The Prom by Saundra Mitchell & Bob Martin & Chad Beguelin & Matthew Sklar

Author:Saundra Mitchell & Bob Martin & Chad Beguelin & Matthew Sklar
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
Published: 2019-09-09T16:00:00+00:00

15. On the Steps of the Palace

EMMA

As promised on prom night, there are flowers. And limos. And pictures.

Oh my god, so many pictures that I’m seeing nothing but flashbulb leopard spots. Oh, and the occasional glimpse of the bouquet of tastefully selected orchids, lilies, and roses I clutch in my hands. Their rich perfume goes straight to my head, but that’s okay. Everything’s been happening so fast today that it’s good to have a chance to stop and literally smell the flowers.

Barry sits next to me in the limo, handsome in his tux—it doesn’t change colors, I already asked. Next to Dee Dee, he’ll be the best-dressed chaperone in the whole county. She’s positioned herself closest to the window that separates us from the chauffeur. She talks so fast, he doesn’t manage to reply, but that’s okay. I think this is how Dee Dee flirts?

Barry, on the other hand, has a quiet serenity to him tonight, which is a whole new side. Clutching the bouquet tighter in my sweaty hands, I ask him, “Nervous?”

“Contemplative,” he says. “How are you feeling?”

“Like I swallowed an angry bag of snakes. But I’m going to make you proud.”

“Sweetie.” Barry turns toward me. “This isn’t about me. This is about you, and I promise, you’re going to have the time of your life.”

I can’t even say, I hope you’re right. Like, it catches in my throat. The bag of snakes gives a good, solid twist, and the only thing that comes out of me is a weird little squeak.

Warmth pours from Barry when he asks, “What’s your date wearing?” He’s trying to distract me, and I’m going to let him.

“I don’t know. Her mother bought it for her, but I haven’t seen it.”

“What, no fashion show?”

Poor, sweet Barry. He’s been out so long, he has no idea what it’s like to be in. I can’t even imagine that—going a whole day without checking myself. Without looking too long in the wrong direction, without cautiously measuring the things I say. I’m glad it’s far behind him, but it makes him seem just a little more out of reach. “I’ve never been to her house. Her mom doesn’t know about us, remember?”

He shakes his head. “How long have you been together?”

“A year and a half,” I say. “And before that, it was a year and a half of really clumsy, careful flirting. I knew I was crazy for her the day I met her. But I couldn’t just, you know, make a move.”

“My heart!”

“She’s coming out tonight,” I say, and I can’t believe I let the words out. I’ve been holding them so close to my heart, close enough to feel the shimmer of hope but too tightly to really let it grow.

Alyssa’s been talking about coming out for a long time now, and there’s always a reason why it can’t happen. She says tonight, and I believe her. But I didn’t want to jinx it by saying it out loud. It feels like tempting fate, but it’s too late to worry about that, I guess.

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