We head over to her locker, dodging Maverick as we go, as she fills me in on all of the other drama that has filled the school this week. “And the best one yet, which I’m not sure anyone has told you about… but er… you’ve been nominated for homecoming queen.”
“I’ve been what?!” I screech. I groan and bury my face in my hands.
She just laughs that twinkly laugh of hers as she closes her locker. “Yeah I knew you’d be happy about it. The dance is next week, later than usual, but something to do with vandalism. At least now we have an excuse to go shopping again?”
“You want to go to the dance?” I ask, shocked, as the bell rings.
She shrugs as we head toward English. “I’ve never been to a dance before. I figure you haven’t either, what with homeschooling. It could be fun, right?”
I suck in a breath before letting it out slowly. “Sure, why not get all dressed up to spend more time with people who hate me?”
“Yes!” She does a fist pump, twirling as she enters the classroom for English. “I knew you’d be on board. We could head up to Santa Monica tomorrow, do some shopping, hang out on the pier. Do normal teenage girl shit.”
“You’re not hanging with the twins?” I ask as I slide into my desk, wagging my brows at her.
She rolls her eyes at me as she takes her seat. “No, I am not. I have zero idea what’s going on with them right now. I’ve barely heard from them all week, so fuck them. I’m not going to do the chasing thing. Especially after the whole thing with Jackson. I am done running around after boys. If they want to speak to me, they know where to find me.”
I smile softly, feeling a little proud of her. “Good, you deserve better than chasing around after boys who don’t know what they want.”
“Speaking of boys who don’t know what they want.” I look up at her words, and find three of the four of them watching me from outside the class. “Any idea what’s going on with them and their total turn around since Friday?”
I open my mouth to speak, having no idea how to even begin to tell her about what happened, as Miss Summers breezes into the room, closing the door behind her. I’ve never been more glad for not having to answer a question. “Good morning, all. Let’s finish this week with a bang, shall we? I declare today debate day!”
A groan sounds across the room and I smile.
Maybe this day will turn around after all.
* * *
I somehow managed to evade everyone I didn’t want to see yesterday. No Raleigh, no Blair, even the guys kept their distance—though that could’ve been them trying to avoid any more of my questions. It was a nice change and a pretty easy day to settle back in with. Admittedly, we went off campus for lunch, heading back to Penny’s. It’s hard to believe it’s already been three months since we set foot in there.
The day is unusually hot for November, apparently we’re getting a last minute dash of summer sunshine, and I’m totally not opposed to it. I pull on my cutoffs, pair them with my knee-high Chucks and a crop top, finishing the look with my leather jacket. My waves cascade down my back and I check my face once more in the mirror before I head to pick up Indi.
I still can’t get over this whole homecoming thing. Not going to lie, I’ve been completely oblivious to all of the posters lining the walls of the school, but it’s not like I didn’t have enough going on to distract me. Apparently I’ve been oblivious to a lot since I got back to The Cove.
I grab my keys, phone, and purse before I head downstairs, calling out a goodbye to Smithy before skipping out to my car. Sliding on my aviators, I connect my phone to the sound system, blasting This Little Girl by Cady Groves as I drive out of the gate and through the center of town. I can’t help but smile at the lyrics of the song because they’re so freaking true.
I pull up in front of Indi’s house just as she skips down the front sidewalk. “Morningggg!” she sings as she slides into the car and buckles in.
“New hair?” I ask, taking in the vivid violet, somehow darker yet brighter than the purple she had when I first met her. I have no idea how she always makes it so bright and shiny, or how she suits every freaking color, but I love it.
“I fancied a change again. The rainbow is fun for a minute, but the root touch up is murder. Plus, how awesome are these extensions?” She grins as she steals my phone, flicking through the playlists.
“They are all kinds of beautiful, I’d never know it wasn’t your hair.” The curls wave down her petite frame to just below her boobs, the perfect compliment to her thickly lined eyes and deep purple lipstick.
“My hair woman is a freaking genius with extensions. Now then, are we ready for all of the shopping?”
I grin at her, shaking my head as I pull away from the curb. “Not even a little. Homecoming dresses aren’t exactly my usual repertoire.”
“I mean, mine either, but it’s got to be fun right? It’s a 007 Casino theme. We can be Pussy Galore.”
I burst out laughing while she just grins at me, trying not to laugh, “You, my friend, definitely know how to cheer a girl up.”
“That’s what besties are for. You know I’m here if you want to talk it out.” I grin over at her before looking back at the road. As much as I’d like to unburden myself, I don’t really know much yet. And the last thing I want to do is drag her into this bullshit. If she’s free and clear, I’d like to keep it that way.
“Thank you.” I pull out onto the PCH and head up toward Santa Monica. We spend most of the journey singing at the top of our lungs.
It’s so nice, just driving with the windows down, wind in our hair, singing, acting like the seventeen-year-olds we are. Everything going on in my life makes it easy to forget I’m still allowed to be a teenager sometimes.