Chapter 6
SIX
AUSTIN - AGE TWELVE
All she talks about is Brantley this and Brantley that.
She never stops going on about him. Two weeks at our school, and the new kid has Vix wrapped around his finger.
There’s a school dance tonight, and he’s asked her to go with him.
I’m angry that she said yes. I’m angry that she doesn’t want to go with me like we always have before.
She tells me this is different, that she likes him.
I don’t like him though, that’s for damn sure.
“Why are you being so cranky? You got a stick up your butt or something?” she asks.
She draws a frowning face on our sacred forest picnic table.
This is our spot. Our secret place at the edge of the town’s lake.
It has an old picnic table that nobody else knows about.
It’s out of place, hidden by trees and brush, secluded from anyone stumbling upon it.
We’ve turned it into a masterpiece of artwork, doodles, quotes, and drawings.
“I’m not cranky, I just don’t know what’s so special about Brantley. I’m sick of that kid,” I huff, skipping a rock into the lake.
“You don’t even know him, Aussy, you won’t give him a chance. You just decided you didn’t like him for no good reason.” She tries to reason with me.
“I have my reasons,” I mumble under my breath. I slide onto the bench across from her and pick up a marker. We sit in silence, letting our conversation hang heavy between us. After a few moments, Vix perks up.
“Someday I’m going to be covered in art just like this.” She beams, spreading her hands wide across the table, almost hugging it. I feel a tug at the corner of my mouth, a smirk forcing its way onto my face.
“Oh yeah?” I draw a happy face beside her frowning one. “That’s gonna be painful, don’t ya think?” I chuckle, admiring her spunk.
“I can take it. There’s no such thing as beauty without a little pain,” she replies, while starting her next masterpiece.
VIX
I brush my hands down, smoothing out my dress as I gaze at myself in my floor-length mirror.
I don’t recognize myself; my emerald green knee-length dress is the girliest thing I’ve ever worn.
I’ve never been a girl who likes to dress up and have her hair done in pretty updos, but tonight I want to look my best, not for Brantley, but for Austin.
I want him to finally see me. See me as a girl with pretty eyes and pretty hair whom he wants to ask to dance.
He thinks I have a crush on Brantley because.
.. well… I told him I do to make him jealous.
He just seems grumpy all the time, though, and I can’t figure out what’s bothering him.
I slip on a pair of new black flats and take one last glance at myself, nodding my head in approval before heading out the door.
Descending the stairs outside of my house, I see Aussy walking up the driveway to escort me to the school gymnasium.
My heart swells at the sight, and I can’t hide my smile.
He looks so handsome in his black dress shirt and dress pants.
He’s even wearing a dark green tie. Brantley is supposed to meet me at the school so that Austin and I can walk there together like we always do. Austin stiffens.
“Wow… you look…” he trails off, clearing his throat and standing a little taller, “different…” he finishes.
My smile drops. “Different?”
“Yeah, the green dress, it’s different…”
I turn away from him. Tears sting the backs of my eyes and threaten to fall. I refuse to let him see, so I start walking towards the school.
“Wait up! Why are you walking so fast?” he shouts, jogging to keep pace with my quick steps.
I pick up a little speed. “I don’t want to keep Brantley waiting,” I say and continue on. Aussy’s steps slow, and he walks a short distance behind me the rest of the way to the gymnasium.
When we arrive at the school, kids are showing up with their friends, and most students are already inside, dancing or hanging out near the punch bowl. I scour the crowd of people looking for Brantley, but he’s nowhere to be found.
Maybe he’s just running late.
I wrap my arms around my body in a self-embrace. Austin walks up behind me, placing his hand on my shoulder to get my attention.
“Do you want me to wait with you?” he asks, his voice soft and caring.
“It’s okay, I’m sure he won’t be long. I’ll just sit on the bench for a few minutes and wait,” I say, walking over to the bench and lowering myself down to sit. My stomach is doing flips, and I’m embarrassed that this is happening.
Austin walks over and plops down on the bench beside me. His knee nudges mine, and I look up to see a soft smile on his face in a comforting way of saying he’s there.
“You look nice tonight. That’s what I had meant to say earlier. Different, and nice,” he says, just above a whisper. Heat creeps into my cheeks, and I break away from his stare, unable to suppress the slow smile that comes to my lips.
“Thanks, Aussy, you do too,” I manage to get out, and his smile grows. I’d give anything to have him smile at me like this forever.
After waiting outside for what feels like an eternity, I accept that Brantley really isn’t coming. He stood me up.
“Okay.” I sigh and turn myself towards Aussy. “Looks like you’re stuck with me after all,” I tell him. His smile widens, and there’s a twinkle in his eyes.
“I’m never stuck with you, Vix,” he tells me. “I wouldn’t want to be at this stupid thing with anyone else,” he says, standing up and holding out his hand. “Shall we?” he asks, and warmth blooms in my heart.
“We shall!” I jump up, taking his hand in mine, and we make our way to the gymnasium.
Disco lights flash around the gym as our peers dance and huddle with their friends.
Everyone looks like they’re having a great time, but I can’t help but notice how a few heads turn my way as soon as I enter the room.
Some turn away, snickering to a friend, while others blatantly stare—smiling and making me feel as if I have the word LOSER written across my forehead.
“Ignore them,” Aussy says, his jaw tense with frustration at how people are acting around us.
“Let’s just go get some punch,” I tell him, and take his arm, leading him to the beverage table.
The song changes to something slow, and we watch the groups of friends begin to break apart.
Some are going to sit on the bleachers, hoping someone will ask them to dance, and a brave few are coupling up for the song.
My cup is half lifted to my lips when I stop and see why I’ve earned so much attention tonight.
Brantley Jackson, dancing with… Bethany Sanders.
Of course. I feel so stupid. I set down my cup and hastily make my way towards the exit, wanting to get the hell out of here as fast as possible.
Just as I’m about to walk out the door, a gentle hand grabs my arm.
I turn around to see Aussy looking at me with sadness in his eyes.
“Don’t leave, Mavix, not because of him,” he pleads.
“Dance with me.” His eyes hold so much warmth.
I exhale a deep breath and take his hand, my anger melting away.
I nod my head, letting him lead me back inside.
As we reach the dance floor, the song comes to an end.
The music shifts to something with a fast tempo, and disappointment washes over me as I watch students crowd the floor once again.
“I’m going to get that dance eventually,” Aussy promises.
“I’m looking forward to that.” I grin, and we go back to the punch bowl.