“Look at J,” I whisper to Sid, purposely avoiding using his full name because there are enough people around us, and Shane apparently has rubbed off on me.
Johnny is visibly affected by Shane’s show. Sid and I are still attached and swaying to the music to coach Shane through this. I’m playing the boy in our visual example, so I move my hands down and cup her butt, showing Shane what to do. When he nods with a smile and copies my move, Emma responds by nuzzling into him more deeply. Shoot, I hope we aren’t starting something Shane won’t be able to get out of. Oh, well.
Johnny follows and copies Shane’s moves on Courtney, and of course, she reciprocates, but Johnny’s focus is zeroed in on Shane. He has no idea Sid and I are guiding him through every move.
My eyes are locked on Johnny. His jaw is clenched, and his moves seem to have a little more force behind them. So I lean farther into Sid and run my hands down her back, trying to channel Todd, doing everything I love that he does when we dance. Sid plays her part of the girl perfectly, going with every move.
Shane must be doing exactly what I’m doing because I see Johnny copy each of my moves with just a slight delay.
“Is there something I should know?”
Ryan’s voice startles me, and Sid pulls away abruptly.
Ryan is standing next to us with his arms crossed and a questioning look on his face.
“No, Ry, it’s not what it looks like.”
“Um … It looks like you’re feeling up Sid.”
“Okay, so it is what it looks like, but—”
“I get that you miss Todd. I’m sure he’ll be happy to know he’s been replaced by his sister. Isn’t one Hamilton enough for you?” he asks with a smile.
“We were helping Shane.” I gesture my head in Shane’s direction on the dance floor.
Ryan’s eyes land on him, and understanding seems to filter in.
Sid is speechless and bright red, which is an amazing feat for her. Then she spots Simon just a few feet away and heading in this direction.
“Maybe we keep this to ourselves,” she pleads with Ryan.
“Hey, you guys were the ones doing it out in the open, in front of the whole school.”
We sort of did forget that part.
“Hey, guys.” Simon slides in next to us. He notices something is off, and I can tell he’s trying to read the situation.
“You’re a lucky man, Simon.” Ryan pats him on the back as he makes his way through the crowd.
“Thanks,” Simon says and then does a double take as he absorbs Ryan’s words. “Wait, why did he say that?”
“Who knows?” Sid dismisses it quickly. “Are you thirsty? I’m thirsty. Ash, thirsty?” She is talking so fast I’m not sure anyone else could even understand her.
I bite my lip to hold in my laugh. I have never seen Sid this flustered.
“I’m thirsty,” Simon chimes in as he wraps his fingers with hers.
Well, I guess one other person can understand her. I smile to myself. I’m truly happy for Sid.
“I’m good, thanks.”
When Sid gives me a questioning look as if to confirm I’m really okay before they walk off, I nod back and mouth, “Really, go.” Then I feel my phone vibrate. Finally.
I make my way back to the chairs and pull out my phone. Just seeing his name makes my heart start to pound.
How is it? I wish I was there. I miss you.
It’s good. Not the same without you. But if you hear something about me and Sid, there’s nothing there, trust me, I type back.
What does that mean?
Nothing. I’ll explain later.
When you get home, stay dressed.
Okay?
I’ll be there at 10:30.
Okay?
Just be ready. See you soon. Love you.
“Hey, Ash. Thanks for the coaching. I think it worked.” Shane throws himself into the chair next to me, gesturing toward Johnny who is talking to Ryan and Brian.
“Yeah, I was watching him. He definitely noticed.”
“I know,” Shane says with a playful smile. “He asked if we can talk.”
“Good.”
“Yeah, but Courtney won’t keep her hands off him.”
My eyes shift back over to Johnny. I didn’t notice at first, but Courtney has her fingers slipped through his back belt loops. Her body language definitely says ‘we’re together.’
“Yeah, how’s he going to get out of that one?”
“We shall see,” Shane says with a half-smile. I can tell he’s nervous.
Courtney is not a girl you mess with. She could blow their secret if she ever found out. Johnny’s playing with fire right now, and by the look in Shane’s eyes, he’s well aware.
***
Once again, our dad picks us up promptly at ten o’clock, and of course, the deep blue Volvo station wagon is parked right out front for everyone to see. Since Ryan is in trouble, he was allowed to go to the dance in the limo, but he’s going home with our dad.
I chose to avoid the limo altogether without Todd. I thought it would be awkward with all of those couples and me. Blythe wasn’t happy, but I think Ryan was secretly overjoyed.
Sid is going home with Simon, and Shane is getting a ride with Johnny, so it’s just me and Ry in the blue ride of joy. Gretchen is going to Olive’s with everyone else in the limo, but now that they actually have to separate, you would think Ryan was going off to war or something.
Dad and I have been waiting in the car for them to say their goodbyes for exactly ten minutes already, and I know this because I have been counting every second. It’s such a double standard. Dad would never let me stand here and “talk” to Todd for this long. Ever. I’m actually surprised at how physical Ryan is getting, knowing our dad is right here. Dad, of course, is pretending to check college scores on his iPhone, but I know he is completely aware of everything.
I can’t hold it in anymore. I know Todd is going to be at our house at ten thirty, and I need our yard to be clear of parents.
“Are you going to stop them, Dad? This is ridiculous.”
Once he glances over to see Ryan’s hands running down Gretchen’s back and his face attached to hers, he rolls down the window. “Today, son.”
Finally!
Ryan tenses up and I chuckle to myself. I know he’s pissed he has to go home. It’s his senior homecoming, he was voted homecoming king, and he has to separate from his queen. Blah, blah, blah. Let’s go.
Ryan slides into the front seat and slams the door, making it clear just how angry he is. There’s no thank you to me for taking the back seat, either, but I guess I’ll let that one go.
“Watch it, Ryan. This is not my fault. You can thank yourself for this.” Dad uses “the tone,” the one that says, “don’t even think about breathing, because it could be mistaken for a response.”
Ryan turns back and glares at me. I know a part of him blames me for this. I’m the reason Todd got into a fight. I’m the reason Todd couldn’t go to the dance. I’m the reason Todd’s parents called mine. And I’m the reason Ryan is in Dad’s car instead of a limo right now. I know it’s not really my fault, but he needs someone to blame, so fine, blame me.
Ryan thinks I should break all ties with Casey, but I’m not the one who invited him to that party.
“We’re here, Ash.” I hear Ry’s voice, and when my eyes land on him, he’s looking at me like I’ve lost my mind. Dad is already out of the car and opening our front door.
I check my phone—Ten twenty-two. Then I quickly glance around, but I don’t see Todd’s car. Phew.
After hurried small talk with my mom about the dance, I rush upstairs so I can check my phone for a text. Then I check the clock, ten twenty-eight. Phone, nothing. Well, except a text from Sid, but we’ll count that as nothing for now. Window, nothing.