I finish out the note and look up. Omg! Rome has a tear in his eye. “Did you write that?” I shake my head with confidence because it is written straight from my heart. I wrote it one night when I was upset with Toby because he is planning to leave me. I know school is important and he has to do it, I want him to, but when he leaves and I am stuck here I also know it’s going to hurt. “You not only play, but you write, and can sing? Damn it!” he jumps up and scares me for all of 2.2 seconds. “You should do a duet with me at the bar! It would be epic. You can pick the song and I will pay you half it’s a win win.” he so excited. How can I tell him I only play for me? As an alternative, I opt to just grin and let him think what he wants. He will never get Red to agree to it, never hearing me play. Without warning I just bust out a classic nerd girl move…. Stars wars intro music! YEA BUDDY!
Chapter Twelve
It’s Sunday morning and my phone rings, I know it’s Toby, he calls on his way to church every Sunday. Unless he is made to ride with his mom then it’s just texting. I pick it up and without thinking I am tapping away one key at a time, don’t hate I had to sleep with it in the bed with me, I love it. “Hey Babe what’s up?” he says nothing, the line is quiet. I pull the phone away from my ear to check to make sure the calls connected. “Toby Can you hear me?” I hear him breathing while I mindlessly tap out a tune that sounds kind of like Mario. “TOBYYYY?” finally “Hey Rory. I am uhh almost at church, just wanted to say love you and see if you wanted to catch lunch today? Moms got a meeting afterwards and I will be free.” “I can’t Toby, I mean I want to I miss you but I took an extra shift today, it’s the lunch rush, tips are always great so when she called I told her yes. Now I kind of hate it.” It took him a bit I knew he was upset. “Oh ok, well I guess I will pick you up at 2 and maybe we can do a picnic or something?. Moms gonna be all day I’m sure. Hey where are you?” It seems like an odd question at first and then I realize, I am banging away on my keyboard. The keyboard I just got. Great! “I’m sitting in my bed, why?” I go for the dumb act. “Just curious, I hear a piano and well I am pretty sure you don’t have one.” I cringe it’s going to turn into a whine fest, I already know. “Yea well the bar Rome plays at was going to chunk it so he brought it over to me.” there maybe that will be enough…. “WHY? Why would Rome just randomly bring you a keyboard? And how did he know you played?” seriously he is this upset? “I mean come on Rory, it’s not like it’s your birthday!” the line goes silent, I almost think he hung up but then I hear his breath suck in. I never lied to him and I never will, however, I am known to with hold information when I see fit. “AURORA WILDE! Please tell me it’s not your birthday?” I say nothing. If I don’t speak I cannot tell a lie. “Oh Em Gee Rory, seriously? How did I not know that? Now I feel like a loser, all this time together and I have never once asked you. Well crown me king douche canoe!” You said it, not me, dude! I can tell he is crushed, the keyboard gift is forgotten. Not sure why Toby is so worried about Rome, he knows we are friends and he knows it’s him that I love. I dismiss him not knowing, blaming myself, and making him promise no surprises. I get myself ready for work and honestly pout as I have to leave my keyboard. You would think it was made of gold, but in reality it’s more precious to me than gold ever could be. It’s who I am and I have missed it more than I let myself believe.
****
Work was slow over the next few days, nothing really happened. A few snide comments from the garbage pail kids when they came in, picked up a few extra shifts so Thax could afford his field trip with the school, and a few dirty dances with those plastic ivory want to be keys on my life support machine aka keyboard. Rome’s worked a lot and Toby’s been busy with spring training. I guess I should have thought about Toby first but I didn’t, oh well no biggie right?! Amandolette has worked herself into a full blown tizzy. She is getting her designs and presentation together for her college interview. I can’t believe she is really going to be an interior designer for the rich and bitchy one day. Reality is I will likely never leave The Diner. Which is fine, I’m comfortable there. And I can afford to survive and keep Thax up without Carol. Where is she anyways? It’s been days, maybe even a week, since I saw her last. The bird chirping text alert pulls my attention back to the now.
Mando- Moms going to schedule you off tomorrow. We have a date ghetto superstar. Me + you= prom dress shopping and mall hopping NO is not an option. See ya morrow 4ish Peace out Double oh pickle
Double oh Pickle? I can’t help but laugh at her weird quirk,- she knows I can’t buy anything grand but she makes the experience fun and that’s what counts. I have, however, saved to have my nails done. Not that fake tiger looking mess but the plain Jane cut and shine to my real McCoy’s. I wonder why she wants to go so soon, it’s like a month till prom, her senior and my junior. I bank my last check she is planning to do her dress up big and make one last “DID YOU SEE MANDO?” moment. I will go simple, my normal thrift couture as always, but hers will be altered and made to match with her shoes, I am sure. It’s another bitter sweet moment for me. I am excited and it’s last big night for us as a group. I wish Rome was still in school so he could go with us. I will miss them both so much when they leave for college in August. I hang around another year to finish up my senior year, graduating alone as a 19 year old. No college plans in my future, nope the only thing I will be planning is my supper that night, oh yea and figuring out my second job options if I don’t full time at The Diner. I can’t hate them for moving on. I love them both for giving me memories worth having. Toby and Mando, those 2 are the loves of my life. My guy and my BFE! (best friend eva as Mando would say) Luckily I won’t be alone, like alone lone. I have Thax, Mando’s parents, as well as Rome and his mini nerd heard. Those 2 love star wars almost as much as me. Besides, they both promise to come home every holiday. Toby swears he will call every day, oh and Skype me on the brand new tablet he bought me with a 1 year paid internet service for it. I don’t even want to get into that! Talk about extreme birthday gift, gesh, the boy went wild causing one nasty fight, but in the end I accepted since it will allow me to see his beautiful face daily when he is gone.
****
The Mall is crowded, as always, but they have the best stores within 100 miles. After 90 minutes of “ohhs” and “ahhs” and trying on close to like 65432 dresses, Mando decides on a white and silver, almost see through, long, sequin covered dress, with slit from the ground up the her throat, a high neck, and sleeves which were both a clearish material giving her a naked illusion. She had a fit when she saw it, claiming it was “THE” dress Ana wore to the party in her favorite book. She just had to have it. “I’ll be the Hispanic version of ANA and all the boys will want to spank me!,” she giggled as she ran out of the dressing room holding it up. I was ready to go but she insisted that I try on a few so I let her have her way as always and caved. It was fun, I admit it. I tried on a few but I decided finally on a black, high low sweetheart gown with some white layers added in, and a diamond belted waist. My favorite part is how the black is hemmed with white and the white is hemmed with black. It’s stunning. To bad I can’t afford the price tag at a puny $134.95 and to think, it fits me to a tee. I mean this was made for me and I feel like Cinderella in it. “Rory I am taking my dress up the coun..” Mando stops dead in her tracks when she walks out of the dressing room with her gown in tow. “HOLY MOTHER OF ALL THINGS KINKY!” she screeches, “You have to get that.” I smile knowing it’s just a dream. I go back in and return it to the hanger. It’s meant to be admired from afar. Exiting the room Mando throws her hand out “NO Rory you should do this for yourself, you deserve it. You work so hard and you take care of your brother. You never get yourself anything. And who knows if you make it to prom next year? With us leaving I figure you will grab an extra shift.” she knows me well. I never plan to make it to my senior prom, this will be my prom memory always. “I can’t waste that kind of cash, you know that. Hey! What are you doing?” I sneer at her with my eyes wide, why is
she taking the dress with her to the counter. “Hush Rory, consider this my birthday gift to you. Oh yea you didn’t think Toby wouldn’t tell me did you? Psht, I ought to jack your face up for not telling me.” Mando smirks and winks, then pulls out her credit card. She is so spoiled, yet always so thoughtful. “Thank you..” is the only response I can give as I carry the zip up bag out of the store with me. And thank goodness a simple pair of black heels from Wal-mart will work. I sure don’t own any! By the end of our shopping trip I ended up picking up some clearance costume jewelry as well. I went with a black satin chocker that had a diamond charm on it to match the belt and a matching black tiny bowed headband. I plan on a French roll up do with the headband mashed into it! If Amandolette will listen when it comes time to do me up, I doubt she does….but……it could happen! It’s been a perfect girl day. We make plans to come back the day before prom and do our nails. It’s just 2 weeks away now and I find myself getting excited.
****
“What’s up Princess?” Rome spouts off at me as he comes strolling through my castle door. Uh the rust is so thick it flakes off when the door slams. “Nothing, about to watch a movie. Wanna watch with?” I have never been wigged out by Rome or his just dropping in when he comes home, it’s kind of normal now. Toby hates it but honestly he is my friend, and um hello Toby hasn’t been around much, at all, in the last few weeks. I always get a text its his mother or football coach. I get it, he has a lot going on with school ending in 5 weeks. Proms a week away and I know I will get the whole night with Toby, so I will survive a little longer. Tonight is odd Rome comes in and plops down like normal leaning over taking up almost my whole sofa, gosh he is tall. I am all too aware that my butt cheek is slightly playing peek-a-boo from my pajama shorts and my top is so worn it’s almost see through. Maybe I should go change? But that thought is gone in under 60 seconds because I hear the intro to my movie and I refuse miss it. Yoda and Han wait for no one. I grab my bowl of popcorn and head to the sofa. “Where’s the nerd herd?” I ask. “They had a sleepover with the boy in lot e4. I just checked on them and they were out, where’s Thax?” throwing the popcorn up and catching it in my mouth “Sleepin.”I push his hand “move over you big lug, I wanna sit too. I plop down forgetting about my uber short shorts and no panty issue till it’s too late. I throw my leg over his and HELLO SUNSHINE! I almost pass out I jump so fast. “What’s wrong?” he ask “Oh, uh, nothing I’m going to grab my blanket.” making my way to the bedroom, OMG, I can’t believe I was just all in his face with my va-jay-jay waving at him. There is no way he didn’t see that. None! I make my way back wrapped up like a double stuffed burrito, seriously I’m wrapped so tight I can’t even bend at the knees. I try to lean back and almost trip which would have landed me face first in Rome’s crouch. THIS IS NOT MY NIGHT! Luckily he reaches out and grabbed me, laughing. “Rory, you are going to kill yourself you klutz.” I know my face is 15 shades of red right now, he is right I am being ridiculous. It’s Rome for Pete’s sake, he doesn’t even care. “Sorry Rome I wasn’t really in the mood to miss my movie to change but I didn’t realize I was going to put on a show when I flopped down. This is my way of making sure I don’t violate you again.” I giggle to slice the awkwardness. “Well crazy gir,l I wouldn’t call you on but since you brought it up!” he actually smirks “ I didn’t even get to say hello back!” I can’t help but smack at him. Covering my face “uhhh I’m so embarrassed” he moves me around helping us both get comfy and straightens out the blanket over my legs, all while my face is still hid behind my hands. “Seriously Princess its fine no biggie, I swear, not the first time I ever seen it. Well not yours but it!” waggling his eye brows “However if it will help you, I can show you mine and we will be even.” He burst out laughing as I drop my hands down “Holy cow, Rome what? No! Just stop it.” I swat him yet again and turn my face back towards to TV. in a statement of this conversation is O-V! I fall asleep somewhere half way or so because I am jarred awake slightly as Rome takes me to my bed. He has been my protector since the first second we met and it’s a pattern that has continued. He is like a big brother to me, which is why I almost flinch as he tucks me in, turns on my fan, flips off my desk lamp, and kisses the top of my head. “Night princess, sweet dreams till morning. (and very quietly) by the way I may have seen a lot in my life but your peep show tonight was bar none the best ever. Proof of how perfect you truly are.” he tucks the hair behind my ear, pulls the sheet up and pulls my door shut as he leaves. I know he will lock the door but I shoot straight up wide eyed. What the hell just happened?
Me- Mando, we gotta talk
Mando- Tomorrow? Kinda busy w/ my plastic friend!
Me- EWW MANDO EWW yes tomorrow.
Me-Don’t forget to recharge your man ;-)
****
Sitting on the half broken swing on Amandolette’s gran’s porch, I recap the entire night along with a few other things that happened lately. Mando has this soured, pucker look on her face. I can’t decipher if it’s a floored look or if it’s an almost pissed off look. Then she speaks “Look Rory, I know you’re all torn up over this but seriously something has to give. Toby wants you, Rome adores you, and you’re stringing them both along. I know you don’t mean to but you are.” Yep she is pissed! “All I can say is pick one.” She stomps her foot and all of the sudden I am grabbed from behind. I hear the squeals of the sweetest little nerd herd ever. My eyes jump out of my head, I just know who is behind me and OMG how much did he hear. Rome’s standing off the porch behind the swing when I turn smiling ear to ear but looking totally clueless. THANK GOD! “So ladies. What we talking about out here on Ms. B’s porch swing?” I let the air seep out of my slightly parted lips and blink praying to baby Jesus he didn’t really hear. I can’t handle 2 mishaps in a 24 hour span. “Nothing Rome, we are getting ready to head to do our nails for prom!” turning to look at me as she walks in “I’ll be ready in 5 minutes. Pick one Rory, you have to.” pointing her finger at me, and bugging her eyes out at me, before she walks away. I get up and head towards the other side of the park where my dungeon sits. “Rome can Thax hang with you for a few hours? I shouldn’t be long.” and of course he complies.
Chapter Thirteen
I love the nail salon it’s a girlie place, it’s quiet, and it’s clean. My natural nails are polished with a clear coat, short, and rounded costing me a whole $12 but well worth it. Mando of course has pulled out the stops. She had a Pedi and her nails now match her toes. They are long and squared with white tips but between the natural color and the white has a swoop of silver with a little fake diamond to the side. That set her back about $75 once all was done. She looked magnificent! “Mando, Do you have a date for the prom yet?” I look at her she’s no longer mad at me and swears she never was but I saw the death rays, something is up.
“No I figure I would go alone this year, those high school guys are a joke!” walking out of the nail shop she winks and burst out laughing “besides I need to woman hear me roar ya know.” We make our way towards the food court. She informs me that she is treating me to frozen yogurt before we head home. Yum! They have the best sugar free, fat free, strawberry yogurt ever. Licking my spoon like a happy child “Do you think you could ask Rome to go with you? I mean he isn’t high school and there is no way he could cramp your style.” Her eyes bug out and she drops her spoon with her tongue hung out “OH-M-DOUBLE EFFING G did he say he wanted to go with me?” I smile going with my ‘if I don’t talk, I won’t lie rule’ “Oh wow um, you know Rory, would you be ok with that? I know we are all friends but is that pushing it? I mean he is more so yours…” I am stunned stupid at that statement. “He is so not mine Mando, you know that! He is one of my best friends who just happen to be around a lot. He is like a brother to me. I would love for y’all to go together. We can be a group and it would do Toby some good to spend some more time around Rome. You know, maybe he could figure out for himself how we are. I hate the mess going on. I love Toby more than living, he needs to
comprehend that.”
I miss Toby dearly and the more I talked with Mando today, I started to understand what she was saying, it still sucked monkey nuts regardless. I love them both so differently. They do everything opposite of the other and I couldn’t live without either. I refuse to ever have to choose. If either of them ever thought I had to, then that would be the one who would lose.
****
After a little butt kissing on my part Rome agreed to go to prom with me… I mean us. He looks so debonair standing in my living room waiting for me. I can see him pacing nervous as he waits for me to finish. We are waiting on Mando to pick us up and head over to meet Toby. At The Diner, of course! I will never set foot in his house again, as long as I live. “Ready or not here I came, don’t laugh!” I say as I slowly open my door. It doesn’t escape me that Rome is the one picking me up for my prom, not Toby. I swear he could have done this one thing. I get it. Actually I don’t. Just once, couldn’t he just suffer it for me. I do lots of things I hate, for him. I am starting to see with my eyes wide open, he refuses to do much of anything for me. “Come on Princess before I have a heart-a-stroke already.” Rome’s honey voice melts me coming from the other side of the door. I slowly it open and slide out. His eyes start at my feet smiling at my shiny black shoes, I’m sure he has no clue they are from Wal-Mart and I am positive even if he did he wouldn’t care. Slowly making his way up my naked legs, I swear he is drooling. I get a nervous twitch and rub my hands together. “Did you know that rubber bands last longer if you put them in the fridge?” Why do I spout off when I freak out? “Princess you don’t have to be nervous, I’m not even your date. But if there was a God I would be.” he walked over to me and I notice he has 2 boxes in his hand “Despite the fact that I am not your date, please except this. It feels right to me.” I open it and it’s a beautiful, single red rose, wristlet with a few pieces of baby’s breath, all wrapped in a black ribbon. “Rome you shouldn’t have, its beautiful.” he wraps it around my wrist and I smell it almost crying, however I am not sure why. “Princess this dress is going to get you in trouble, I’m so glad I will close by because you’re going to need me.” I guess the high front low back was a good pick. “And your hair is beautiful. You smell like the sun.” he says sniffing, yes sniffing, my hair. I can’t help but giggle at that statement. “Don’t take me wrong your stunning tonight, but your face doesn’t need all that make up on it to be so perfect. Everything about you is just perfect.” I step back from him in aw, he is being so sweet, I can’t figure out where it’s coming from but it feels perilous. So I defuse the situation only a way I could. “Dreamt is the only word in the English language that ends in m-t” I close my eyes and scrunch up my face like I just saw a horrible car wreck. He knows me and he will know I feel weird. His hand brushes mine and when I open my eyes he is just smiling holding my hand, turning me to walk out.
Trailer Park Princess Page 6
