Life, Love, & Lemons

by Vernon, Magan

  I was in the group with Gabby and some of her other friends on the pom squad, but the last person I expected to see sitting at the end of our table was my former BFF, Taylor.

  I grabbed Gabby’s arm and pulled her around the corner near the restrooms as soon as I saw Taylor. “You didn’t tell me that Taylor was going to be here!” I tried not to scream.

  She bit her bottom lip. “I guess I forgot about one of the guys needed a date and Brett volunteered her.”

  “That doesn’t sound like something she would do!” I tried to whisper, but I was getting more nervous by the second. I hadn’t seen Taylor since the East and St. Christopher’s game. I didn’t even know if I could sit across from her without wanting to scream at her.

  Gabby shrugged. “I guess she figured if she did a favor for Brett then maybe he would like her more or something.”

  “Ugh!” I stomped my foot.

  “Oh come on, Bee, it won’t be that bad you can just ignore her,” she pleaded pulling me toward the table.

  “Easy for you to say,” I muttered and took my place next to Brett.

  “Hey, Bee, long time no see.” Taylor put on her best fake smile. Her bright yellow, sequined dress probably cost more than a month’s rent.

  “Hey, Taylor.” I looked around the table for someone else to talk to.

  “Where’s your date?” she asked, smacking her lips.

  “He couldn’t make it.” I was still searching, wishing that Brett and Gabby weren’t deep in conversations with other people.

  “Nice dress, but it looks really familiar, like you wore it two years ago.” The sarcasm just dripped from her voice as she took a sip of her drink.

  That actually caught some people’s attention. They tried not to stare but when two girls are getting catty, it’s kind of hard not to watch.

  “Hey, Bentley.” I turned around to see Grant walk up with his arm around Roxy. I had absolutely no idea they were together, or at least going to Homecoming together. He was dressed in all black with some plaid suspenders to match Roxy’s very short plaid dress.

  “Oh, hey ,Grant, hey, Roxy.” I smiled up at them. It’s not like Grant and I were usually on that much of speaking terms, or Roxy for that matter.

  “Well we just saw you sitting over here and wished you would have told us you were coming here. We would have made you sit with our table.” Grant smiled.

  “Well, um, it’s not like Kai’s with me or anything you know he couldn’t make it…”

  Roxy waved her hand, making her dozens of bangles jangle. “Just because Kai isn’t here doesn’t mean you can’t sit with your friends.”

  Did Roxy just talk to me? And did she just say that I was her friend?

  “Well, we should get going,” Grant said and held up his keys. “Gotta meet up with some people before the dance, but you better save a dance for me, Homecoming Queen.”

  “Bye, Bentley.” Roxy waved and winked at me as they left.

  At that time I realized that the whole table was really watching me now. They all were pretending to be doing something else as soon as I turned back to the table. Well, everyone except for Taylor. She even ignored her date—Steve who was one of the pom girl’s brothers or something—when he tried to engage her in conversation.

  “Wow, Bentley, really moving up in the world. Last season’s dress and hanging out with a bunch of pot heads. I can’t say that I’m surprised though. You always had a bit of a wild streak.” She crossed her arms with that smug smirk on her face.

  I rolled my eyes. “Really, Taylor? Are we going to play this petty I’m better than you bull that we’ve been doing since grade school because it’s really getting old.”

  She scoffed. “Whatever. Don’t act like you’re better than me because you learned to live with being poor or whatever.”

  “Ugh, Taylor, you’re something else, but I have a lot better things to do than fight with you.” I took a drink of my water and turned toward Brett, trying to break into his and Gabby’s conversation.

  “This conversation isn’t over, slut,” She hissed.

  I turned back toward Taylor a lot sharper than I intended.

  “Um excuse me? You’re calling me a slut?” I tried not to laugh. This was the same girl that dated my ex-boyfriend right after me and was infamous for her escapades in the janitor’s closet.

  “You’re the reason why Jake and me broke up. You want to have your punk boy and your old life too; well you can’t, and you never will.” She pounded her fist on the table, making everyone stare at us.

  “Taylor, can we not do this?” I whispered.

  “What are you afraid to be exposed for the person you really are? You know you blamed everything on your dad losing his job, but you didn’t have to change like you did. I mean, I knew you were always jealous of me, but this takes it to the extreme,” she practically screamed.

  I let out a deep breath, counting to three before I spoke. I couldn’t deny that I was angry, but I had to think if it was really going to be worth fighting with Taylor. “You’re right, Taylor.”

  She had a genuine look of shock on her face. “Really?”

  “Yeah, I mean, well not about the Jake part, but I have changed and I did blame all my problems on Dad’s lay-off when instead of blaming everything on him, I should have been trying to help instead of playing the blame game. Blaming people and trying to make them look bad for your own selfish gain is never a good thing.”

  I put my hands down in my lap. “I may never be able to be that same girl I was a year ago, but I think that everything I’ve been through has made me a more understanding person. And if that makes me a bad person or someone you don’t want to be friends with, then there is nothing I can do that will change your mind.”

  Taylor didn’t bother me for the rest of dinner.

  Chapter 40

  Lemon Water

  “Welcome to East High’s Homecoming, A night under the stars,” Mrs. Grover yelled into the microphone. She looked even tenser than she usually does, or maybe she wasn’t used to wearing a dress and heels.

  “Now before we get this dance started we are going to announce your Homecoming King and Queen.” She smiled, but it was a tight-lipped, forced one.

  I stood on the stage with my arm looped around some guy from the basketball team. I don’t think he had said two words to me, but he sure was excited to whisper and make jokes to his teammate that was standing next to us with Macy.

  At St. Christopher’s they usually rented a hall for dances and had professional decorators come in and use real flowers with every bit of expensive silk drapery that they could find. This was definitely not the case at East. Homecoming was in the gym and basically it looked like a gym with the lights turned down and a few blue streamers draped from the ceiling.

  “Your first court nominees are Macy Simpson and Michael Cole,” Mrs. Grover yelled as Macy and Michael strutted across the stage like they already had it in the bag.

  As I watched Macy, I realized how much of my old self I saw in her. The blonde hair and the perfect persona that she put on for the world. Then I wondered if that’s really how she was on the inside, or if she just wanted to forget about all the pressure and just let go. I hated to admit it but finally letting go of all the pressure to be perfect was one of the best things that could have happened to me. Now if I could just figure out this whole juggling a boyfriend who is suspended and trying not to wear gang colors to school, I’d be set.

  “And your final nominees are Bentley Evans and Ryan Brown.”

  The crowd cheered louder for us than any of the other nominees. I actually couldn’t believe it. Even the girls with neon hair that threw spit wads at me were cheering from the back of the gym. I tried not to blush as I walked by with Ryan, who was definitely eating everything up as he flexed and did some other stupid jock poses. When we got back to our place he finally calmed down and just continued to run his hands through his stupid blown-out hair.

  “And this year’s Homecomin
g King goes to: Michael Cole,” Mrs. Grover yelled into the microphone as Michael beat his hands on his chest like some sort of a caveman.

  The King and Queen were each supposed to give a speech, and you could tell that Michael was pretty sure that he would win because both he and Macy had little pieces of paper in their hands.

  “Oh man, first off I’d like to thank God…” I couldn’t listen to his stupid Chicago accent and tried not to yawn as he read his speech.

  I scanned the gym to look for people I knew. Taylor had her hands grazing all over her date’s body and Gabby was happily watching everything from the front row with Brett at her side. Brody and Grant stood in the back with Roxy and Teegan. I couldn’t see if Brynne was with them or not, but I was going to be sure to stay away from the bathroom if she was around.

  “Miss Evans?” Mrs. Grover called.

  I blinked hard and saw that everyone was staring at me and clapping.

  “Are you high or something? She just said that you got Queen,” Ryan spat between clenched teeth.

  “Oh…OH.” My cheeks flushed as I walked over to the microphone where last year’s Queen put a plastic tiara on my head and a shimmery sash over my dress.

  I stepped up to the microphone. I knew I was supposed to be giving a speech, but even though it’s really cliché, I wasn’t expecting to win.

  “Wow, um, definitely wasn’t expecting this to happen.” I giggled nervously. “I guess all I can really say is thank you. Really, thank you for making the new girl feel a little bit better about herself and for taking the time to vote for me. It’s already been one interesting first month at school, and I really look forward to the rest of the year.”

  I looked over at Macy who obviously was not happy that I won, but for the first time, I actually felt like that I belonged. I had the jocks standing next to me and the punk kids cheering for me. That was so not what I was expecting.

  “Now for the first dance by the Homecoming King and Queen.” Mrs. Grover pointed her arm out toward the dance floor as Michael looped my arm in his.

  “Man, Evans, you look kind of hot when you’re all dressed up,” he whispered as we walked off of the stage.

  “Sorry, Michael, I prefer my men with guyliner.” I smirked, heading out to the dance floor.

  That same Sinatra song that I taught Kai to dance with started playing, and I wanted to tear up. Everything was starting to fall into place, but I couldn’t ignore that he definitely wasn’t there, and I really might have to go the rest of the school year without him.

  “Um, dude, can I cut in?” I heard someone say from behind Michael.

  When Michael stepped back, I couldn’t help but grin; it was Kai. Not only was it Kai, but he was in the most ridiculous outfit that I think he could have been in. I guess he felt that a green plaid shirt with a black vest and a pair of pin-striped pants was the perfect outfit to wear to Homecoming. I wanted to laugh when I saw his outfit, but I couldn’t help but be amazed that he was even there.

  “This is sort of our song.” He smiled looking at me and ignoring Michael’s open-mouthed expression.

  “Hey, he’s not supposed to be here!” Macy stormed into the middle of the dance floor, her bright purple dress swished as she moved. “Mrs. Grover!” she shrieked.

  Mrs. Grover walked off of the stage rubbing her temple. “Yes, Miss Simpson?”

  “This is the King and Queen’s dance, and this stupid emo boy is running it!” She pointed at Kai. “And he’s not even supposed to be here. He was suspended for drugs!” she shrieked even louder.

  A circle of students had formed around us now, all anxiously awaiting to see Mrs. Grover’s reaction.

  “Miss Simpson, I think you need to lower your voice.” Mrs. Grover stepped closer to us. “There is no rule that says there has to be a King and Queen dance, and, not that it’s any of your business, but Mr. Stone’s suspension has been lifted. Another student was found to be guilty of planting the drugs.”

  Macy’s eyes grew wide. “But—”

  Mrs. Grover cut her off. “Now please let’s just have a nice time tonight.”

  Macy stormed off with Michael in tow as Kai and I just stood in the middle of the dance floor staring at each other.

  “When were you going to tell me that the suspension was lifted?” I put my hands on my hips, looking up at him.

  He pulled me closer and put one hand on my hip and took my hand with his other one as he moved me in a perfect waltz. “I literally just found out. Apparently your mom called the school saying that they were discriminating against you because you’re poor and then proceeded to tell them that apparently she thinks I’m gay, so the school board is homophobic.”

  I actually laughed at that part. “My mom called the school?”

  “Oh yeah, I guess she called Mrs. Grover last night and said that she was going to have every media outlet bring up a story that girl with the laid off dad was getting blamed for drugs because she didn’t have money, and they blamed me because I apparently dress funny.” He laughed and pulled me closer.

  I couldn’t believe that Mom would do that for me. I guess her selfishness did pay off since if her daughter’s reputation was ruined then her own would be too.

  “But what about Brynne? Did she actually come forward then?” I asked.

  Kai shrugged. “I don’t know. All I know is that Mrs. Grover called Mom this afternoon, and I rushed here as soon as I could to make sure I wouldn’t miss seeing the Homecoming Queen.”

  I didn’t have to stand up on my tippy toes as Kai leaned down and kissed me. I couldn’t help but smile beneath the kiss. But that was short-lived as a big, furry hand was shoved in between us.

  “Handshake!”

  Mr. Brown, the PE teacher, was standing in front of us. Even though teachers were encouraged to dress up for Homecoming, he was still standing there in his jogging suit.

  “This is a school function, you can dance, you can hold hands, but there will be no kissing!” The spit gathered at the sides of his mustache.

  “Yes, Mr. Brown.” I tried not to laugh as I took Kai’s hand and led him off of the dance floor.

  “I can’t say that I’m too surprised.” Gabby approached us as we stepped out of the crowd.

  “And why do you say that?” I raised an eyebrow at Gabby. “You wouldn’t have had anything to do with all of this, would you?”

  Gabby looked around before she leaned in toward me. “Let’s just say, to get Roxy to turn Brynne in, I had to do a lot of things that no girl should ever have to do, and I’m never going to get the smell out of my hair.”

  My eyes widened.

  “Trust me,” she laughed, “you don’t want to know.”

  I smiled at Gabby as Kai tugged on my hand and pulled me back toward him.

  “So what do you say, Bentley, is it time to say, screw the lemons, and bail?” He smiled as he looked down at me.

  “You know sometimes you have to say, screw the lemons, and bail, but sometimes you just have to take those lemons, cut them up and put them in a glass of water.” I smiled leaning in as I whispered, “And you know how much I like lemon water.”

  If you enjoyed this book, please leave a review on GoodReads or whatever online retailer you picked up this book from.

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  Other Books by Magan Vernon

  How to Date an Alien (My Alien Romance #1)

  How to Break up with an Alien (My Alien Romance #2)

  How to Marry an Alien (My Alien Romance #3)

  My Paper Heart (My Paper Heart Saga #1)

  The Only Exception

  The Only One (Upcoming October 2013)

  Off The Market (12 NA’s of Christmas Novella)

  About the Author

  Magan Vernon is a Young Adult and New Adult writer who lives with her family in the insurance capital of the world.

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  Acknowledgements

  In 2010, I was struggling to find an agent with a little book about a college aged main character called My Paper Heart. A good friend, Kelly Viel, gave me the idea to write a book about a girl who has a dad that gets laid off and she has to move to a small apartment. I said it was a stupid idea and then I wrote it in three weeks. Thank you Kelly for bringing this story to life.

  To my critique partners Leta Gail Doerr, Rachel Tidermann, Angela Carlie, and Megg Jensen. You will all be future members of my fake band Garage Sale Panties.

  Allie Brennan for the awesome cover that I think really captures the book.

  The Indelibles, I love each and every one of you with all of my heart.

  Giselle with Expresso Book Tours for helping to spread the word.

  Marcie at Looking Glass Editing, eventually I’m going to stop thanking you because now EVERYBODY is using you for your awesome skills.

  My bloggers, yes MY bloggers. You guys rock with supporting all of my books!

  My husband, my love, T-Rex. I don’t know what I would ever do without you.

  Claire and Olivia. I love both of you with every fiber of my being.

  But most of all to you, the reader that picked up this book. Thank you for taking a chance on me. I heart you most of all.

  A special sneak preview of

  Daughter of Isis

  from Kelsey Ketch!

  Chapter 1

  Tired and grumpy from the long flight from London, Natti fidgeted in her seat as she scanned the Southern California desert with its rolling hills of brush. The rental car whizzed east along the empty road that split off Highway 40. “The desert?” she groaned, her British accent giving her words a bit of an edge to her voice. “You moved us from beautiful London to live in the desert?”