Kallie turns to Justin. “I still cannot believe you’re going with her. You’ve officially hit rock bottom.”
“She’s right,” I say. “I would’ve rather gone to ‘Prom: Parties of One’ than with Jane Hulmes.” I open my mouth to say something else, but catch a glimpse of the empty chair that Maisey always sat in. No one’s been in it since she’s been gone. I grab a lip balm from my bag, swiping it across my lips to stop them from saying anything else mean about Jane.
“Whatever,” Justin says and leans back in his chair. “If you talk to her on the phone, she’s not that bad. Plus, she’s hot. My Prom pictures are gonna be fly as hell.”
Kallie tells Justin to bring anyone but Jane. When the bell rings, Kallie says she’ll see us all tonight and sprints out the door to meet up with Todd.
****
“It’s pretty crazy that she gets to have a party,” I say to Sean as I ring Kallie’s doorbell. “She’s been waiting since we were like thirteen for her parents to leave her alone. I’m serious. It’s the perfect party house. There are no neighbors close by, so it shouldn’t get busted. Knock on wood.” I knock on the door twice, then twist the handle, but it’s locked.
“You’re right,” says Sean. “It’s great for a party. It’s also great for a horror movie where the dead guy rises out of the lake or the ax murderer comes creeping out of the woods.”
“I know. Good thing you’re here. He can eat you first while I run.”
Kallie swings the door open. “Breeeeeee!” She smiles and shakes me by the shoulders. “Finally. Get in here.” She locks the door behind us. “Take your shoes off and help me by making sure this door stays locked. This is definitely invite only. I can’t have a bunch of dirt rats coming in and trashing my house. But it shouldn’t get crazy, I only invited like fifteen people.”
Brian Wang appears from around a corner, saluting us with a clear plastic cup of something.
“Whaaaaaat’s up Prom Court bitches!” He disappears back into Kallie’s kitchen.
“Brian’s here? Whoa.” Sean shakes his head.
“I know,” says Kallie. “Brian never has time for our parties. Ever since he got a boyfriend, he got boring.”
“Wonder if his college boyfriend will make a cameo?” I ask.
“Doubt it,” says Sean. “This is a high school party.”
“Everyone’s out back getting ready for beer pong, I think,” says Kallie.
“Sounds fun,” I say, adjusting the extra weight in the bag slung over my shoulder. I can almost hear the faint sloshing of the bottle of wine I snatched from the fridge in our basement. My plan’s pretty tight: Don’t get trashed. Don’t shotgun beers after doing shots like I did with Kallie, Sam, and Kendall last summer. Keep it simple and chill. Be smart, be cool. Drink slow. Don’t puke.
“You guys need to try the punch I made,” Kallie says. “My mom would be impressed. It’s clear, so no mess. Just in case anyone spills. You know my mom would shit.”
“I better check it out before Bree does. You know, to make sure it’s not poison.”
“Hey, I thought you didn’t drink?” I ask.
“Well, I don’t usually drink but when I do, I drink … white punch. At slumber parties.”
Kallie laughs and tells Sean to check it out and keep an eye on everyone out back while we rush upstairs to drop off our bags.
TWENTY-THREE
11:11. Make a wish. I glare at my cell phone for the umpteenth time. I wish Kyle would leave so I can get the hell out of this stinky closet. It’s been about fifteen minutes already. I’m in the lavender and moth-ball infused walk-in closet of the Vate guest room, scrunched up behind a wall of puffy coats with my backpack and phone. Kallie’s party was fun while it lasted.
No one figured Kallie’s older brother would drive over to check up on her. Me and Kallie should know better. How did we not plan on this happening? Kyle only lives twenty minutes away and there’s no way her parents would’ve left town without some sort of backup. Her brother’s pretty cool, but not that cool.
During our smoking phase he was the one who bought us the cigarettes, but when he turned twenty-one he made it clear that if Kal wanted to drink illegally, he wouldn’t be making any beer runs.
I don’t even know where Sean is. Once the doorbell rang and Kallie peeked through the window, she mazed back through the house like a rabid rat. She ran to the back porch with the loudest whispered scream I’d ever heard.
“Everyone get outta here! My brother’s here! GO GO GOOOOOO!” Then she rushed back to unlock the front door, whispering for me to run upstairs and hide.
Buzzzz. My phone blinks with a text: KALLIE VATE.
OMG Kyle is pissed & making sure everybody is gone! SORRY!!!! Where RU guys?
I text back. I’m hiding in a closet!!!! WTF!? When is he leaving??!! My phone goes Shwoop after I hit Send.
Buzzzz.
As soon as he clears the house. At least he’s going back home! LOL U OK?
Again: KALLIE VATE.
AAAAHHHH He just dumped our white drink!! NO!!!! I’ll let U know when he leaves
I text back: I’m ok! Oh no! I didn’t even get to try it. Waaaah!
Shwoop.
I hit the screen again to text Sean.
Hey! Where R U?