The cafeteria is electric.
Near the vending machines, a group of guys stand in formation before a crowd. As I approach, I see they’re wearing shirts that make the phrase: Will you go to prom with me? A couple hugs. The guy spins the girl as she screams her head off. The crowd cheers.
Must be nice.
I spot The Lilacs, already at their table–Britney with her glittery hair clips, Dee flicking her acrylic nails, Kayla talking lively with her hands. She looks fine to me. I’d rather take my seat with the Mathletes, but I think of my promise to Madeline.
I’m almost there when star quarterback Patrick DelVecchio cuts in front of me, making a beeline for Britney. He clears his throat and reads from a wrinkled sheet of paper: “Be my princess and I’ll be your prince. H-hey, we can even kiss. I was thinking if you’re free, you could go to prom with me?”
Hard cringe. If only he were as smooth as he is on the field.
Britney’s cheeks flush red. Kayla and Dee hold in laughs. “Sorry, Pat. I’m not going. I appreciate the offer, though!” Not going? That’s a shock. And by the look on Patrick’s face, he feels the same way. It’s like Taylor Swift skipping the Grammy’s. She’s probably lying to make him feel better.
“No doubt,” Patrick manages after a moment. He saunters back to the jocks, where his homie pats him on the shoulder. A for effort, I guess.
Oh no, I’m up.
Abort mission. I repeat, abort mission.
Too late, I’m plopping down on the bench across from them. “Hello ladies,” I announce, awkwardly fidgeting with my book bag straps.
“Dev!” It’s Kayla. She’s on her feet, throwing her arms around me.
“Hey you,” I say, hugging her back.
“Hiii, Devon,” Britney and Dee sing in unison.
“That must be happening a lot today,” I say, gesturing towards Patrick.
“Oh, yeah. It just doesn’t stop. It’s getting a bit boring.” Dee fake yawns.
“Dee!” The other two swat her arm.
I know she’s joking but imagine that: attention from boys being boring! I’m over here neck-breathing at best.
“When did your hair get so long?” Britney asks.
“You should wear it down, it looks gorgeous,” chimes Dee.
“It’s been a minute. I miss you,” says Kayla.
They’re all talking at once and I’m dizzy. “Thanks, guys. I miss you, too, dude. I was thinking about you and thought I’d check in. How is everything?”
Ugh, was that too forward? Tone it down before she figures out her mom sent you, I think.
Kayla smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. Her fingers toy with a straw wrapper, twisting it until it shreds.
What was that?
“I’m great. Life couldn’t be better.”
False alarm. She’s fine! See, Madeline. Nothing to worry about. My job here is done.
But I can’t get up and leave just like that, can I? That would be rude. “That’s awesome,” I say. There’s another prom-posal to my right. This time, the guy offers a humongous bouquet of red roses. Yet another screaming girl.
“What about you?” says Kayla.
“I’m fine.” I’m shouting now to compete with the noise. “So, prom, yeah? Who’s everyone going with?”
“Alone, probably,” Britney says. Oof. Sorry Patrick.
“Mike, of course,” says Dee. Mike being her on again off again boyfriend. Last I heard they were off, but that was two semesters ago.
Kayla stays quiet. That’s definitely something.
“And you?” I ask her.
There’s a long pause. “There’s this guy,” she sighs. “But I don’t know, I get mixed signals. He hasn’t asked, so, as of right now, I’m going with Britney.”
Sounds like there could be a boy.
Grandma, you’re a genius.
“There is a boy!” I’m exclaiming before I realize. Kayla raises a brow. I clear my throat and compose myself. “Who is it?”
“She won’t tell us.” Britney rolls her eyes. “Maybe you can get it out of her.”
Kayla looks uncomfortable and I know she doesn’t want to tell me either. Why would she? “It isn’t anyone you guys know. Don’t worry about it. It’s not the end of the world. I’m fine,” she insists.
Very interesting.
“Your turn, Devon. Who are you going to prom with?” Dee asks.
I didn’t notice before but he’s in my peripheral vision. Keith, waiting on the lunch line. My heart fights to beat through my chest. “No one’s asked me,” I mumble.
“What!” says Kayla.
“Seriously.”
“With that hair and those cheekbones? Not to mention how freaking smart you are. Devon, please,” Kayla scoffs.
I can feel how big my smile is. Don’t beam, you idiot. She’s just being nice. “I’m not lying.” I shrug my shoulders. “I don’t know. Boys don’t really notice me. Nothing’s changed since middle school.”
My eyes drift back to Keith. The tiny voice in the back of my head says, “You’ve ruined any chance you had so stop looking at him.”
“Nothing’s changed since middle school,” says Kayla, following my gaze. “Like your crush on Keith.”
I must be as red as a tomato because my face is hot. “You remember that?”
“Of course I do. All the times you made me walk faster in the hallway just so we could pass by him. I didn’t forget!”
We share a laugh and I have the overwhelming urge to hug her. We were best friends.
“Yeah, he still has me in a choke hold,” I admit.
“Then you should come to the kickback at the beach tonight,” says Britney.
“What?” I ask incredulously.
“A bunch of us like to get together to watch the sunset and drink. Keith usually stops by with a few of his friends,” she explains.
“Oh.” That’s news to me. I hadn’t pegged Keith as a drinker. Clearly, I’m learning all sorts of things about him today. “Have you seen him with a girl?”
“No,” says Dee. “Why?”
“He bought tickets to prom. I think he’s dating someone.”
“If he is, it’s probably not that serious,” says Dee. “I think you have a chance.”
“We can get you alone with him,” says Britney. “He’s super chill.”
My stomach does a somersault. Alone time. With Keith. And, hopefully, when he sees me hanging with The Lilacs, he’ll forget I’m a mouth breather. If there’s a God, he might even think I’m cool. This could work.
I want to go but what would I wear? What should I say to him? Excuse my awkwardness but I’ve been in love with you for six years? This’ll never work.
“I don’t know, guys,” I say.
“No, you have to,” says Kayla, her eyes all lit up. “We’ll meet at my place and the three of us will do your makeup. You can borrow whichever one of my tops you want. It’ll be like old times.” She hasn’t smiled as big until now. We used to love playing dress up–going into our mother’s closets and yanking everything from the hangers so we could try things on. Wobbling around in high heels we barely filled in. Experimenting with expensive make up, which Madeline was not a fan of. She scolded us the time we finished her tube of Christian Louboutin mascara. (I cried.)
“Let us work our magic on you,” Dee says with a devilish grin.
A light bulb goes on over my head. I can’t believe I hadn’t thought of it.
“Okay,” I say. They’re happy I’ve agreed because they’re squealing something fierce. I have no choice but to plug my ears.
“Do you have falsies? Bring them,” says Britney.
“Falsies?”
“Fake eyelashes. It’s okay, I think I have a pair in my car.”
“Keith won’t know what hit him tonight,” says Kayla.
You have no idea.
It’s a two-in-one: a conversation with Keith and a chance to find out more about Kayla’s guy. “See y’all later,” I say, getting on my feet.
I have to simply master my magic by six. Piece of cake!
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