Unknown

by Admin

  Raylee searched for Billy, but he was no longer in sight. She wondered if he'd decided to stay for the game. Not wanting to appear too obvious looking for him, she kept her eyes on the game as much as possible. The first half sped by, with neither team scoring.

  At halftime, tensions rose because the teams were tied.

  The cheerleading squad made a big move. Crystal straightened her body while a couple of the girls lifted her high, placing her onto their shoulders, then pushing her up until they formed a pyramid. At the top of it, she balanced on one leg, hopped to the other, her arms akimbo. A few seconds passed and then the rest of the squad bounced her into the air where she tumble-flipped and was caught by the whole band of cheerleaders. They couldn’t have timed it any better, for just as Crystal came down, the Wild Cats scored the winning point.

  The crowd erupted in shouts and hollers and whistles.

  Raylee couldn't help but notice how Crystal beamed like she was on top of the world.

  And that Paul never showed.

  ***

  An hour still remained before the dance started. Raylee hurried home to get ready. When she got there, her dad said Paul had called.

  She returned his call, wondering why he didn't show.

  "So sorry, Raylee. I thought I was just going to stop by my house to check in, but I forgot my dad needed me to help him at the dealership. I left a message, but I figured you were already at the game.

  "That's OK. Guess what?"

  "What?"

  "I overheard Crystal claim that her parents sponsored the dance, which we know Katy's parents have been doing the last couple of years. And Crystal bragging about going to Homecoming with Billy? I found out from Katy that they aren't an item. Not only did she lie about her relationship with him, Katy said everyone knew they would be crowned king and queen and that is the reason they are going to be there together. The only reason," she stressed.

  "So, maybe it will work out with him and you."

  Her face lit up at the suggestion, but her words came tumbling out in doubt. "No. He doesn’t like me like that. I can tell. You know what’s weird? I always thought that once I got to high school that relationships would be easy, but they have been anything but."

  "You ready to go?"

  She looked at her watch. Only thirty minutes until Donald showed. "Oh, man, I better go. Hey, what are you going to do anyway?"

  "Just hang out and watch a movie with my parents."

  She felt bad that he wouldn't be there, hoping he wouldn't feel left out.

  As if channeling her thoughts through the phone, he said, "Don't worry about me. I'll be fine."

  "Good. Have fun."

  "You too."

  Hanging up, she wondered now what the dance would be like without her two closest friends. But she didn't have much time to ponder that, she had to get into her dress. Her mom followed her to the downstairs master bath, carrying the dress for her.

  After she changed, she invited her mom in to help her with her makeup and hair, which Raylee had no clue about.

  "You keep moving."

  "Sorry, Mom. I don't know what to expect. It's been two years." She turned to her. "Just so sudden, you know?"

  "You like him still?"

  It was an important question that she hadn't thought about in a while.

  “I don't think so. I mean, I don't know if I'm nervous because he's nervous or because I like him." She swiveled in the chair, checking the back of her dress to make sure that it was smoothed out.

  "Is it just the two of you?"

  “Yeah. Paul was supposed to go, but he couldn't find a date."

  "He could join you two, couldn't he?"

  "Yeah, but he'd rather not go, he said. And Katy has to go out of town for some family thing."

  "Oh, that's too bad. You going to be okay about that?"

  "Kind of. I wish they were going. It's been sort of weird with Donald. We're not dating. We're friends, but he's been distant, and he'll be leaving next year, but maybe he still has feelings for me. We haven't talked too much. It's just all been different, confusing."

  She didn't bother mentioning Billy at all; that would be even more complicated to explain.

  While her mom finished putting the finishing touches on Raylee’s hair, her eye rested on her Bible sitting on the seat next to the bathroom vanity.

  Her heart lifted with the promise of God’s Word. Just a few months ago, she'd been bummed over attending Silver Canyon High again, but things seemed to be looking up.

  A few minutes later, the doorbell rang. Raylee jumped.

  Her mom patted her hand. "You look beautiful."

  Her dad was answering the door and inviting Donald in.

  "Time to make my entrance," Raylee quipped.

  She headed out to the living room, her mom trailing behind.

  He stared at her in amazement for a moment like he just couldn’t look away. Finally, when he broke out of his awestruck daze, he left her dad’s side and took a step toward her.

  Was he changing his mind about her?

  "Raylee, you look stunning." He smiled as he lifted her hand. He held a corsage of baby blue blooms that he attempted to slide over her wrist, only they slipped out of his hand and tumbled to the floor. Turning red, Donald bent down to retrieve it and tried again, this time sticking her in the wrist with one of the pins.

  "Ouch!" Raylee jerked a little. Donald turned redder and apologized. Then, at last, he managed to slip the corsage over her wrist without any more fumbles. The colors complemented the aqua hue of her dress.

  Her mom handed her a clear box holding a single white flower. "Oh, right, I forgot it." Raylee laughed and opened the lid to pull out the flower, which she took several seconds to pin to his suit, though she managed to succeed without injuring anybody. She took a few seconds to take him in. He looked incredibly striking in his dark blue suit, his thick hair parted on the side and gelled back.

  "Midnight," her dad said. "Good to see you again, Donald. Have a good time, you two." He smiled broadly as Donald headed out the door, but not before flashing a thumbs up sign at Raylee. Groaning inwardly, Raylee grabbed her purse and fumbled her way out the door.

  Before they could get into the car, her mom was shouting after them.

  "Pictures!"

  She was holding up a big black camera and already snapping away. "Natural shots are the best!"

  Could it get any more embarrassing?

  Then her dad joined them. He was beaming at Raylee, like he was proud of her.

  "Stand next to each other." Her mom waved her hand at them as she peered through the lens. "A little closer."

  Did her mom know something about them that Raylee didn't?

  Raylee relaxed a little and posed willingly for the camera. Donald had unexpectedly taken her hand, and she was surprised that his touch still took her breath away. Her nervousness was so palpable, she couldn’t wait to get out of there. When her mom was finally done snapping away, they walked over to Donald's VW Bug.

  "Such a cool car. Where did you get it?"

  "My mom used to drive it around until she bought a newer car. This one's from the 70's."

  They hopped in. He started the engine and took off.

  As Raylee glanced around the car, she gasped, her eyes wide in wonder. On the dash were streamers in different shades of blue that encircled tiny disco balls. In the back seat, a cooler offered them bottled water and fresh fruit. A mini strobe light blinked from the rear deck, lighting up in tune with the pop songs pumping out of the radio. He had really gone all out.

  "Donald, I can’t believe you did this for us. I mean, it’s like going in a limo."

  "Help yourself to some water." He grinned.

  ***

  The latest top forty hits spilled from speakers as they handed their tickets to Mr. Rivers, her chemistry teacher, who apparently had gotten stuck with checking all students for tickets and alcohol. Behind th
em, a senior emptied his pockets while Mr. Rivers held out his large hand to swipe the tiny bottle of liquor from him before pointing him out the door.

  "Your parents will be getting a call from me, Mr. Hinkley."

  Donald looked at Raylee and wiped his forehead in a mocking gesture. "Close call," he muttered in her ear. She laughed, looking around in awe at how much work the ASB put in to transforming the gym into a danceable hall. The bleachers were decorated with streamers in their school’s colors.

  Donald put his hand on her back and led her to an empty table near the punch and plates of snacks.

  "Thirsty?"

  "I don’t know. It might be spiked."

  They both spotted Mrs. Adams leaning against the snack table, her hawk-eyed stare fixed protectively on the punch. They turned to each other and together said, "Not a chance" before busting into laughter.

  They grabbed a couple of glasses and used a plastic ladle to fill them with the red liquid, then sat at a table for two that was tucked away in a corner.

  A fast-paced pop song played. She really wanted to dance. But she didn’t know if he wanted to. The thought of asking him and then being rejected would sting a bit, and she didn’t want to go through that. But that was okay if he didn’t want to, because they were friends anyway, right? Either way, she would find a way to enjoy this night.

  "Care to dance?" Donald’s hand was suddenly opened and reaching out to her.

  Her heart patted, and she wondered at that. Were her old feelings for him coming back, or was she just glad a boy was showing interest in her?

  "Okay." She took his hand and let him lead her to the floor. About ten other couples braved the area also, so even if she turned out to be a terrible dancer, no one would notice.

  She swung her hips and pumped her arms. "I haven’t done this before."

  "That’s okay. Here. Just put your hands around my neck and I’ll put mine around your waist."

  She was confused. "But this is a fast song."

  His body was inches away now. "Doesn’t this feel nice?"

  She had to admit that it did. His skin was warm, but not sweaty, and his breath smelled minty; he must have been chewing on breath mints just before they arrived. She was thankful for that. Surprised by the way she felt, she tried not to think on it and focused on enjoying the music, bright colorful strobe lights flashing all around the dance floor.

  She had a feeling this was going to be a night to remember.

  But a few minutes later, the music stopped, followed by a big round of applause and whoops and hollers filling the auditorium.

  TWELVE

  In her deep emerald dress, Crystal seemed well aware that everyone thought she looked stunning. The gold rope necklace accentuated her strapless gown as she floated across the stage. Next to her, Billy looked absolutely gorgeous in his solid black suit.

  But Raylee couldn't help but notice Gina as she brushed past her.

  "Come on!" Gina didn’t look happy. Her hair was flopping all over the place as she, David, and Ryan crossed the room. As they neared her and Donald, she complained loudly enough for them to hear. They were all either oblivious to who was around them, or they just didn't care.

  "I am so sick of Henry. He acts like he wants to go to the dance, but then he says he ‘forgot’ all about it!"

  "He’s a jerk, Gina. You know that." David squeezed her shoulder. "Look, we’re going to have a good time tonight, and no one is going to take that away from us. No one."

  Gina curled her lips into a Grinch-like sneer, lowering her voice to say something that Raylee couldn't make out.

  "Hey, she’s not so bad," Ryan piped in. Raylee wondered who they were talking about, and at the same time, wished she didn't care. A moment later, Mr. Rivers was gesturing David to the entrance. Frowning, Raylee did her best to turn her attention back to Donald, but behind him Crystal had drifted down off the stage and was nudging Gina, whose lips were pressing into a satisfied grin.

  David bumped into the girls a second later, and they both grumbled at him. He held his hands up in defense. "Sorry, sorry. For some reason, Mr. Rivers thought I, of all people, would try to sneak liquor in. He gave me a regular pat down. I’m so humiliated that I might just report him to Principal Grabisch."

  The girls exploded in laughter. Raylee groaned inwardly. Whenever Crystal was happy, it was because someone else was miserable.

  Ryan led them all to one of the bigger tables, only a few feet away from her and Donald's table. She couldn't tell for sure what it was, but Crystal slipped something to him under the table. He winked at her, then headed to the punch table.

  Frowning, she glanced around the gym, trying to get her mind off of the clique. She spotted Billy clear across the room, speaking to some students she didn't know.

  But she couldn't ignore what was happening just a few feet away or stop the unease that rushed through her right then.

  Lifting his glass at the punch table, Ryan said to no one in particular, "To a hell of a year." A few scattered laughs erupted nearby.

  Back at the clique table, David raised his glass so swiftly that some liquid splashed onto the floor. "I’m going to need a refill." The girls laughed. "To us." Crystal and Gina joined in the toast. They took a huge swig from their cups simultaneously, then sat back to watch the growing crowd.

  "You want to sit down?" Donald asked Raylee, yanking her out of her zone.

  "Sure."

  They made their way back to their table. She did her best to ignore the circle of friends, but the music hadn't restarted yet and the DJ was taking a fifteen-minute break, so she couldn't help but overhear the conversation, though Donald seemed unaware of it, his gaze wandering around the room over all of the decorations.

  "What happened to Henry?" David asked.

  "It’s okay. He apparently ‘forgot’." Gina made quotation marks with her fingers, the sarcasm in her voice strong.

  From the corner of her eye, Raylee noticed that David wrapped his arm around her. "Hey, no worries. You got me here."

  She turned to him and grinned.

  Raylee was a bit surprised at how quickly she was forgetting Henry. They’d dated for six whole months. Though she didn't care for Henry since he always creeped her out.

  Gina leaned into David a little bit and he whispered something in her ear. She nodded.

  "It’ll have to wait though." Gina tapped the top of his hand.

  Crystal sat up. "What will have to wait?"

  "David’s parents are gone for the weekend. And their liquor cabinet is open." She looked back at David. "Crystal and I have a little school project to finish up first. Care to watch?"

  David licked his lips suggestively. "I can’t wait."

  Gina got up and followed Crystal to the bathroom.

  "You hungry?" Donald asked.

  Raylee had to break her attention away from the four of them. She was missing out on enjoying herself. She looked at Donald and nodded. "Sure."

  "OK." He got up and made his way over to a larger table that was filled with appetizers and snacks.

  When the girls emerged several minutes later, Crystal was smiling wickedly as they joined the boys.

  Raylee quickly looked away, though she could hear everything they said. They were always so loud, apparently wanting everyone to notice them.

  "And what about Henry?"

  "Henry who?"

  "How can you forget about him already? I mean, it’s not like you two broke up. He just forgot. . ."

  Gina scoffed. "As far as I’m concerned, we’re through. Besides, David’s way hotter."

  Donald, thankfully, returned right then with plates full of a variety of snacks. After she and Donald ate some of the food, the DJ resumed the music and they returned to the dance floor.

  Billy was dancing with a girl from her history class. She wondered if he liked her. Not that it mattered, of course. She couldn't expect him to look at her as more than an acquaintanc
e, especially since she became practically tongue-tied whenever she tried to talk to him.

  Donald turned out to be a good dancer, twirling her across the floor, swinging his hips as he guided them around in circles. But as they maneuvered around a lot of couples who had the same idea, she picked up more of the conversation.

  Ryan’s interest was piqued by something, his eyebrows raised. "Now what?"

  Crystal stood abruptly, the boys looking on cluelessly as she made her way to the entrance.

  Mr. Rivers was still at the door, wiping his clammy forehead and looking more than just a little worn out.

  Crystal said something to him when she got there, then nodded in Raylee’s direction.

  He looked too, shaking his head.

  What was going on? Why were they looking at her?

  A moment later, she left Mr. Rivers looking flabbergasted as she rejoined her party. As she returned to her table, Crystal started up another conversation with Gina. Raylee kept her eyes on Donald.

  He was busy gliding across the floor now, shaking his arms in perfect rhythm. Raylee stepped back, letting him do this thing. The room exploded into clapping, slapping their hands in sync as he inched throughout the crowd. She couldn't believe what an amazing dancer he was. For a few minutes, he was the highlight of the evening. Cheers went up as he continued his spinning, loud enough, thankfully, to drown out Crystal's conversation.

  Across the way, Billy was smiling and clapping more energetically than the others, which made Raylee smile. He didn't care about status or need attention. He cared more about others. That's what made him so likeable.

  After the song stopped and everyone resumed dancing or eating, Donald unexpectedly grabbed Raylee and started twirling her back to their seats. She was laughing as her chemistry teacher came toward her.

  The bright strobe lights criss-crossed over Mr. River's face, creating an eerie image. As he drew closer, she could see that he appeared conflicted, like he wished he wasn't having to do whatever he was about to do.

  "Ms. Johnson, come with me, please."

  She looked at Donald and shook her head, then she followed Mr. Rivers. Why was he going to her table?