The Webster Grove Series

by Puckett, Tracie

  Alex's voice surged through me like a bolt of lightning. I took a deep breath and tried to fight a smirk, remembering the time he asked this exact question at homecoming... back when times were so much simpler.

  “In what?” I humored him.

  “The dancing.”

  “Oh, yeah?” I tried to hide my blushing cheeks. “Let me guess... you're not allowed to ask me, but it would be incredibly rude for you to turn me down if I asked you.”

  “Something like that,” he replied, smiling at me for the first time in almost a week.

  “Let me get this straight then. Are you asking me to ask you to dance?” This scenario felt much too familiar.

  “I am.”

  His response was unexpected, but I didn't hesitate to take initiative. I stood up from the chair and met his gaze.

  “Alexander Rivera, may I please have this dance?”

  “I thought you'd never ask,” he said dramatically, mocking my formal tone.

  We walked onto the floor and spotted Miss Holt across the room, dancing with the senior class football star. They danced slowly in the center of the crowd, drawing little attention from those nearby. I inhaled a deep breath and hoped my student-teacher dance with Alex would go unnoticed as easily as theirs.

  Alex took me in his arms and pulled me toward him. Not too close, but respectably near. We swayed for the first half of the song, neither of us saying a word. All I could do was think of how incredibly captivating he was, inside and out. I belonged with Alexander Rivera. We fit so well together, and obviously he cared enough about me to put his stubbornness aside. I couldn't let him stay angry. We were wasting precious time...

  “Alex, I—“

  “I'm sorry,” he interrupted.

  “No, I'm sorry. I owe you an explanation—“

  “You don't.”

  I slid a glance in Nate's direction and watched as Rachel rested on his shoulder. “You read his letter then?”

  He shook his head. “No.”

  “No?”

  “I trust you, Steph. I know I have a pathetic way of showing it, but I do. And if you trust Nate... then I do too.” He pulled me closer. “Are you ready to flaunt your crown tonight, Miss Ghijk?”

  “No, sir.”

  “You really don't want to win, do you?”

  I glanced across the floor at Bridget and Isaac.

  “I'd give anything to see Bridge take the win tonight,” I said, sincerely. “She deserves an uplifting moment more than Rachel and I combined.”

  “Selfless,” he whispered, staring deep into my eyes. “You truly are one-of-a-kind.”

  The song ended and faded into a faster, up-tempo beat. As much as I dreaded the distance, I pulled away from Alex and nodded in thanks, but only to hold up appearances. The moment truly called for an amazing heart-stopping kiss.

  As the night went on, Alex danced with Rachel, Bridget, and several other bright-eyed girls from the junior and senior class. Despite mild jealousy, I continued to have a wonderful time with Nate.

  Before too long, I was back in the middle of the crowd and wrapped in Nate's arms, resting my head on his shoulder. We moved around the floor with the other happy couples, though Nate and I were different from the rest... we were just two friends, dancing for the sake of dancing.

  “I think it's time for you to move on,” I whispered, quietly. “You know, explore other options—“

  “I'm choosing not to listen to you,” he said, smiling and changing the subject. “So, are you excited about leaving next week?”

  “It's bitter-sweet.”

  “What part of living in a foreign country is bitter?” He shook his head. “I guess hot French men, an Eiffel Tower view, and working in the corporate headquarters of your dream job can be problematic—“

  “Paris isn't the problem...”

  “Of course not,” he said. “You don't want to leave Tarzan.”

  “Bingo—“

  “Ladies and gentlemen,” Karen Holt interrupted via the microphone on stage at the far side of the room. The roar of the dancing, talking, and laughing died down while all eyes shifted in her direction. “It's time to announce the 2012 prom queen and king.”

  Alex joined her with two sealed envelopes in hand. “Each crown goes to the individual with the highest number of votes submitted by their peers.”

  “With that being said,” Miss Holt continued, taking an envelope from the hands of her co-worker. She ripped open the seal and read the card with wide eyes. “Without further ado, I'd like to congratulate the 2012 Webster Grove High School Prom King, Mr. Isaac Peyton.”

  The crowd went wild in applause and cheers. Isaac made his way up to the stage with a hefty shove from his girlfriend. Nate draped his arm across my shoulder and hugged me. “Maybe it will be a brother-sister win this year.”

  “Yeah…“ I certainly hope not.

  “And ladies,” Alex said, taking Miss Holt's spot as she placed the crown on Isaac's head. I smiled at Bridget from across the room, hoping she'd handle the outcome well, no matter what the card read. “Congratulations to the 2012 Webster Grove High School Prom Queen...” He tore the seal and scanned the contents before shining a bright, white smile to the students. “Miss Bridget Wright!”

  Bridget's mouth dropped as friends around her nudged her toward the stage. She wiped away a sudden stream of tears and met her boyfriend in front of the crowd. Miss Holt secured the tiara on her head as Alex presented her with flowers. Confetti fell from the ceiling as the remaining students cheered for their peers.

  Sunday May 27 1AM

  It was nearing one o'clock in the morning when a warm body slid into the bed behind me.

  “You're going to wrinkle your dress,” Alex whispered in my ear.

  “Tired. Long night. Exhausted.”

  “You're not the least bit curious as to how or why I'm here?”

  “How? Window. Why? You love me.”

  I turned over and pressed my face into his chest, taking a deep breath and weaving his intoxicating scent into my dreams.

  “Don't get too comfortable, kiddo.”

  “Mmm-hmm,” I managed, starting to drift off.

  “I'm only here because I have something for you.”

  “Tired...”

  “Okay,” he said. “Tomorrow then.”

  He started to slip away and I used every last ounce of energy I had to pull him back. “Stay...”

  “I really shouldn't—“

  “Stay.”

  He hesitated for a moment. I pulled him closer as he repositioned himself on the bed. He wrapped his arms around me and pressed a kiss to my head. “You're spoiled, you know that, right?”

  I smirked and drifted back into a deep, dream-filled sleep.

  Sunday May 27 9AM

  “Well, this is absolutely no surprise.” Adriana's voice resounded in the room.

  I couldn't open my eyes.

  “Come on Steph,” she urged. “It's after nine. Breakfast is on the table. Chop chop.” I finally managed to peek at her through heavy eyelids. I felt the empty spot next to me and realized Alex was gone. I shot up and stared at Adriana. “What... where did he... why am I still...”

  “You fell asleep in your dress, sweetheart. Like I said, I'm not surprised. You came home last night ready to pass out on the porch.”

  “I'm practically an infant. I don't do so well with late nights,” I mumbled, rubbing my eyes. “You mentioned food?”

  “As soon as you get your tiny hiney out of bed,” she said, walking toward the door. “I want to hear every detail from the dance when you come down! And after you're done with your stories, I have something serious I need to talk to you about.”

  She disappeared into the hallway without another word.


  I rolled out of bed. I pulled the heavy dress away and gently hung it over the back of the computer chair. Something caught my eye as I turned to walk to the open closet. A tiny piece of paper and white envelope were taped to the mirror.

  Steph, I hope you can enjoy this now that you're fully awake. I love you.

  I opened the envelope, which already had a broken seal. There was a card on the inside, decorated, glistening, and embroidered with red hearts and silver trim.

  Congratulations! 2012 Webster Grove High School Prom Queen, Miss Steph Ghijk.

  The truth about the crown was yet another secret we'd have to keep, but God bless his beautiful heart of gold. Bridget deserved that win.

  Chapter Seven

  Wednesday May 30

  I walked slowly down the hallway with a single book plastered against my chest. I turned the corner and started the short walk down the corridor of Webster Grove High and reluctantly crossed the threshold into Mr. Rivera's English class.

  He stood at the chalk board, writing in his usual small strokes. I tried not to laugh when I realized he was wearing the same outfit he'd worn on my first day of school in September. I stood in the open doorway for a few quiet moments and stared at the stretch of empty desks.

  “Good morning, Miss Ghijk,” Alex said, biting his lower lip. “Are you just going to stand there, or do you plan to take a seat?”

  My eyes welled up with tears as I moved slowly to the second desk in the third row.

  Eight months ago, on September 5th, I had no idea what my time at Webster Grove would be like. Walking down memory lane, I turned and looked at the chair behind mine, remembering Bridget's first words to me. Oh, you poor, poor girl. Nate, who'd sat next to me on that day, tried to woo me with his mysteriousness. I made the two best friends of my life on that first day in Webster Grove…

  I ran my fingers across the carved initials in the upper corner of the desk; BW+NB.

  “She got a week of detention for that,” Alex said, squeezing into the seat beside me.

  “Who?”

  “You’re staring at one of Bridget's boldest acts of defiance in study hall last year.”

  “No kidding?”

  “Never took your friend for a vandal, I guess?”

  “Bridget Wright and Nathaniel Bryan,” I mumbled. “It never occurred to me—“

  “She was crazy about that kid.”

  “And now she has Isaac—“

  “Things are about to get pretty rough for them, Steph,” he said. “Teenage pregnancies are—“

  “Wait. You know?”

  “I know everything,” he assured me with his heart-melting smirk.

  I rolled my eyes. “You got the ego from your grandmother, Mr. Rivera.”

  “Ugh,” he grumbled, shaking his head. “Hardly seems right to hear that come out of your mouth—“

  “We're in school—“

  “The bell doesn't ring for another twenty minutes,” he informed me, glancing at the clock. “Why are you here this early anyway?”

  “Thought I’d reminisce…“

  He put his hand on top of mine. “You don't do so well with goodbyes, huh ?”

  I shook my head.

  “You've been here for a long time, Steph. It's human nature to form attachments—“

  “I'm okay with the forming attachments part of it,” I said. “Letting go is the part I’m struggling with.”

  “A big part of life is moving on, kiddo. Besides, you're acting like today is the end. Don't forget, graduation is four days away. You still have plenty of time to say your goodbyes...”

  Sunday June 03

  The sun was beating down on the sidewalk outside the auditorium. Parents rushed to the door and filled the stairs in a disorderly fashion. I stood there, dressed for the graduation ceremony and sweating bullets for more reasons than I could count. The rest of my classmates were gathering in a classroom on the other side of the building. I was supposed to be lining up too, but I had something I needed to take care of first.

  Nicholas Peyton walked toward the school with his dark hair shining in the sun.

  “Steph,” he said, grinning. “You look—“

  “Can we talk?” I asked, smoothing the wrinkles on the front of the white gown.

  “You want to—“

  “I'm low on time,” I said, glancing at my watch.

  Nick straightened his glasses and nodded. “I can't believe you're graduating today—“

  “No small talk.“

  “Okay...”

  “I'm leaving for Paris tomorrow. And before I run out of time, and in case I miss the chance to say this before I leave... I'm sorry. I should have been willing to listen to you, and it shouldn't have taken me this long to say that I forgive you. I want to take the time to get to know you. If you’re still willing to give me a chance, I’d like to start making up on all the time we missed out on.”

  “Steph...”

  Nick wrapped his arms around me and pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “I love you,” he muttered through tears.

  “Steph!” Isaac yelled behind me. “Come on! Everyone is looking for you! The ceremony is about to start—“

  “You should go,” Nick said, nudging me forward.

  “Oh,” I turned back. “Thank you for the roses.”

  “Roses?”

  “On Valentine's Day. I assume the mystery flowers on my window seat were from you?”

  Nick nodded and smiled. “See you after the ceremony, kid.”

  Sunday June 03, 1:15PM

  “Students of Webster Grove High School, Class of 2012, I leave you with this. Don't let yourself be the only thing standing between you and your dreams. If at first you don't succeed, fail again. Learn from your mistakes.”

  I smiled at Nate as he stood confidently in front of the large crowd. I never thought I'd see the day that Nathaniel Bryan would raise eyebrows with a Valedictorian speech. In September, I'd asked him, and you are? His reply was as simple as I'm gonna remain a mystery. Through detentions, leading school plays, and drooling over his secret crush, Nate managed to maintain a 4.0 grade point average and never once dropped from his #1 class ranking. Needless to say, he remained a mystery, just as he promised.

  Nate never ceases to amaze me.

  “So,” he continued. “I challenge you to take a leap of faith every day of your life. Starting with today, do something you never thought you'd do. Discover yourself. And again, don't be afraid of making mistakes along the way.”

  The crowd started to clap as Nate lifted his hand. “Come on, guys. I'm not done.” The audience quieted again. “I want to start today by taking my first leap of faith.”

  “Oh, Lord,” I heard Nate's mom mumble many rows back.

  “I am in love.” The room remained completely silent. Nate scanned the crowd until his eyes landed on the staff sitting to the side of the auditorium. “Mr. Rivera, I want to apologize for the rough time I’ve given you in the past couple years. I treated you poorly, and you deserved better. I spent a long time in denial pretending I could ignore my feelings. Sadly, I've never known how to express myself when I’m around you. So, for the toilet papering, back-talking, and terrible attitude... I guess you can chalk it up to... people doing crazy things when they're in love.”

  Nate walked away from the podium without another word, leaving an awkward silence to linger in the air.

  I stood to my feet and clapped for Nate, breaking the silence as he rejoined his classmates in the crowd. Bridget and Isaac soon followed in applause. Within moments, the entire room was roaring with whistles and yells. Nathaniel Bryan had just given the most unorthodox graduation speech of all time... and yet, for Webster Grove, it worked.

  Sunday June 03, 5PM

  “How are you fee
ling?” I asked Nate's mother as we carried trays of food out the backdoor.

  “Oh, honey,” she smirked. “I've been waiting on that boy to come out of the closet since he was two. He thinks this is some big surprise, but he hasn't known nearly as long as I have.”

  “When do you think he finally figured it out?”

  “I’d say it was right about the time you moved to town,” she started. “He came home one evening and told me that he wasn’t taking Bridget to homecoming. He mumbled something about not wanting to lead her on, and how taking Rachel would be an easy out. I think that’s about the time it all clicked for him—“

  “And his crush on Mr. Rivera?”

  “That was a surprise,” she admitted. “Even I didn’t see that one coming.”

  “You seem completely unfazed. Are you not disappointed with... how he announced it publically?”

  Her brown curls bounced as she shook her head. “Nate has never been a conventional person, sweetheart.”

  We shared a small laugh and finished setting out the food for the collaborative graduation party in Mrs. Bryan's backyard.

  Nick, Isaac, Bridget, and Nate came out the backdoor.

  “Hey guys,” I yelled, giving a short wave.

  “Mom,” Nate said. “This is Bridget's boyfriend, Isaac.”

  “My twin brother,” I noted.

  Isaac smiled at me as he shook Mrs. Bryan's hand.

  “And this is our father, Nick,” I continued, nudging him forward.

  The rest of the party guests showed up within the next twenty minutes. Cal, Adriana, Emilio, Blake, and a reluctant Miss Holt sporadically came over to support Isaac, Bridget, Nate, and myself. Bridget's parents were sitting at a table engaged in a deep conversation with Nick, probably discussing the unplanned pregnancy. Isaac and Bridget were bragging to Cal and his grandparents about winning the prom titles. Miss Holt and Blake sat hand-in-hand on the steps of the back porch, whispering and smiling. Nate was helping his mother with the food on the grill, and I suddenly realized I was the only person who was alone.

  Where was Alex?

  I looked across the yard and smiled at the sight. Alex was standing in his driveway, leaning against his car, watching me watch him.