by Sally Henson
“Do you mind if I walk you to class?”
I reached up and pressed my lips to his. It was worth the risk of detention. “As long as you walk me to all the others too.”
His irresistible smile appeared. It had gone missing for way too long. And though we had some things to work through, I was relieved to have Ryan back in my life.
The doctor had released me to light physical activity, like yoga, non-weight strengthening, walking, and jogging. Nothing that would jostle my brain too much. Ryan and Gamela had taken turns working out with me. Except for Saturday mornings—my newfound love of sleeping in happened that day.
After breakfast, I opened the door to my room and gasped. Bouquets and planters of the Texas state flower, bluebonnets, filled my room. It was gorgeous. My birthday wasn’t for a few weeks, but sometimes Mom would try to surprise me. I pulled out my phone, took photos, and sent my mom a message.
Ally: Thank you for the early birthday present!
Mom: They’re beautiful!
Mom: Wish I could take credit, but we didn’t send them.
The only other person I thought could have done it was Ryan. He said he had some stuff to take care of today. I decided to send him a video. “So, someone must think I’m special if they sent me bluebonnets all the way from Texas. There was no note, and it wasn’t my parents. Any ideas who might have sent them to me? Oh! It’s a first.” I winked in the camera. “I’ve never been sent flowers before.”
Of course, I had to show my room to Gamela, Tessa, and the girls of Operation Class Clown. Ryan hadn’t claimed the flowers, but who else could it be?
“This calls for shopping,” Gamela announced. “Let’s go get you something that isn’t yoga pants.”
I looked down at my Saturday clothes. It was what I always wore. We had uniforms for five days a week. It wasn’t like we went out much, and before recent weeks, all I did was train in the gym. I shrugged. “I’ll go with you, but I probably won’t buy anything.”
She rounded up some of the girls, and we drove into Legacy Lake’s boutique. The girls all went crazy trying on summer clothes: bikinis, sundresses, cute skirts, and shoes. Did I mention shoes? And then there were the prom dresses …
Ryan hadn’t actually asked me to prom, but I hadn’t asked him either. Gamela said she already had my outfit for prom. As long as it wasn’t as short as the last dress, I’d go with it. Fashion was not my middle name.
So while the girls were finding the perfect prom dress, Gamela and I went for massages, and after that—yes, there was more—hair appointments. It had been months since I’d had mine trimmed. While my hair was being styled, my phone buzzed with a notification. And then it buzzed again. And again. So many times that I couldn’t count. But I wasn’t able to see what the deal was. I figured it needed rebooting until I got out of the chair and saw I’d been photobombed.
“What are you smiling at?” Gamela asked, looking over my shoulder.
Tessa stuck her nose in my phone and crooned, “Aww, you two look so cute.”
My heart was full. It was impossible to keep from smiling when someone cared about you enough to arrange a photobomb.
The last picture was a selfie Ryan sent me with the text “Flowers” with a check mark beside it and the phrase “Dibs on You.”
It made Tessa swoon again. I rolled my eyes at his dumb joke, but I was so ready to see him.
As soon as I got back, we went straight to my room to show off my flowers. There was a knock, and the girls all squealed.
Alexa flung it open. Simon stood there in a tuxedo, looking more handsome than ever, balancing a small silver tray that held a black envelope. Every girl gasped at the sight of him. And then he spoke with his British accent—they gasped again. “Miss Woods. Sir Ryan Jacobs requests your presence for dinner this evening.”
My heart thrummed. If the day got any better, my feet might lift off the ground. I opened the envelope and pulled out a black card with blush-pink and silver calligraphy that read, “Library. Black-tie affair. Seven sharp.”
“How shall you respond?” Simon asked.
I didn’t mean to, but I sighed. It couldn’t be helped. Neither could the swarm of butterflies invading my insides. Ryan was going over the top. He’d said he would, but I’d assured him there was no need. “I accept his invitation.”
When the corner of Simon’s mouth quirked up, I swore one of the girls passed out and hit the floor somewhere behind me. “Lovely. I shall send the chariot to pick you up at six-fifty-five. Good-day.” He gave a royal bow, added a wink after he straightened, and was gone.
The titter of commotion and estrogen was touch and go for a minute or two, but they soon cleared out so that I could get ready for my dinner date.
I narrowed in on Gamela and said, “You knew.” From the room full of bluebonnets that morning to shopping and hair … the entire day had been a giant diversion. All I needed was makeup and an outfit.
“Of course,” she said with a smirk. She spun around, opened my closet, and pulled out a gorgeous, jaw-dropping dress.
I gasped. “Gamela.” First the chair that had shown up in my room a couple of months ago, and then flowers and a dress in one day. How did she sneak stuff in my room? I’d save that question for a later time. At the moment, the blush-pink denim bodice with tiny black pinstripes and matching blush-pink tulle skirt had my attention.
My face must have said it all, because she sang, “I know. You can thank me later.” She hung it back up and rushed toward back, navigating me toward the bathroom. “We’ve got work to do.”
After makeup, Gamela helped me slip on the dress without messing up the pretty pink smoky eye she’d created. I closed the pink pearl snap buttons of the off-the-shoulder bodice and twisted to see the skirt fall to my calves. It was perfect.
She handed me a black leather belt with a shiny silver belt buckle and my pair of cowboy boots that were hidden in the back of the closet. I squealed with excitement. It was the first time they’d been out of the closet. Was it a coincidence that my black and blush-pink boots were the exact color of the gorgeous dress? The whole outfit was designed around my boots—sleek and elegant with a splash of fun.
I dropped them both and pulled her into my arms. “You really are the best. I’m not good at doing things like this, but I’m going to be the best friend you ever had.”
She hugged me back and said with a sniff, “You already are.”
A knock sounded on the door. My stomach flipped.
“Just a minute,” Gamela called.
I slipped on a pair of black boot socks and then my flashy boots as my friend tucked a few loose strands of hair back in place. I looked in the mirror as I fastened the belt. “Is this black-tie enough?” The butterflies I’d had suddenly multiplied. Why was I so nervous?
“Absolutely. You look irresistible. Now go have fun.” Gamela guided me to the door and shooed me out.
My chariot of four brawny football players carried me in a cushioned sedan chair across campus. We came to a stop at the library, where Simon stood guard.
As I stepped down, the doors swung open to Ryan’s bright smile. My stomach swooped as if it were turning handstand circles on the uneven bar. He was exceptionally handsome in a black tailored tuxedo with a black bow tie and black denim jeans. His blush-pink shirt was the same exact blush pink that I wore. But what took my breath away was how good he looked in a black Stetson cowboy hat and boots.
His sparkling blue eyes washed over me as he said, “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you.” My breath came out in a rush. It was a struggle to breathe evenly.
He dipped his head, fingering his bow tie as if he were straightening it. “I couldn’t go all out with the bolo tie.”
“You look great.”
We stood goofily grinning at each other for a moment.
I took in our surroundings nibbling on my bottom lip. “Dinner at the library?” I asked with a hint of a nervous giggle, finding we were alone.
I quickly shook my head. “I love it in here.” Not only did I love the way the architecture and smell of focus; I loved the memories of us studying at one of the tables. It was where I’d learned about him losing his dad.
“Shall we?” he asked, clasping my hand in his.
He led us to a small table covered with a crisp white cloth and a place setting for two. A single lit candle sat in the middle. With all the butterflies flitting around my belly, I wasn’t sure how much I’d actually be able to eat.
Three courses later, served by the very gentlemanly Simon, Ryan had one more surprise. Leading me to the second level of the library, we strolled through the main walkway.
“Thank you for the flowers. I have no idea how you pulled that off. The whole day has been …” An “I can’t believe I’m this lucky” giggle bubbled out. “You didn’t have to do all this over-the-top royal treatment.” Another giggle slipped out. They were bubbling inside my body like a well-shaken soda.
His thumb lightly brushed the back of my hand. He took an unusually serious tone. “I had to prove to both of us that I could be the man my father had wanted me to be.”
That was the sweetest, most respectful thing he’d ever said. We came to a stop, and I promised, “I’ll never forget this night.”
He arched an eyebrow and asked with my favorite grin, “Dinner in a library. A first?”
I giggled. “A first.”
“Are you up for another one?” he asked, pressing his fingers against the wall next to us. A hidden door popped out of the woodwork.
My eyes widened with excitement. I inconspicuously pinched myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming of castles and secret passageways. I stepped inside the shadowy stairwell, carefully climbing with the comfort of Ryan's hand resting on my lower back.
At the top stair, he dashed in front of me, swirling his cologne and sparking the desire to kiss him. We had a little catching up to do in that department. “Okay, close your eyes. Just for a minute.”
The memory of the night he’d had me close my eyes for twinkle lights came back to me. We had stargazed until early morning.
Soft music started playing.
“Now?” I asked. How could the night get any better? My insides squirmed with anticipation.
“Almost.”
I gripped the handrail and bit down on my lip. The familiar library smell remained with a hint of dust and something burning. The possibilities of what another first with him would be in an attic space ran through my head. Thankfully, he interrupted when I got to the crazy murder plots.
The wood floors and paneled walls that surrounded us was an extension of the first two levels. And then I saw the giant port window. In front of it was a long coffee table with a cake in the center and lit candles.
My breath caught. “Ryan.”
“Happy birthday.” He kissed my cheek. “I know your birthday isn’t for a few weeks, but,” he said with a chuckle, “I wanted to be the first.”
Pressing my hand over my racing heart, I struggled to speak.
It was okay, though, because Ryan had more to say. “More firsts,” he said, flashing me that grin I loved with a wink. “My dad liked to watch the sun rise, and after he passed away, I spent a lot of mornings here. Even if it was mostly overcast. I’ve never told anyone before.” He squeezed my hand. “Except you.”
I remembered seeing him staring out the window one morning, and I’d wondered what he was thinking.
“I saw you one morning. You crashed your scooter, tumbling head over heels. Literally.” He laughed.
I swatted his arm. “That wasn’t funny. And sooo embarrassing. I didn’t think you saw me.”
His fingers traced the outline of my face, causing a shiver to wash down my whole body. His grin widened. “It’s time to make a wish.”
I stared into his amazing, dreamy blue eyes. What did I not already have that I needed a wish for? I was still coming to terms with my future in gymnastics, but I was working on it. I had friends. My parents and I were closer than we had been in a long time. I was happy.
He slipped off his boots and sat cross-legged on the table in front of the cake. He gestured to the spot across from him. “Sit down, early birthday girl.”
Moisture blurred my vision, making the whole scene in front of me a mirage, as I slipped off my boots too. Did I dare? Was it a ridiculous idea, a dream that would only break my heart? Maybe. But the heart wants what it wants.
I nodded and gracefully sat on the table, careful to tuck the tulle of the dress over my legs. Seventeen candles burned between us. The warmth of the glow made him the most beautiful person I’d ever seen. My heart ached, it was so full. “I have my wish.”
He reached for my hand, and I reached for his. It was a fairy tale I wanted to memorize and keep forever. He nodded, and I closed my eyes.
I wish Ryan and I could live happily ever after for the rest of our lives.
Chapter 31
With two days left of school, it was the Clown Mafia versus Gymzillas in a game of ambush. My teammates and a few other girls who wanted to join our cause hid beneath the Clown Mafia dorm windows, waiting for me to give the signal. I flipped my night-vision glasses up and sucked in the cool night air. It paid to have a daughter of a defense contractor on your team.
It had started out with ten groups of five people at the beginning of the week in a harmless water fight. With a school full of overachievers, it quickly escalated to all-out war. The teams dwindled. And since Ryan seemed to change the rules as he went along, as Ryan does, by absorbing other teams and turning them into his clowns, I decided to take it to the next level.
I activated my throat mic and gave the order. “Spider monkeys, go.”
Ropes were flung over the side of the building and my gymnasts rappelled, outfitted with bazookas full of sparkly glitter.
“Rocket-Propelled Water Balloon, ready and aim.” I checked my watch, counting down fifteen seconds. “Activate windowpane slide in three, two, one.”
Simultaneously, the windows of each member of the Clown Mafia were opened.
Every move was planned to the second, and I continued to count down to the next order. “Drones in three, two, one.”
Another benefit of having brilliant people on your team? The tech. In this case, we had a fleet of drones, each fitted with a night-vision camera and a water balloon bomb weighing three point five pounds.
The soft hum of the drones passed overhead and into the dorm rooms. My muscles tightened from my stomach to my chest. This was it. The calm before the storm. I could hear my own heavy breaths through my earpiece.
“I just want to say how proud I am to serve with you. On this early morning. At this moment. You are the best of the best. And no matter how well planned this operation is, I know you will give everything you’ve got to win this war.” I rose from my hidden position, super soaker in hand, and gave the final order to attack. “Gymzillas!”
Water balloons zoomed through the air, and shrieks of ice-cold water hitting the sleeping bodies of the Clown Mafia echoed across the island. Drone attack successful!
The drones zoomed out, and I shouted, “Launch rockets!”
RPWB after RPWB screamed into the windows. Alexa reported that all missiles had been launched, preceding the front line for hand-to-hand combat.
“Go, monkeys!” I shouted.
More screams from the glitter attack. Each spider monkey checked in after they administered the glitter explosion.
“Get out of there,” I called. “Scale back to the roof, to safety.”
Ryan poked his head out of his window above me, hair and shorts soaked, chest sparkling with glitter. His blue eyes widened when he spotted me, and he raised an undetonated RPWB.
Gamela dove, shouting, “Take cover!” and shoved me out of the way, taking a balloon to the gut.
I knelt and aimed my super soaker, with explosions, screams, and laughter surroundin
g me. The class clown with the annoying grin let loose an animalistic growl, and I pulled the trigger. Despite the continuous high-pressure stream of water coming out my gun, he launched himself out of the window, rolled when he hit the ground, and tackled me.
“I’m taking you prisoner,” he heaved, wearing his perpetual grin and way too much glitter for a teenaged boy. His slick hands struggled to pin me to the ground.
Using my gymnastic talents, I flipped on top of him. He let out a grunt when his back landed on the hard, grassy surface. “You’re delusional. The Gymzillas have already won, and you know it.”
The slow build of laughter began with a quiver in in belly until it spread into his chest and shoulders. “The Ally Woods circa five months ago would never have conspired such an elaborate prank. What have you done with her?”
My chest shook with my own laughter. It was true. If anyone had even thought about pulling a prank on me, I would have run to the principal. Good thing Mr. Andrews had a sense of humor, or the ambush would never have happened. “The enemy turned her. Made her into the assassin she is today.” That was true too. The first part, anyway. Ryan had turned me from a workaholic gymnast on the verge of burnout into a young woman who knew how to focus and work hard, but also how to cut loose and enjoy life, people, and—most of all—him.
He tried to kiss me, but I dodged it and earned another laugh. “Am I captured, or is it ‘take no prisoners’?” he asked.
I winked and said, “I haven’t decided yet. Are you an asset, or will you keep your secrets?”
“Pshh. You know all my secrets already.” His eyes gleamed as morning took over the twilight. “All but one.”
The way his lips moved when he talked or smiled could be hypnotizing. I felt myself going under but snapped out of it before it was too late. A glob of glitter on his cheek caught my eye. I giggled the words, “You’ve got a little something there.” And I giggled some more.
His sparkly eyes and silly grin changed when his focus landed on my mouth. “I’ll wave my white flag of defeat if you kiss me right now.”
