I shrugged. “It’s okay. I can always use it next year.”
“Okay, who are you and what have you done with the real Delyla Denson?” His arms folded across his chest.
“I’m a changed woman. But seriously, it’s fine. Really.”
His brow furrowed and I could tell he didn’t believe me. “Well, maybe you could return the dress and get tickets for Fantasy Con.”
I grinned. “Now that, sounds like a good idea. Tickets go on sale in the next week. I’ve been wanting to go for years. And I could get a phantom mage costume.”
“I still don’t think you should skip prom.” He brushed his red bangs off his forehead. “Maybe you could do both.”
“Why are you so worried about me going to prom?” I scuffed my cleat across the tiled floor, which would likely ensue the wrath of the janitorial staff.
“I don’t know.” He shrugged. “I just want to make sure you don’t regret missing it. And I feel bad because you worked so hard to get all of us dates and now you don’t have one.”
“I’ll be fine. I promise. But listen, I have to get to practice or Coach Rafferty will have a cow. And, trust me, you don’t want to see that birthing process.”
He waved and I rushed out the door.
When I got to the practice fields, I dropped my bag on the sideline and rushed out to where Kenadi sat stretching her legs.
“You’re cutting it close.” She eyed Coach, who stood like a prison guard checking her watch.
“C.C. caught me in the hall. He gave me tickets for his play Friday. So, I hope you don’t have any plans.”
“I do now.” She stood and did a lunge forward and continued to stretch.
“Okay, ladies. Bring it in. We’ve got lots to work on today.”
“Geez, I hate it when she says that.” Kenadi groaned. “We beat Forest Hills, yesterday. What more could we possibly need to work on?”
“Maybe she wants to see how many laps we can do before it kills us,” I said.
“Today, we’re going to work on headers and taking shots from further out. You played well yesterday, but with district playoffs next week, we need to be prepared. You got to want this ladies. I can teach the game, but I can’t give you the heart.”
That was one of Coach’s favorite sayings. One we lived, breathed, and played by. And although she annoyed the crap out of me, I agreed with her. Even though every other aspect of my life seemed screwed up, soccer was still my one constant. My life. On the field, I forgot it all. It was just me. My opponent. The ball. And the goal.
Mom used to tease me if someone cut me open, they’d find soccer turf in my blood.
Coach had us line up to do sprints. With my ball at my feet, I threw myself full force into the game. And for today, that was all I needed.
Chapter 31
I tugged my gym uniform over my head and tossed it into my locker then reached for my jeans. Portia came over to me, her hair damp with sweat.
“I know we haven’t talked since everything happened,” she said, resting a hand on my locker door. “What you did was kind of crappy where Rex was concerned. However, I think it’s nice that you helped Trey and his friends out. I mean, Trey must’ve liked me a lot if he was willing to pay you to help him win me over.” She smiled. “He’s such a sweetheart, and since I know you two are friends, I want to call a truce. We’ll obviously be spending more time together, so I want us to get along. No hard feelings?” She held her hand out to me.
I took it and gave it a shake. “No hard feelings. And Portia, I really am sorry. I never meant for you to get hurt.” I released her fingers and tore my gaze away. “But I don’t think you’ll have to worry about things being weird because Trey and I don’t really hang out anymore. We actually haven’t talked since everything happened.”
“Oh. I-I didn’t know that. I’m sure things will be back to normal soon. He talks about you all the time. Between you and me, I think he misses you. But anyway, I better get dressed so I’m not late.” She hurried away, leaving me staring after her with my mouth agape.
Okay, that was strange. I tugged my socks and shoes on then headed for my next hour class.
***
Kenadi sat in the passenger seat, as I drove us to the school for C.C.’s play. “It’s weird having you drive us. I’m so used to bringing us everywhere.”
“Mom gave me gas money.” I laughed. “Besides, I invited you tonight, so I figured I’d play chauffer.”
The lot was packed and we ended up having to park in the back row, which made me regret the heels I wore. When we climbed out, I grabbed my purse, then untwisted the straps of my blue-green sundress.
We hurried to the sidewalk then followed it into the school, right to the auditorium doors. There was already a line waiting to get in. I saw Drake and Chloe ahead of us and waved. They looked so cute together. Her auburn hair was piled atop her hair in curls. My brother had a protective arm around her shoulders.
Kenadi adjusted her red cardigan, and tugged her black skirt back into place. “I so hate skirts. I always feel like it’s going to fly up and give everyone a nice view of my butt.”
“Tell me about it. Any second now, I half expect to have a wardrobe malfunction.” I pulled the low cut fabric of my neckline back together.
“Maybe the paparazzi will get a good shot.” She laughed.
When the line inched forward, a lady took our tickets and handed us a program. As we got inside the auditorium, Drake and Chloe flagged us over.
“Hey,” I said. “Thanks for saving us seats.” I glanced further down the row to see Kevin and Melanie holding hands. Kevin smiled, and I gave him a thumbs up.
“No problem. We’ve just gotta save two on the end for Trey and Portia.”
“Okay.” I glanced at Kenadi.
“Here, swap me spots that way you don’t have to be right next to them.” She moved around me so I’d sit beside Chloe instead.
“Thanks.”
“Hello? BFF, remember?” She grinned.
Drake stood and looked around the room. A few minutes later, he waved his arms again. I glanced over and saw Trey walk in with Portia on his arm. When he saw my brother he waved back, but pointed to two seats further up.
My brother seemed baffled as he took a seat. “What’s got into him lately? I swear he’s been avoiding us ever since he started dating Portia,” he said.
I shrugged.
But Ken leaned over. “Now that was a total asshole move. Even for him.”
“It’s fine. Besides, I have all my friends right here.” I leaned my head on her shoulder.
The lights dimmed, and the curtains opened to show a faux historic town. As soon as the play started, I opened my program. Romeo and Juliet. I didn’t fail to see the irony in this. Because I felt like Juliet—I sacrificed everything for love. The play began and we watched the different scenes unfold. I had to admit, Liza made a perfect Juliet. And C.C. blew me away with his part of Romeo.
Glen Adder, who played Mercutio stood on the stage with C.C., who was Romeo.
C.C. paced in front of Glen. “Is love a tender thing? It is too rough. Too rude, too boist’rous; and it pricks like a thorn.”
Wasn’t that the truth?
Glen answered, “If love be rough with you, be rough with love. Prick love for pricking, and you beat love down. Give me a case to put my visage in. A visor for a visor! What care I? What curious eye doth quote deformities? Here are the beetle brows shall blush for me.”
On the scene went, until Romeo and Juliet met at the ball. Kenadi leaned closer.