Page 46 of Stealing for Keeps
The gym is always warm and sweaty at the big dances with everyone crammed into the small space.
She makes a hum of disapproval and goes back to her work. “We’re leaving at five tomorrow morning, so don’t stay out too late.”
“Actually, I was wondering if I could skip the competition tomorrow.”
She looks up again, that stamp of disapproval still staring back at me. “Why?”
“We’ll be gone all day, and Ruby is only doing one dance. Plus, I have this big art project I need to work on.”
“Is this because you want to stay out late tonight at some high school party?”
“No,” I say quickly, then nod. “Partly. There is a party after the dance.”
She sighs.
“But I do have a lot of school stuff to do this weekend, and it would help to be home tomorrow.”
“Okay.” The heaviness in her tone speaks of her displeasure. “Focusing on your classes is a good idea. You’ll never get into college with no extracurriculars and a B-plus average. Did you decide on which colleges you’d like to visit? I need to make plans around Ruby’s dance schedule.”
“Not yet. I’ll make a list this weekend.”
“Okay.”
Okay.It takes a second for her words to sink in. I haven’t gone to an after-dance party…ever.
“Thanks, Mom.”
She nods and goes back to her sewing as I leave.
When I walk back to my room, Lacey is standing there with a huge grin like she was eavesdropping. Who am I kidding? Of course she was listening in.
She squeals. “Tonight is going to be so much fun!”
* * *
The school gym is decorated with balloons and streamers.One side of the bleachers is pulled out for seating, and the DJ is set up on the stage.
Lacey twirls in front of me, already dancing as we make our way through the crowd. When we get to the middle of the basketball court, she stops and looks around with a huge grin.
“Next year, we’re going to do it up even bigger than this,” she promises.
I smile at her and the way she’s always thinking ahead. I haven’t even thought about next week, let alone next year at this time. Right now, everything feels so up in the air. It’s like I can do anything now, but anything feels so wide open that it’s overwhelming. All I ever wanted was to skate at the world championships. I was so close. Everyone said that it was my time. And then it all just fell apart.
“New Guy is here,” Lacey says, interrupting my thoughts.
I swivel around to look in the same direction as her, and there he is, looking as good as he always does in jeans, a long-sleeve white Henley, a matching white baseball cap, and tennis shoes. My heart rate speeds up, and I run a hand over my braid.
“Is he coming directly from soccer practice?” Lacey asks, commenting on his casual appearance. Most everyone dresses up for the dances. Even the guys will at least throw on a button-down shirt or dress pants.
“I don’t know,” I say, unable to look away from him.
“Aren’t you two BFFs now with all thestudyingyou’re doing lately.” She smirks and puts air quotes around the wordstudying.
I push at her shoulder lightly. “That project is worth fifty percent of our grade.”
She snorts. “Uh-huh. I’m sure that’s the only reason you’re hanging out every night.”
My face heats. It’s been two weeks since we were assigned together in art class, and we’ve fallen into a rhythm, working on our pieces every night after school. We mostly go to his house instead of mine. I like being around his family. Even without his dad present, they have this warm, welcoming house. Ours wasn’t really like that even before my parents separated.
