Page 59 of Falling Like Leaves
“Knock ’em dead, Ellis,” Aunt Naomi says with a wink.
“Have fun, honey,” Mom says. “Call me if you need me.”
With shaking hands, I climb out of the car.
“Thank you both for everything.” I close the car door and head up the school’s concrete steps, the clicking of my mom’s stilettos calming my racing heart.
I pull back my shoulders and lift my chin. Even though I’m upset with him right now, Dad’s words are in my head as I open the double doors.
Don’t let them see your weaknesses, Ellis. Fake it till you make it.
Chapter Nineteen
The commons is covered in streamers. Helium-filled black and blue balloons flood the ceiling, and colorful disco lights bounce around the room. The heavy bass shakes the dance floor, where kids are packed like sardines, grinding against each other and throwing their hands in the air.
All but three tables have been cleared out to make space for everyone, but plenty of people are hanging out on the outskirts of the crowd. I hug the walls as I make my way around the room, keeping my eyes peeled for any of my friends.
But I hear them before I see them.
“Ellis?” Jake’s voice carries over the blasting music.
To my right, Jake, Chloe, Slug, and Cooper are standing with a few other football guys, some of Chloe’s friends, and Sterling, whose hair is now dyed pink to match their chic pantsuit. Everyone is sweaty, and the boys have abandoned their jackets. Their sleeves are rolled up, and Jake’s dress shirt is unbuttoned, exposing his white undershirt.
Jake’s whole face lights up as I approach. “What are you doing here?”
“Ellis!” Slug shouts. Judging by his red-rimmed glassy eyes and the hug he pulls me into, I’d guess he pregamed before the dance.
Even if they’re mad at me, I can’t contain the smile that tugs at my lips being here with them.
“Hey,” I say as Slug lets me go. Chloe smiles sweetly at me, and Sterling gives me a nod. My gaze finally slides to Cooper. I expect to find him glaring or snarling at me, but instead his lips are parted, his eyes traveling over my dress. I blush and turn back to Jake.
“Things didn’t go as planned,” I tell him, trying to keep all emotion out of my voice.
“Hell yeah!” he shouts. “I mean, I’m sorry, but also, hell yeah!” I laugh, and he looks at my wrist. “I wish I’d known you were coming. I would have brought your corsage.”
“I’m not worried about it.” I shrug. “I’m just glad I made it.”
“Me too.”
“I love your dress,” Chloe says in her own sparkling green ballgown. “Where’d you get it? I feel like I scoured every store and never found anything like that.”
“Oh, I, um… I made it,” I say, wringing my hands.
“Are you serious?” she asks. “That’s incredible.”
“Thanks.”
“We’d love to stay and chat, Chlo, but we’ve got places to be.” Jake grabs my hand and pulls me onto the dance floor before I even realize what’s happening. With the rest of our group close behind, he stops in a small open space and starts dancing, which he’s surprisingly decent at.
When I just stand there watching him, he leans into my ear. “Dance with me, Ellis!”
So I do.
My hair has been crimped and teased. It’s long and big, just like I imagined. And now it’s flying wildly as I move my hips against Jake. As the song goes on, I grow hot, sweaty, and breathless. My thighs burn. I am in no shape for this sort of exercise. I turn to face my date, and he lifts my hands into the air to lyrics about apple-bottom jeans before we all lower our hips to the floor. Which is hard in my mermaid-cut dress. I nearly fall, but Jake catches me, and we both laugh.
As the next song comes on, I catch Cooper dancing with Chloe out of the corner of my eye.
It shouldn’t bother me.
