by RH Tucker
“Yeah, right.” I laugh it off, but I’m secretly hoping there’s one particular nerd that notices. As if reading my thoughts, she nudges my shoulder.
“Or are we trying to impress a certain McFanboy?”
“No!” I snap a little too quick, making her laugh. “I’m not trying to impress him. But, okay, I am wondering if he’ll notice.”
Stop it, Izzy.
“Oh, girl, he’ll notice. But …” She pauses, biting a fingernail.
“What?”
“Well, I mean, you told us the ultimatum you threw at him. Do you really think he’ll do it?”
The silence grows between us as we stop at the door of our first class. Reality begins to set in, and maybe it’s for the best. Matt’s so afraid of what people would think of the real him; I honestly don’t think he’ll accept my terms for going to prom. Which means I really need to stop thinking about him so much.
“I don’t know.” I let out a sigh.
“Well, if he doesn’t he’s an idiot. And you’ll still ride with Cindy and me, right?”
“I’ll still ride with you two regardless.” I smile, trying to put nerves at ease. “Where are we going for dinner?”
“I don’t know.” Veronica opens the door. “Cindy wants Chili’s, but I say we hit up Umami’s.”
“I love their burgers.”
“Right?” We both laugh as the bell rings.
I try to keep the nerves down as the rest of the day goes on. I don’t want to think about prom court nominations, but the more time passes, the more people keep coming up to me, wishing me luck on the getting on the court.
Before sociology starts, the knots in my stomach must be the size of baseballs. Or maybe bowling bowls. But I don’t want to seem obsessed about the votes, so I keep a tight lip and force myself to look straight ahead, waiting for the bell to ring as Matt takes his seat behind me.
“Interesting hoodie.”
That’s it. That’s all he whispers. Nothing sweet or sexy. Nothing that would or should elicit from my body the tingles spreading over my skin. Or the tightness in my stomach. But both are happening as his warm breath skims over my ear.
“Thanks,” I whisper back.
“Is that for your show? Because I’m very excited to see what you’ll be doing.”
I can’t help myself. I turn around and flash a pair of sultry eyes at him. “You’re excited, huh?”
Mrs. Henderson clears her throat, so I turn back around to pay attention, but not before I see Matt bite the inside of his cheek, holding back a smile.
Once class is over, I make it out of the room first and don’t wait to see if he wants to talk. Trying to keep a safe distance between us would be for the best. ‘Trying’ being the operative word. It doesn’t help that I know where he usually sits during lunch, which is within staring distance from where I sit. I fight the urge to look over at him during lunch and only win half the battle.
My last class before the pep rally is economics. I’d probably go crazy in it if Cindy weren’t in the class with me. And our teacher, Mr. Jenkins, who is super chill when it comes to teaching, is even more so on days we have big events, like pep rallies.
“Hey.” I poke Cindy in the back. “V said you want to go to Chilis?”
“Yeah.” She spins around to face me. “Why, no good?”
“No, that’s fine. But what if you get a date or something?”
“I don’t know. He can come if he wants. I’m sure you two will bring dates.”
I snort. “Yeah, right.”
“What?”
“V swears she’s going alone because she apparently still accuses all boys of acting like Tim. Even if a guy asks her, I’m not sure she’d go.”
“Okay, well what about you?” She gives me an accusing stare, tapping her fingers against my desk.
“What about me?”
She looks around, lowering her voice. “You know, McFanboy?”
“I love how we’re just using a codename for him now instead of actually saying his name.” I chuckle.
“Well, he’s the one with issues about being known.”
Her words make my shoulders slump in defeat. “Yeah.”
“No, Izzy.” She grabs my hand. “If he doesn’t take you up on your offer, then whatever. Ugh, how did we get stuck talking about boys.”
“Because I wanted to know if you’re planning on going with a date.”
“I don’t know.” She stares down at the desk. “I wouldn’t mind it, but this is our last high school dance. Our senior prom, you know? I kind of just want to have fun with my girls, since we’re all single.”
A content smile finds my lips. “I’d like that.” The bell rings, and I give Cindy a wide-eyed look. “Okay, it’s time.”
“You ready?”
“Totally. I need you to film it on my phone because I’m putting this on my channel.”
“Awesome.” She giggles, making me do the same as we head to the pep rally.
Chapter 24
Matt
Everyone’s filing into the gym. Carter walks in with Emma and Jen, giving me a nod, before finding a seat with them. As part of ASB, we’re in charge of announcing the court and revealing to everyone what next week’s prom court week functions are going to be. Our teacher sits behind us, just in case he needs to intervene, but he’s usually pretty relaxed about everything and lets us handle it.
The chatter continues as the bleachers start filling up. We put up banners attached to the basketball hoops, promoting prom with different colors and designs. We also have five banners rolled up; each one will reveal next week’s theme days for the prom week functions.
Greg is handling the PA system and has it linked to music, so when we announce who makes the court, there’s party music playing in the background. As the final students walk into the gym, I see Izzy come in with Cindy and Veronica. She’s still wearing those sexy, skinny jeans and that baggy red hoodie, but it’s now pulled over her head. Her eyes find mine, and she smiles, but I notice something different. There’s blond hair poking out from under her hoodie. I point at my head, gesturing to her what was going on, and she just smiles back raising her eyebrows.
“Matt?” Yvette calls over to me, breaking my attention.
“Right,” I answer back before bringing the microphone up. “All right, seniors. Welcome!” I call out as the chattering dies down. “This year we had a huge turnout for voting. We went back and checked on the tallies for the last three years, and we had almost our whole senior class put in a vote, which is pretty awesome.” Yvette leads a cheer, Oscar following suit, which gets the rest of the students clapping. “So, without any further ado, I say we just get to it. Afterwards, we’ll go over prom court week events, and the mandatory rules and regulations when it comes to attending prom. Thank you, faculty,” I say with a dry monotone, which gets a small laugh. “I’ll be announcing the girls’ court first and then the guys’.”
Yvette and Oscar start the clapping again, and the rest of the gym follows along.
“First up, no surprise really, she’s our Vice President. Yvette Morales!”
Yvette acts like she had no idea, jumping up and down, but we both know that she got the most votes. She campaigned hard to make court—all the while tagging my name along with hers. She runs over and kisses me on the cheek, causing some oohs and aahs from the girls, while I just roll my eyes.
“Next up, it’s everyone’s favorite cheerleading captain, Sarah Donovan.”
Sarah makes her way down the bleachers, accompanied by screams from the entire cheerleading squad and their friends.
“Next, we have Woodbridge’s own star of the stage, Jen Harris!” I call out a little more excited than the first two.
Carter and Emma jump to their feet, Carter hollering as Jen blushes and makes her way down next to the others.
“This year’s prom court will also be joined by Natalie Frazier.” Natalie’s a popular cheerleader, and most likely our class valedictorian.
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“And finally, rounding out the girls’ court, is our resident YouTube star, Isabel Jacobs!”
The reaction to Izzy’s name being called out rivals Sarah’s, with what looks like half the crowd jumping to their feet, cheering her on. For a moment, she seems shocked by all the adulation, and I see Cindy and Veronica nudging her arm to get her to come down. As she takes her first few steps, Izzy’s smile shows up. But it isn’t just a happy grin. It’s something confident.
She holds her head a little bit higher as she gets to the bottom of the bleachers and stops. Casting a look over the crowd, her eyes find mine for a brief second, and she grins. Then, she unzips the red hoodie. Looking back at Cindy, she nods to her friends, then pulls the hood back revealing a blond wig. The hoodie unzipped now, the length of it falls to her thighs, and she tugs at her right sleeve. The sleeve rips off, revealing her arm covered in what looks like metal.
My jaw drops. Some in the crowd start chattering, while the others who know what is happening start to cheer. My mouth still open, the corners of my lips curl upwards. She’s dressed as Edward from Fullmetal Alchemist. And she’s freaking hot. The large hoodie is unzipped now, revealing this tight black tank top hugging her skin. She smiles as she makes her way over to the rest of the girls.
I clear my throat. “That’s exactly why she calls herself So Cal Nerd Girl.”
The cheering seems to grow louder. Even the people that don’t know who she’s dressed up as seem to get behind her and the confidence she radiates forth.
“Oscar,” I say away from the mic, but he doesn’t hear me. He’s too busy checking out Izzy. “Yo!”
He finally looks over at me. “Yeah?”
“Set the girls up in the line.”
“Oh, right.” He walks over to the girls and ushers them just off to the side.
“All right.” I look back at the crowd. “Now, let’s see who made the guys’ court.” The crowd cheers. “Okay, if your name is called, Greg will usher you by the girl who’ll be your prom court couple for next week’s events. First up, our ASB commissioner, Oscar Cappelli.”
Oscar fist pumps and plays to the cheering crowd. He walks over to Yvette since he knows he’s coupling with her.
“Next up, Warrior’s superstar QB, Bret Thompson!” Bret smirks from the stands, being congratulated by most of his teammates he’s sitting next to, and makes his way down. “We also have Franco Avila!”
The entire basketball team erupts and cheers him on as he walks down. I can’t help but smirk as Jen sees he’s being directed next to her and she’ll be coupling with him for the events next week. She looks over at me, and I give a friendly nod as she mouths Thank you.
“We also have Sam Patterson.” The clapping continues, but it’s definitely the quietest response out of everyone. I wrinkle my nose, feeling bad again about Sam being the joke vote, but he doesn’t seem as uncomfortable as I figured he would be. The chess club, all five of them, and the debate team are the loudest, and I’m happy he at least has a core group of friends that are behind him.
Then I see Natalie look over at me. A curious look takes over her face, as she watches Greg escort Sam next to her and not Izzy. Natalie’s eyes find mine, and I can tell she doesn’t understand why she’s coupling with the joke vote. Sam’s also caught off guard, as he starts to walk to Izzy, but Greg taps his shoulder, telling him to stand next to Natalie. Sam looks at his friends with an impressed look, while Natalie stares at me with a look that says you cannot be serious.
I feel bad doing it, but there’s no way I’m coupling with anyone other than Izzy.
“And finally, the last guy on the court is,” I look at the paper and then back up at the crowd, who’ve died down a bit. “Well, this is a bit embarrassing.” I smile, playing it up for them. “Honest. I didn’t rig this.”
“Yeah, right!” Carter yells out, getting a laugh from the crowd.
“Well, if I must I must. It’s me, your senior class president.”
The crowd cheers again and I feel good. The reaction is how I’ve lived and liked my high school life. As I walk over to Izzy, it reminds me again of why I can’t just come out and be all nerdy with her. This is who I am to the school. The cool, calm, and confident senior class president. There was no room for a nerdy guy in my wardrobe of life.
I hand the microphone over to Greg and continue to smile as I stand next to Izzy. She’s still confidently standing in her cosplay attire, but her eyes find mine as I walk over to the side of her.
“All right, let’s hear it for this year’s prom court!” Greg announces, getting another round of applause from the crowd.
I lean closer to Izzy, who’s smiling up at her friends. As she feels me get closer, her eyes dart towards me, and I see her shoulders stiffen a bit. As far as looks go, this could simply be interpreted as a congratulatory hug, as Greg starts going over some prom announcements. I slide my arm through the red hoodie that hangs off her shoulders, putting my hand on the small of her back. She looks straight ahead while biting her lip.
“Hottest. Edward. Ever,” I whisper to her and can see her cheeks begin to blush.
Chapter 25
Izzy
I think they announce what the prom court week events are going to be after I stand in front of everyone in the gym, but to be honest, I'm not totally sure. When Matt announced that Sam Patterson was on the court and was coupling with Natalie, I didn't know what was going on. I still had no idea how many votes I'd received, but I know for a fact that I’m the joke vote. And I know Sam is the guys’. The two joke votes are always coupled together for court week. Then I remember Matt saying he wanted to couple with me.
When he walks over to me, my head is spinning, and my body is in a frenzy as he leans closer. He somehow worms his arm under or around my hooded sweater, putting his hand on my back. Or maybe he’s magic and magically did it because at that exact moment I feel like someone from Hogwarts hit me with Petrificus Totalus and I’m frozen in place. Only I’m not cold. I’m on fire.
I still have my top as a barrier between his skin and mine, but it doesn’t matter. My tank top—my entire wardrobe—might as well be burning up. And when he leans closer to me, it isn't like he’s normally done in class. I still feel his warm breath, but his entire body is closer. I catch much more of his scent than normal, making my breath hitch. And when his cheek lightly brushes against mine, I’m done. I clench my fingers tight as he whispers, "Hottest. Edward. Ever."
And that’s all she wrote. Or, he, in this case. In this moment, he could ask me to the prom again I’d say yes in an instant. He could start making out with me, tear my clothes off, or any other r-rated ideas that are popping into my head at the moment, and I wouldn't bat an eyelash. I’m like putty. Clay. Matt could shape me however he wanted, and I'd happily oblige.
"All right," someone else starts on the microphone, but I’m not sure who.
I see Natalie walk in front of me and look to the side. Everyone else on the basketball court is starting to walk away, and I have no idea what is going on.
"You okay there, Nerd Girl?" Matt whispers, still close but not close enough.
"What?"
"We're good now. You can head back to Cindy and Veronica while we announce court week stuff."
"Oh.” I blink for a moment, looking at him. I lick my bottom lip and see him smile.
"Got something on your mind?"
"What?" God, I’m repeating the same one-worded question.
Putting his hand on my back again, I swallow nervously. His hand is on the outside of my sweater this time, but it doesn't matter. I’m surprised I’m not a walking mound of ashes, with how hot I feel.
I walk back up the bleachers and Cindy’s beaming, as she continues to record.
“Cindy, you can stop now.”
“Oh, no.” She laughs. “Your fans need to see a hot and bothered Nerd Girl.”
Veronica joins in on the laughter.
“Okay.” I reach for my phone, turning it of
f.
“What’d he say down there?” Veronica asks, leaning over Cindy.
“Nothing,” I mutter, fidgeting with my fingers.
“Mm-hmm.” Cindy nods but grins at me with disbelieving eyes.
They quiet down, listening to the rest of the pep rally. I try to pay attention, since being on the court means I’m going to have to partake in next week’s activities leading up to prom, but everything is buzzing. The gym, the air, my skin, my brain.
I thought I had these feelings under control, and maybe they would stay that way if we’d keep our distance from each other. But every time he gets close to me, it’s like I go into overdrive. Not that I don’t like overdrive, but I’m trying to convince myself that it isn’t a good idea. I’m trying to convince Matt of the same exact thing. But I still feel his breath against my ear. The slight stubble rubbing against my cheek. His words, calling me hot. As much as I know it’s not a good idea; I’m in real danger of falling for this guy.
“Come on.” Cindy bumps my knee with hers.
I look up and see her and Veronica standing. Looking around, everyone else is up and starting to leave the gym, and I haven’t even noticed.
“What happened? Did the bell ring?”
Cindy smiles, shaking her head and looking over at Veronica, before back at me. “Wow, your brain’s mush after whispering words from him. The pep rally ended fifteen minutes early, and Mr. Garrison said we could leave.”
“Oh.”
We make our way out to the parking lot. Cindy usually gives Veronica a ride to school, and I’m parked next to her.
“I know you don’t have any, but I say you buy one and wear a teddy on Monday,” Veronica says with a smile.
“What?” I come to a sudden stop, mouth agape.
“For pajama day.”
“What are you talking about?”
Cindy laughs. “V, I don’t think she heard anything after McFanboy had his tongue in her ear.”
“He did not have his tongue …” I can’t help but pause, the idea flickering to life. No, get a hold of yourself, Izzy. “In my ear.”
