“Mrs. Hammond’s never used bubble sheets before. That was annoying, but the test was straightforward enough. There weren’t any questions that stumped me. What did you think of it?”
“Same. I could’ve done without three essay questions.”
“I know. I overthink essay questions.”
“I’m sure you did great.” Landon pats my shoulder awkwardly. “I’m glad I caught you without Crawford breathing down your neck. There’s something I want to ask you.”
I’m a little taken aback by his comment about Ford, but we are together most of the day. “Sure, what is it?” I’ve been hoping Landon would ask me to be a part of the trivia club. He’s the president this year, and they’re short a couple of people. I like trivia, and it would look great on my transcript for a scholarship and give me points for valedictorian. I get excited and fidget.
“I wanted to know if you would, uh—”
The door bangs open, and Chanel comes storming through it. “Ugh! Here you are.”
I glance at Landon, and he shakes his head, looking confused. Great. What could she possibly want from me?
“Mr. Thompson said you’re the one to talk to about math tutoring. I need help with Algebra II.”
Are you kidding me? Nope. Just nope.
“How did you know where I was?” I ask.
“The counselor, Mrs. Landry, told me.” Chanel flips her hair behind her and juts out her hip, causing her short skirt to ride further up her thigh. Landon’s eyes get wide, and he clears his throat. “Well, can you help me or not?”
I grab Landon’s arm, shoving him toward her. “Landon’s much better at math than I am.” I lean in, whispering to him. “Tutoring gives you points for valedictorian.” And I pat his back.
“Uh—yeah—It’s true. I’d love to help you.”
“Fine. Better him than you,” Chanel says.
Oh boy, that was a close one, and I bolt for the door.
“Oh, Clark? I loved the new pictures of you and Ford on his fan website. Congrats on your home run.” Chanel sneers, laughing.
“What are you talking about?” I ask. There can’t possibly be photos of Ford and me from Saturday night. It was the middle of the night in the basement with the blinds closed.
“You haven’t seen them? Here, let me show you.” Chanel clicks on her phone and then shoves it in my face. The website’s posted pictures taken outside of Ford’s backyard Saturday night. You can only see our heads. We’re lying on the sectional in the family room. It’s the following picture that makes me gasp. It shows Ford taking off his shirt, and in the photo, after that, it shows Ford holding something white in his hand. My sundress.
Chanel rips her phone out of my hand, and without looking at her or Landon, I run out of the classroom.
I slam the door shut, but I can still her laugh as I walk away. What did she mean?
“Hannah!” I turn around, and June and Aubrey run toward me.
“Are you okay?” June asks. She reaches out, touching my neck. “Your neck is all red.”
“I’m fine.” I lie. The pictures have me shaken. I can’t worry about it now. I take a breath, trying to forget Chanel, the website, and those pictures. I pull my phone out and click on the web browser. I promised I wouldn’t look, but maybe a peek won’t hurt.
“We need to hurry.” Aubrey takes my arm, and we run toward the lunchroom.
“What’s going on?” I ask.
“I have no idea. Tyler said we just needed to be in the lunchroom.” June is bouncing up and down, looking happy and excited. “I think it has to do with homecoming.”
“Don’t jinx it,” Aubrey whispers to her.
“You found her good,” Leah says, taking my hand. Just as we sit at the lunch table, the overhead speakers screech on, and music blares through them. The Titan mascot, Eddie Hill, comes barreling through the lunchroom. He shoves tables out of the way and lines four chairs up in the middle of the clearing he’s made. He dances over to our table and grabs Leah’s hands. She stands up, dancing with him as he leads her to the first chair. He comes back and gets to June. The third time, he holds out a hand for Aubrey and me. I smile and laugh, but it’s hard with everyone watching. I’m not used to people staring at me. Dancing is different. When I’m on the stage with a spotlight shining on me, I’m concentrating on my steps and movements. With Cheerleading, eleven other girls are standing next to me, shouting and doing the same thing. Everyone staring at me is making my heart race and my palms sweat. Plus, how many of these students have seen the pictures on the website? The thought sends a chill through me. I push the thoughts away and smile. Aubrey and I dance around the mascot, and then he helps us to the last two seats.
The music changes, and four guys wearing hoodies with the hoods up run out onto the floor. One by one, they pull their hoods down. It’s Cameron, Tyler, Jack, Cameron, and Ford. Even though I’m feeling awful, the smile on Ford’s face makes my heart soar, and I smile. The guys perform a short, somewhat choreographed dance. When they’re done, they throw their hoodies off. Written across all their shirts, it says, will you go to homecoming with me? Check yes or no. They each hold out a large red marker.
