Say Anything

by Madeleine Labitan

  You must have made a good impression on Linc at lunch.

  He’s asking about you now.

  So you’re definitely going to the party now, right? Because there’s no way he’ll miss that. It’s gonna be lit AF!

  Ellison.

  Ellison!

  ELLISON!!!

  Rolling my eyes at his urgency, I send a response. Stop blowing up my phone! You are so annoying. Have I told you that before?

  Noah: Really? That’s your only reaction? I told you Linc is asking about you and that’s all you have to say?

  Me: Because you’re so annoying! Now tell me what he’s been asking about.

  Noah: Now she wants to know…

  Me: NOAH ALLEN PRITCHETT!

  Noah: Hey, how did you know my middle name?

  That makes me giggle a little. Being neighbors with Noah makes me privy to a few things. Like every now and then, Kathy loves to yell his full name in their house. Especially when she wants him to clean his room.

  Me: I have my ways.

  Noah: Fine. Two can play this game, Riley Ann Ellison.

  Wait. How did he—Never mind. He probably discovered the same way I did. I remember when Dad was still alive, Mom used to yell my name around the house whenever I was being naughty.

  Me: Whatever, Pritchett. Just get to the point.

  Noah: Fine. He’s asking if you’re dating someone.

  I suck in a breath. Lincoln wants to know if I’m dating someone. Does it mean he’s interested in me?

  Me: Why did he ask that?

  Noah: What do you think?

  I glance up to see Noah waggling his eyebrows suggestively.

  Oh. My. God. He is!

  My fingers fly as I text him back. What am I gonna do?

  Noah: Just play it cool. You don’t want to seem desperate.

  Me: Great. That helps a lot. Thanks.

  Noah: No. I’m serious. Linc doesn’t go for girls who act too eager. He prefers to do the chasing.

  Me: You mean I should play hard to get???

  Noah: No. He doesn’t like that either. Just be cool.

  Putting my phone back in my bag, I pretend to read the book again. But my mind is racing. Just be cool. I’ve done exactly that at lunch. I can do that again.

  It should be easy.

  Right?

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  It’s Saturday so I’m in Happy Serenity to help Mom out. While she’s entertaining customers, I’m sitting on the floor stacking new supplies on the shelves. I’m also glancing at my phone every now and then to check the time.

  What can I say? I can’t wait to go home and get ready for the party. Unfortunately though, there are few hours left before I can leave.

  It’s not like Mom will stop me if I tell her that I need to go. But Saturday is oftentimes the busiest day for the shop so I always make it a point to stay as long as I can. Mom is working hard to provide for us so it’s the least I can do.

  Plus, I enjoy helping out. I love seeing people come and go and the fact that I get to interact with them. Especially when they fill up the cash register—that’s the best part.

  I’m singing an Ariana Grande song under my breath when my phone chooses the moment to ring and vibrate on top of the box next to me.

  Putting down the candle I’m holding, I pick it up.

  It’s Bree.

  I answer the call. “What’s up?”

  “What are you going to wear tonight?” comes my best friend’s excited voice.

  “Um, hello to you, too.”

  She ignores me. “Are you going for a dress? Skirt? Skinny jeans? Tell me.”

  “I don’t know. Anything good enough for a party, I guess.” I have more than enough clothes in my closet to choose from, anyway. I can find something cute there.

  She groans. “You’re killing me here.”

  I make a face even though she can’t see me. “What? What did I say?”

  “You have to look your best, Riley. Tonight's the night for you and Lincoln. You already got his attention. Now you have to work to keep it. You gotta give it your all, girl.”

  I take a deep breath. My bestie’s got a point. “So what do you think I should wear? I need something that won’t make me look too eager. I told you what Noah said, right? That I just have to chill and play it cool. And remember it’s a party, not our date.”

  “But you can make it seem like a date.”

  “Um, how am I supposed to do that?”

  “I don’t know. Use your charm on him and take him somewhere private?”

  My eyes go round. “Bree!”

  She chokes out a laugh. “That’s not what I mean.”

  I throw a hand up. “Then what?”

  “Just make sure you have his attention all night. Stick by his side and don’t leave him.”

  “You want me to be a stalker. Awesome. I can do that,” I say dryly.

  “Oh, don’t be cray. Just act like you’re interested but not that interested.”

  Act interested but not that interested? What does it even mean?

  I blow out a frustrated breath. “Are you sure you can’t come along? I’m sure Noah won’t mind if we pick you up.”

  “You know I can’t. As much as I want to go, I have to stay at home and memorize my lines all weekend. All ten pages of them.”

  “Isn’t the play like two months away?”

  “Yeah. But we have to memorize the lines now. We’re done with the read-through, and tech rehearsals start next week.”

  Bree auditioned for the upcoming school play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and she was cast as Hermia. It’s her first lead role so she’s totally dedicated to it. Which means there’s no way I’ll be able to convince her to come to the party.

  I let out an audible sigh.

  “Sorry, Ri. But hey, what about Morgan? Maybe she can tag along.”

  “Didn’t she say she has plans tonight?”

  “Huh. I don’t remember. What kind of plans?” She sounds intrigued.

  “She didn’t exactly elaborate.”

  “Come to think of it. She’s being secretive lately.” She pauses. “Do you think she’s seeing someone?”

  “I won’t be surprised if it’s true. Remember when she used to sneak around with Brad Kingston?”

  Bree laughs lightly. “Oh, I remember. We wouldn’t have known about it if we hadn’t caught them making out in the parking lot.”

  We talk about Morgan and her potential mystery guy some more before hanging up. But not without Bree making me promise to take pictures of the outfit I’ll decide to wear later. Apparently, it needs Sabrina Lopez’s seal of approval.

  When the clock strikes four, I say goodbye to Mom. I expect her to give me a curfew but she just tells me to be safe and have fun. I ignore her suggestive wink at the word safe—because, seriously, ew.

  As I bike back home, excitement fills my chest at what’s in store for me tonight. I really hope it’s going to work in my favor. I’ve waited so long for me and Lincoln to happen.

  Since I have a lot of time left to prepare, I decided to indulge in a bubble bath instead of taking a regular shower. Bree said I have to look my best, so it won’t hurt to make my skin glow a little.

  And thanks to her, I spend a good hour choosing what to wear. Which is a first for me. It usually just takes me ten minutes to do it. So naturally, my closet is in complete disarray by the time I’m done.

  In the end, I opt for a white off-shoulder top and ripped blue jeans, pairing them with my favorite sneakers. I make quick work of applying my baby pink lip gloss and mascara before posing for a selfie and sending it over to Bree.

  She responds with three thumbs-up emojis just in time as the front door buzzes.

  I draw in a deep breath. It’s time to go.

  ******

  Laura is the one throwing the party. Something that Noah conveniently neglected to tell me. I guess he was worried I wouldn’t come along if he clued me in.

  Probably true.

/>   Still, I had the right to know.

  Am I even welcome to the party? Like what if Laura takes one look at me and decides to throw me out?

  I give the sneaky bastard the stink eye—to which he responds with a sheepish smile—as we stand at the front door of Laura’s house.

  But really, it’s more than a house. It’s a mansion that’s nestled right on the shoreline of West Shores Lake. A lakefront property in our town costs millions, and no doubt this one is worth as much.

  I don’t know what Laura’s parents do exactly, but they’re known to be rich so they can totally afford it.

  Walking into the party, Noah and I are instantly assaulted by blaring music. The source? A makeshift platform in one corner of the living room wherein a DJ is playing. Because why the heck not?

  Noah grabs my hand—startling me at the contact—and leads me to the huge sectional couch a few meters away. “Stay here. I’ll get us some drinks.”

  I simply nod and take a seat, letting my eyes wander across the place, taking in the dancing bodies in front of the DJ. If Bree and Morgan were here, they’d have already pulled me to the dance floor to dance.

  I miss them. I haven’t been able to spend a lot of time with them lately. Most of my time is spent with Noah.

  Speaking of—I spot him across the room talking to some of his football teammates. Of course, he already forgot about the drinks he was supposed to get us.

  But I get it. He’s popular. People are always drawn to him—be it at school or parties. He has to be at the center of everyone’s attention. I just hate that it feels like I’m being left alone.

  It’s not like I don’t come to parties. I do. But it’s always with Bree and Morgan—never by myself. This is another first for me.

  Some of my classmates see me and wave. But either they’re chatting with their friends or dancing to the music so they don’t bother coming over.

  I wonder where Lincoln is. He said he’d be here. But I haven’t seen him anywhere so far. Well, as far as my eyes can see.

  I have no intention of walking around the place. There’s no way I’m taking my butt off this couch. It’s plenty comfy, I can stay here all night. And I’m sure if I get up, someone will take my spot. So yeah, I’ll just be here.

  “You made it.” As if my mind conjured him, Lincoln is suddenly standing in front of me with a wide grin, two red Solo cups in his hands.

  “Hey.” I grin back, my heart skipping a beat. Gah, he’s here!

  Handing me the other cup, he sits next to me. “Noah is occupied so he asked me to keep you company.”

  “Thanks. You didn’t have to though.” But deep inside, I’m cheering. Thank you, Noah. “So, um, have you been here long?”

  He shakes his head. “Just five minutes before the two of you walked through the door.”

  That makes me pause. He saw us come in together? Does it mean he’s been watching me the whole time? God, I hope I didn’t look so awkward sitting alone.

  “When Noah found out I wanted to go, he gave me a ride. You know, since we’re neighbors and all,” I explain casually, taking a sip from my red cup.

  It’s beer. And here I thought Laura was serving cocktails. Guess she deemed them too fancy for us commoners.

  He smiles. “Well, I’m glad you came. Now I have someone to talk to.”

  “What about your friends?”

  “They all talk about sports at these things.”

  Ah, that’s right. Lincoln doesn’t play any sports in school unlike his friends. He’s more of a nerd than an athlete. But a very cute nerd at that.

  “Can’t relate, huh?”

  “You can say that. Plus I’m not really into parties.”

  “Really? Me, too,” I say a little too eagerly. Just be chill, remember? I clear my throat. “I mean, it’s never been my scene. My friends just usually bully me into coming with them.”

  “Same,” he chuckles.

  It’s official. We’re soulmates.

  I take another sip and glance around to keep a giddy smile from spreading across my face. But when my eyes find a couple making out across from us, I almost spit my drink out.

  “Morgan?” I choke out.

  As if she can hear me, she pulls away from Brad Kingston—the boy she’s kissing—and turns toward my direction. I want to laugh out loud when her eyes widen comically at the sight of me.

  “Busted,” I mouth to her, smirking.

  She gives me a guilty smile, her cheeks turning crimson. She’s about to approach but then gets distracted when Brad whispers something to her ear. She smiles at him then takes his hand, leading him away from the crowd.

  I don’t think I’ll be seeing her around again.

  “I didn’t know they’re dating,” Lincoln observes, apparently looking in the same direction.

  “Me neither.” Morgan is so going to explain herself on Monday when I see her.

  ******

  Later, I wander into the kitchen to get a glass of water. Beer always makes me thirsty.

  Of course, I made sure to tell Lincoln I’d be back. I can’t have him thinking I ditched him.

  There are two rows of water bottles from the fridge and I grab one, almost emptying it when I take a long pull.

  But then afterwards, I feel the need to relieve my bladder. So I walk out to find the nearest bathroom, but instead of spotting what I’m looking for, I catch Noah and Laura in the hall.

  They’re speaking in low, urgent voices and it looks like they’re having an argument. Are they arguing about me?

  Nah, that’s a little presumptuous.

  I’m about to walk away and give them privacy when Laura suddenly leans forward and kisses Noah.

  I stare, wide-eyed, half-expecting him to push her back.

  But then he simply grabs her arms, doesn’t even break the kiss.

  I guess that confirms it. They’re back together. For some weird reason, it bothers me.

  But then why should it? Their relationship drama doesn’t concern me at all.

  Brushing off the weird feeling, I turn away from the sight and make my way to the bathroom. I find one that’s empty and has no waiting line outside in the upstairs area. I do my business and freshen up. And once I’m satisfied with what I see in the mirror, I move to the door to step outside.

  But before I can, it’s pushed open and someone walks in.

  Laura—who looks straight out of a teen magazine cover with her red spaghetti strap dress and high heels.

  I step back without thinking, making her smirk.

  I wait for her to say something, but she just walks past me to the mirror and pouts at her reflection.

  No lipstick smudge even though she just made out with Noah. It’s like her lipstick knows better than to make her look less than perfect. Well, that or she’s just wearing an expensive brand.

  I’d like to think it’s the latter.

  When she starts fluffing her long light brown hair, I take that as my cue to leave and move again for the door.

  “I know you saw us.”

  I stop cold at her voice, casting a longing look at the door. So close.

  Slowly, I turn to face her. “What do you mean?”

  “Please.” She flashes me a bored look through the mirror. “You know what I’m talking about.”

  I do. But I don’t understand why she wants to discuss it. “If you want me to keep quiet—”

  She faces me fully, her eyebrows raised. “Now why would I want you to do that?”

  I’ve heard stories about Laura intimidating students in our school. But I’ve never thought I’d be unfortunate enough to be at the receiving end of it.

  Because that’s what she’s doing. She’s trying to intimidate me.

  I wish I can say that it’s not working.

  But I don’t want her to know that she’s affecting me, so I keep a neutral expression. “What is this really about, Laura?”

  “I think you already know, Riley.” She knows my name. Yay. Not.
/>   “Actually, I don’t.”

  She gives me a look that says, are you that dumb that I have to spell it out for you? Then rolls her eyes in annoyance. “Noah and I are back together.”

  “Um, congratulations? But what does it have to do with me?”

  She opens her mouth to speak but the door suddenly bursts open and two drunk girls stumble in.

  One of them giggles. “Oops, sorry. Is this bathroom occupied?”

  I don’t answer. Instead, I use the opportunity to make my escape, thankful for the distraction. I’m tempted to look over my shoulder, but I don’t want Laura to think that I’m afraid she’s following me. Especially when I can feel her eyes searing into the back of my head.

  I just survived a confrontation with Laura Ackerman in a bathroom. Wow. I’m pretty sure she was going to order me to stay away from Noah before she got interrupted. Maybe even threaten my life.

  Honestly, I wouldn’t put it past her.

  So just to be safe, I’m going to avoid the girls’ bathroom at school for a while. I won’t give her an opportunity to corner me there. The last thing I want is to be trapped in a room with her a second time. Or worse, with her and her posse.

  The possibility makes me shudder.

  When I reach the couch, Lincoln is still there but he looks bored. He perks up a little when he sees me. “Hey, want me to give you a ride home? I think I’ve partied enough for the night.”

  “Sure.” I glance around as we’re leaving, but I can’t find Noah in the crowd. Laura is probably still with him, making sure he’s not anywhere near me.

  I scoff inwardly. As if I’d take him from her.

  Morgan isn’t around either. Ten bucks say she’s still preoccupied with Brad Kingston. She really has a lot of explaining to do.

  “Um, Lincoln?” I say as we reach his car. “Can you text Noah and tell him you’re driving me home so he won’t have to look for me later?”

  “Sure.” He smiles, taking his phone out.

  I probably should ask for Noah’s number and do it myself. But the thought of Laura seeing my text and confronting me again is enough to discourage me.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  It’s Dad’s birthday so Mom and I head over to the cemetery Sunday morning to pay him a visit. We bring flowers and candles as well as a can of his favorite beer.