As the week wore on, my anger and dismay increased. I stopped caring about working things out with Pete. Maybe Alec’s assessment of my now ex-boyfriend as a royal jerk wasn’t so far-fetched after all. In a show of solidarity, my friends displayed appropriate indignation over Pete’s behavior, and were not shy voicing their encouragement to give Alec a chance.
Predictably, Alec was overly attentive, taking his place at my side as if Pete never existed. His low voice whispered compliments in my ear. His gorgeous face popped up in my thoughts without effort. He called me relentlessly. He had won the battle. I could not resist him and no longer had a reason to try.
“Guess who asked me to the Homecoming Dance?” Katy said to Michelle and me during our Friday morning break.
“Who?” I asked.
“Blonde hair, blue eyes—”
“Jake? Oh, my God!”
“I wish. Jeff Scott. He’s in my math class.” She pulled her brush out of her back pocket and swept it through her dark hair, making it tumble in perfect waves around her shoulders.
Michelle shrugged with visible irritation. “Did you say yes?”
“Of course. He’s hella cute!”
I grabbed her arm. “Maybe we can go to together!”
Katy nodded. “Does this mean you finally said yes to Alec?”
“Not yet, but I’m going to.” To hell with Pete O’Reilly.
Michelle gazed over her shoulder, pensive.
I touched her arm. “Why don’t you just ask someone to the dance yourself, Mich? I think a girl asking a guy is totally fine.”
“Absolutely not,” Katy said. “It comes off as desperate.”
I shook my head. “She’s wrong. It’s better to go for what you want.”
Michelle shrugged. “I could never do that. I don’t have the guts.”
“For what?” Alec said, sneaking up from behind.
“Nothing!” we shrieked in unison.
He tugged at my hand, pulling me gently. “Come with me.”
I smiled. He didn’t let go of my hand as we walked down the breezeway to the 20 Building, where Alec pulled me around the side. He stared at me intently. His hand reached over and smoothed a stray hair out of my eyes, his fingertips lightly brushing my forehead. My stomach fluttered.
“Are you going to be my date for Homecoming?”
“You’re asking me now, are you?”
“Humbly.”
A smart-ass response rested on my tongue but damn if he didn’t seem totally unassuming, almost vulnerable.
“Well?”
I smiled. “Yes, I’ll be your date.”
He scooped me up in his arms, lifting me off the ground, and I whooped in surprise.
“You’ve made me one happy guy.” He grinned and placed me back on the walkway as the bell rang, summoning us to class.
Over dinner, I waited until my mom asked about my day to broach the subject. I needed permission, but I didn’t want to sound too eager.
“I was asked to the Homecoming Dance today.”
My mom smiled. “By Pete?”
“No, we broke up. You know the other boy who’s been calling?”
Surprise registered across her face. “You and Pete split up?”
“What boy?” my father said.
“Yes, Mom, it’s over, and the other boy is Alec.”
My brother’s fork clattered against his plate. “Alec Mays? That guy is a total creep, and he’s too old for you.”
I glared at Anthony then turned and met my father’s gaze. “He’s not, Dad. Anthony’s just jealous because Alec is popular. He’s a football player.”
“How well do you know this boy?” he asked.
“We’ve been talking at school and on the phone for the past few weeks. He’s nice.”
“And the dance is at Skyline?” my mother asked.
I nodded. “In the cafeteria. Don’t ask me how they’re going to make that work. We’ll all smell like french fries once we leave. Katy’s also going, so I’m sure we’ll hang out together.”
“You may go,” my father said. “But I fully expect this young man to properly introduce himself.
Yes! “Of course. Thank you.” My father’s head turned, and I smirked at Anthony.
My father directed his attention to Anthony. “What about you, mister? Do you have a date for the dance?”
“I’m working on it.”
My father sighed. “You’re always working on it. Grades, dances, cars…and yet nothing ever happens—no A’s, no girlfriends, no gas. You make me crazy, Antonio. Pazzia!” He threw his hands in the air, stood and left the dining room. The mood dampened, I cleared the table and washed the dishes.
Homecoming was a major deal. The football game signified the last home game of the Titans season. And for the big event, the entire student body voted for a royal court: King and Queen, Prince and Princess, and Duke and Duchess. The winners—usually the cutest, popular couples on campus—were announced and crowned at the Homecoming Dance the night of the game.
Katy and I shopped for dresses at the department stores in downtown Oakland. I had never been to a formal dance and worried when I found most of the selections hideous. Through perseverance, Katy and I scored two stunners. I went sophisticated with a black floor-length gown with rhinestone accents. Katy bought a cobalt blue strapless number that accentuated her eyes and fair skin. With this level of fabulousness, our dates were going to swoon!
I managed to score a beautiful gown today. Alec’s going to love it! I’m so excited to go to the Homecoming Dance, even if it is being held in our stupid cafeteria. That’s so skeezy! I haven’t been to a formal ever, and the last time I wore a long dress was that ugly thing my mom made me wear for the sixth grade church dinner. I bet Alec will look amazing. He’s so handsome. Sometimes I can hardly breathe when I see him...and he chose ME! (I still can’t believe it.) I can already picture him in a black and white tux, which will match my black dress. We might have been nominated
