I grinned, starting to get into it now. My gaze trailed over my hazy reflected image. Feet to knee, knee to hip, hip to face, and back again. On the second journey up, I met my eyes and made a sassy face in the mirror.
“See?” Stone said, a slight chuckle in his words, and my gaze bounced to his. “Fierce.”
A few minutes later, I was still grinning. Gathered around my lesson binder at a bistro table, the world clear once again, I dabbed my chest with a towel. My calves throbbed and there was a dull ache in my arches, but strangely enough, I liked the pain. I’d earned it.
“You have come very far, Lily,” Mrs. Viktória praised. “I cannot wait to see the crowd’s reaction! Obviously, I am excited about all the performances at the showcase, but I admit, I’m extra eager for this dance.”
“Crazily, I’m getting a little excited, too,” I admitted.
Oh, I was still terrified I’d fall flat on my face, kick the town’s hero in his, or forget the steps the second the music started. But a part of me wanted to prove I could do it.
I scooted my chair back and wrapped the towel around my neck. “The girl who walked through those doors three and a half weeks ago never would’ve expected she’d be here now. Preparing to perform in front of an audience. Dancing the way I am.” Stone squeezed my knee, and I shook my head in amazement. “I still haven’t found a balance yet, but I must admit, adding a second lesson is paying off.”
Stone’s face fell at my words, and this time, I could’ve kicked myself.
Despite the extra lessons being my choice, Stone somehow felt responsible. Ever since he’d caught me in an anxious tizzy over my new schedule, he’d made it his mission to keep me stress-free—hosting study nights and driving to school so I could cram during the commute. Basically, doing the guy thing and trying to fix the problem.
The good news was I’d yet to miss an assignment or get anything less than an A. The bad was that I was nowhere near where I usually was by this point in the year. Between the two lessons a week and spending as much time as possible with Stone (for both dare and, ahem, more personal reasons), I was barely keeping up, while Cameron—confident, beautiful, cheer captain and dancer Cameron—was balancing life just fine.
Lack of sleep only compounded my problem. Who knew relationships caused insomnia? Staying up all night reliving kisses. Thinking about future ones to come. My favorite books never mentioned crush- or love-based insomnia, but it was so a thing.
My entire life had gone topsy-turvy to the point I barely recognized myself most days, but I didn’t regret a single decision. Stone was incredible, and between him and Angéla and Sydney, my life was richer than it’d been in years. I didn’t want to stop dancing. I continued to surprise myself on the floor and I was better than I’d ever imagined. More importantly, dance forced me to live in the moment. Turning off the white noise for two hours a week, even if it took away study time, was refreshing.
I just wanted to do all the above and kick Cameron’s ass in the race for valedictorian. Was that too much to ask?
Hoping to lighten the mood, I said, “Of course, I’d be a hot mess without my amazing partner. How lucky am I that you have bionic toes? Part of me still questions your sanity in asking to partner up, but it’s too late now, I’ve called dibs. You’re stuck with me, bucko.”
Bumping his shoulder, I took a sip of ice-cold water, fully expecting his confident grin to emerge, or even the sneezing-unicorn one. Instead, I got the tight-lipped QB. Stone’s eyes darted away as he took a long pull of his water, but I could’ve sworn I’d seen a flash of guilt.
I paused, recapping my bottle…then decided I’d imagined it.
Guilt was the furthest thing he should feel. If anything, he was the only reason I wasn’t completely floundering. Even with the craziness—the nutty schedule, increased attention from our relationship, and fear of people watching me perform—my stress level was nonexistent compared to the start of the year. Dancing helped, but really, Stone was the difference. He was my calm. He lent me strength, and when I was with him, I didn’t feel alone.
If he doubted his value, then it was on me to remind him.
Lucky for him, I planned on sticking around to do exactly that.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Lily
Okay, I understood Homecoming craziness now. Football was a whole different animal on home turf. The scent of popcorn, sweat, and cheap cologne still permeated the air, and the noise level remained off the charts, but there was something electric about watching the guys storm our own field, with a house full of their own fans—although, the extra zing could’ve been the glow of LED lights bouncing off my ginormous mum.
I bit back a smile as I adjusted the rope holding the eight-pound corsage around my neck.
I’d never been given a mum from a guy before. Mom and Dad had gotten me one in junior high, but that sweet little thing had nothing on this sucker. Rather than buy a ready-made version from a specialty shop, Mrs. Viktória had insisted on making it herself, and the result threatened to burn my retinas.
All I could say: the phrase “everything’s bigger in Texas” existed for a reason.
The heart of my mum was a tiger’s paw of blue and white paper chrysanthemums, with an array of blue and white ribbons along with two black, sparkly boas trailing beneath. Some ribbons had dance shoe charms on them. Others had footballs. Still more had books. Two ribbons said Homecoming and Senior in glitter paint, and thanks to the LED bulbs illuminating the giant paw in the center, the entire thing was eye-catching, not to mention blinding.
But the two largest ribbons attracted the most attention.
Near the center of the arrangement, two silver ribbons held each of our names, one for Lily and one for Stone, in a huge, unmistakable font. Every time I walked, the clang of blinged-out cowbells assured everyone got a good, long gawk. And gawk they had. All. Day. Long.
From the moment I’d walked into school with cowbells clanging and lights a-glowing, eyes had been on me. When we’d gathered for afternoon assembly, I’d wager more students stared at me than they had the football team. Shock and confusion were the name of the game, as evidently there’d been a few people yet to hear Stone and I were together. Or, if they had, they hadn’t believed it. Thanks to the monstrosity around my neck and the matching garter around his bicep, there was no denying it now, but strangely enough, the unwanted attention didn’t bother me as much as I would’ve expected.
I wouldn’t say it was comfortable. It wasn’t like I suddenly hoped this would become my new normal, or my skin didn’t prickle the tiniest bit, especially when the whispers became audible. But dread no longer twisted my stomach. The walls weren’t closing in, and I didn’t fear a looming anxiety attack. Dance lessons had helped me grow accustomed to the feel of eyes tracking me, and awesome friends who had my back certainly didn’t hurt, either.
Sydney and Angéla had flanked me in the halls, and we’d driven to the game together, too. Although Syd was working concessions, Angéla hadn’t left my side all night…well, not until her bathroom break ten minutes ago. Right now, I was kicking myself for not joining her.
The sound system crackled, and I tensed on the bleachers. “On behalf of the faculty, staff, and student body of Brighton High, welcome, friends, to this year’s Homecoming!” Ear-ringing cheers broke around me, and I discreetly scanned the crowd for Angéla. “Please join us in recognizing our elected court.”
Fudge stick. Stretching my neck, I tried to see the alcove leading toward the bathrooms. Sadly, I wasn’t made of rubber. Why did I have to have such a super bladder anyway? I knew I should’ve drank more water.
When the speakers crackled again, the announcer began calling out names. One guy and one girl, chosen to walk the length of the field together while students cheered and cell phones recorded. A pair was called from each class, freshman through junior, which left the two senior couples remaining.
“Mr. Chase Evan Winters, escorting Ms. Cameron Ann Montgomery.”
Two girls, three levels down, turned in their seats to eye me up, then glance at the field before returning with their heads tilted in bewilderment. I met their stares evenly, twisting one of my sparkly ribbons around my finger. Hopefully, it was the only sign I was affected.
I couldn’t blame them for being confused. I’d felt gangly and unattractive all my life. Even with Stone whispering that he thought I was beautiful and sexy, it was hard to believe, especially when I compared myself to the vision on the field.
Cameras flashed as Cameron strutted toward the risers on Chase’s arm. In her skimpy cheer uniform, wearing a dainty tiara atop a pile of perfect waves and a princess sash draped across her curves, the bouquet of roses in her slender arms completed the perfect, glamorous picture.
I glanced at my simple shorts and tee, with long, skinny legs poking out from under my enormous mum. Glamorous, I was not.
At least she was walking with Chase. That was a boon. Stone had flat-out refused to escort her, and despite her attempts to force the issue, the advisor had rearranged the order.
“Mr. Ágoston Michael Torres, escorting Ms. Ashley Marie Thompson.”
This time, the screams were deafening. People bobbed and weaved, holding up their phones to get the perfect shot of our local celebrity. I knew Stone hated every second those cell phones were trained on him…but that didn’t stop me from whipping out my phone, too, and snapping a quick pic.
What? I was the girlfriend. I had rights.
Besides, this moment deserved to be recorded. It was one of the stereotypical experiences I’d always made fun of but now wanted to freeze-frame and remember. Stone had on his careful smile, still in his uniform sans helmet, with a princely sash draped across his jersey. His spiky black hair looked wet, and even from this distance, I could see the fire in his eyes. He was in beast mode, ready to get away from the extravagant display and back to the sport he loved.
In short, my man looked good. Real good.
Stone and Ashley joined the others on the risers, her on the bottom with the other girls, a mish-mash of fancy dresses and cheer uniforms among them, while he took the top with the guys, everyone in rented tuxes except for Chase and Stone.
It only took a second for him to find me in the stands, and when his dark eyes trailed over my face, the tight smile softened. I sent him a subtle wink of encouragement, and he exhaled.
“It’s time to announce this year’s King and Queen of Homecoming. The students who you, the student body, have elected. To help crown our new royalty, please welcome back your previous monarchs, Ms. Erin Rains and Mr. Noah Ruckert!”
While various screamed versions of “Welcome Home,” rose around me, my eyes narrowed in protective mode. Years had allowed Stone to master the calm, collected QB facade, but even from here I could see the storm raging beneath the cool surface. Being new to the Homecoming experience, I’d had no idea previous court members returned for tonight’s reveal. If Stone knew, he’d clearly forgotten.
My hands clenched in my lap. We’d never discussed the story Aidan shared about the night Stone and Cameron broke up. How she’d cheated with Noah at a party. I hadn’t seen the point in bringing up past hurts, and Stone wasn’t always the most open person in the world. Regardless, Aidan had been right; you didn’t walk away from that without it leaving a mark.
I shifted my gaze to Cameron, and even through my protective haze I could see the regret on her face. She clearly knew she’d made a mistake, which sucked, because Stone wasn’t the kind of guy you got over. Now that I was finally paying attention to the rumor mill, I knew she wanted him back.
Unfortunately for her, the position of girlfriend had already been filled. He was mine.
“Brighton High, your king of Homecoming is…” The row of princes shifted on the riser, but there was no real mystery whose name would be called. Even so, I sat with my butt perched on the edge of the seat. “Stone Torres!”
I sprang to my feet along with the rest of the crowd. Feet pounded metal bleachers and shouts rent the air as Stone once again found me in the stands. For just a moment, his face shifted into his real smile, with a flash of those lethal dimples, and my heart fluttered in my chest.
He’d tried to play it off, but he’d wanted this. Approval meant a lot to him. As confident as he could be, at his core, Stone was just a guy who wanted to be loved and accepted.
Then Noah walked up, ruining everything.
With a condescending smirk, he handed over the new king sash, and Stone’s expression turned lethal while he took it and draped it right over the old one. Next came a velvet cape Noah slid around Stone’s broad shoulders, but when he went to place the crown on my man’s head, Stone grabbed it from his hands. The look in his eyes clearly said Back off, and I held my breath, along with the rest of the crowd, wondering what would happen next.
Chase shifted forward. Cameron winced. But, with his eyes locked on me, Stone put the crown on his head and he smiled. For a fraction of a second, it was just the two of us in the crammed-full stadium. The literal king of the school, rising above the drama, and me, his brainy, dorky girlfriend, standing in awe. Life was so surreal sometimes.
“And now to announce your new queen.”
The moment broke like a popped balloon, and I sighed, resigned to the inevitable result. It’d be nice, though, if a supernatural phenomenon struck or a miracle occurred. My self-esteem could really do without the hit of seeing my boyfriend and his ex being crowned together.
“Brighton High, please put your hands together for…Cameron Montgomery.”
Eh. It’d been a long shot anyway.
Snorting under my breath, I watched as Cameron’s hand flew to her face. Up and down the line of princesses, the other girls smiled and clapped delicately, looking about as thrilled as I was with the outcome, though probably for different reasons. The former queen helped Cameron exchange her dainty tiara for a bigger one, drape the new sash over her shoulders, and when the applause started to wane, held her hand as she stepped down and took three steps in front of the riser.
“Stone! The photographers need our picture.”
Looking over her shoulder, she sent him a toothpaste-commercial-worthy smile—warm and open with a touch of familiarity, probably the same smile she’d given him when they were still together. My stomach roiled, and I followed her hopeful gaze to my boyfriend, who stood rooted on the top riser, visibly tense.
Sure enough, though, cameramen descended. With photographers now calling his name, too, Stone gave a small shake of his head and put on the old QB grin. He climbed down and took his place at Cameron’s side, posing for the pictures while subtly shaking off the hand she kept trying to wrap around his arm.
Together they were flawless. Cameron looked like polished perfection, and Stone was a legend in the making. As cameras snapped, I could hear the crowd’s thoughts swirling around me.
Wow. They make such a cute couple.
Why aren’t they back together again?
And, my personal favorite. What is he doing with Lily Bailey?
No. I refused to let insecurity ruin my night. Sitting up straight, I raised my chin, feigning a confidence I didn’t feel, and pushed away the toxic thoughts. If Stone had wanted to be with Cameron, he’d be with her. Right? I was the one wearing a mum with our names on it.
Nodding to myself, I looked away, ignoring the pointed stares as I stretched my back and tried to work some feeling into my lower body. The hard seats were making my butt go numb. As I wiggled and shifted, searching for a more comfortable position with a pasted-on smile, my eyes landed on Ms. Kat, my AP European history teacher, standing near the chain-link fence.
My faux grin dimmed at the edges. I’d finally turned in my research paper, and while the result hadn’t been my best work, it had been good enough to get an A.
Unfortunately, Cameron had scored a touch higher.
On the field, the photographers dispersed. The court followed suit, but before slipping back to the lock
er room, Stone turned and found me one last time. Pride and adoration swelled within me, and I waved with a happy smile. He did one better, blowing me a kiss.
The girls in front of me gasped and whirled around as my face warmed, and Stone laughed, his eyes going crinkly. He darted back through the tunnel, and I floated on the bleacher.
In the grand scheme of things, how could I regret two points on a silly paper when I finally felt so alive?
I’d spent years striving to get perfect grades, eyes fixed solely on my goals, but Stone was right. This was senior year. What was wrong with slowing down and enjoying it? I didn’t have to apply Early Action. Waiting until January for Regular Decision would not only let me include this semester’s classes and activities on my transcript, but it’d give me time to get my grades where I wanted them. Plus, it would take some of the stress off and let me live a little.
This whole crazy adventure had started with Stone setting out to prove high school was more than a stepping stone and me wanting to prove him wrong. But with one day left in our original timeline, I had to admit—forfeiting felt a lot like winning.
“Hey, hot stuff!”
Angéla’s voice snapped me from my thoughts, and I searched the crowd to find her at the bottom of the bleachers, her tiny arms laden with food. She blew a puff of air at her bangs and hollered, “Missed me?”
“Oh, sorry, were you gone?” I teased back, earning a stuck-out tongue.
The crowd watched our exchange, along with Angéla’s shuffling progress, with moderate amusement. Her slender arms somehow held two bags of popcorn, a serving of nachos, an order of fries, and a massive drink. The girl had an excellent future in waitressing if she wanted it.
When she reached our row, she successfully maneuvered around the scrawny guys with BHS slathered on their chests, then stopped next to me with a wide grin. The team stormed the field again, and the guy with the painted B jumped to his feet, bumping Angéla’s arm and sending an explosion of popcorn into my lap. Her mouth fell open in a squawk.
Eyes on Me Page 22
