I think Lily is just trying to look hot to get looks from everybody at the party and laugh about it. Which is fine by me because she’s by my side the entire time and doesn’t seem to mind being there. I’ve become one of those guys I can’t stand, the one always hovering next to his “lady,” the one looking at others looking at his girl. The “stupid guy with the hot girl.”
Part of me doesn’t even know yet if we’re together. I mean, we are—she likes me, and I want to run off to Mexico with her. So yeah, that’s together, right?
I guess I don’t need a ring or anything.
The party is at a house in Hendersonville. I guess this guy used to go to Harrington and then got kicked out. Makes me wonder what he did. His parents moved to Hendersonville, and the big question is whether or not he ever finished high school.
Doesn’t matter, because half the students at this party are from Harrington. The drinking isn’t as obvious as the last party I went to, but I can still tell that kids are drinking or doing other stuff. I’m fine just being here with Lily. That’s enough for me.
I’m having a great time laughing and not thinking about anything. No distant ancient relative with a lisp is anywhere in sight. Nor is a pastor or a near-dead person on the street.
Just some teenagers and some college-aged kids. That’s all.
Just people like the tall, leggy blonde walking around in a short skirt.
Wait a minute.
That’s not Lily I’m talking about.
No—Lily’s wearing jeans with a pretty revealing top.
No—this is—
Leaving me speechless.
“Hello, Chris,” Kelsey says.
Or the woman who possessed that cute girl I got to know in art class.
“How’s it going?” she asks.
Wonderful, come to think of it.
“Good,” I manage to get out.
“Good,” she says.
Her hair seems a little more—messy perhaps? No glasses, the outfit, the attitude, that smile, and something else.
“You—you don’t have your braces?”
She keeps smiling, proud of her teeth that have finally been set free. “I know. About time.”
“You’re so not going to believe this,” Lily says, interrupting us and grabbing my arm before she sees Kelsey. “Oh, hi, sorry.”
“No, it’s fine.”
The formerly confident face suddenly breaks out in a full-on blush.
Just like something I’d do.
And Kelsey seems to know it, too, because she puts a hand up by her cheek to shield it. But her whole face is red.
“Well, aren’t you a cutie,” Lily says, making me smile. “What’s your name?”
“Kelsey. I go to Harrington. We’re in English.”
“Yeah! That’s right. I thought I’d seen you. I love the dress. Where’d you get it?”
It’s great to watch this, because Lily isn’t being nice just to be nice. They start talking like girls, and I zone out.
Everybody is watching us.
That’s right, keep looking. I’d be looking too, but nope, I’m right here, that’s right. These are my ladies and
“Hello, space boy, come back home,” Lily says.
“What?”
“Kelsey said you guys went to prom last year.”
I nod, wondering where I’d gone and how they had this conversation while I was in my happy place. “Yeah.”
I'm surprised Kelsey said this since we didn't technically go with each other.
Are you?
“You two make a cute couple,” Lily says.
We do?
As if to make sure that Lily’s point isn’t thought about anymore, Kelsey looks across the room and waves. “Excuse me—I gotta go.”
“Who’s that?” Lily says.
“Todd,” Kelsey says. “He goes to UNC-Asheville.”
“Older boy. Good for you.”
Kelsey leaves, and Lily stands there watching her. “You didn’t tell me about her.”
“What’s there to tell?”
Lily rolls her eyes.
“What?”
“I’ve seen her this week.”
“Yeah?” I ask.
“She didn’t look like that.”
“Well, she’s got a hot date.”
Lily looks over at Kelsey and Todd and then nods as if unconvinced.
“What?” I say.
“I don’t think she wore that for Todd. Who, by the way, doesn’t even look like he’s into chicks.”
“So then who’d she wear it for?”
Lily smiles, then gently touches my cheek. “See—that is why I’m falling madly crazy in love with you.”
She laughs and then makes me come with her to talk to some other kids.
I don’t believe that she’s “falling madly crazy in love” with me, but still.
I mean—she could, right?
It’s not the craziest thought, is it?
This whole place is full of crazy, so why can’t I be a part of that craziness?