“No. I was just wondering where the bathroomwas.” I smiled at him. “I think I drank too much punch that lastbreak. Maybe we can dance later.”
“It’s to your left,” he said, pulling mecrisply to him. “I’ll take you there after this dance. That is, ifyou can wait that long.”
“I think I’ll manage,” I said as the musicstarted. This was my in with Jericho, and I thought I had bettertake it, despite the heavy feeling in my gut. He was an incredibledancer, his execution flawless, hitting every step. No circles forhim. When the music stopped, he held me in our last pose for therequisite three seconds, he pulled me out to his side, as if he hadbeen dancing for a crowd, and he bowed, first to the imagined crowdand then to me, still holding onto the tips of my fingers as hedid. I didn’t know professional ballroom dance etiquette, but itseemed I should bow back, so I did.
He stared at me, like he was waiting for meto congratulate him. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. Iextracted my hand from his and said, “Thanks for the dance,” beforeturning to go to the bathroom.
He seized my hand as it fell to my side.“Didn’t you enjoy the dance?” he asked, his eyes probing mine.
I felt my hand turn slick with sweat. “Ofcourse,” I said. “I always love a good dance.” I was careful not togive him one ounce of praise for his dancing ability, even thoughit had been exceptional. I tried to extricate my hand, but he heldtighter. The music started to play.
“Let’s try this again,” he said, pulling meto him.
I didn’t try to hide my distaste of hisforcefulness. I yanked my hand from his. “I’ll have to catch youanother time. I have a date with the bathroom, remember?”
He cocked his head to the side. “I seem toremember you saying you could wait.”
I put my tongue in my cheek, rolled my eyes,and looked away from Jericho. He grabbed my hand and my waist witha suaveness bordering on surreal and gracefully led me about thefloor. If I thought there was an ounce of genuineness in this guy,I’d have been tempted to fall for him. But I knew him. I’d seen whohe truly was. He was a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Once again, at the end of the dance, hebowed to the non-existent crowd and then to me. I did a deepcurtsey. His face was flushed from exertion, and he looked at meexpectantly once again.
“Thank you for the lovely dance,” I said.“Now, may I go to the ladies room? I’m afraid I simply can’t wait amoment longer.”
He moved in close. “Most girls would waitfor me.”
I moved in closer, my lips next to his ear.“I am not most girls.” I whispered it, my heart hammering inmy chest. His arrogance offended me, and I needed a moment tocollect myself before I hit him. I knew I needed to get close tohim, but I wanted it on my terms. And I really wanted to get intouch with the crew to find out about the girls.
He chuckled before I could move away fromhim. “No, you most certainly aren’t.” A look of curiosity playedacross his face. The music went back to popular rock music. Thisdeejay loved to do sets of music in threes. As I moved, I thought Iheard crying on my earpiece. I focused on it as I walked, pickingup speed.
I pushed my way to the edge of the dancersand into the serenity of the bathroom, hoping for some quiet sothat I could hear. Three laughing girls exited a stall, the smellof alcohol wafting around them. Before leaving the room, the clankof a glass bottle hitting the bottom of the garbage can sounded inthe room. I took a deep breath and said in a quiet whisper,“Stupid. Stupid. You cannot make Jericho your enemy.” At that verymoment, I noticed Gina, standing over Karina in front of one of thesinks.
Without a thought, I rushed over. “Whathappened?”
“She just fainted and hit her head on thesink. I tried to grab her, but she fell too fast.”
I had a choice. I could try to smuggle herout, which would have to happen through the bathroom window, or I’dhave to have someone create a distraction so that I could whisk heraway through some side doors.
“I’ll go get help,” I said, standing andhurrying to the door. I scanned the room, considering my options—Icould go to a teacher, but it would probably create a scene andquite likely cause serious trouble for both girls. I couldn’t riskit. My eyes fell on Carson. Would he help me create a diversion?Could I trust him? He raised an eyebrow at me from the dance floor.I would have to chance it. I didn’t think Gina and I could getKarina out of the window without hurting her more than she alreadywas. I waved him over. By this time, Karina was propped up againstthe wall, looking haggard. I texted Jeremy that I needed a car.
Carson came right over after apologizing tohis group.
“What’s up?”
“Can I trust you?” I tilted my head to theside.
“Of course.” He moved in closer and leanedagainst the wall just outside the bathroom.
“I need you to cause a distraction so that Ican get a girl out of the school without anyone noticing.”
“A distraction? Why?”
“Let’s just say that the administrationwouldn’t be very happy if they saw this girl, and she really needsher scholarship.”
“Oh, I get it.” He made a sign that hethought that the girl’d been drinking.
“Can you help? I thought I’d sneak her outthat door.”
“It’s locked, remember?”
“Don’t worry about that.” I raised aneyebrow.
“Ah. You are a girl with skills. Nice!” Henodded his head in appreciation. “I know just the thing.” A glintshone in his eye.
“Thanks.” I grabbed his hand and squeezedit. “And could you cover for us if anyone asks about us and thensign us all out? I don’t want anyone to find out we left before thedance was over.” I gave him their names, and he nodded.
“Give
