“Got it. See you in class.” Justin salutes us and takes off.
Kendall watches him walk away and slides her hand down her hair. “I never noticed this before, but there’s actually something hot about him. I mean, I’ve always had a thing for funny guys.”
“Yeah, like there’s something sexy about him.” Sam nods. “I think it’s his cologne. It’s really feminine.”
“Definitely his cologne.” I say. Eau de Molly Chapman.
****
In Language Arts, I have to keep reminding myself to stop staring at the back of Sean’s head from behind Justin. It’s too depressing. I know he watched me make my way into class. Instead of feeling good about it, I feel sad. The girls at lunch were right, so was Kallie. I totally let him get away.
Mr. N. gives us busy work and I write absentminded words and doodles in my notebook. My full name, a horrible sketch of my Prom dress, pictures of eyes and flowers, question marks that look like penises. I stare at my paper and feel alone as hell. I feel even lonelier than I did before Sean and I started hanging out.
****
Over a plate of scrambled eggs and salsa, I tell Mom I’m going to Prom alone. I don’t tell her the salsa tastes more like ketchup and onions than Dad’s recipe.
“Oh, honey. By yourself? Really?” My mom leaves her mouth hanging open. Literally. I reach across the kitchen table and gently push her chin up to close her mouth.
“Mom, don’t be so dramatic. It’s Senior Prom, not my wedding day.”
“Well, I don’t know, babe. Why did you wait so long to tell me?”
“Because I didn’t want to suffer more than a day with you looking at me like I’m a dying puppy.”
“Oh no, I don’t feel sorry for you, I feel—oh Bree Ella, I just wanted this to be perfect for you.”
“Yeah well, it’s perfectly fitting. That’s for sure.”
“What about the pep rally today? Do you have to sit up there by yourself? I wish you could’ve patched things up with Sean. I really thought he was a sweet guy.”
“Mom. It’s fine. All the girls are on one side and the guys sit on the other. It’s not that serious.” Mom’s face falls farther. “It’s just a pep rally. As for the dance, I have a ton of friends to hang out with there. It’s probably better this way. Now you don’t have to worry about me not being home by curfew or coming home pregnant.” I smile to reassure her.
“Oh please, I was your age once, I know there’s no curfew on Prom night.”
“Well now ya tell me. Maybe I can find a date online.”
“I did take the day off, so I have a few hours before the pep rally. Don’t tempt me. Maybe I’ll Google you a nice young man.”
We finish breakfast, and then Mom helps me hang my dress and accessory bag in my car. She sends me off with a hug and a wave. I spend the whole drive trying to shake the dying puppy vibe.
I make my way into the girl’s locker room, the roar of the gymnasium at my back. Molly gleams from a row of mirrors in a white and gold beaded gown.
“Hey girl, you better hustle. Everyone is already in their dresses.”
Laura walks in, glistening in a turquoise mini dress. Kallie’s right behind in a fire engine fire-starting red dress. It’s tight, strapless, and flares out from a mid-thigh slit, sending her legs into infinity.
I whistle. “Looking good ladies, looking good.”
“Hurry up, your hotness,” says Kallie giving me a high five. “Dance team is out there. As soon as they’re done, there’s a speech and then we’re on.”
Butterflies clink in my stomach like a pocketful of pennies. I run into the locker area to change.
Jane peeks her head from behind a row of lockers sliding her legs into a tight red lacey thing, “Can you be a darling and hook me up?”
Like I hooked you up with my boyfriend? “Sure,” I say as she adjusts the straps. “So, how are things lately? Are you okay?”
She looks over her shoulder with a slight frown. “I’m fine as long as I won’t have my underwear line or any seams showing.”
I take the hint. “Um, okay. Is this your dress? It’s pretty revealing.” I hook a short row of clasps.
“Thanks. Actually this is a slip.”
“Yeah I knew that. I was joking.”
“Oh.” She ducks behind the other lockers.
Tough crowd.
“C’mon Bree, we need to get some makeup on you!” Kallie yells. I rush to the mirrors along with the other girls for a quick douse of makeup.
As Kallie swipes frosty blue onto my eyelids, Molly gives me a hundred and one reasons why three would be company at Prom.
“It’s not like we’ve been together forever, ya know? We’re gonna be laid back and fun—not making out at dinner or anything.”
“Yeah, I don’t know. If you guys are dying for a third wheel how about Brian?” I laugh.
Kallie holds up her hand. “He’s going with Jane and Sean now. Word is that Jane gave him—” Kallie’s eyes pop and her mouth drops open. I follow her gaze expecting to see a cockroach or giant tarantula.