Page 6 of The Seemingly Impossible Love Life of Amanda Dean

“I wish you could stay,” Mandy said. It was a low blow—Sophie absolutely would stay if possible, but it had been lucky she could be there to see this even if it was before the event truly started.

“You don’t need me. You’ve got this. What was that again?”

“I’m the fucking star tonight.”

Sophie winked and then she was gone—off to catch her flight and take the world by storm.

Tonight, Mandy’s parents and friends said they would be there. And Edmund would of course show up as soon as his meeting wrapped. But until then Mandy was on her own.

Chapter Four

October 2002

No Doubt blasted fromthe CD player on Mandy’s dresser, shaking the special collection of shells and sand dollars she kept displayed there, and the pile of M&M’s that Isa and she had been snacking on—that they were always snacking on. Isa crawled on her hands and knees, threading her fingers through the plush carpet, searching for the earring she had dropped.

“Not again,” Mandy moaned, joining her. “Maybe this is the universe’s way of saying to skip the earrings.” Mandy had told Isa she was not a fan of the rhinestone monstrosities. They were dangly with a mixture of white and light blue crystals that dripped down like a leaking faucet and didn’t particularly go with the simple silk dress Isa’s mom had made her. They were so heavy they kept falling out of Isa’s ears and burying themselves in the deep textured carpet—like they knew they needed to die and not be worn for such an important event. Tonight was homecoming, and Mandy wanted everything to be perfect. And that included wanting everything to be perfect for Isa as well.

“I like them.” Isa had told Mandy her dress was too plain and wanted something to sparkle up her look, so she had picked the earrings out from the clearance bin the weekend before when they had been shopping for all their last-minute odds and ends. Mandy refrained from saying that they were in the clearance bin for a reason, but maybe she should’ve.

“I’m just saying you don’tneedthem. You look amazing already.” Mandy handed the earring to Isa, who smiled in return.

Mandy had been prepping for the homecoming dance for weeks. Together, she and Isa flipped through magazines, cutting out their favorite looks, and went shopping almost nonstop. Mandy’s date had been secured since her summer romance transitioned to the fall, so when Justin Reyes asked Isa to go, Mandy was extra excited to be double-dating.

And because Mandy was excited—this being their sophomore homecoming and their first with dates—her mother paid for the girls to get their hair done for the special event in exchange for pictures. There would be lots and lots of pictures taken, but it was totally worth it. Mom had also offered to have their makeup done, but Mandy insisted on doing it herself.

Isa stood in front of the mirror in her sapphire silk dress that kissed the tops of her knees. Her dark brown hair was wrapped in an elegant French twist with a few ringlets that hung down and framed her face. She looked absolutely stunning.

“Justin is going to die when he sees you,” Mandy said as she sat down to lace up her new Vans. She had decided she wouldnotbe subjected to uncomfortably standing in heels all night. She did that for Dad’s work parties—per Mom’s request—and she was not about to have her feet crammed into wedges, her toes all pinched together, and then have to deal with theinevitable blisters that followed. So tonight, she was going to do thingsherway—even if her mother didn’t approve. Sure, she’d probably look extra short next to Isa with her tall frame and high heels, but Mandy didn’t care. She wanted to be comfortable. Even her dress—a two-piece that showed her midsection—was made of a soft jersey material, in a shade of green that complemented Mandy’s pale peach skin tone.

Isa blushed. “He’s okay, I guess.”

“You’re just nervous.” Mandy reached over and turned the music up louder. “Come on, let’s dance it out.” She grabbed Isa’s hands and started pulling her arms back and forth until they were both in the middle of Mandy’s bedroom, spinning around and throwing their arms in the air.

This had always been their thing. When times got tough, when one of them was upset about this or that, or when they argued over something ridiculous, they would stop and dance like no one was watching. Sometimes they’d even create routines to their favorite songs. Tonight though, with Gwen Stefani’s vocals rattling through Mandy’s speakers, they just shook it all loose.

“We’re going to have so much fun tonight, no matter what,” Mandy yelled over the thumping rhythm.

Mandy had crushed on a number of people, but Isa had never really been interested in anyone—except for a comment about a celebrity here or there, but that didn’t count. “Focused on more important things,” Isa’s mom called it. “A late bloomer,” was what Mandy’s mom had said. So the simple fact Isa agreed to this date in the first place was a step toward finding her true love; Mandy was sure of it. Or at least it was a way for Isa to not be a third wheel whenever Mandy and V went out. Not thatMandy minded, but she was afraid that Isa might. And no matter whom Mandy dated, they had to know she was a package deal with her best friend. She may have been in love, but she loved her best friend just as much, so no way would she ever leave Isa behind.

When the song ended and the next one came on, Mandy turned the music down, flopping back onto her bed breathless, and Isa collapsed next to her.

There was a knock, and the bedroom door cracked open with Mom’s petite frame sliding into view. “Girls, pictures downstairs in five.” She waved her special digital camera with the fancy lens at them and was dressed for the occasion even though she wasn’t going to the dance—but when wasn’t Mom camera ready? Her blonde hair was swept up away from her face, and her pencil skirt and blouse were perfectly pressed. It was rare her mother ever dressed down. Mandy didn’t think she even owned a pair of jeans.

Mandy pushed herself up on her elbows. “We’re almost ready.”

“Are you sure you don’t want me to whip you girls up a snack before you head out?” Mom asked. “I have those little bagel pizza things.” Mandy’s mom wasn’t exactly known for her culinary skills, although they would probably be safe with something that came from the freezer as long as she set a timer—and actually listened for it.

Mandy and Isa exchanged a glance, having a conversation with just their eyes. Their group of friends wanted to meet up for food before the dance, but Isa felt weird about the whole thing. Mandy agreed, so they had picked up something at the mall when they got their hair done earlier and were just going tomeet up with all their friends at the dance. Afterward if they were hungry, they would grab something from a drive-thru. “No, we’re good.”

Mom stood for a moment and really seemed to be studying Mandy. “That doesn’t look like the same dress you showed me before.” She was right, it wasn’t the same dress, because Mandy knew her mom wouldn’t approve, so she had showed her something similar—the same color and length but not jersey, and definitely not two pieces.

“Well, it is.” Mandy shrugged.

Mom narrowed her eyes. “I guess those shoes you wore to Dad’s holiday party last year will work.”

“Nope. I’m all good.” Luckily, she was on the far end of the bed with her feet on the ground, so Mom couldn’t see she had already put her shoes on. Mandy had been kind of hoping Mom wouldn’t notice them at all, but that was wishful thinking. Mom always noticed everything.

“I don’t want to know what that means, do I?” Mom asked.

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