Page 31 of The Seemingly Impossible Love Life of Amanda Dean

“We probably should start snacking now, so we have time to try everything by the end of the night,” Mandy agreed.

She was about to walk back outside, when Ishan Patel called to her from behind. “Mandy, ride the Ferris wheel with me.” Like all the other graduates, he had changed out of his dress clothes into a Grad Nite shirt and jeans—but he filled his shirt out better than most. The sleeves strained against his biceps and across his broad chest, and his dark hair practically sparkled in the lights from all the rides.

If it had been any other night, Mandy would’ve jumped at the chance. Would’ve made out with him at the top just because she could—because this was their last night and there would be no questioning if it meant anything more than what it was. But this wasn’t just any night. “Maybe later,” she called back.

“I’ll hold you to that,” he responded as Mandy pulled Isa inside.

“Why didn’t you go with him?” Isa asked as they headed toward the far corner of their own Wonderland.

“Because I’m hanging out with you. Duh.” Mandy shook herhead. “Come on.” This had been their plan. They may not have known what would happen at Grad Nite, but Mandy and Isa decided long ago that they were going to spend it together no matter what. Mandy would be leaving for Europe before the summer was over, and by the time she got back, Isa would be off to college all the way across the country—so they planned to spend every minute they could together.

After they shared kebabs, and lumpia, and fries, Isa sat down to get a henna tattoo while Mandy got her fortune told—and after they would switch.

Madame Seer—who was just one of the parents dressed in bright scarves—had a small tent only big enough inside for a table and two chairs. It was draped with colorful fabric, and the potent scent of incense burned Mandy’s nose.

“Amanda Dean”—Madame Seer stretched out her name like a long breath—“it’s so good to see you tonight.” Mandy had given the parent outside the tent her name when she “signed up” to see Madame Seer, which was pretty clever.

“Madame Seer.” Mandy played along. “Did you foretell my arrival tonight?”

“That I did. Sit down.” She gestured toward the chair opposite her, and Mandy obliged. Madame Seer ran her hands over the crystal ball in front of her. “I see you have a big trip coming up. A very important trip.”

“I do.” While this wasn’t a secret, Mandy wasn’t sure how Madame Seer knew about it.

“And you’re feeling a little anxious.”

Mandy nodded. As excited as she was about going to Europe, it would be the first time she’d be traveling alone. The first timeher parents wouldn’t be with her; and she’d be staying in a room (similar to a bed-and-breakfast-type thing without the breakfast part) where the woman who owned the place rented to all sorts of other people, although she assured Mandy and her parents it was mostly other students. Still, they would all be practically strangers. And aside from the Spanish she had picked up from school and hanging out with Isa, Mandy didn’t speak any other language besides English fluently, and she wanted to see France and Germany and so many other places while she was there.

Madame Seer ran her hands over the glass orb. “You needn’t worry. All will be well.”

Even though Madame Seer wasn’t magical, hearing her say those words lightened the heavy feeling Mandy had been carrying around in her chest. “Do you see anything in there…maybe about love?” She couldn’t help thinking about Ishan and his proposition about riding the Ferris wheel.

“Oh yes.” Madam Seer stared deep into the crystal ball. “It’s right here. Love is on the horizon, but don’t let it get in the way of your dreams.”

Mandy bit back a grin. Such a mom thing to say. “I promise, I won’t.”

After her time with Madame Seer was over, the hours ticked by quickly as Mandy and Isa explored every inch of their Wonderland. Isa bested Mandy in a round of “sumo wrestling,” but Mandy beat Isa to the top of the rock-climbing wall. They got their photos taken at least a dozen times in all the different photo booths set up, and they ate their way around the entire gym. Sometime around one in the morning, they wandered offarm in arm to take a break from the lights and sounds and all the people. Mandy would miss this—her school, her friends—but she needed to get away even just for a little while.

The rapid beat of feet scampering off sounded as Mandy and Isa rounded the corner to the back side of the library—better known as the farthest location away from the gym that had a low likelihood of discovery.

“I guess we aren’t the only ones who needed a break,” Isa said as she slid her back down the wall and sat with her legs stretched out in front of her. “Guess they thought we were narcs or something.”

Mandy sniffed the air. “ ‘Or something’ is right.” She bent down and picked up a joint.

“Is that—”

“Yep.” Mandy plopped down and searched the area, finding a pack of matches not far away. “Their loss, our gain.” She wiggled them at Isa.

“Do you really think we should?”

“Not like they can expel us now, and you already got your acceptance letter from Boston University.” Mandy raised her eyebrows. “Come on. It’ll be fun.”

Isa twirled her hair around her finger as a mischievous grin pulled at her lips. “Let’s do it.”

Mandy scooted closer to Isa, put the joint in her mouth, and struck a match. She had smoked a couple of times at parties, so she knew the basics. The scent filled the air as Mandy held the flame to the end of the paper, taking a deep pull. Then, with the tip still lit, she handed it to Isa.

After about three drags each and a good coughing fit from both of them, they lay back on the cool cement and gazed up atthe dark sky. Away from the carnival and without any lights on in the school, the stars seemed to shine brighter where they were.

“Serpens.” Isa pointed. “Right there. Oh, and there’s Hercules, and Lyra…”

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