My Hallowe'en Heartbreak by Melanie Ting

Author:Melanie Ting [Ting, Melanie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Melanie Ting

16

Someone Who is Cool

Sophia

* * *

Pulling into the parking lot of my high school made me uneasy. It wasn’t that I had a bad time in high school; I had good friends, excellent marks, and many extracurricular activities. But Cedarbank High School had never met my expectations. It was my own fault, since my fantasies came from books and television. I had dreamed of the perfect boyfriend, a big group of sympatico girlfriends, and an exciting social life. Instead, Marisa and I had spent a whole bunch of Saturday nights watching movies about the high school experiences we weren’t having. And while a few boys did ask me out, I was too busy fixating on my big crush: Henry MacDonald. My awkward dates paled in comparison to the easy rapport I had with Henry. For a good girl like me, Henry’s edginess was catnip. I knew he did drugs, skipped classes, and went to clubs every weekend, even though he was underage. But I also knew better than anyone else how smart and sensitive he really was. In my over-romanticized mind, only I really understood him—unlike those gorgeous free spirits he usually dated. If time travel were possible, I would go back and deliver a good head-slap to 16-year-old me. He’s not unhappy, Sophia! He prefers to date fun party girls. All guys do.

Part of my discomfort was the current state of my life. If the reunion had been three weeks ago, I was fast-tracking to partner at work, and I had a long-term boyfriend. Of course, Elliott wouldn’t have come with me, because a high school reunion was not his idea of a good time. But I could have shown photos of him, which might have been even better. I could have shown that—despite all evidence in high school—I did achieve social success later in life.

I took a deep breath and pulled open the heavy front door. There was music coming from the gym, and the twirling sparkles of a mirror ball flashed through a closing door. The reunion had a seventies disco theme because that was the era when the school began.

“You’re finally here,” said Karen Oliver, even though I was five minutes early. She was organizing the front reception table. Our graduating year was in charge of greeting everyone and sorting out name tags and tickets. “Where is Marisa Rossi?”

“Marisa couldn’t make it. Didn’t she contact you earlier?” I replied.

“Oh honestly!” Karen’s tone of exasperation was usually reserved for missing security at a G7 conference. “How am I going to find someone else at the last minute?”

Hailey Milton piped up from behind the table. “I don’t think it’s going to be that busy. Most of the people are here already.” She motioned to the meagre pile of remaining name tags.

I gave Hailey a grateful nod. After all, why was I getting all the flack? I was the one who showed up to work. Hailey was sitting with Deanna Butler, who had been her best friend back in high school.

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