Shrinking Violet

by Danielle Joseph

  "Here you are." Audrey puts a hand on my shoulder.

  I'm stiff as a brick now and hardly flinch. "Sorry, didn't know you were looking for me."

  "I told you I'd be here for you. Have you forgotten, 'Never Ever, Best Friends Forever . .?"

  I smile. "I just feel so--"

  "I know." She takes my hand and squeezes it. "But this is your night. You own it."

  Jason interrupts our serene moment with a drumroll. "Without further ado, I'm going to announce the winner of the contest, a peer among peers . ."

  "Huh?" My mouth drops.

  "He goes to school here?" Audrey seems as shocked as I am.

  Holy crap, how could that be? What are the odds of that?

  Jason turns to the left of the stage and claps. Within seconds the rest of the students follow suit. I see a dark shadow walking from the far end of the ballroom. Who is he?

  Someone I've never seen before? I certainly don't know everyone at Ridgeland. At least, besides Stacy, I don't have any enemies, but please don't let 278

  it be a super testosterone-filled jock either. I have to remember that this is the guy who sang "The Moon Stops for You," which happens to be a very sweet song.

  "Who's that dude?" a guy asks the girl standing in front of me.

  "Never seen him before. Shhh," she tells him like she might miss something.

  "Ohmigod!" Audrey screams.

  What?" My whole body shakes. I instinctively shut my eyes. "It's Gavin," she spits out.

  "No way!" I scream back, not believing her. I immediately turn my gaze to the stage. I have to stand on tippy toes just to see over all the people that have gathered round.

  How the hell? "Can't be. He's at Speed Bump."

  "No, Tere. That's him." Audrey shakes me, like I need to feel any dizzier than I already am.

  "But . . but . ." She's right. It's him. Same black hair. Same casual stride. Not the same outfit though; I've never seen him dressed up before. "Still, it could be someone else," I say more for myself than her.

  But Jason is still talking," . . our promotions department had to weed through tons of entries to find this guy, your very own Gavin Tarn, singer extraordinaire . ."

  Could there be another Gavin Tarn at this school? Stranger things have happened.

  Where's Kelly? Did she know this? I take a quick look around but don't see her.

  The room is quickly flooded with applause.

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  Audrey snaps her fingers in front of my face. "Uh, Tere, I hate to break it to you, but they just called Sweet T."

  "What?" This time I scream, I mean, really scream, loud enough for all the people around me to turn and stare. This is so not how I pictured it, none of it. My mind has blanked. If I wasn't wearing this fancy black dress and these toe-squishing heels, I'd have no idea where I was.

  "Shall we?" a voice from behind me says. It's Kelly. Only, she's ditched the clipboard for a beautiful lilac dress. Her Pop-Tarts are hanging out the front, like they were strategically placed. She wasn't kidding when she said she was going to change into something formal.

  I steady myself by grabbing hold of her arm.

  "Let's go, Tere. It'll be fine." She propels me forward.

  I glance over at Audrey, then start walking in a daze.

  "But he hates liars," I blab. "He listens to the show, and I never told him I was Sweet T."

  "That's what you're worried about?" Kelly tightens her grip on my hand. "He's going to be thrilled it's you."

  "I hope so."

  "Sweet T would stand up straight and smile," Kelly whispers as we walk across the soft carpet, past the tables and goggly eyes.

  The room falls to a hush. I arch my back and stretch my lips.

  "Sweet T would wave." Kelly winks at a couple of guys staring at her.

  "Now you're pushing it." I widen my smile.

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  She drops me off at the side of the stage. "Remember, you own the audience, not the other way around." Then she steps on my toe with one of her spiked heels.

  "Ouch." I wince.

  "Just wanted to make sure you were awake." She laughs. "Point taken," I say. "Sweet T, it is."

  Even though the stage is barely big enough to fit six people across, it looks huge.

  Jason's voice booms from the mike again, "Sweet T, my fair maiden, the grand stage awaits you!"

  I'm in such a state of shock that my mind has frozen. I must propel myself forward. I am now a robot. I calculate the steps to the stage. About ten. I march forward. I can do it.

  Jason reaches down to help me up the two steps onto the platform. He slings his arm over my shoulder and gives me a quick peck on the cheek. "Sweet T's in the house." I hold my hand up to my mouth to make sure that my smile is still there. It is.

  I feel like any moment Mom's going to shake me awake, draw the shades, and tell me to get my butt out of bed. But I look down, and I'm not wearing my usual sweats. I actually have a beautiful dress on that has the Mom seal of approval. The huge lights above me are bright and hot, like I have taken one step closer to the sun. In front of me there are hundreds of familiar and not so familiar faces. If I squint, I can make out a few--their mouths open wide with surprise, their eyes glued to the stage. It's so surreal standing up here.

  I look over at Gavin. Did he know it was me all along? Is he 281

  really Number 13? He has traded in his Speed Bump gear for a tux. He's so handsome.

  Why hasn't he made eye contact with me yet? He's focused on the crowd.

  Jason squeezes my shoulder. "Many of you might know this supergirl as Tere Adams--" I hear a few people yell, "Who?" and another bunch shout, "Can't be!" I ignore them all and stare at the side of Gavin's head. He's the one I'm here for anyway and doesn't even know it. "Well, she might be Tere Adams by day, but by night she's our own Sweet T."

  The crowd is quiet, but then I hear a few gasps, followed by even more no ways.

  I'm with you guys all the way, I want to yell out. I have no clue what I'm doing up here either! I feel like I'm in some bad high school flick. Actually, it's really not so bad. I mean, my date is my true love, after all. I hope no one casts a spell on him and turns him into an ogre. I glance over at Gavin just to make sure he hasn't morphed. This time he catches my gaze, winks, and says, "You can do it, Tere!"

  He warms up my stomach, which is just the right amount of heat to fuel my whole body.

  I wink back and mouth, "Thanks."

  "Tere," Jason whispers to me and points to the mike.

  I look up to the glare of the camera striking my pupils. Live on the webcam, Derek must be eating this up right now. Mom, too. Where is she? I scan the audience, trying not to make eye contact. I don't see her or Rob.

  My hands are shaking like maracas, but I take the mike from 282

  Jason. This is my duty. I clear my throat. Sweet T , don't fail me now. "I'm Sweet T. Tere Adams. I'm so honored to be here tonight. For SLAM. For Ridgeland. For lucky Number 13!"

  "Woo-hoo!" Tim from English yells.

  "I know this might come as a surprise, but contrary to what some of you think, I do talk, and play music, too." The crowd laughs and so do I. "So let's get down to business. We came here to hear the winning song!"

  Everyone claps, then Jason takes the mike from me and points to Gavin. "Take it away . ."

  I quickly try to exit the stage, but Jason pulls me back. He whispers into my ear, "So what do you think?"

  Ohmigod, he doesn't know that this is not just any mystery man.

  "That's Gavin. The guy I like." I tug on his shirt. Jason jolts back; one step farther and he could've toppled off the stage. "You've got to be kidding!"

  "Nope."

  "Wow." He puts his hand over his heart. "This is a real Cinderella story."

  "Shut up." I roll my eyes. "I'm not kidding," he says.

  I give Jason a quick wave and quickly step off the stage to watch the performance. I'm dying to hear the song live. Gavin adjusts his guitar, then lifts u
p his head. Several pieces of hair cover his left eye as he strums the first note. He looks 283

  so choreographed. So perfect, like he was always meant to be up on this stage.

  My eyes don't want to leave his performance, but I quickly scan the audience. Some people are dancing, some are seated, and others still have their mouths open wide, but everyone is soaking in the performance.

  Gavin takes it away, every bit of it. He rocks the house. He doesn't miss a beat and sings his heart out. "Who needs the sun when you're around . ." Many people may have never met him, but they will remember him now.

  The clapping erupts the second the song ends. Everyone stands up and cheers. I still can't believe it's him. Out of all the people, what are the chances that Gavin ended up being lucky Number 13?

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  chapter TWENTY-SIX

  I wait on the side of the stage for Gavin. It suddenly dawns on me that just because he won the contest, it doesn't mean he wants to be with me. It doesn't mean that the moon stops for me. There could be another girl out there that he wrote the song for. I scan the faces around me. Is she waiting in the wings for him?

  He walks off the stage and stops in front of me. His eyes are glistening, and he's still catching his breath. I've never seen him look better.

  "You look really good," I say. "So do you. Amazing." He smiles.

  Kayla runs to the stage, holding up the sides of her silk tangerine dress. It matches her car. She pulls us in for a group

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  hug. "You're both awesome. I can't believe my buddies are this cool!"

  We both laugh. And I breathe a sigh of relief, too. "I knew you guys were hiding something, but this?" Kayla asks.

  "It wasn't planned," I say.

  Jason cranks up the tunes and "Spill Proof" fills the sound system. Tons of people rush to the dance floor. Others are clumped in small groups, talking, watching. I've never had the spotlight shine so brightly on me.

  Kayla's eyes bug out. "No way. You didn't know that Gavin was the winner?"

  "Nope. See my hands? I'm still shaking." I hold both hands up as evidence.

  "And you?" Kayla asks Gavin.

  "I knew." He gives me a sheepish look. "Not at first, but after a few clues, I figured it out."

  He knew? I must have seemed so stupid. No wonder he didn't ask if I was going to the dance. Duh!

  "Wow, this is like a real love story." Kayla waves to her date, who's standing alone a few feet away. "I'll check you guys later," she says and darts off to join her Prince Charming.

  I squint at the light from the camera above me.

  "That's a wrap," Ralph says to Carlos. "We've got some good footage."

  I lean in closer to Gavin. "This night is so weird."

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  "It's weird for me, too. You know what it was like to keep this whole thing a secret?"

  I lightly punch his shoulder. "Yeah, you jerk. All along I thought you were going to Speed Bump."

  "I was at first." He sticks his hands in his pockets. "But then I heard about the contest and my brother was like, hey, try it. A few days later I figured out you were Sweet T. That was awesome." He grins.

  "Thanks." I blush. "Wasn't your brother mad you ditched him?"

  "No, he thought this contest was a good opportunity. But don't worry, I brought a little of Speed Bump with me." He loosens his bow tie and unbuttons the first five buttons on his tux shirt.

  I laugh. He's wearing a black Speed Bump concert tee under his formalwear.

  "That's too cool." I smile.

  A couple of girls from pre-calc rush over to me. They're wearing matching white dresses.

  "We just had to say hello. This is fab," Melinda says.

  "Thanks. I think so, too."

  "See you on the dance floor." Kate pulls Melinda by the arm.

  I turn back to Gavin. "So, I'm dying to know. How did you find out it was me?"

  "How didn't I?" He laughs." 'Shrinking Violet for one. You said to me, 'I'm mad for Shrinking Violet' and then said it again on the air. Don't underestimate a loyal listener."

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  My face goes flush. I remember the line, too. Still, I have to ask. "Are you mad that I didn't tell you I was Sweet T?"

  His eyes narrow and he draws his lips together. "Pissed."

  My heart drops to my knees.

  His frown quickly turns to a smile. "Kidding."

  "You scared me." I feel for my heart to make sure it's still there. "It's just . . I thought you hated liars."

  "Relax," he says gently. "You weren't lying. You just kept a secret that you hadn't shared yet."

  "The station would've killed me if I had blown my cover."

  "Tell me about it. They made me sign like a hundred confidentiality forms." He brushes away a piece of hair that has fallen over his eye. "Besides, I did the same thing. I secretly entered the contest and didn't tell anyone when I discovered you were Sweet T."

  "No one?"

  "Nope." He shakes his head. "Only my brother and my parents knew about the contest.

  That's it."

  "This is crazy. You don't know how nervous I was about meeting the winner. And what if I had picked the bee guy or the burger dude?"

  "Burger and bee dude?" Gavin screws up his face.

  "You don't want to know. Let's just say, I love your song."

  "Thanks." Gavin grins.

  I follow his eyes and look over to the side of the stage. It's 289

  Mom. Her forehead is wrinkled and her eyes are wide with suspicion. I totally forgot about her. She's probably been here the whole time, staring at us. Rob's standing next to her with his arms folded. With the blank stare on his face, he looks like he's watching a football game. He is so out of his element.

  Mom takes a couple of steps toward us. "Hi, Mom. Hi, Rob." I gulp.

  "Is there something I should know?" Mom avoids looking at Gavin.

  "No," I say loudly.

  She clicks her tongue. "Don't try and pull one over on me. This has setup written all over it."

  "No, it doesn't. And that's what's so great. It's pure magic." I peer up at the shiny tinsel stars hanging from the ceiling.

  "I don't get it." She turns to Rob. "This doesn't make any sense."

  "It is what it is, Delilah. Let it go." He looks at me and smiles. "Besides, I think they make a great couple."

  I look over at Gavin and grab his hand. Listening to my mom whine must be so awkward for him, but he doesn't say a word. Smart guy.

  "You would rub it in." Mom nudges Rob.

  "You've got a great voice, Gavin," Rob says.

  Mom's face softens. "Yes. You sure do."

  Gavin smiles. "Thanks. I really appreciate it."

  I lean forward and hug Mom. I have to realize she'll always be, 290

  well, Mom. I can only take her in small doses, and right now I've had enough.

  But before we run off, there's someone else who really deserves a hug. I wrap my arms around Rob. "You don't know how much being on the radio has changed my life," I tell him. "You've done so much for me. And for Mom."

  I glance up at his cleanly shaven face. His eyes are wet. "You deserve it, Tere. You've earned every second of it. I'm proud of you."

  "That means a lot." I sniff. "Now go have fun," Rob says.

  "We will." I take Gavin's hand. "Don't wait up for me, guys-- the limo will bring me home." Oh, I love saying that! Even if it turns into a pumpkin after midnight, I'm happy to be Cinderella for one night.

  I don't wait for Mom's answer. I don't need one. I leave her and Rob standing there while Gavin leads me onto the dance floor. The chance to be alone with Gavin is what I've been waiting for. I'm not letting anyone ruin our night. The song playing is a fast-paced Maltese hit, "Random Night," from a couple of years ago, so we both try to keep the beat. Gavin doesn't seem to mind that all my dancing lessons consist of me

  "shaking what my mama gave me" around my room with my iPod.

  Toward the e
nd of the song we lace our fingers together. I imagine being this close to your crush is how true bliss feels.

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  You don't care about anyone else around you. You don't care if you dance like an android. Okay, maybe just a little.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I spy something that looks like a flying object. I do a double take. Stacy's charging toward us. Hasn't she bothered me enough for one night?

  One lifetime?

  "What is it?" Gavin asks.

  I eyeball Stacy, and Gavin glances to his left. "Don't worry. I'll deal with her."

  I let go of his hands. "No, I've got this one." The flames are bursting from me like a grease fire on a gas stove.

  When Stacy's less than a foot away, I put my hand up to her face. "I've had enough of your crap. I don't know what you've got up your butt, but it's old." At this point I have no idea what I'm saying, but I don't let that stop me. "And another thing, your attitude sucks. I don't know what I did to deserve your abuse, but get over it!"

  Stacy's jaw drops and she takes a step back.

  I cross my arms and let my eyes burn holes in her skin. She's not escaping.

  She blinks. "I just wanted to tell you that you've got balls. To go on the radio and all."

  "Huh?" Is that a compliment? An attempt at an apology? Is she that wasted?

  "That's all I wanted to say. Have fun, beyotch!" Stacy stumbles off, nearly tripping over her three-inch heels.

  Gavin and I are so dumbstruck that we stand on the dance

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  floor like statues for a few seconds. Could Stacy possibly have a conscience?

  "What was that?" Gavin finally asks.

  "I don't know. Is there a full moon tonight?"

  "You bet." He grins.

  It takes a Shrinking Violet tune, "Freeze-dried Love," for us to start moving again. This time Gavin draws me closer until our bodies touch. The heat of his chest soars through me like a rocket. We are fused together and sway back and forth for the entire song.

  He whispers in my ear, "That was incredible how you handled Stacy. I'm impressed."

  "Me, too." Maybe I do have a little of my mom in me. Scary thought.

  I look up at Gavin. At his rich, cherry lips. He pulls me in even closer, slipping his hands around my waist. Our lips touch, and I open my mouth slightly. He slides his soft tongue inside and warms up my whole body. I try not to wonder if I'm kissing right and just wrap my arms around his broad shoulders.