Page 63 of Kiss Collector
Monica gives me a quick, small smile when I get to Lin’s, but she’s quieter than normal. The past two nights at the Porpoise Beach party and then when we went biscuiting, things felt better between us, but now it’s back to being tense. Maybe because I mentioned Dean might be there tonight? Whatever the reason, the atmosphere is noticeably less excited than our usual preparty vibe. As much as I’m not in the mood for butt kissing, I can’t go on like this. I link my pinkie with Monica’s and pull her aside.
“I’m sorry,” I say. I need to say more, likeI won’t let a guy come between us, butI’m sorryis all I can manage at the moment.
She chews her glossy lip. “Me, too.”
When she hugs me, I squeeze her tightly. More than anything, I need my friends right now. Kenzie went to an early movie with Vincent, but they’re planning to meet us at Quinton’s.
As we leave, Lin’s parents are sitting on the couch, as close as can be, holding hands, watching a house-flipping show. They’re older than my parents by at least ten years, and the sight of their obvious bond sort of crushes me in good and bad ways. They’ve made it together this long and still hold hands. I’m both happy and sad as I watch Lin kiss them before we go.
“Your parents are so cute,” Monica says in the car.
“I know, right?” Lin smiles. “Relationship goals.”
They both glance at me suddenly, like they’re worried they’ve upset me by pointing out a happy marriage, but my fake-smile game is strong and puts them at ease.
I blare the music so Lin and Monica can sing at the top of their lungs, and all thoughts are chased out of my mind.Quinton’s house is down in Triangle, at the end of the street in an old neighborhood. We have to park far away and walk. Even though it’s already dark, there are people sitting outside on creaky porches. Some of the men call out to us in slurring voices, laughing, and we ignore them.
Quinton’s house is ahead, and it’ll be filled with people I know. I don’t have to be afraid, but after what happened with Bauer, I do have to be more cautious, which I hate to admit.
My mood lifts at the sound of music thumping as we approach the squat split-level surrounded by overgrown bushes. Voices carry from the backyard. We push our way inside, where the air is stifling with too many bodies, but it doesn’t bother me. Just the opposite. I let myself get lost in the crowd, overshadowed by music and movement, my worries momentarily drowned into silence. I see Destinee and she smiles big, giving me a hug as we pass.
Lin, Monica, and I make our way right to the middle and dance until we’re sweating. Guys from school surround us, dancing up to us. Hands on our hips and waists, everyone smiling and laughing, drinks held high. I spot a camouflage hat among the dancers and catch the eye of Elliott. Seconds later a circle is clearing and he’s on the floor, spinning and swinging those legs and arms with precise control in a way that has everyone hollering with approval.
When he ends in a ball on his back, he puts his fingers on the floor by his head and throws his feet out, jumping up like he’s made of springs. I clap, and he finds me, coming straight for me.
“Thought I saw you!” He dances up to me and I grin,lifting my arms as his body comes flush to mine, one of his knees between mine, and we move together as one to the beat of the music. My girls cheer. Elliott moves around my body to the back, his hands out as he lowers himself to the floor, and I laugh. The boy is shameless, working his way back up my body in perfect sync to the music. When the song ends and another begins, he puts his hands on my shoulders and whispers, “Did you write that poem in class about your parents?”
I stiffen as the good cheer drains from me. Elliott moves around to face me, and the shifting bodies force us to get out of the way. We step against the wall and I look up into his tender, light-brown eyes.
“I’m sorry,” he says over the music. I can smell beer on his breath. “I didn’t mean to make you sad.”
“It’s okay,” I tell him. I’m always sad lately. “What’s it like working for him?”
“I haven’t worked there very long. But he’s cool.” Elliott scratches his neck. “Did you know they were together? I mean, before today when you saw them?”
I shake my head and he cringes. “I didn’t think so.”
“It’s okay,” I say again, because I can tell he’s feeling sorry for me, and I don’t want to think about it. “Hey, Elliott? Did you write those poems in English class? About the girl and the Capri Sun?”
He laughs. “No, but that was some funny shit. Why?”
I shake my head. “Let’s just dance, ’kay?”
His eyes brighten and he nods, pulling me back out there to where my girls are. I don’t stop dancing until I feel my phone buzz and I look to see a message from Kenzie.
Me & V feel tired. Staying in 2nite. Sorry. Xoxo.
Well, that sucks. “Kenz’s not coming,” I shout to the girls. They crinkle their faces in disappointment.
Monica fans herself. “I need a drink!”
Lin and I nod in agreement and I say bye to Elliott, who gives me a wet kiss on the cheek, making me smile. My friends and I hold hands as we form a train through the party. In the hall, we see Joel and Kwami leaning against the wall. Seeing them fills me with a flicker of warm happiness. They hold out their fists, and we bump as we pass.
I call out to Joel as Lin pulls me along. “How many ciggies today?”
“Too many to count!” he calls back.
Kwami pulls his lips to the side and shakes his head, holding up his hand to form a circle. Zero? I open my mouth likewow,and Joel rolls his eyes. Lin yanks me forward as Monica yanks her. I keep my eyes on Joel’s until we’re out of sight.
