“Her whole demeanor has changed. She smiles and laughs more. She has this entire personality I didn’t know existed.”
“She’s said the same thing about you. Having a relationship with you and you being her brother has changed Hannah’s life.”
Jack scrubs a hand over his face. “Thanks for saying that. Did Tyler text you this morning?”
My grip around the steering wheel tightens. “Yes.”
“How do you think Clark will react?”
I shrug. “I don’t know. What do you think?”
Jack shakes his head. “I think she’ll shrug it off like it’s no big deal and then freak out when no one’s around.”
“Is it bad that I want her to be excited about it?”
“No. Any other girl would be thrilled to be nominated for homecoming queen.”
“True, but when has Hannah ever done something everyone expected?”
We look at each other. “Never.”
“Did T. tell you when they were announcing the nominees?” Jack asks.
“First period, morning announcements. So everyone has all week to vote.”
“Good luck,” Jack says.
“Thanks.” We pull into McDonald’s, Jack gets a breakfast burrito and orange juice, and I get Hannah what she wants. She’s waiting in her car when we pull into the school parking lot.
“Maybe I should warn her?” I tell Jack.
“Uh—nah. You should record her reaction and then send it to me.”
“Oh, Jeez. Get out.”
Jack laughs and hops out of the car. I get in Hannah’s car, and she eats one breakfast sandwich, and I eat the other. We share the coke as we walk into school.
In English, Hannah isn’t even paying attention to the morning announcements. She’s looking over the worksheet forGreat Expectationsthat’s due today. When Mr. Forrest reads the nominees for the homecoming junior princesses, she puts her paper down. Both Leah and Piper Lockwood are among the five nominees.
“Aubrey should’ve been on that list,” she whispers over her shoulder.
I hold my breath when Mr. Forrest gets to the Homecoming King nominations. There’s Cameron, Jack, Dave, Tyler, and me.
Hannah glances back at me, rolling her eyes. “Surprise, surprise. What’s that four years in a row?”
“And, of course, we’ve saved the best for last.” Mr. Forest laughs, thinking he’s funny. “Your nominations for this year’s homecoming queen are Bree Chandler, Missy Phillips, Melissa Ellis, Ella Garcia, and Hannah Clark.”
Hannah sits up in her seat. Several people murmur congratulations to her, but she sits there frozen. I tug on one of her curls. “Hey, are you okay?”
She turns in her seat, looking at me. “Did Mr. Forest really call my name?”
I cock a smile. “Yes.”
Hannah nods. “Oh, okay.” Saying nothing else, she turns around. I don’t get another chance to talk to her until class ends. When the bell rings, Hannah puts her books away but doesn’t get out of her seat. I get up, walk around, and bend down to see her face.
“Tell me what’s going on in that beautiful head of yours, Clark.”
“Are people going to make fun of me for being nominated?”
