“I really wish you hadn’t let your sister go out with Justin. If she’s not careful, her reputation will be ruined by the time he gets done with her,” I said, trying to convey my concern.
“Why, what’s wrong with Justin?” she asked.
“In middle school, he was dating Jan Duke. They broke up because he thought he could get further with another girl. I started dating Jan. Then he suddenly dumped the other girl, and Jan went running back to him.”
“Don’t tell me you’re jealous,” Emma scoffed.
I gave Emma a hard look that made her back off. If Tracy hadn’t asked me to look out for the freshmen, I would have just walked away. The problem was that Piper was a sweet girl. She deserved better than Justin.
“He then took Jan’s virginity. The next day he dumped her and told everyone what a great little slut she was. I would assume that you wouldn’t want that to happen to your sister.”
I guess I raised my voice because people were turning to see what was going on. I felt myself get mad all over. I needed to walk away before I said anything else. Emma saw I was dead serious and just nodded as I left. I went to get some air and calm down.
It felt good to go outside. The cool fall air was what I needed after dancing for half the night. I looked up at the stars and contemplated what I was doing with the freshman cheerleaders. I was only hanging out with them because Tracy asked me to. I’d gotten to know them, and liked them, but I liked a lot of people. If they weren’t willing to take my advice, then why was I worried about them? They just looked so young and innocent. I probably looked the same way last year.
Something else I needed to think about was that my schedule was about to get crazy. I should prioritize, or I was going to get overwhelmed. Not having to worry about the freshman cheerleaders would free up my lunchtime so I could study or learn my lines for the movie. Maybe I could get the theater group to help me.
When I went back in, I got two bottles of water. I drank one down and then took the other one to the table. I was surprised to see Jim, Faith, Cassidy and Wolf talking and seeming to have a good time. Tracy and Beth were gone, so I sat down next to Gina.
“Where’s Beth?” I asked.
“They’re going to announce the Homecoming Queen and King,” she explained.
The lights dimmed in the gym, and a spotlight lit up the stage. Tracy was standing there with an envelope.
“Tonight, I have the honor of introducing you to Lincoln High’s Homecoming King and Queen. Before I do that, I’d like to welcome back last year’s Homecoming Queen, Beth Anderson.”
Beth stepped forward, looking like a princess with her crown on. I didn’t see Gary, so he must not have come back from college. Tracy then opened the envelope.
“Your Homecoming King is ... Bill Calloway,” Tracy announced.
Bill came out, and Beth put a crown on him. He waved at everyone, and Tracy got ready to read the next name.
“Your Homecoming Queen is ... Peggy Pratt.”
I held my breath, hoping she was here. She came out, and Beth gave her a big hug, took her crown off, and put it on Peggy.
“We will now have the ‘First Dance’!” Tracy announced.
Peggy and Bill went to the middle of the dance floor and the music started. I was happy to see she was smiling. I was glad her dad had relented as I watched her have her moment. When the dance ended, she made a beeline for me.
“David, I’m so sorry that I ruined your homecoming dance. I can’t stay, but I wanted to let you know that I care about you very much,” she said, and then gave me a kiss.
I watched in stunned silence as she rushed for the door. Tracy came up behind me, wrapped me in her arms, and I felt her head rest against my back. I felt her desire to comfort me and patted her hand so she would let me go. I turned and she had a sad smile on her face. I could see the wheels turning in Tracy’s head. She seemed to come to a decision.
“I want you to meet someone,” she said, and took my hand to lead me.
I followed her to the table that Bill, Trevor and Lou were sitting at. They were the three seniors on our team. Bill’s date was Mona, Trevor was with Pam, and Lou was with Kim. I went up to Bill and shook his hand.
“Congratulations, man, I was hoping you’d win,” I told him.
“I heard you put the word out to vote for me.”
I just nodded to him. Tracy was there for a purpose.
“David, I don’t think you know Pam.”
I smiled at Pam. I had no idea why Tracy would be introducing me to a girl that had a date.
“Hi, Pam, it’s nice to meet you. How do you like living here?” I asked.
“It’s a lot different than living in LA. I miss the beach. I also think it’s too cold here for me,” she told me.
“I was in San Francisco at the beginning of the summer, and then LA a month later. I had a lot of fun while I was there. It had a few too many people for me, though,” I said, comparing notes.
Tracy asked Trevor to dance and Pam and I talked. I told her about my trips and why I was there. She told me her dad had gotten a job here at Tom’s law firm. She seemed like a nice enough girl. Cassidy tracked me down and made me dance with her. I guess she and Tracy weren’t on the same page, because she made me dance with her for the next few dances. When a slow dance came on, I had to ask how everything was going with her and Wolf.
“Wolf’s a good friend. I got to really know him when Jim and I double-dated with him.”
“So, you don’t plan any hanky-panky with him?” I asked.
“I might let him kiss me. He is pretty cute.”
“Cassidy, you do know you have the power to make life difficult for all of us. I don’t want to lose any of you as friends.”
“I know, David. Your mom had a long talk with me. We’ve become good friends ever since you went to camp. She helped me with the workouts at your house. It was nice of your parents to have Brad and me over for dinner tonight. Dad worries that I don’t have a woman to talk to,” she confided.
Mom really did have a big heart. That was something I loved about her. When the song ended, I got her back to Wolf. He was coming off the dance floor with Gina. We exchanged dance partners. I looked over at our table and Alan gave me a thumbs-up. I think he was relieved not to have to dance, even though he would.
“Hello, Good-Looking. I was wondering when you’d get around to dancing with me,” Gina teased me.
“All you had to do was ask. I wouldn’t step on Alan’s toes, so you have to look me up,” I explained.
“I know. Hey, Kara’s excited about your movie deal. She told me to tell you to go break a leg.”
“Do you know when she’ll be home next?”
“It looks like Christmas. Are you going to be around?”
“No, I’ll be off to do a shoot for Range Sports. I plan on taking my family and staying on for a ski vacation. Don’t tell anyone, though, because it’s their Christmas present. Then I’ll go for the initial read-through for the movie. I’ll be gone all of Christmas break,” I said.
“She told me Rafael may have a project for you, too. I bet she calls you in the next few weeks to talk to you about it.”
“That would be great. She makes me look good.”
The song ended, and I took her back to Alan. I went looking for Beth and found her as she was leaving.
“There you are! I was looking for you before I took off,” she told me.
“I was hoping you were spending the night.”
“I wish! I have my chemistry study group first thing in the morning,” she explained.
I put her in a bear hug and kissed her forehead.
“I love you.”
“I love you, too. I’ll be home for Thanksgiving. Remember to save me Wednesday night, because you’re taking me out.”