Chapter Nineteen
I have a love-hate relationship with the mall.
I love it because it’s the best place to get away from our parents and hang out together in the middle of winter. And I hate it because it’s not exactly private.
There are so many people here I know from school—and others from surrounding schools I don’t.
Then there are the parents who pretend not to be here so they can keep an eye on their tweens.
Forget about the actual shoppers who are in a rush to get in and out, who shoot us annoyed looks for just existing.
“Let’s go to Annie’s for pretzels,” Collin says, swinging the Spencer’s bag around his wrist.
“Can we go to Cinnabon instead?” I ask, not really a pretzel fan.
“Or both.” Collin waggles his brows like he’s a genius.
“Jonathan?”
But we lost Jonathan. Collin and I spin around to find him stopped outside a store. When we backtrack to him, he says, “Let’s go in here.”
“Um, okay,” Collin says. It’s a girls’ clothing store, displaying outfits with lots of sparkle and fake fur. I probably liked it three or four years ago when I was in middle school. “Something you’re not telling us, big guy?”
A group of girls start giggling behind a rack of pastel sweaters when we pass. Their eyes are on Jonathan. When he turns toward them, they scatter in a fit of high-pitched laughter.
“You’re going to disturb the ecosystem,” Collin warns. “You might make their heads explode if you make eye contact.”
Jonathan isn’t paying attention. Collin shoots me a baffled look. I shrug. I don’t get why we’re here either.
He leads us toward the middle of the store, where there’s a platform in front of three mirrors. Are they kidding? Making young girls come out of the dressing room in front of everyone? How humiliating.
And that’s when I see the brunette peeking her head out of a door.
Her mother’s insisting she see how the dress fits.
The girl finally appears, attempting to hide behind a curtain of long brown hair.
She crosses her arms over her chest, like she’s trying to cover up the skin revealed by the spaghetti-strapped burgundy dress.
Her socks drag on the carpet as she makes her way to the platform.
In the corner, three tweens watch, whispering and laughing to each other—their eyes on the girl.
That’s who has Jonathan’s attention. When they notice he’s looking at them, the blonde with the ponytail smiles, like her twelve-year-old self has a chance with a sophomore in high school. The other two giggle uncontrollably.
“What is happening right now?” Collin asks. I look at him. He’s wearing a fuzzy purple scarf and a silver sequined cowboy hat.
“You tell me.” I eye him with my hand under my chin, like I’m assessing the look.
When we turn back, Jonathan is a few racks away from the platform.
The mini divas are making faces at the extremely embarrassed girl behind her mother’s back.
A pig face. A blown-out-cheeks face. A smelly face.
The mother may not see them, but the girl does.
Her face is the same color as the dress, and her eyes are glassy, like she might burst into tears at any moment.
Her mother is busy pinching and shifting the dress.
“That’s a good dress for you,” Jonathan says.
The brats’ mouths drop. They can’t believe what they just heard. Neither can the girl on the stand. She smiles shyly, finally looking at herself in the mirror. And it does look nice on her. She can finally see it too.
Collin flips off his accessories as we rush after Jonathan, who’s on his way out of the store.
“What was that about?” Collin asks once we catch up.
“Saw those girls making fun of her when she was picking out dresses. I couldn’t just…” His words drift off. “Are we going to Orange Julius?”
“Yes,” I say with a smile bigger than the twelve-year-old. I may have just fallen more in love with Jonathan Reeves today.
Ilove the way you love me!” Collin belts out dramatically, swirling me around the dance floor, nearly colliding with two other couples.
I tilt my head back and laugh. “Those aren’t the lyrics.”
“Don’t mess with me. I’m in my flow.”
“Dancing to your own song?”
“Always.”
I laugh again. He spins me out. I fling my arm with a flourish and sweep back into him.
Everyone is staring at us. And not just because of our dramatic dancing or Collin belting out the wrong song, off-key.
His powder-blue suit may also have something to do with it.
He’s the only one wearing a full suit, forget about in a shade that should be banned in all clothing colors, even for babies.
It could also be the pale pink dress I’m wearing, as if we’re a dancing baby shower. Although mine is a more appropriate silhouette for the event. Something short and fun with just enough sparkle for a special occasion.
“Sing with me, Sadie,” Collin encourages. He bellows, “This could be your fairytale.”
“If only I knew the song,” I reply, a smile stretched across my face. “Can we take a break? I could use something to drink.”
We’ve been on the dance floor practically the entire homecoming dance, not engaging with anyone else. Jaz and Darcy came and went already. This isn’t really their thing. They prefer small groups, where they can be themselves without unwanted attention. I get it.
Danika’s been sitting on Oren’s lap at a corner table since their group arrived late.
She not only made up with him, but Livvy, too, who keeps tipping a flask into each of their cups under the table.
I made eye contact with her once, but she dropped it quickly, giving Oren a passionate kiss to drive the point home.
I looked away, but not before I noticed her wince when he ran a hand along her side.
Powerless is not a comfortable place to be. But I’m not sure what to do. Not yet.
Collin dipped me, drawing my attention back to the fun we vowed to have tonight. And I haven’t looked back at her since.
When we reach the tub filled with canned drinks, Collin grabs us each a grape soda.
“I haven’t had this since I was—”
“Thirteen,” Collin answers. “When you laughed so hard, it came out your nose. I was hoping you were over the trauma.”
I laugh. “Yes. I think I’ve recovered. What was so funny?” I try to remember but can only recall the embarrassment and the burning sensation of soda spraying out my nose and all over the pizza we were eating. Followed by the disgusted look from the boys and their uncontrollable laughter.
“I must’ve done something,” Collin gloats, like it’s the only possibility.
“I actually think it was Jonathan that made me laugh that time. It caught me off guard,” I say, trying hard to remember.
“What? He doesn’t make you laugh?” He asks this like he’s questioning our relationship.
“Does he make you laugh?” I counter.
Collin considers it. “We laugh. But… now that I think about it, he does have this undertone of melancholy about him at all times, doesn’t he?”
“Not melancholy,” I challenge. “He’s just… more mature than you.”
Collin sticks his tongue out at me.
“Point made,” I say with a roll of my eyes. “But he does make me smile.” A dreamy grin breaks out on my face, just from thinking about the way his mouth quirks when he teases me or that intense look in his eyes when we kiss.
“Oh, don’t get all mushy on me.” He flicks icy water at me from the tub. “No starry eyes allowed tonight.”
“Isn’t that the theme of homecoming?” In a dreamy voice, I say, “Stars in Your Eyes.” I flick water back at him.
“Look who’s trying to be funny now.” Collin looks past me. “Is that Jonathan?”
I spin around so fast; I nearly topple over. Collin slips an ice cube down the back of my dress.
I squeal, stretching the fabric in a fidget of hands and wiggling hips to get it out. The melting cube sends an icy stream down my spine. Collin laughs hard. “That was funny.”
“Oh, you’ve asked for it,” I threaten without a hint of seriousness.
Before I can retaliate, he has me by the hand. “I love this song!” I falter after him, trying not to spill grape soda all over the other dancers, who are just as excited when the beat drops.
Collin doesn’t release my hand while we each grip our sodas in the other.
He’s determined to incorporate them into our dance, raising his can up in a toasting gesture, singing along to the legit lyrics with everyone else.
He swings our arms dramatically, occasionally spinning us both simultaneously.
There is no elegance to this dance. It’s just chaotic movement and twirls. But I can’t stop laughing.
When the song transitions into a slow song, most of the dance floor clears, and some of the couples who’ve been sitting at the tables come onto the floor, including Oren and Danika.
“J-man!” Collin hollers in excitement.
I cross my arms and glare at him. Not falling for that again.
“Can I have this dance?”
My heart trips over itself. I slowly turn to find Jonathan standing with his hands tucked into the front pockets of his jeans, wearing a white button-down with the sleeves rolled up. The side of his mouth quirks in a tentative smile. I continue to stare in disbelief.
“You’re here!” Collin exclaims, slapping Jonathan’s hand and then clutching it. “I warmed her up for you. She’s all yours.” He takes the soda from me. “Give me that. You can’t be trusted.”
I gawk at him. He winks at me.
I turn back to Jonathan. “Hi.” I don’t know what else to say. I’m still in shock.
“Looks like you two were dominating the dance floor,” Jonathan says, smiling down at me. But it’s a strange smile, almost sad.
“He’s a lunatic,” I say with a shake of my head. “I’m glad you’re here to rescue me. I’m exhausted.”
“Is that what I’m doing?” He opens his arms, and I practically collapse into them, wrapping my arms around his torso and resting my head over his heart.