Liars and Losers Like Us(72)
“Hey Bree,” Chip nods.
Instead of fighting heart palpitations and fear, this time I look him straight in the eye. “Hi Chip.”
“Nice speech at the pep rally. You got my vote.”
“Thanks,” I say, fighting an impulse to roll my eyes. “Hey Langley. What’re you up to?”
“Just hangin’ with Chip. Guess I’m his date. Plus I gotta crown the new Queen, passing on my torch, ya know. Good luck.” She smiles, flicking ash onto the gravel.
Making my way through the back parking lot, I tiptoe to keep my heels from sinking into the gravel. Once I hit pavement, I click short strides to the stairway leading to the double doors. I take one at a time instead of my usual two. I push a stray curl from my face and slide my hands over my dress, smoothing the silver shimmers hugging my body.
An army of sophomore girls and Judy, the school secretary, guard the door. All in red and black.
“Just one?” asks a sophomore girl looking over my shoulder.
“Absolutely one,” I say. I tell her my name.
“I know who you are,” she smiles. “Here you go.” She hands me a slip of paper and says the ballot box is near the gymnasium doors. I scrunch the paper into my grandma’s beaded clutch bag, unsure of whether I’ll vote or not. The thump of bass leads me to the gym while the lyrics command me to “get on the floor.”
The gym looks like any other Prom I’ve seen in the movies. Kids dancing, school faculty scattered around the edges. Punch and snack table, DJ at the front, giant speakers. And there’s a shitload of streamers and balloons in red, black, and silver. A little morbid, but overall, it looks pretty sharp. A lot cooler than I’d expected. Good news is there aren’t any werewolf or vampire cutouts in sight. I shrug and scan the crowd.
“Bree! Over here!” Sam and Kendall wave their hands from their Parties of One group by the DJ booth. I hang with them for a while and then Kallie finds me and drags me onto the dance floor. I stare over her shoulder at Sean, Todd, and Jane standing over some tables in a corner. Sean’s eyes meet mine and I smile just as a hand grips my bicep.
“Do you guys know what happened to all of our cutouts?” Shandy yells in my ear.
“No,” I yell, pulling my arm away. “Why?”
“Someone stole them. Our committee spent a lot of money on those, you know. A lot.”
“I have no idea. I’ll let you know if I hear anything.”
She stalks away, looking back twice to glare over her shoulder at us.
“Shit. She’s onto us.” Kallie laughs.
“Wait, do you know where they are?” I ask.
“No, but it’s the thought that counts. Justin said he brought tacky underwear to tape on them but when he got here, they were already gone. Someone beat us to it. Still would’ve been funnier to see a vampire in valentine boxer briefs.”
“Or a werewolf in a tight purple thong?” I laugh. “Shandy’s pissed. I’ve never seen her this mad before.”
“I know! It’s awesome.” Kallie spins me around and we dance until a slow song comes on.
Molly and Justin glide to the middle of the dance floor while Jane pulls Sean up from the table. He tugs his hand from hers but still follows her onto the floor. I hang with the Parties of One group, eating black cupcakes, trying to sip blood red punch without staining my teeth. I open my clutch to check my phone for imaginary missed calls and texts every five minutes while everyone goes all fashion police on everyone’s formals.
Just when I think I can’t stand faking it any longer, Shandy makes an announcement for Prom Court members to make their way to the stage. Sam and Kendall tell me “good luck” and push me out of their circle.
Principal Finley makes an introduction and thanks everyone as we file into position.
I tap Jane’s shoulder. Leaning over, I whisper near her ear, “Hey, I’m sorry for giving you shit about my shoes yesterday, I found them in my car.”
Jane twists a thin gold chain on her arm. “It’s okay.” She shakes her head. “No one ever believes me.” Her mouth drops into a slight frown before she quirks her lips back into a smile. She drops into her seat and fans the ruffles of her dress out.
Shandy waves a red envelope as Langley makes her way to center stage gripping two glittery, shiny, golden crowns.
“Ahem.” Shandy clears her throat loudly into the microphone. “Listen everyone. I’m asking you guys for some serious cooperation here. We’re missing some major decorations for tonight. Please see me ASAP if you know anything about any life-size werewolf or vampire figures.” Everyone laughs as soon as she says werewolves and vampires. I’m pretty sure they think she’s joking.
My nerves kick in with the whole thing again about looking happy and gracious when I don’t win. The only consolation I have is knowing that once this king and queen stuff is over, I’m marching over to the DJ booth, requesting a song, and giving a short dedication in honor of Maisey.
Even though Kallie’s my best friend, my money’s on Justin and Molly. Kallie’s probably thinking the same thing. Her deep burgundy lips are frozen into the kind of smile you might have before throwing up. Laura takes extra interest in straightening her dress, Molly crosses and uncrosses her legs. I’m doing all of the above.
Jane sits tall, shoulders back; most likely holding her big white smile with the same Vaseline she’d applied to her gums at the pep rally yesterday. She looks so sure of herself that I almost feel bad.