When I got back to the dining room Mom had already finished her food. Dad was nowhere to be found. Neither was my brother. So I did what any good girl would do, I picked up my breakfast, went into the kitchen, and opened the trash can. Inside, I saw one of my dad’s rolled up newspapers. I shoved it aside so I could hide my biscuit egg crap. Inside the newspaper, I spotted the remains of Dad’s food.
That sneaky bastard. All these years, he’d encouraged Mom’s food making. And all along he’d been hiding it in various newspapers he read during meals. Here we suffered through Mom’s experiments and he threw his out.
Maybe I ought to take more of an interest in the news too.
***
My legs pressed against my chest, I rested my chin on my knees and stared at the rose bushes. Drake dropped into the swing next to me.
“So, do you want to tell me why you and Trey aren’t talking anymore?” he said.
“It’s complicated.” I played with my shoelace.
“Try me. Because it sucks not being able to have my sister and my best friend in the same room, especially when we have the same circle of friends.”
With a sigh, I glanced at him. “I-I did something stupid.”
“As in?”
I went on to explain the whole kissing thing and my muddled attempt at trying to win Trey. When I finished, I wiped tears from my eyes.
Drake chuckled.
“It’s not funny.”
“No. But the extremes you went to try and chase Portia off are. Any guy would be lucky to have a girl like him enough to do that.”
“Except the guy I was doing it for.”
“Well, it explains why he hasn’t been over much lately.” He put an arm around me and kicked the swing into motion. “You know, you could still go to prom. You could hang out with me, Kenadi, and Chloe.”
“I’m not really feeling it. Plus, I’ve got Dwarves of Iconia II to traverse through.”
“The Delyla Denson I know would show up looking hot and dance with everyone. She’d show all the guys that she doesn’t need them.”
I smiled. “Thanks. But I’m serious. I’d rather just stay home.”
“Okay. Thought I’d at least try.”
“Kenadi put you up to it, didn’t she?” My brows raised.
“Nope. This was all your big brother.”
When he left, I went back in the house and up to my room. Inside, I found Jimbo with my pillow.
“No. Bad dog.” I grabbed it from him. My nose wrinkled as I took my pillow case off. “You are not allowed to do that to any of my stuff.” And like that, Jimbo was back to his old self.
Chapter 35
Mom and Dad went with Drake over to Chloe’s house to get prom pictures, since this would be both my brother’s first and last prom. They’d invited me to come along, but I kind of wanted to let them have their moment.
Besides, I didn’t want to listen to everyone telling me how I could still go to prom. Even if I didn’t have a date. I bet prom was overrated anyway. My flannel PJ pants tucked under my feet as I went into the kitchen to grab a bowl of chips. I set my video game case on the counter, poured a glass of pop, then snagged the bag of chips from the cupboard.
Jimbo’s nails clicked on the hardwood as he came in to see what I was doing.
“Don’t worry, boy. I’ll share.” With my goodies in one hand and my new game in the other, I headed toward the stairs. Before I could descend into the nether regions of the family room, a knock sounded on the door.
I groaned, set my stuff on the coffee table and rushed into the living room. “Come on. I just want to play my game.”
Jimbo barked as another knock sounded.
“Coming,” I hollered. When I jerked the door open, my mouth gaped in surprise. C.C. stood on my stoop, in a tux. His lanky frame looked more filled out. His red hair was styled in a faux hawk. The blue in his vest brought out his eyes. He actually looked nice.
“Get ready. You’re going to prom with me,” he said, pushing inside.
“Um—what?”
“Liza got sick and I’m dateless. Please don’t make me go alone.”
“But I had plans.” I waved to my bowl of chips, which at the moment Jimbo was getting into, and the video game on the coffee table.
“Yeah, I see that.” He wrinkled his nose as he stared at my pajamas. “But I’m serious. I can’t miss senior prom. I’ve already missed out on every other dance.”
Geez, he was good. Guilt set in. Here I’d been the one pressing the guys about prom and now he might miss his. “Fine. But, just so you know, we’re not kissing or anything.”
“Promise.” He raised his hand.
I ran up to my room, plugged in my hot rollers, then headed down to my mom’s closet to find shoes. My gaze shifted over various shelves until I found a pair of silver strappy ones. Back in my room, I emptied my makeup bag onto my vanity, then tore off my pajamas. With a smile, I ran my fingers over the light blue dress. My prom dress. The satin material slid over my body like cool waves. I adjusted the spaghetti straps and stared at the white lace overlay, which swished at my ankles like waves when I turned. The fabric seemed almost iridescent when the light caught it just right. It was fitted across the chest, down to my hips, where it tapered out like a ballerina’s dress.
I sprayed my hair with hairspray then put in the hot rollers. Next, I applied my makeup, put on some perfume, then slid into my shoes. Lastly, I fastened a pair of teardrop sapphire earrings and matching necklace, before I took the rollers out of my hair.
Loose curls fell to my shoulders and I used a rhinestone headband to set them off. I glanced in the mirror. Not bad for twenty minute’s notice. When I finished, I grabbed a shawl from Mom’s closet, then headed to the living room, where I found my parents waiting with C.C.
Damn. They’d gotten back in time to take pictures.
“Oh, honey, you look so beautiful.” Mom teared up. “I know you two want to go, but stand in front of the fireplace for a few pictures.”
She ushered us across the living room, where she had C.C. pose with his arm around me.
“You smell nice,” he said.
“Thanks. You too.”
“And, I have to admit, you clean up pretty good too.” He grinned.
“Don’t you dare get any ideas,” I whispered, when I felt his chest press against my back.
Mom snapped several more pictures. “Okay, I better let you two go so you’re not late.”
Dad hugged me. “You’re gorgeous sweetie. Behave tonight. And be careful driving.” He pointed at C.C.
“Yes sir.” C.C. offered me his arm as we stepped outside. In the driveway sat a royal blue Mustang.
“Holy shit, whose car is that?” My eyes widened.
“My dad’s. What? You didn’t think I was gonna take the grocery getter did you?”
I glanced at him. “Actually, yeah.”
Okay, so this wasn’t quite what I’d planned. Junior prom with C.C. Porter. But, I had to admit, I was excited to go. When we approached the car, he got the door for me. He was being such a gentleman, which was totally not C.C. like, at all.
Once we had our seatbelts on, he shifted the car into gear and backed out of the drive. “Listen, I wanted to say I’m sorry about Trey.”
My gaze met his. “You know about us er … I mean him?”
“Yeah, me, Drake, and Kevin all know. I realize things have been kind of tense lately, but if it makes you feel any better, you were his first crush. Well, other than Lady Spirella from his favorite video game.”
My fingers played with the lace on my dress. “Thanks. Not just for saying that, but for you know, bringing me to prom.”