FOUR
Four days until prom
C lay Diaz is walking past my lunch table.
You know those teen movie scenes where the sexy love interest saunters slo-mo down the hallway? That’s him right now. Cue “Watermelon Sugar” by Harry Styles. All five feet, ten inches of his cross-country runner bod are backlit by the heavenly white beam of light streaming through the cafeteria window. His floppy charcoal hair blows in the nonexistent breeze, like a windswept actor in a luxury car commercial.
I white-knuckle my lunch tray as the distance between us closes. Suddenly, I’m questioning all my life decisions. Does my topknot make my head look gigantic? Renner once said my head is “humongous,” and ever since, I’ve been paranoid that wearing my hair up accentuates its bigness. Am I eating my Subway sandwich too suggestively? What the hell do I do with my hands? Can he hear my heart thrashing against my chest?
Guys don’t usually render me catatonic, but then again, no other guy at MHS has Clay’s whip-smart intelligence, soulful brown eyes, steel-cut jaw, and singular left dimple.
As he passes me in the narrow space between the cafeteria tables, I do a weirdly formal, slow head bob, like he’s British royalty or something. His lips spread into a smile that nearly catapults me into the spirit realm. “Hey, Canada,” he says. He’s called me Canada since February, our last Model UN.
“Uh, hi, Clay—I mean, Turkey—” By the time I remember how to speak, let alone which country he represented, Clay has already beelined it to his usual table with the Model UN and debate kids, most of whom will surely go on to run the country.
This is how it always goes. Since joining Model UN freshman year, we’ve barely spoken more than two sentences. To be fair, Clay has tried striking up a few conversations here and there. But because I’m too awkward for multiword responses, the exchange pretty much dies instantly. One time, he even sat next to me on the bus to a summit and I promptly forgot how to breathe. I also got sweat pitters, which I had no choice but to hide under a thick wool blazer. It was an off day for me, to say the least.
Why am I like this? I wish I had Kassie’s effortless confidence with guys.
Kassie pulls her eyes from her phone and gives me a smirk.
“Are you still coming over tonight?” I ask through a bite of my sandwich. Nori and Kassie had planned to come over to celebrate the end of exams and my scholarship interview (scheduled for after school today), but Nori bailed because her mysteriously rich aunt is in town. Secretly, I’m happy it’s just Kassie and me. We rarely do things alone anymore.
Kassie gives me a hesitant look, partially distracted by the rowdy sophomore table next to us. “Crap ... Ollie asked me to film his football practice for his college coach.”
How did I know this was coming? “No worries,” I say quickly, forcing an appeasing smile.
What else can I say? I can’t force my best friend to hang out with me. It still sucks to lose out on time together, especially since we’ll be separated by eight hundred miles in only three months. Kassie is following Ollie to Chicago, where he got a full football scholarship. She’s taking a year off, which is probably for the better. Three days ago, she was still flip-flopping between majoring in criminology or business. Though if we’re being honest, Kassie’s true dream is to become a rich WAG (a wife and/or girlfriend of a pro athlete), which I respect, because that life isn’t for the faint of heart.
“You’re the best.” Kassie blows me a sideways kiss before turning her nose at Nori’s latest smoothie concoction. “What the hell are you drinking? It looks like mud.”
Nori chugs half of it as fast as humanly possible, nose plugged. “It’s carrot juice, kale, blueberries, a shot of plant-based protein powder, and a healthy dose of male tears,” she says nonchalantly.
Kassie makes a grabby-hand motion. “Sounds right up my alley. Gimme.”
Nori hands over her smoothie cup and turns to me. “Oh, by the way, the rest of the deposit for the limo is due in a few days. Do you think you’ll have a date by then?”
I can tell she feels bad asking, yet again. Admittedly, I’m making the bill complicated. I’m the lone person in the limo without a date, even though there’s a spot reserved for one. I’ve stubbornly held out hope someone would ask me by now. Along with executing the perfect prom, being “promposed to” is sadly still outstanding on my high school bucket list.
“Of course she’ll get a date. Don’t rush her,” Kassie says before I have the chance. “Are you gonna put on your big-girl panties and finally ask Clay? You have no excuse now that he’s single.”
Clay dated Marielle MacDonald—MHS’s resident horse girl—for years. They used to come to the ice cream shop on my shifts and share a two-scoop mint and butterscotch ripple cone. One time, I saw Clay lick ice cream off the side of her face and audibly gagged behind the counter. They heard me and I had to awkwardly pretend I was coughing.
“But is his singleness actually confirmed?” I probe, delaying.
“Yup. He changed his display pic on all his accounts,” Nori informs, even though I already knew that.
If there’s one thing Kassie and Nori agree on, it’s that I should ask Clay to prom (because screw gender norms). Normally I’d agree. I don’t want to sit around like a demure little daisy waiting for Clay to look in my direction. But how am I supposed to ask him to prom when he makes me forget my own name? I’ve put serious thought into asking him in a handwritten letter, dropping it in his lap, and running away. But apparently my inability to communicate with him isn’t just oral—every time I try to write that letter, my mind blanks.
“FYI, Mercury is in retrograde. I’d be careful how you approach it,” Nori adds.
“It’s fine. I’ve accepted my fate as the thirteenth wheel.” I slouch, wincing at the prospect of being the only single one in the limo.
Kassie rolls her eyes. “Stop it. You’re asking him today.” She says it like it’s so easy. Then again, it is for her. Even without Ollie, she’d have a line of guys who’d jump at the chance to take her to prom.
“I’m too busy to face rejection this week,” I whine. It’s Senior Week, after all. And as VP, I’m overseeing all the activities. Most notable is the Senior Sleepover, where all the seniors bring their sleeping bags and spend the night in the gym. Then there’s Beach Day—where we skip class Friday to hit the beach the day before prom. The lead-up week is one of epic pranks, both on faculty and fellow students. Last year, the hallways were filled with approximately 3,493,483 red Solo Cups, balloons, and “napping” seniors.
It’s only Tuesday and pranks have already begun. Yesterday, during the track meet, three students in Gollum masks ran nude across the field. Their antics are now forever preserved on YouTube.
Kassie levels me with a look. “All I’m hearing are excuses. Come on. Imagine you two, side by side in your prom photos. He looks like that telenovela star, doesn’t he? With the shaggy hair? He’s sort of sexy, in a hipster, I-love-obscure-bands kinda way.” She casts an admiring look at him over her shoulder.
An obnoxious voice sounds nearby: “Who’s sexy?”
Midbite of my sandwich, I clamp my eyes shut, hoping that Renner sliding into the next seat is but a nightmarish mirage.
His lemony scent confirms it is not.
“None of your business,” I snap, too flustered to verbally roast his essence. I shoot Kassie and Nori a look, silently warning them not to mention Clay in front of Renner, of all people. He is not to be trusted with such top-secret intelligence.
“Anyone want an extra fry?” he asks, holding up a second cardboard container overflowing with salty fries.
“Why do you have two?” Nori asks, plucking a fry. She’s the vulture of our group, always poised to polish off our leftovers.
“The lunch lady loves me,” he says with a casual shrug, despite the known fact that crotchety Lunch Lady Libby despises all living beings, especially humans. She’s known for muttering vague insults under her breath as kids roll through with their trays.
“Anyway, we’re trying to find Charlotte a prom date,” Kassie says, like I’m a pitiful charity case.
Renner’s face lights up as he slides the extra fries across the table. “Ha! That’s a task . You sure you wanna take that on pro bono?”
“Anyone would be lucky to go with a hot piece of ass like Char,” Nori retorts, not-so-discreetly jabbing her thumb in Clay’s direction.
Renner is unfortunately more observant than he looks, eyes tracing Nori’s thumb. He raises his brow. “Clay Diaz? That’s who you wanna go with?”
Before I can deny it, Kassie jumps in. “If Clay doesn’t pan out, I started a list of other possibilities. I know you like your Plan B’s,” she adds, eyeing me knowingly.
Renner’s eyes light up.
Prickles of heat crest my cheeks. So much for keeping my crush on Clay on the DL. I begrudgingly lean in to peer at the list of more realistic options, hoping this will distract Renner.
Kassie clears her throat. “Curtis Carlson?”
“Nope. Jasmine will cut me.” Curtis is my friend Jasmine’s most recent ex. And after spending the better part of a sleepover performing a ceremonial exorcism wherein we burned Curtis’s hoodie, slippers, photos, and all the gifts he ever gave Jasmine in a firepit, going to prom with him just wouldn’t sit right with my soul.
“Moe Khalifa?”
I tilt my head. “I did a group project with him in Law. He’s a decent guy. Did his portion of the work. Made me somewhat regain my trust in humanity. Unlike some people.” I flash Renner a pointed look.
He grins like a deranged clown from that Stephen King book. “Khalifa is asking Naomi. I heard him bragging about it in the locker room.”
Kassie continues down her dwindling list of potentials. “Okay, how about Kiefer Barry?”
Before I can decline, Renner snorts. “Barry? Dude’s a snooze. Next.”
Sadly, Renner is right. Barry is one of those guys who tries to impress people by bringing up Nietzsche and Voltaire in casual conversation. My dryer lint trap is probably more interesting than him.
“Damian Mackey?”
I shush Kassie. Damian is sitting a mere three tables away. “Too immature,” I whisper at the precise moment he launches a spitball through a plastic straw.
Kassie sighs and turns her phone over. “No offense, but you can’t afford to be this picky only four days out. There aren’t any more single, half-decent-looking Maplewood guys.”
Thanks for the reminder, Kass, I want to say. But I don’t. I know she means well.
Nori slaps the table with her palm. “Wait, Char. You want a mature guy, right?”
I raise my brow. “Do specimens of that variety even exist?”
“What about my cousin Mike?” Nori suggests. “He’s a college freshman. He’s super mature. His favorite book is A Handmaid’s Tale .”
A momentary flutter tickles my stomach. A dude who’s into feminist literature? Praise be. I’ve only met Mike once at Nori’s family reunion. He’s super nice and cute in a discreet, nonthreatening way—definitely the type who’d hold the door for you and still say thank you .
Renner’s lips perk in amusement. “A college guy, huh?”
“I think I’m done with high school guys,” I decide.
This elicits an eye roll from Renner. I’m shocked his eyeballs aren’t lodged in the back of his head. “Oh, right. You’re too mature for us. Because a frat boy who does keg stands every weekend is much more on your level.”
“First, my type would never be caught dead doing a keg stand,” I point out. “They’d be in the library, studying, taking their future seriously. And second, don’t act like you’re not diving headfirst into the frat life the moment your toe hits campus. That’ll be you in a year and a half, getting your stomach pumped after ten Coronas too many.”
Nori snorts. It’s far too easy to visualize.
Renner looks slightly wounded. “You really think I’ll be some sketchy frat guy in college?”
“It’s your destiny, as one of the most popular guys in school,” I confirm.
“Last time I checked, I had free will. But okay.”
“Come on, Renner. Most girls would eat their own arm for a chance to make out with you, and you’re too weak to resist the power that comes with that,” Kassie points out.
A shiver rolls down my spine as I zero in on his perfectly shaped lips. For a split second, I wonder if he’s really as good a kisser as Kassie said.
He lets out a deep laugh and the thought vanishes. “You really think girls would dabble in cannibalism for a shot at this?” He gestures dramatically at his bod with a french fry.
“Yes,” I reluctantly admit. “For god knows what reason, everyone loves you.”
“Except for you.” He pretend frowns at his lunch tray.
I don’t bother to correct him.
“I’ll have you know, I’ve been turned down by many girls.”
I open my mouth in pretend shock. “Who turned you down? I’ll need to get their autographs.”
“Carrie-Anne Johnson in seventh grade. Nathalia Green, just last month, actually. And—”
“You’ve been turned down by two whole girls in your entire seventeen years of life. The pain!” I clutch my chest in faux agony as Nori and Kassie snicker.
“Hey! My ego is very fragile.”
“I’m aware of that. Anyways, Nori, Mike is a potential. It could be a good opportunity to get some advice on meal plans,” I say, drumming my chin.
Renner looks at me like I’m an extraterrestrial. “You’re really gonna spend prom night talking about college meal plans? Talk about a buzzkill.”
I poke a mental pin into my imaginary J. T.-shaped pin doll. “Sorry, I didn’t realize talking about our immediate future was so boring.”
He shrugs. “We have less than two weeks left until graduation. I’m not wasting it thinking about college.”
“So anyway ...,” Nori pipes in, trying to steer us away from another brawl. “J. T., who’s your lucky prom date?”
“Why? You wanna go with me?” He gives her his stupid wink, which strangely, only he can pull off without looking like a raging pervert. He’s kidding, obviously, because everyone knows Nori is going with Tayshia. They’re back together after a monthlong breakup.
Nori gives him a sympathetic pat on the shoulder. “You’re not equipped to handle me. Sorry, bud.”
“J. T., I told you in the group chat that Andie is waiting for you to ask her,” Kassie says, examining her leopard-print fingernails that she spent all of last period painting. Her voice trails when she realizes her mistake. They have a separate group chat, without Nori and me. I found out last year when she asked me to take pictures for her photo shoot at the park. I haven’t admitted I know about it, because I’m fairly certain someone else must have started it. Kassie wouldn’t intentionally leave me out.
“Wait—Andie? She’s not still with that Travis kid from St.Ben’s?” Renner asks.
Andie has been Kassie’s second best friend for longer than the usual—around six months now, since they started working together at Kassie’s parents’ store. Andie has the IQ of a Twinkie (though I don’t hold that against her), but she’s an effortless kind of cool. The girl who can rock a baseball hat and her boyfriend’s flannel and still look dainty and cute. Meanwhile, the rest of us look like Home Depot trainees. She’s also supermodel tall and confident enough to flaunt her midriff on the regular. Basically, the opposite of me.
My relationship with Andie is similar to Kassie and Nori’s. We’re friends, according to the niceties of high school, but I can guarantee we won’t stay in contact after graduation. Don’t get me wrong, she’s not a bad person. She’s just one of those people I don’t want to be left alone with because we’d have nothing to say to each other.
“She and Trav were never official. He was too clingy,” Kassie explains. He also showed up to every party a six-pack deep, wasted to the point of peeing in Ollie’s pool. But she leaves that part out. “Andie needs someone to match her energy. Someone with more confidence,” Kassie explains, winking at Renner.
I snort. “No shortage of confidence over there.”
“Hey, nothing wrong with confidence.” Renner’s eyes sparkle with interest, as they always do when someone pads his ego. “I’d be into Andie. She’s pretty hot.”
Kassie squeals, delighted that she’s made at least one suitable match. “Oh my god. You two would have beautiful babies.”
I’m overcome by a heaving gag, triggered by the thought of Renner in action, no matter how many abs he has (six, but who’s counting?). The scent of someone’s microwaved fish lunch a few tables over isn’t helping.
And that’s when I spot Clay exiting the cafeteria. In a rare turn of events, he’s alone, not surrounded by all his supersmart friends. Maybe this is my chance.
Besides, Kassie’s right. I’ve nursed this pathetic crush on Clay for all of high school and I’ve done absolutely nothing about it, which is so unlike me. I’m a go-getter. I make things happen, headfirst, elbows out. I can prompose to a guy my damn self. Screw the bucket list.
I stand up and follow him out.