"How do I look?" she asked, spinning around.
"You match the room," Clara teased.
"You look cute," I added, before Summer could get angry.
"Thank you," she said to me, beaming and ignoring Clara's comment. Then she sat at her vanity and began straightening her usually wild hair.
"We were just debating; who could have played that prank on Miranda?" Clara said.
"What prank?" Summer asked.
I took the cards from Clara and handed them to Summer, "Someone was in my room last night, and left these."
"What the hell..." she murmured, looking at the cards. "Who could have known about this?"
"Clara thinks Giselle knew. Did you mention what happened to anyone?" I asked.
"Well, I told Jason and Chad about it while you were moping around on Monday, but I didn't say which cards Clara drew. These are the exact cards, aren't they?" Summer said.
"They are the same cards I drew, and they're from the exact same deck. In fact, if I went home now, I'm certain I would find these cards to be missing. Who else but Giselle would be able to steal them from my room?" Clara asked.
"You're probably right, it would be easy for Giselle to steal them, but remember that someone was able to break into my room. Someone could have broken into yours," I reasoned.
"What about motive?" Summer said. "Giselle has only met Miranda twice. Why would she go to such trouble to play a prank on her?"
"Who knows? She hates me, and she knows I like Miranda. Perhaps she's punishing me by proxy," Clara said.
"I don't think this was just a prank," I said. "The reading Clara got was very ominous, and we were all frightened by it. Plus, she fell ill right afterward. I think the person who sent the cards to me knew this. I think they are either trying to warn or threaten me."
"Don't be such a drama-queen, Miranda," Summer laughed, rolling her eyes. "Someone just thought it would be funny to scare you, that's all."
"They have a demented sense of humor, if that's the case," Clara said angrily.
Summer tossed the cards aside. "It doesn't matter. I'm ready to go, and I don't want to be late. Let's just go to the dance, have some fun, and worry about this later."
#
When we arrived, the Gym was already crowded, even though we had arrived early. The band was warming up, and the lights were partially dimmed. The heavy oak tables had been moved in from the cafeteria, lined up from end to end around the edge of the dance floor like the long tables of a grand banquet hall, and there was a temporary stage set up, though it was too far in the back to be the main focus of the event. Rather, it was tucked away like a minstrel's gallery. The main focus of the room, instead, was a spotlighted banner featuring the words "13th Annual Fall Ball.” It was so lavishly decorated, with blue gossamer and silver, glittering stars, that the Gym seemed like another world entirely- a kind of surreal fairyland- artificial and beautiful.
Soon after we'd arrived, Summer was surrounded by boys, and, as soon as the band began to play, she chose the most attractive one and started dancing.
Clara rolled her eyes, "Of course she would beg us to come, only to leave us here as soon as she can."
I laughed, and was going to take advantage of the fact that we were alone, and ask her to take a walk with me so we could talk privately, but she excused herself to go to the restroom, and I was left sitting at a table by myself. I decided I may as well take advantage of the opportunity to organize my thoughts, and work out what I would say to Clara, but I was interrupted by a familiar voice,
"Miranda, I'm so glad I've found you!"
I looked up and groaned quietly as Amber approached me and sat in the chair next to me. She seemed not to be her usual self. She was wearing a tight, spangled silver gown with a plunging neckline, with her hair straightened and slicked back from her face. Her usually peaches-and-cream skin was flushed bright red, and her eyes were strangely bright, as though from excitement. She was carrying a lockbox.
"I have to sell all of these stupid raffle tickets," she said, "and then I can dance. Would you buy some?"
"What are they for?" I asked.
She sighed, and then opened the box and pulled out a sheet of paper. "’All proceeds from the annual Fall Ball and the student raffle go to the Maggie Holtz Home for Girls,’" she read. "So, can I sign you up for ten tickets?"
"Ten tickets? You must be kidding. I'll buy one."
"I'll never sell them all, at that rate!" Amber whined. "Do you see that boy over there? The blonde?"
She waved at a rather well-dressed boy with stylishly shaggy hair, sitting by himself with a bored expression. He smiled halfheartedly and waved back.
"That is my date. Do you see how tragically lonely and tragically sexy he is? He'll be stolen from me, and I'm allowed to stay out as late as I want, tonight. Plus, I think he's booked us a room-"
"That's very nice, Amber. Don't let me keep you from your date. I'll buy one ticket."
"I haven't even told you about the prizes, yet. I can't remember what the prizes are, but they're awesome. You should buy 20 tickets, to increase your chances."
I sighed. "Okay, I'll buy five tickets, but no more."
"I knew I could count on you!" Amber said, and rummaged through the box for the tickets. However, in her haste she knocked the whole box over, and sat laughing as I picked them up.
"Can you help me, or are you too tipsy," I asked, annoyed.
"You could tell I've been drinking? I'm glad, but maybe I should get a little bit drunker, just to be sure everyone can tell," she laughed again, taking a flask from her purse and downing the contents.
I finished gathering the tickets and stood. "You're only getting drunk for show?" I asked. It did seem like she was trying rather hard to depart from her usual image as the angelic, churchgoing girl who was eager to please her mother. I wondered which version of her was the bigger facade.
"I'm punishing David," Amber announced, as she took the box from me and started counting out my tickets. "He hates being humiliated in public, and he hates it when he can't control me. If anything matters more to him than his image, it's his ability to control people." She sneered, and handed me the tickets.
I opened my purse. I was eager to pay for the tickets and be rid of Amber, but I couldn't help but give in to my curiosity. "Why are you punishing David?"
Amber frowned at me a moment, and I thought perhaps she would be angry at me for prying, but then she said, "I'm punishing him for making me be good. I'm punishing him for being a hypocrite. I'm punishing him for manipulating me into getting him what he wants, and confusing me even more than I was to begin with. I'm punishing him for fooling everyone."
I nodded, even though I didn't know what she was talking about, and decided it was useless to speak to her further. I stood up to find Clara, but she grabbed my wrist and pulled me back down.
"Don't go, Miranda. I've just thought of a way to punish David and repent for my sins at the same time. I need to confess everything to Clara. Where is she, anyway?"
She stopped and surveyed the crowd. "Oh well, you two are girlfriends, aren't you? I'm sure you'll tell her everything I said. Will you be my confessor?"
"Does this have anything to do with David dating Giselle?" I asked. "He's doing it to torment Clara, isn't he?"
"No, not just to torment her, he's trying to control her. I told you, he always has to control everything, even me, and I'm only his almost-cousin. He's much worse about Clara, because he loves her and can't have her. It drives him crazy."
"What is he trying to accomplish by manipulating her?" I asked.
Amber, however, didn't answer. She was too distracted by her own train of thought. "I feel a bit sorry for him, because I know what it's like to want something that's wrong, and I get tired of being good. I hate being good." She said the last part so loudly that her voice carried over the music, and several people turned to stare. I smiled apologetically while Amber giggled.
"Focus, Amber," I said. "W
hat is David planning?"
"Planning?"
"Why is he dating Giselle?"
"Oh, yes, he's trying to manipulate Clara into doing whatever he wants. He's trying to get me to help him, too, but I can't tell what's right or wrong anymore. Being good is like a noose around my neck, but if I'm wicked, and help him, people will get hurt. I want to be selfish, but it's too late for that... what was I talking about?" she asked.
"David is manipulating Clara."
"Well, I need to warn her, because he'll end up getting me to help him. He makes too much sense when I'm sober."
"Wait, are you the one who sent me the cards?" I asked, struck by a sudden suspicion.
"What cards?" she asked. She seemed too drunk to feign innocence, so I let the matter drop.
"Never mind,” I said. “What is David trying to do?"
Amber shook her head, as if clearing it, then said, "David knows that Clara doesn't want Giselle to date him, because not only is she a lot younger than him, but also because of the terrible things that went on between them. You see, Giselle already has a bad reputation, and she's been very wild in the past, but she's really only been involved in kid's stuff so far. But, David said-"
Amber stopped talking and stared over my shoulder, face going from ruddy to ashen. I thought that, for her to seem so terrified, David must be standing behind me, listening, but when I turned I only saw Summer.
Summer smiled sweetly at Amber. "Don't mind me."
But Amber stood and grabbed her lockbox, saying, "I have to go. Some of us actually have a date."
Summer just smiled steadily at Amber, and Amber shivered, then stumbled off into the crowd.
"What did you do to make Amber so terrified of you?" I asked.
Summer just shrugged. "I don't know. I did scratch her face one time, but she was asking for it."
"I wish you hadn't scared her off," I said. "She said that David was plottingsomething, and she was about to tell me everything."
"I wouldn't pay any attention to her. David probably sent her over to intimidate you. She does everything he tells her."
I couldn't agree, because Amber had seemed genuinely upset with David, but I didn't argue. Instead, I asked, "do you know where Clara is?"
"No, I thought she'd be here with you. Do you think she saw David, and left without telling us?"
I shook my head, even though I did indeed fear that may have been the case. Amber had seemed to expect David to see her behavior that evening, meaning he had probably come to the dance, but I was certain that Clara wouldn't leave without telling Summer or me, first. Before I could worry any further, I spotted Clara making her way through the crowd toward us, her expression dark.
"Is David here?" Summer asked, noting her scowl.
"I don’t know, but Giselle is," Clara said. "She's still in junior high, so she would need a date to get in. She was with a group of sophomore girls when I saw her. She refuses to go home. I threatened to call Mom, but she just said I couldn't prove she had come with David. She's still in trouble, though. She's supposed to be sleeping over at Lauren’s house."
I felt a tap on my shoulder just then, and I turned to see Jason standing behind me, dressed all in black and wearing an expectant look in his eyes.
"I have a 5 minute break. The student council president is about to make an announcement. Would you like to dance?"
"There's no music," I said.
"Miranda, you promised to give me some time tonight. Surely, a virtuous girl like you wouldn't go back on her word," he said with mock reproach.
"I'm sorry, but I think Clara needs a ride home," I persisted, grasping at straws.
Clara just shook her head, though, and said, "It's okay; I can avoid David for 5 more minutes. Can you meet me afterward at the pond behind the school?"
I nodded, resigned. "Thank you," I said, and let Jason lead me away. I looked up at him as we walked, and I realized that he was just as tall and broad-shouldered as the figure I’d seen in my room. I kept my suspicions to myself, however. I didn’t want to make accusations without any real evidence.
Jason led me past the dance floor and to a small alcove near the stage. He sat and ran his hand through his hair, then sighed. "Brad and Chad are fighting again. I hope we can make it through the night without any bloodshed."
"I'm sure everyone will survive, though if there is bloodshed, it might add to your dangerous mystique. You've sounded very good, so far."
"No thanks to Chase, though. He's still feeling pretty lousy, but ' the show must go on.' Are you enjoying yourself? You look amazing tonight, by the way."
"Thank you. It's been a very interesting night. I was accosted by a drunken Amber."
"Amber Cooper? Drunk? I would love to see that. I'll keep a lookout for her."
He slid closer to me. "Listen, I can't spend much time with you now, but I'd like to get together later, after the dance. Are you allowed to stay out late?"
I sighed, "Jason, I'm sorry, but I can't. I would like to be your friend, but there's no hope of there being anything else between us."
"Why are you pushing me away, Miranda?" he asked in a frustrated tone. "I just want a chance with you, and you deny me even that."
"I'm sorry, Jason. I'm flattered, but there's someone else."
Jason clenched his jaw and stared at the ground, his eyes full of pain, but all he said was, "Oh."
"We are friends, aren't we?" I asked.
He looked up at me and smiled, but the smile didn't reach his eyes. "Of course we are, Miranda. Thank you for your honesty." He reached out and gave me a quick, friendly hug.
"I'm sorry," I whispered. Jason was in pain because of me. I'd never hurt anyone that way, before, and it made me feel cruel.
"Don't be sorry, Miranda, you can't help how you feel. I need to go back, now. I'll see you around, okay?"
I nodded in agreement, and watched as Jason slowly made his way back to the stage. I let out a shaky sigh, and then made my way out of the hot, crowded Gym as quickly as I could. I looked at the ground, not paying attention to those who were around me, and did not see the faces of the two very tall people who were blocking the exit door.
"Excuse me," I murmured.
"Where are you going, Miranda?" A deep voice responded.
I looked up and saw David towering over me, with Giselle close beside him. David glowered at me menacingly. "Cat got your tongue?"
"I'm leaving," I said.
David didn't move, though, but rather pulled Giselle closer to him, putting his arm around her waist. Giselle looked up at him with worshipful eyes, and clung even closer to him.
"Aren't you having any fun?" he asked in a syrupy voice.
"Not particularly," I said casually.
"You and Clara really are too much alike, aren't you? She wasn't having any fun either. She ran out of here a few minutes ago without even saying hello. Do you think she's avoiding me?"
"Who cares if she is?" Giselle said in David's ear.
"That is between you and Clara," I said to David. "Please excuse me." I took a step toward the door, but he didn't budge.
"Don't be in such a hurry, or I'll think you're avoiding me, too," David said. "Why are you so eager to leave? Do you miss Clara already?"
Giselle giggled, but I remained silent, not flinching from his accusing gaze. I had no reason to be ashamed.
"I'm not letting you go until you tell me exactly what's going on between you and Clara," he leaned closer to me and lowered his voice.
"We will be here all night, then, because that's none of your concern," I said firmly.
"Who cares what's going on between them?" Giselle whined. "It's too embarrassing. I don't want the whole school gossiping about it."
"It's too late for that," David said. "This is your chance, Miranda, to answer the rumors once and for all. All you have to do is tell me that you aren't interested in Clara, and you won’t have to worry about vicious gossip anymore," he said in a much kinder voice.
"I've told you before, I think, that I don't listen to gossip," I said.
"So that's it? You want the whole school to think you are a dyke? It could ruin any chance an otherwise pretty girl like you might have to get a date."
"I'll take my chances," I said.
David's eyes darkened. "You're making a stupid mistake. You-"
David was interrupted as the exit door opened, and he was hit in the back. A senior boy and his date shoved past him.
"Stop blocking the door," the senior said. David scowled, but moved aside, and I took the opportunity to dash past him and out the door.
#
I ran around the side of the Gym and toward the back of the school, with the crisp, fall air rushing in my ears. I didn't stop to look back until I reached the small path which led to the pond. When I looked, there was no one behind me, so I sighed in relief and began to make my way slowly down the steeply sloping gravel path.
As I walked, my heartbeat did not slow with relief but, rather, sped up in anticipation. As I moved toward Clara, my way lit by the moon and stars, I felt almost as though I moved with a holy purpose.
The gravel path sloped more and more, until it was at such a sharp angle I practically had to climb down, a difficult task in my high-heeled shoes. When I reached the bottom of the slope, I saw the pond. It was a small pool, surrounded by rocks and trees, which shimmered in the pale light of the moon. Clara was sitting on a large, smooth rock on its shore, looking out over the rippling waters with a thoughtful expression in her soulful eyes. She had wrapped herself in a pale, blue shawl against the bite of the autumn wind, and it gave her an elegant air. I stopped and watched her, almost afraid to approach.
But then she turned to see me, and smiled warmly enough to melt my fears. I was unfrozen, and suddenly could not stop my feet, which carried me to her.
"It's a beautiful night," she said as I sat beside her on the stone. "I come here quite often to sketch, or sometimes just to think, in the daytime, but I think this spot is much more beautiful at night."
Mephisto Waltz Page 12
