50. Chapter 50
Chapter 50
Sloane
A week after the spring break rumor was nipped in the bud, all was forgotten, and all eyes focused on prom. While I felt bummed that Ky couldn't come visit me on spring break, that sadness didn't last long as he would be coming up for prom, and I couldn't wait to show him off!
At lunch, Maggie, Annalise, Beth, and I discuss our plans for prom. "My mom ordered the limo," Beth says as she cracks open her diet Coke. "So, that's all set!"
"And I made dinner reservations at the Pleasant Pheasant," Annalise says then pops a grape into her mouth.
I can't contain the smile on my face and the excitement coursing through my veins. "I'm so excited," I tell my friends as I sit up straight, bouncing a little in my seat. "I'm so glad I finally have someone to go to a dance with. Senior prom no less."
"I can't believe no one has ever asked you to a dance," Beth says as she sets her soda can down. "Guys here are so lame."
"Precisely why we had to look elsewhere," Annalise says as she hooks a thumb at Beth. Steve's friend is taking Annalise, and I know we'll have a fun group.
"All of us," I say as it dawns on me as I look at Maggie. "Your date goes to St Christopher's."
Maggie smiles. "Who would have thought the guy that opened the door for us at Jesse's party would end up in my class at church?"
"Have you two moved past the friendship level, then?" Annalise asks as she wiggles her eyebrows.
Maggie looks down at her sandwich as her cheeks turn pink. "Not quite, but I feel like we might be moving in that direction." She looks at us with a huge smile.
"Maggie! Stop holding back from us," Beth says as she grabs one of Annalise's grapes and tosses it at Maggie making us all crack up.
"I'm excited to meet Ky." Maggie looks at me trying to get the attention off herself. "I wish he could have visited on spring break."
"I know, I was so bummed," I say as I grab my juice box and sit back in my seat. "But, at least he can come for prom." I smile then take a sip of cranapple juice. "I hope y'all like him. He's a sweet guy."
"Of course, we'll like him," Annalise says as she plucks another grape off the bunch in front of her. "We're gonna have a blast at prom!"
"Y'all are going to prom together?" a voice says behind me, and I recognize it right away. Is Amber being nice to me now after what happened on spring break?
I'm about to turn around, but see Annalise squint her eyes at Amber. "Uh, yeah…"
"Even Sloane?" her voice cuts with insult as my excitement turns to anxiety.
Before I can say a word, Beth says, "Yeah, Amber. Sloane's boyfriend is coming to town for it. What's it to you?"
Amber scoffs. "The old out-of-town boyfriend story," she laughs derisively. "I'll believe it when I see it."
I can't help myself and whip around in my chair. "It's not a story Amber. My boyfriend lives in Thomasville." I can feel myself shaking.
Amber flips her black hair over her shoulder. "Right," she says, "because boys want to date flat-chested girls who are tall enough to be on the boys’ basketball team.” She laughs at her cruel joke.
My mouth drops open, and I have no words as Annalise pops up from her seat ready to lay into Amber, but it's too late. Amber saunters off as if she is God's gift to humanity. Tears burn behind my eyes, but I will myself not to cry.
"That witch!" Annalise says as she sits down heavily, her eyes wide, unblinking. She leans forward and grabs my hand. "Sloane, you know none of that is true."
I inhale deeply then exhale a long breath of air and blink tightly. "It probably is," I say as I toss my bag of Doritos on the table and reach for my napkin. I dab at my eyes. “I still can't believe Amber is treating me this way after-" I stop myself.
"After what?" Beth asks, as her brow knits with concern.
I sigh, trying to think of a quick explanation. "Uh, after all these years." I drink the rest of my juice sucking the air out of the juice box then toss it on the table. "I was in Brownies with her. Ever since middle school, she's been so awful. She's probably right about guys. Ky's probably only with me for one reason and once he realizes he's not going to get it, he'll probably be gone."
Maggie puts an arm around me and squeezes my shoulder. "Ky likes you, loves you, even. Besides, she just has something against you. I have no idea why, but that's on her not you."
Annalise crumples up the bag that contained her grapes, popping the last one into her mouth. "If Ky was just with you for sex, he wouldn't still be with you," she says around her grape. "It sounds like he really likes you for you."
"Yeah," Beth says leaning forward. "You'll show her when you show up to prom with a gorgeous guy on your arm." She wiggles her eyebrows making me laugh. "I've seen the pictures of you two, he's hot."
Now I'm laughing. "Thanks, guys," I say as the tension starts to leave my body, and a small smile forms on my mouth. "It will be pretty cool to prove her wrong."
"Yes!" Annalise says and holds a hand up to give me five. I smile bigger and slap her hand. "Prom just got even more exciting. I can't wait to see Amber's face when you show up with Ky." She rubs her hands together and has a glimmer in her eyes.
"Y'all are the best," I say as I pick up my bag of Doritos. "I'm so glad I got lunch period with you this year." I grab a chip and take a bite as Maggie gives my shoulder another hug. I'm so grateful to have found three girls who are kind, fun, and just as ready to get out of this stupid school as I am. I just wish I had found them before senior year.