In Harmony(61)

My fingers flew. At the mall, you told me that I was more of a Rapunzel than a Belle.

And I was right. Call me when they let you out of your tower.

I will. Love you.

Love you too.

“Justin’s leaving,” Dad said loudly. “Given what a disaster this night has turned out to be, could you please walk your guest to the door and say good night? Thank him for his consideration?”

I got to my feet and obediently walked with Justin to the front door. Dad stayed at the edge of the foyer, arms crossed, watching like a coach who doubted his star athlete had it in her anymore.

Justin smiled benevolently at me. “Are you okay?”

I nearly flinched. The exact same words had meant so much more coming from Isaac. Isaac had asked me because he cared. Justin asked me as a segue to his own feelings.

“I really was worried about you. We all were. I dropped your friends off and then I tried to find you.”

I hadn’t been gone long enough for that to be true, but I was too tired, too drained to argue.

“I’m sorry,” I said.

He smiled. “Forgiven.” He bent to kiss my cheek but I moved out of his reach.

“Okay,” he said, his smile tightening. “Good night then.” He looked over my shoulder and waved to my father. “Good night, sir.”

I could have puked.

“Good night, Justin. And thank you.”

“Of course.”

I couldn’t shut the door on him fast enough.

My father stood with his arms crossed, now looking like an angry coach whose athlete had blown the big final match.

“That’s how you treat him? He spent all that money on a limo for—”

“He didn’t have to do that,” I said, looking down at my bare feet. “I told him not to. I told him we were going as friends.”

“Why? What’s wrong with him? I had such high hopes tonight. For the first time since last summer, you were acting more like yourself. Granted, your friends weren’t what I expected, but it’s progress from having none at all. But you did the same thing to Justin that you did to Xavier…”

My head whipped up and I stared. “I did what?”

“Xavier’s also a fine young man and I thought he was interested in you—”

“Interested in me?”

Once more, the blood drained from my face, this time from the memory of Xavier’s benevolent smile. Spreading wide like the Cheshire cat’s. Let me get you something to drink…

“He’s my boss’s son,” Dad said. “It would’ve been smart of you to put some effort into that relationship.”

“Dad,” I said, my voice trembling with cold. “I’m tired and I want to go to sleep now.”

I started toward the stairs, but he reached out and grabbed my arm.

“If I find out you were with Isaac Pearce tonight instead of Justin, I will call Martin Ford the same minute and tell him you’re no longer able to perform in his show. Do you understand?”

“Yeah,” I said, looking down at my arm where he held me. Little black X’s spread out from under his hand, skittering over my skin like ants. “I understand perfectly.”





Willow



I spent a sleepless weekend, mostly curled up on the floor in my room. I called Angie and told her what happened—that Isaac had given me a ride home, but nothing about our dance. Monday morning, I stood in a daze at my locker at school. I nearly jumped out of my skin when Justin tapped me on the shoulder with one finger. Gone was his friendly, put-one-on-for-the parents smile and instead he wore the angry mask of a popular guy who got stood up by his date.

“What really happened the other night?” he demanded.

I took a step back. “Didn’t we go over this on Friday? I told you. Claustrophobia attack or something. The gym was too crowded. I didn’t have my phone.”

“Or did you leave to go see Isaac? You know I see how you look at him at rehearsal.”

I slammed my locker shut. “That’s none of your business.”

“Stay away from him.”

“Yes, brother.”

“I mean it. He’s trouble. I heard his dad was at Nicky’s Tavern the other night, ranting and raving. Owners had to call the cops to take him home.”

“Oh, his dad’s alive?” I said. “I thought Isaac had killed him.”

Justin shook his head. “Okay, if that’s how you want it. I’m done with you.” He started to go, then turned back. “You know, since you were the new girl and all, hanging around with a bunch of losers, I took pity on you. What a fucking waste of money.”

“We offered to chip in. Remember? How much do I owe you?”

How, exactly, did you want me to pay you back?

He stared, then turned away with a disgusted snort and joined the group of girls formerly known as the Plastics. Their heads leaned in, then fell back in loud laughter. The girls’ eyes widened over his shoulder at me, with mock pity.

Great. By lunch, I’d be the crazy girl who freaked out at the dance. I didn’t think Justin was mean enough to make it worse than that, but who knew? I hurried to English class, wishing I could skip the day and get to rehearsal where I could be someone else for a little while.