Pride and Popularity

talking about. Don’t try and play stupid with me.”

I blinked. There was no way I was getting into it with her. She better explain herself quickly or I was out of there. Nothing ticked me off more than cheerleaders who thought they were better than everyone, and I refused to play her game.

“The lie about you and Taylor going to prom together! I know you made it up. I know you’re just—”

“What in the—? What are you talking about?”

“You’ve been telling everyone you’re going with him, so that way Taylor will feel like he has to take you. Well, it’s not going to work. Taylor’s taking me to prom.”

I started to laugh. It was unbelievable. This is why she left her cheerleading practice early to come to my house? Because of a rumor? Figures. I turned around, swept up my bag on my shoulder, and then faced her. “Don’t believe everything you hear, Kylie.”

“Are you telling me you’re not going to prom with Taylor?” She took a step forward.

“Look, if you’re going with him to prom, congratulations. It’s obvious I’m not, isn’t it?” Why is she still here?

She looked confused.

Good. That makes two of us. I folded my arms.

“But has he asked you?”

I grinned. “Has who asked me what?”

Kylie lost it. “Taylor. Has Taylor Anderson asked you to prom?”

“You just told me he asked you, and you just told me I was lying about him asking me. So if he has already asked you to prom and you’re certain I’m lying, then why are you here, Kylie?”

“Ooh!” Kylie took a deep breath. “Look, Taylor and I have promised to go to senior prom together ever since we were in grade school, and I’m not going to let anyone mess it up for me, especially you. Do you have any idea how long I have planned for this day? My dress, my shoes, my nails, my hair, all planned months in advance. Not only will you be hurting me, but you’ll completely trash any chances you ever had of becoming popular. It’s bad enough I have to watch Zack make a fool over himself with Alyssa, but believe me, if you come within twenty feet of Taylor, I’ll make sure everyone hates you!” Her voice rang with triumph.

Promises, promises. “Ooh, I’m so sad. What would I ever do if Kylie and her friends never talked to me again?”

“I could make your life miserable.”

“Do me a favor and get out of my yard, now.” I didn’t even give her the courtesy of pointing.

“Not until you promise me that you won’t go to prom with Taylor.”

I shook my head at her immaturity and shrugged. “Fine, then stay. But I don’t have to promise you anything. I can do whatever I want.” I hitched my bag, brushed past her, and headed toward the door.

“Chloe, if you walk in that house without promising to stay away from Taylor, I’ll go to him myself and make sure he stays away from you.”

I slammed the door behind me as I stormed into the house. After a few seconds, I heard Kylie’s tires screech as she peeled out of our street.

What I have I done? What in the world is she going to tell Taylor? 

Twenty-Four Birthday Wish

The next day was Friday, my birthday. I managed to keep my head down the whole day and keep out of earshot of everyone. I didn’t need to know I was being talked about. I would much rather live in a bubble and believe everything was all right than to see the world as it fell in around me.

As my last birthday in high school, it didn’t go so well. Alyssa and Madison both forgot it was my birthday. I had specifically steered away any conversation about this day for the last two weeks, since I didn’t want them to change their plans with their boyfriends for me. They had planned a double date to go bowling. Maybe if we all had guys it wouldn’t have been so bad, but I really didn’t want to be pitied or be the third wheel.

So, on Friday night, I found myself celebrating my birthday alone. Dad and Mom had planned to go to a double feature at the movie theater, and Cass and Claire were spending the night at friends’ houses. Mom was so sweet—she had even gone and bought a small ice cream cake for Alyssa, Madison, and I to devour. It was my favorite, an expensive Oreo cookies ’n’ cream cake from Baskin Robbins. I stared at the cake Mom had left on the counter to soften and knew I’d have to at least eat some of it or she would know what had happened. I got a knife from the butcher’s block and even attempted to cut the thing before I gave up. I wrapped the whole cake back in its packaging and placed it in the freezer for later. I just didn’t have the heart yet to eat my birthday cake all by myself.

This is my eighteenth birthday—I’m finally an adult. There is no reason to feel sad. None at all. I have wonderful friends who are happier than they’ve ever been before. I have a happy family that loves me. I even have happy ballet students. Happy people and happiness are all around me. So what’s the big deal? This should be a very happy birthday for me. Pluck up! Besides, it’s not like eighteen is all that special anyway. I mean, there are plenty of other ages out there that are just as fun like, seventeen and nineteen and . . .

I had just planned to go ahead and let the first tear fall when the doorbell rang. I wasn’t exactly dressed for company. I mean, I still had my ballet clothes on under my jeans, and my hair was up in a poufy ponytail. Thank goodness I hadn’t started crying yet! Heavens knows I’m not pretty when I cry. After a couple of tugs at my shirt, I shrugged my shoulders and answered the door.

There stood Taylor Anderson. His dark hair was slightly tousled, his chest was moving at the rapid pace of his breathing, and his blue eyes smoldered into mine. My heart flip-flopped. It would’ve done more but it didn’t have a chance. Without saying a word Taylor crossed over the threshold, took me in his arms, and kissed me. I was shocked, dazed, and a little breathless. He grinned at my discomposure when he released me slightly, just long enough to whisper in my ear, “That was for being the only girl I’ve ever known that would stand up to Kylie. And this—” he brought me close again and kissed me a second time “—was for handling Blake. And this—this is for you.”

My heart literally stopped beating when I realized he would kiss me again. In an instant my lashes fluttered closed. I felt two gentle fingers tilt my chin up just before his mouth captured mine. The kiss nearly caused me to dissolve into a puddle. Taylor chuckled as he held me tighter to keep me from falling before he continued to kiss me again in the softest, gentlest, most romantic kiss a girl could ever wish for.

When he released me, I thought my insides had turned to jelly. I braced myself on one side of the doorframe and breathed, really breathed for the first time since he had arrived. Taylor chuckled again and braced himself on the other side of the doorframe with the front door still wide open. I relished the cool breeze on my warm skin and glanced up at him. He looked almost as stunned as I did.

Our eyes met and he smiled. “Wow, girl, you can really pack a punch.” He shook his head. “I don’t think my heart has ever beat that fast.”

“Mine actually stopped,” I admitted. We were too close—way too close. I couldn’t stop my eyes from shining into his.

“Well, I promise I won’t move,” Taylor said. “Go ahead then. I’m waiting.”

“Go ahead?” Am I supposed to kiss him again?

“You know, slap me. I know you would’ve had I given you the chance. So go ahead. I’m all yours.”

He’s all mine. “You want me to slap you?” I couldn’t help smiling—he looked so amazingly attractive staring down at me.

“I know I should apologize. You’re probably expecting me to. But I’m not—”

“Taylor Darcy Anderson, if you dare try to apologize for kissing me, I will slap you.” I placed my hands on my hips.

“Are you serious?” His eyes began to glitter into my own.

Okay, is there a hotter guy in the world?