My So-Called Bollywood Life(51)

    Before the words left her mouth, Winnie spotted Bridget waving from a table at the side of the room. Winnie linked fingers with Dev and pulled him along to join their friends.

“I’ve been to every fund-raiser event for film club, and this has to be the best one yet,” Bridget said.

“Thanks, Bridge.”

Henry lifted a chicken wing and waved it at her. “Get some food,” he said. “This stuff is awesome.” His suit coat was already off and draped over his chair, and the white sleeves of his button-down shirt were rolled up to his elbows. A green T-shirt peeked out at the nape of his neck.

“The Hulk?” Winnie asked.

“Green Lantern,” he replied.

“I think I know who that is.”

“We can discuss his choice of superhero T-shirts when we get back,” Dev said. “Shall we?”

“We shall,” Winnie replied as he led her to the buffet table.

Over the course of half an hour, she ate and laughed with her friends. She waved to other people she went to school with and shook the hands of teachers who were told by other members of the film club that she’d been responsible for putting the fund-raiser dance together. The music got louder and the room darker with more people moving to the center of the room.

    Just as she finished her second soda and Dev finished the last bit of pasta on her plate, she felt a tap on her shoulder. She looked up at a smiling Mr. Reece.

“Ms. Mehta, you look dashing this evening.”

She stood up and eyed Mr. Reece’s tailcoat and bow tie. He couldn’t have looked more movie-star double than he did at that moment. “Mr. Reece, Laura mentioned you were looking for me. Sorry, I got caught up. Love the bow tie.”

He preened. “Thank you. May I speak with you for a second?”

She nodded and moved with him to a corner of the room.

“Congratulations,” he said once they could hear each other. “With your work on the master class and the fund-raiser, you’ve definitely shown that you’re a capable leader who goes above and beyond when necessary.”

“Mr. Reece?”

“I know you weren’t happy when I enforced the school rules, but that’s my job as an educator. It was also a way to push you to be the leader I knew you could be. Yesterday I spoke with the dean and asked him for an exception. You’ve earned the role as festival chair and film-club president. Congratulations. You can have your title, and I’d be happy to write you a letter of recommendation for NYU.”

    “For real?” she said, her pulse racing. “This isn’t a joke to get back at me for all the Star Wars pranks, is it?”

“It’s real, but I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t do that anymore.”

Winnie squealed and launched herself at Mr. Reece, giving him a bone-crushing hug. “Thank you, Mr. Reece! I promise I’ll make you proud.”

He managed to detangle from her and said, “Raj and I agree. You deserve the honor to speak on behalf of the film club and the festival tonight. I’ll introduce you and thank the teachers for being here tonight; then you can take it away.”

“Of course. I’m ready. I mean, I can do this. Sure thing.”

“Okay, meet me on the left side of the stage in five minutes.”

Winnie hadn’t prepared a speech, but she nodded, and after sweating it out with Dev, Bridget, and Henry, she approached the stage, where Mr. Reece was already waiting for her. The DJ saw them and started to fade the music.

Mr. Reece jogged up the side steps and waited for Winnie to join him. When they stood side by side, he reached for the microphone and called for everyone’s attention. He had to repeat himself twice before the room quieted.

“Thank you all for coming. For those who don’t know me, I’m Mr. Reece, the faculty advisor for the film club this year. On behalf of the entire film club, we want to extend our appreciation to you for purchasing fund-raiser tickets.” After he acknowledged faculty, he turned to Winnie. “Now I want to introduce you to one of your classmates, who is responsible for coordinating this entire event—Ms. Winnie Mehta!”

    The clapping sounded like a thunderous roar. Winnie heard music in her head as she took the microphone from Mr. Reece. It was heavier than she expected. She looked at her friends, the teachers, and the other students. In the middle of the smiling faces, she spotted Raj standing toward the rear of the room, his hands shoved in his pockets. She faltered for a bit, switching the microphone from one sweaty hand to another. When his gaze clashed with hers, he crossed his arms and looked away.

She shook her head as she tried to piece together the words she wanted to say. When she heard Mr. Reece clear his throat next to her, she started.

“Thanks, everyone. The film festival is going to be a success, so I really hope you come out again to see movies made by students here and across the country. The club couldn’t have thrown such a party without the help of some amazing people. The decorating committee set up this gorgeous ballroom.” She briefly went through the names of each committee and waited while everyone cheered and clapped.

Winnie waved a hand toward the DJ. “And before I get off this stage and let you enjoy the rest of your night, I want to thank our alumnus DJ Ricky Jackson for spinning for us all night!” This time the cheers accompanied music. She faced the audience, expecting the music to stop so she could end her mini speech. Instead the music grew louder and mixed with something that sounded strangely familiar. She looked over at the DJ box and goggled when she saw Henry behind the turntables instead.