by Kelly Oram
Dad chuckled, but he stopped making out with my mom before he moved to the groping stage, thank heavens. “Okay, okay, fine, you spoilsport. Now what’s this about needing cash?”
I tasted bile in my mouth, but all was not lost. Dad’s pockets were a lot looser when he was in a good mood. I decided to take advantage and gave him my best pout. “The Coffee Man says that part of my spiritual cleansing means I can’t wear my skank clothes anymore. Something about owning myself and only dressing for me, or whatever.”
Mom and Dad both blinked at me, then shared a look of surprise. A wide grin spread across Dad’s face. “You know, I really like that guy.”
“Yeah, I’ll bet you do,” I muttered.
When they both started laughing, I screamed and yanked on my hair. “I’m being serious here, people. I know that’s a concept you’re both unfamiliar with, but would you please try to act like the adults you are for two seconds? I need your support with this. Adam told me I have to throw out any clothes I bought whilst trying to lure His Holy Hotness into my snare. But if I do that, I’ll have nothing left to wear. The only clothes I kept from my old wardrobe were a couple pairs of jeans and the cat shirt collection. I need new stuff, and buying a new look all at once takes some serious scratch.”
Mom and Dad stopped laughing. Mom was already sold—I could see it in her eyes—but Dad was squinting at me thoughtfully. I couldn’t tell how close he was to giving in, but he was at least considering it. I needed to push him over the edge. “I swear this isn’t a selfish-teenager-irresponsible-give-me-what-I-want thing. It’s for a good cause. Consider it like you’re donating to a charity. The Libby Garrett Reformation Foundation. In supporting this cause, you will be ensuring that I don’t have to go to college in the fall dressed as a hoochie mama, consequently spending my freshman year sleeping around with all the hot college guys.”
Okay, that last bit might have been just a scare tactic for my father. There was no way I’d be sleeping around with tons of hot college guys; I wasn’t that lucky. But dads are always biased, thinking their little girl is the prettiest girl ever and that every man is going to want them. My father is no exception to that rule. His eye twitched a couple times, and I knew I had him.
“Okay,” he said. He opened his wallet and handed me his debit card. My eyes bulged. I reached out, but hesitated to take the card. This had to be a joke. He never handed that bad boy over. There had to be a major catch. He physically put the card into my hand. “Get what you need. No limit.”
I choked on disbelief. Literally. I choked.
His lips curved up and his eyes twinkled. “But,” he said, “since I’m buying, I get dad veto rights for once. You have to show me everything you buy before you take the tags off, and you have to return anything I ask you to. Just in case your definition of non-skanky and mine don’t match.”
I could not believe this was happening. “Your terms are acceptable. You have a deal—as long as you don’t charge me interest, because it will probably take me all summer to pay you back—especially at the minimum wage you will be paying me to work in the shop. And seriously, Dad, I have to be able to save up something to go to college with.”
He grinned. “You don’t have to pay me back this time.”
I choked again. I think he was trying to kill me. Not that I was complaining this time, but did he have to delight so much in tormenting me? “WHAT?”
Dad and Mom both laughed. “This is a charitable donation, like you said. You know I’m generous if the cause is right. What more worthy of a cause could there possibly be than supporting the Libby Garrett Reformation Foundation? But I do require a signed contract on your part about that not being a hoochie mama and sleeping around with college guys bit.”
No. He wasn’t joking. I was sure the dork would actually write up a contract along those lines and make me sign it, but at the moment I didn’t care. I threw myself at him and squeezed the life out of him, squealing with delight. Surprisingly, he hugged me back with force, and he wasn’t laughing. All hints of play vanished as he squeezed me in a tight hug. “I’m proud of you, Libby.”
My chest constricted. I’d felt so crappy since the night I realized I’d let my parents down. Knowing I’d regained some of my dad’s approval was an even better gift than the money he was giving me for new clothes. Adam had said I’d need a support system, and now I fully understood what he meant. “Thanks, Dad. I’m sorry I let you down.”
My dad gave me a wry smile. “You’ve never been half the troublemaker I was at your age.”
“That’s true,” Mom chimed in. “Ask your grandparents about the guy who came home at sixteen completely blazed, with a tattoo and a flunking report card, and announced he was dropping out of high school to become a professional ski bum.”
“What? I’ve heard a lot of stories, but I’ve never heard that one.”
Dad gave me a sheepish grin. “It wasn’t exactly the example we wanted to set for you. And besides, your mom straightened me out.”
I glanced at my mom. The woman was smiling adoringly at Dad. “I dumped him and told him I wouldn’t date him again until he quit doing drugs and got caught up in his schoolwork.”
Dad grinned. “I got my act together pretty quickly.”
Laughing, I shook my head and hugged them both again. “Thanks, you guys. I have the coolest parents in the world.”
“Yes, you do,” Dad agreed. “Now, get out of here, and don’t come back for at least an hour. I need some alone time with your mom, and the hot tub’s calling my name.”
“DAD! GROSS!”
I shrieked and snatched the keys out of his hand, and they both burst out laughing again. As if my father’s suggestion weren’t damaging enough, as I jumped in the car my mom slipped her arm around my dad’s waist and said, “Make that two hours.”
I threw up in my mouth a little and was still gagging five minutes later when I ended up in front of Tara’s house. She was more than shocked to see me when she answered her door. “Tara!” I breathed a sigh of relief. “Oh my heck, my parents are home making out in the hot tub right now, and I know you hate me and I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but I really, really need you to come to the mall with me and keep me distracted right now because I think I’m going to be sick and I really, really, really need to apologize to you.”
Tara stared openmouthed at me as she thought back over everything I’d just blurted out. After processing my words, she frowned a little. “Did you catch them?”
I laughed. It was so Tara to skip the awkward and go straight to forgiving, loving friend. I wouldn’t let her get away with that—I would apologize properly—but I let it slide for now. “No. They kicked me out of the house and told me that’s what they were going to go do. They told me not to come back for two hours.”
She cringed. “That’s disgusting.”
“I know! Will you come shopping with me? I have my dad’s ATM card and no limit. I have to de-skankify my wardrobe, and you always dress so cute. I could really use your excellent fashion sense.” I paused a minute, and then more sincerely added, “And your company. I miss my friend.”
Tara’s eyes glossed over, and she smiled at me. “Let me get my purse.”
. . . . .
It was such a relief to hang out with Tara. It’d been so long since I just relaxed with another girl and didn’t have to worry about my looks, or what anyone thought about me, or if the person I was spending time with was embarrassed of me or not. I was able to just stroll the mall, being my old self rocking my cat shirt and laughing with my soft-spoken friend. It made me realize just how much I missed my old pre-Owen life.
When Tara suggested we hit the food court and get some dinner, I stopped her. “Are you kidding? I have my dad’s debit card. We’re going somewhere we have to sit down and order from a menu. He owes me for scarring me for life.”
Tara giggled and followed me to Red Robin without complaint. After we were seated and had ordered, I sighed. It was finally time to
have the serious talk. “Tara…”
My voice trailed off. I’d been thinking about this all evening, and I still had no idea what to say. How could I ever truly make up for what I’d done to her? I’d been so mad last year when Aiden ditched science club and told Avery he wasn’t going to do a project with her for the science fair. I’d been ready to feed him to a swarm of Dermestes beetles, and that was three months before the science fair when they hadn’t even done any work yet. I couldn’t imagine how awful Tara felt being ditched and having to back out of the competition.
“I’m so sorry,” I said, fighting to keep my voice steady. “I know that’s not nearly enough, but I don’t know what else to say.”
Tara sobered up and whispered, “It’s okay.” Her eyes were shining.
I shook my head. “No. It’s not okay. You are an amazing friend and I was the worst Equus africanus asinus in the world. I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but I hope you believe me that I really am mortally sorry. I’ll never forgive myself. But I promise I’ve dumped Owen and I’m trying to fix myself, which I know still doesn’t make up for bailing on you the way I did, but I’m trying.”
Tara sniffled. “I’m sorry about the intervention thing. We didn’t want to hurt you, but we didn’t know what else to do. We were just worried about you. We love you, Libby.”
“I know. I get it now. The Coffee Man has sort of shown me how much I needed to hear it. I’m not mad at you guys. I’m glad you guys all care about me enough to be honest. Can we be friends again? Real friends?”
Tara smiled sadly. “I’ve always been your friend, Libby. And I forgive you.”
I breathed a sigh of relief, and a piece of my heart mended back together. “I’m so sorry.”
Tara shook her head. “It’s forgotten.”
I laughed and took a sip of my water. “You’re too nice. I doubt the guys will be as easy to convince.”
Tara grinned. “You might be surprised. They feel terrible about ignoring you. Avery told us all about what you’re doing with your Owen Anonymous rehab. She says you’re killing it like a calculus test, too.”
My whole heart lightened. The Science Squad didn’t hate me. I’d still find a way to make it up to each of them individually, but I would definitely let them take me back as soon as possible. “I am sort of owning it,” I admitted, making Tara laugh.
Our food came then, and after taking my first bite, I looked up to see Tara watching me as if she had something she wanted to say but was too shy. “Spit it out, girlfriend.”
Tara flinched, but then surprised me with a wicked grin. “So, that guy Avery has you working with…is it driving you crazy spending so much time with him? I mean, he’s so hot.”
That was the last thing I’d ever expected her to say. “What?”
She looked at me as if I were obtuse. “A skateboarder with tattoos? Mmm. That guy is the definition of sexy.”
I nearly spit out my food, I was so shocked. “Tara! Are you kidding me with this right now?” Not that I didn’t agree with her one hundred percent about the sexy factor of the Coffee Man, but this was Tara. Sweet, little, quiet, shy Tara. “I can’t believe it! You’re a closet bad girl!”
Tara blushed and shook her head. “Only in my fantasies.”
I was developing my own crush on my sponsor extraordinaire, and I didn’t exactly want to share him, but I did owe Tara a life-debt, so I swallowed my jealousy and said, “He’s a really awesome guy. I could introduce you, if you want me to.”
Tara’s eyes doubled in diameter, and her face drained of all color. Much to my relief, she shook her head and rejected the offer. “That’s okay. I appreciate his looks, but I think I’d be too scared to ever actually talk to him.”
Adam could be a jerk to me, but he’d be totally sweet to a girl like Tara. But if she didn’t want to go out with him, I wasn’t going to push the issue.
“Actually…” She blushed again.
When she didn’t continue, I said, “Actually, what?”
She chewed on her lip, then mumbled down at her plate, “I sort of like Levi.”
My first instinct was to snort. I loved Levi, I did, but it would take a special kind of girl to date the fantasy-obsessed LARP geek. Tara, though, she loved renaissance faires and historical fiction. That was almost like Middle-earth stuff. The idea of Tara and Levi as a couple had merit.
My phone was in my hand before I even realized what I had in mind.
“Libby? What are you doing?”
I flashed her a devious grin. “Sun Li asked Brandon to junior prom last week.”
“I know. But what’s that—”
“So if Brandon’s going to prom, that means Levi will go too, since they don’t do anything without each other. And I’d be willing to bet Levi still needs a date.”
Tara gasped. “You’re going to ask Levi to the prom?”
“For you, babe. If you want me to…?”
She gasped again, but she didn’t object and finally gave me a tiny, terrified nod. That was all the permission I needed. I dialed Levi’s number and smiled when I heard the video games get turned down before he said hello. “So you’ve finally called to grovel, have you?”
I wanted to say something snarky because his bitterness hurt, but he had every right to be angry, so I swallowed my pride. “I do owe you a groveling session, but I am calling for a different purpose this evening. Prom is coming up and—”
“Galadriel have mercy, she’s asking me to the prom.” His voice became slightly muffled as if he’d pulled the phone away from his mouth. “This is all your fault, Brandon. Tell Sun you can’t go. Libby will have me in a sequined tux with a rainbow tie and cummerbund combo.” He turned his attention back to me. “I’m not wearing that, Libby. No freaking way.”
I snickered. That sounded like an awesome idea. I’d totally do it if I intended to make him go with me. “No, you twit. You’re going to take Tara to the prom. Not me. And we saw this amazing pink dress a little while ago that would look dynamite on her, so you can go with traditional black for the tie and cummerbund, and light pink roses for the corsage.”
The phone was once again muffled on the other end of the line, and I heard a series of low murmurs as Levi and Brandon had some kind of grave discussion. While I waited for Levi to come back, I winked across the table at Tara, who was staring at me while gnawing nervously on her bottom lip. Levi returned, growling in an irritated voice. “This isn’t funny, Libby. Why are you telling me to take Tara to prom?”
“Because she likes you, you idiot. Only she’s too shy to say anything, and you’re too oblivious to notice. She really wants to go with you. Will you take her to prom?”
The line was so quiet for a moment I thought I might have put poor Levi into cardiac arrest. Then he muttered something in Elvish and cleared his throat. “You’re not messing with me?”
I sighed. “I swear. I know I’ve been a jerk, but I’d never joke about this kind of thing with you. And just because I’m an idiot when it comes to my own relationships doesn’t mean that I can’t see how good you and Tara would be for each other.”
His answering voice was quiet and insecure. “Are you sure? She really likes me? Because, Libby, I have an epic crush on her. Ask Brandon. I’ve been talking about her to him all year. You’d be my hero if you really got her to go to prom with me.”
I was on a roll with the emotions today. Levi hadn’t been straight with me like this for so long. He used to come to me for advice and have heartfelt conversations with me all the time. But it’d been probably close to a year that he’d been nothing but superficial and sarcastic and even spiteful with me. I always wondered what his deal was. I’d never considered that I might be the problem.
“Sounds like I need to invest in a cape, then, because I am completely serious. She’s sitting right here with me. Will you ask her to the prom?”
“Yeah. Yeah, I will.” There was another short pause, and then he added a quiet “Thanks, Libby.”
I
felt grateful and guilty all at the same time. “Don’t thank me. This is the kind of thing friends are supposed to do for each other. If I hadn’t been so self-absorbed, I’d have noticed it a lot sooner.” I swallowed thickly. “I’m sorry I’ve been a terrible friend, Levi. I’ll do better from now on. I promise.”
He sighed, but I heard a smile in his reply. “It’s good to have you back, Libby.”
I smiled. “It’s good to be back. I’m handing you to Tara now. Rock her world hard, my friend.”
I nearly had to hold the phone to Tara’s ear myself because she was so scared to take the call, but by the time she hung up, she was glowing with happiness. “So?” I asked.
Her eyes glossed over and she let out this half laugh, half sob. “We’re going to the prom.”
She jumped out of her seat and tackled me with a grateful hug. We laughed together and she sniffled a little, which choked me up a lot. This making amends thing wasn’t as bad as Adam made it sound. Yeah, I felt bad about what I’d done, and admitting I was a jerk isn’t exactly the easiest thing to do, but seeing Tara so happy and hearing the relief and gratitude in Levi’s voice—having my friends back? It was humble pie served with the sweetest ice cream topped with hot fudge and sprinkles.
Adam
I couldn’t get Libby out of my head. First, spending Saturday at the snowboarding competition, and then Sunday afternoon with her at her house only made me realize that every instinct I ever had about her was right. Libby was amazing. I’d always crushed on the girl, but I hadn’t really known her before now. It only took me those two days together last weekend to fall and fall hard for the crazy freeboarding cat-shirt-wearing Elvis Presley-loving beauty.
She hadn’t come into the shop all week, and I was worried that she was avoiding me. I can be a little too intense—Kate loves to bust me on it. Things had been pretty severe when I left Libby’s house last weekend. She’d asked me to skate with her, and as much as I’d wanted to, I left because I could tell that I’d overwhelmed her too much. She doesn’t like to be vulnerable, and she’d needed a break from me after I’d cracked open her defenses.
