the far corner of the yard. He lurked around for a few minutes and almost decided to try again later, but then Jacinta caught his eye.

“Hey, Henry,” she said. “I wasn’t sure if you would come.” The group around her dispersed.

“Yeah, Paisley talked me into it.”

“I had a feeling she might.”

“My mom made me bring these, but I passed most of them around already.”

“Thanks. We could always use more food.” Jacinta took the tray from him and stuck it on a nearby table where a few people quickly descended on the remaining squares.

Jacinta and Henry chatted for a while about what happened at the prom, about how and why they both missed the big flood.

“I thought you should know that before you texted, your mom called my mom to invite me over.”

Jacinta sighed and put a hand over her eyes. “They’re monsters. They’re never going to let this go.”

“It’s very possible that they never will.” He shoved his hands in his pockets. “I just wanted to thank you for having everyone over.”

“You’re welcome.”

He scanned the yard, watching his classmates have fun together. “It’s a really good party.”

“Thanks. Turns out I’m not half-bad at this kind of thing.”

“I think you’re probably not half-bad at all kinds of things.” He shook his head. “That was a really awkward sentence.”

Jacinta shrugged. “I appreciate the sentiment.”

“Well, just so you know, you have a standing invitation to come hang out with Paisley and me whenever. No mom interfering necessary.”

“Cool.”

“I’ll let you get back to your guests,” Henry said.

“Make sure you take one of the champagne glasses from the prom!” Jacinta said. “Please don’t leave me with two hundred plastic champagne flutes emblazoned with the phrase ‘A Prom to Remember’.”

Henry smiled and gave her a thumbs-up.

She waved and Henry walked off in search of Paisley, and the aforementioned champagne glasses, only to find her in the middle of a game of pool volleyball. She hopped out of the pool to talk to him when he called her over.

“You do know that you hate volleyball, right? Like when we play volleyball in phys ed all you do is complain and try to get out of it.”

“Maybe I like any pool-related version of sports.”

“I would like to watch you play water polo someday.”

“Maybe in college. I have a feeling college-Paisley is going to be a fascinating individual.”

“Well, does high school–Paisley want to leave? ’Cause it’s been an hour. And high school–Henry is seriously ready to go.”