Page 5 of Insurgent

I stare at the clock on my phone, constantly opening and closing the thing. It’s almost five.

I haven’t heard a word from Danny since this morning. I’ve showered, shaved, and had my hair and makeup done. I even got my nails and toes painted. It’s been a day of prepping. I exhale, walking over to the window and looking out as the sun warms my face. This is important to me. He’ll show.

I lean against the window, and I wait.

I wait, I wait, and I wait.

Uncle Hale knocks on my bedroom door. “It’s getting late. You think something might have happened to keep him from coming?”

“I called. His phone is going to voicemail.”

Hale nods. “I’d hate for you to miss your last chance at prom, Bexley.”

I swallow the tears I so desperately want to let loose. Taking in a deep breath, I straighten my back. I will not let Danny ruin this for me. But I can’t go alone. I try to think of anyone who might not have a date, but I come up empty.

God, I’m so mad right now I could scream! How can he do this to me? How can he stand me up like this? How can he say he loves me, and not show up? Red-hot anger rushes through my veins, giving me courage I didn’t know I had.

I will go alone.

I will hang out with my friends, because this is my last year. This is it for high school and memories. Afraid I’ll burst into tears if I’m alone in my car, I ask Hale to give me a ride.

Before we leave, Trinity pulls me to the side.

“So, look, I’m not the best at giving advice or anything, but if I could go back and talk to my younger self, I’d tell her one thing. Enjoy every moment of this, because one day it’ll be nothing but a faded memory. I can see you love Danny, and so can your uncle, but you’re eighteen. You have a full life ahead of you. Grab it and run, girl.”

I smile at the woman I’ve grown fond of. She can’t cook worth a shit, she’s a little quirky with her fifty something bracelets and wild curly hair, but she makes my uncle happy and really, that’s all we want in life, right? For the people we love to be happy. To be loved, fully. Not only does she put a smile on my uncle’s face, but she’s known from the start that he and I are a two-package deal, and she’s not once made me feel like I was an issue.

“Okay,” I say. “I’m doing this for older me.”

She winks. “There you go.”

Hale doesn’t say anything about Danny as we ride, and I’m grateful. I couldn’t handle a serious conversation right now. Instead, he tells me about his prom and high school days, and he talks about Mom and how much fun they had growing up. It takes my mind off of Danny, if only for a little bit.

When we pull up at school, music flows from the open doors. Balloons are swaying in the wind, and everyone I’ve gone to school with for the past four years has a smile on their face.

I look back at Hale.

“Life is about choices, Bexley. I think you’re making the right one here. Go in there and have a blast. Drink the spiked punch, dance with your friends, and remember this night with a smile.”

I give him one, even though on the inside I feel sick and completely heartbroken. Taking a breath, I open the car door and step out.

“Call me if you need a ride,” he says.

“Thank you,” I reply. I exhale and make my way in. The music is loud, and the place is crowded. I look around the room at the dancing lights and the full tables.

“Bexley,” I hear. I turn to look and see a group of my friends.

“Where’s your date?” Jessica, a fire-red redhead who sits beside me in algebra, asks.

“Family emergency,” I lie and inner me rolls her eyes, because she’s sick of lying for this guy.

“That sucks.”

“Life sucks sometimes,” I say.

She lifts a brow. “Well, seems like you need a drink.” She pulls out a flask and hands it to me.

“Careful. Chaperones are everywhere.”

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