Page 28 of Unmasking Secrets
I hold out the acceptance letter with a forced smile. It only serves as a reminder of what I’m going to ask him. Archie is my friend, my best friend, and I know he respects me. It’s what matters.
“What’s with the face?” He looks down at the letter, then his eyes grow. “You got in!” He throws his arms around me, lifting me in the air and spinning me in a circle. “That’s amazing!” He slowly releases me. “Tab, what’s wrong? Why do you look like someone just ran over your pet?”
Of course, he would be happy I got into my dream college. I was happy when he got accepted into the Air Force Academy. Something I’m still hesitant about. Joining the military wasn’t something I thought he was serious about until his letter came.
I clear my throat. “I’ve been thinking.”
Archie is my best friend. Surely, he’ll understand. It’s not like any of us haverealdates. We’re going to prom as a group. It’s the perfect way to spend senior prom, with friends. No chance of jealousy or snide comments. As the only girl in the friend group, it comes with the territory. It’s not my fault all our parents are close.
“You know how we’re all going to prom together next week?” I take a deep breath.
This is it. This is the moment.
“Yeah?”
“I’ve been thinking.” I swallow. “Since I’ll be going off to college next year. I mean, we’ll all be off doing our own things.” I laugh at myself.
Why am I so nervous? This is Archie! I’ve always been able to talk to him about anything.
“Hey, babe!” A girl throws her arms around Archie.
“Hey.” He smiles and put his arm around the girl. “Beth, you know Tabitha.”
“Sure.” Beth’s eyes narrow as she looks me up and down.
I hate when they do that. There’s nothing between me and Archie. Now like they think. Yet, they always look at me as if there is. Surely, they know we’re just friends. There’s zero chance he would see me like that.
I smile at Beth, but remain silent.
“What about prom?” Archie shakes his head, as if he just remembered we were in the middle of a conversation.
My mouth opens, but nothing comes out. It’s too embarrassing to admit now. This has got to be a blessing. Archie is family and I can’t do anything to ruin our friendship.
“Oh, prom! I’m so excited to be going with all of you.” Beth snuggles up closer to him.
A date? He was taking a fucking date? Now I feel even worse. And lame. And sick to my stomach. I fake a smile.
“You’re taking a date? Fun!” I hold back my groan.
I should be happy for him. He’s my best friend and his happiness is important to me. He deserves to be happy. Unfortunately, now it’s going to be like every other party. I’ll be the loner in the group as the guys all find a girl for the evening.
It’s not like I can be just one of the guys. I’ve tried dating in the past, but nothing comes of it. One time around me and my friends and they practically ghost me. Ignoring me in the school hallways.
“You don’t have a date?” Archie looks surprised. “It’s senior prom.”
“The group plan—” I start then shake my head. “Never mind, I’ll see you later.”
I walk away. I don’t want to. I want to tell him how it makes me feel. We had a plan. The group of us that have grown up around each other. Now, they’ll all be going with dates. I should probably skip the prom all together. It’s no fun going to these things alone. I thought if we were going as a group, it would be different this time.
This is a blessing in disguise. It had been a stupid plan, and I really didn’t need to risk our friendship. He was too important. Our families were too important. I thought if I asked him, then at least my first time would mean something instead of risking it being a drunken mistake next year at college. Operation lose my virginity to someone who actually respects me is off.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
ARCHIE
She won’t look at me. I haven’t been able to get more than the occasional one word answer out of her all day. It’s like she can’t be around me. She’s avoiding me and I fucking loathe it. Ever since I got back into our room last night and she pretended to be asleep.
We were interrupted, and now it feels like my chance is passing again. It’s all I can think about. The scene keeps replaying in my head. An endless loop haunting me. Taunting me.
