Page 10 of Autumn Skies & Pumpkin Pies

Tonight, when she appeared at the top of the stairs I literally forgot how to breathe for a minute. She’s always beautiful and unique, but tonight it was a whole new level. I’m not sure what I expected but it wasn’t this. After her father threatened Keefer and I, I’m not sure how I forgot he was in the room. He’s a large wall of muscle but somehow when she came into my line of sight all else was forgotten.

Now, we’re sitting in the decorated gym at a table, sipping on the worst punch I’ve ever tasted. My stomach rolls with nerves. I glance at Warbee and she seems nervous, too, which doesn’t help. I clear my throat. “Do you want to dance?” I ask.

Warbee’s eyes swing up to meet mine. Her’s are large with surprise, but she eventually says, “Yes.”

I take her hand in mine and we dance under the white Christmas lights and streamers. She fits perfectly next to me as we sway to the music. We only get about a minute of the slow song before it transitions into a faster, upbeat number. Keefer and Teaganne join us. Warbee seems unsure at first, but Teaganne grabs her hands and starts to spin around and before I know it, Warbee is letting loose. She’s jumping around and laughing. The nerves I had been feeling fade away as I watch her, forcing myself to memorize this. “Are you having a good time?” I finally get to ask her, as the next slow song comes on.

She smiles at me. “The best. Thank you for asking me. I really didn’t want to be the third wheel again.”

“There’s no way you could be the third wheel.”

Warbee laughs. “Have you seen Keefer and Teaganne?”

I glance over my shoulder where they are dancing. “Okay, yeah, you have a point.”

“They should be announcing homecoming king soon. Are you excited?” she asks.

I shrug. “To be honest, I don’t really care either way. I mean, I know I’m nominated, and I feel like it kind of comes with the territory of playing football in this school, but I don’t really care. I mean, I love football and I’d play it even if it wasn't a cool thing to do.”

“Really?” Her head tilts to the side and her hair tickles my fingers.

“Yeah, I’m good at it and when I step out on that field, I know that I’m in control of what happens. I’m the master of my own destiny. It’s a feeling I can’t describe.”

“I think you’re doing a pretty good job,” she tells me.

The song comes to an end and the principal takes the stage. “Okay, students, it’s time to announce the Homecoming court and to crown this year’s king and queen.” He goes through the list of names and each one of us takes the stage side-by-side. Once we’re all together, the student council president joins us with the crowns in her hands. I find Warbee standing with Teaganne and Keefer. I wink at her and even from here I know she’s blushing. My name is called as the king and I step forward to allow Ashley to place the crown on my head. Mentally, I plead with whatever higher being that Beth is not named Queen. Someone though likes to toy with me because Beth is called. I cringe because now I have to spend an entire slow song dancing with her. I’m sure she’ll go on and on about cheer and how someone is gossiping about her and trying to take her spot as captain. I’d really rather just dance with Warbee.

The song starts and we begin to sway to the music. Beth instantly starts to talk about how she misses us. Internally, I roll my eyes. There was never really an us to miss. I think she just misses the popularity that came with a title like that. It never truly existed. Half way through the song she tries to step closer to me. I pull away. “I’m here with a date, Beth.”

Her eyes and demeanor change in a flash. “You mean, that little too smart for her own good reject?”

My jaw tightens and my hands fall away from her. Beth’s eyes rage with fire. “Watch what you say and how you talk about my date, Beth.”

“Aww...did I hit a button? You know everyone is wondering what the hell you are trying to pull with this little stunt. You know she doesn’t belong in our circle of friends. We’re the elite in case you’ve forgotten.” Beth smirks. I look over my shoulder and see Warbee standing there. Her eyes shine with doubt. A look of uncertainty is written all over her face. Warbee doesn’t get hurt by much. She has a quiet confidence that is unwavering but right now I know Beth just made her question everything. The anger I feel is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before.

I take the crown off my head and toss it at Beth. “Find yourself another king of the elite. I’m out.” When I turn around, Warbee is gone. Teaganne and Keefer are easy to find and point me in the direction that Warbee went off in. I chase her down. By the time I reach her, she’s already reached the football field. My second home. “Warbee, wait, please.”

She stops, but doesn’t turn around. Once I’m close enough she tells me, “You should go back. Beth is right. That is where you belong, but it’s not my place.”

I step in front of her as she starts to walk away again. “Oh no you don’t. You belong wherever the hell I want you to, or wherever you want to. People like Beth belittle those around her to make herself feel better.”

Warbee shakes her head. “Maybe you’re right, but it doesn’t change the fact that part of what she said is true. You’re part of the elite and I’m just a nerd. We were crazy to think anyone would see that differently.”

“I don’t care! I don’t care what anyone thinks!”

Her eyes narrow as she studies me. “You will when they all start talking.”

An idea springs into my mind. “Please, stay here. I’ll be right back.” I run to the field house and find the hide a key that coach told me was here. Only a few of us know about it. I unlock the door and rush inside to my locker. I grab what I stashed inside earlier this week before running back to Warbee. She’s still standing there rubbing her bare arms. “I don’t care. I’ll never care. I didn’t care when they saw everything, I did to get your attention, did I?” I ask her, as I pull the dying sunflower from behind my back. A note still hangs from the stem where I tied it days ago, asking her to the dance.

Her hazel eyes go wide. “What is this?”

“I was your secret admirer.” The first time admitting that out loud is scarier than any team I’ve ever faced on this field. Warbee reaches out and takes the sunflower from me. As she opens the letter, I slip my tux jacket back off and place it over her shoulders.

“Why didn’t you tell me and why are the notes all printed off the computer?” she asks.

I shrug. “I wasn’t sure how to just ask you. You make me nervous, Warbee. I’m never nervous, so I’m not sure how to be around you sometimes. I typed the letters because I was worried, you’d recognize my handwriting.”

Warbee steps forward and wraps her arms around me, burying her face in my chest. With her heels on she’s just right under my chin. “I wanted it to be you so badly.”

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