Page 109 of Indiscretion

“It’snotwhat I want. I want to go withyou.”

“I’m sorry, Allie.”

“Whatever.” I pictured her rolling her eyes. “I have to go.”

“Alright.”

“Bye.”

“Wait…”

“What?”

“Can you do me a favor and not mention to Bailey that we were supposed to go together? I don’t want her to feel bad that I changed my plans for her.”

“I’m glad you’re concerned aboutherfeeling bad. Because you obviously don’t care howIfeel.”

“Idocare, Allie. But…she’s really sick.”

“There’snothinggoing on between you two? You guys have never fooled around?”

“Never. It’s not like that. She’s my best friend.”

“Whatever. I gotta go. I really don’t feel so well now. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

The line went dead before I could say goodbye.That went well.

***

Two weeks later, I walked over to Bailey’s house wearing a suit. My mom came with me, holding her camera. Mrs. Anderson answered the door with a big smile. “Don’t you look handsome, Dawson.”

“Thanks.”

Mom beamed. “He looks so grown up, doesn’t he?”

Mrs. Anderson stepped aside for us to enter. “I know. I’ve already cried twice looking at Bailey in her dress. She looks like a woman. Come on in. She’s just finishing getting ready.”

A few minutes later, Bailey came down the stairs. I felt my eyes widen.

“Wow. You look…” It felt weird to sayhotto Bailey. But that’s what I’d been about to say. I cleared my throat. “Pretty. You look really pretty.”

Bailey had on a teal dress that clung to her curves. The only thing I’d ever seen her wear was leggings, T-shirts, sweatshirts, and shorts in the summer. And none of those made her look likethat.She touched her normally short hair. “I have extensions in.”

I hadn’t even noticed that part of her body yet. I’d sort of gotten stuck on other places. “Oh. They look good.”

She eyed the corsage in my hand, and her eyes lit up. “Oh my God. You really got me a black rose?”

“That’s what you said you wanted.”

“I tried to talk him out of it.” My mom frowned.

Mrs. Anderson came over and started fussing with Bailey’s dress. “Now, you know what to do in an emergency, right, Dawson? You call nine-one-one first, then get a teacher and call me.”

I opened my mouth to answer, but she spoke again, “And do you remember her primary oncologist’s name?”

“Dr. Benton.”

“Is my phone number saved in your phone?”

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