Page 48 of Anytime I Want

Ginger raises an eyebrow at me, an evil smirk on her lips. “Really? He asked you?”

“Well, no, but he’s going to. I think.” I hate that I let this doubt bleed in again. I take a deep breath and brace myself.Just trust him, J. He likes you. You like him. He hasn’t asked about the dance yet, but it's still a month away. He has time. And if it gets close, I’ll ask him.

“Ginger, why are you acting this way?” Mabel asks. “You are better than this. Do not ask out another girl's boyfriend! I've said it before and I’ll say it again, find someone who likes you for you. Why would you want someone who wants someone else? You are amazing and have so much to offer.”

I stand abruptly, desperately wanting to be anywhere but here. “Thank you for your time, Mabel. I’ll come back later this week to find a song.” I check my pockets to make sure I have my earbuds and start toward the door. As soon as I get outside, I start to run, but I hear Mabel calling my name. I turn and see her standing on her driveway, waving a sheet of paper.

“Julia! Take this one! I want you to sing it.”

I slowly walk towards her. “Are you sure, Mabel? Ginger seemed to want it.”

“Oh, pish. That girl always wants what other people have. This wouldn’t be a good song for her. I’ll find something better for her. Take it.” She pushes the paper into my hands, and I decide to take it graciously. It doesn’t mean I will sing it, but I need to get out of here. Mabel pulls me into a hug. I let myself relax into her arms.

“Now, Ginger is a lovely girl. I love her dearly. She has a lot of skills and gifts, but don’t let her make you doubt what you know or take what's yours. Fight for what you want. You are also a lovely girl with a lot of skills and gifts. Never forget that,” Mabel whispers before giving me a final squeeze and shuffling back to her house. I run past Ginger’s dad, waving awkwardly before pulling out my phone to text Chloe.

Julia

Chloe. Ginger is going to ask Graham to the Winter Formal. I have to ask him first. Help me?

Chloe responds almost immediately.

Chloe

Absolutely.

Chapter 26

Graham

Nathan, Chloe, and I huddle around the island at the Pritchetts' house, staring at The List, trying to come up with a good idea for what I should do next.

“Front row at her performance. I’ll be at the Cactus Hills variety show. And I am going to sign up to help out at the talent show with her. Maybe there’s something there? Could I do a big dance-posal at either show?”

“Seriously? How long have you known her? You want her to sing and then hit her with a big attention-grabbing ask? Yeah, no. She’ll hate that. Also, dance-posal?” Nathan says.

I throw my hands in the air. “That’s the problem! She’ll hate all big asks. They are big public spectacles! I don’t understand why it’s on her list. And yes. Dance-posal. That’s what they’re called. Keep up, Nate.” Chloe snorts in laughter, and Nathan rolls his eyes.

“Why?” Aunty Theresa says from behind us.

“Gosh! Mrs P., you’re a ninja!” Chloe exclaims, holding her chest. “You scared me so badly!”

Nathan rolls his eyes at her and looks at his mom. “What do you mean, why?”

“Why does it have to be in public? Why not do something private but still big? Like, turn her room into an island paradise with a volcano, and say I’d lava if you came to the dance with me? See—big, spectacular, private. Exactly what Julia would love.” Aunty Theresa shrugs before opening the fridge and pulling ingredients out for dinner. I look back at the list, my mind whirling.

“Uh-oh. J just texted. Apparently, Ginger is going to ask you to the formal. We gotta get moving on this.” Chloe sets her phone down and leans closer to the list.

“The words don’t change just because you get closer,” Nathan says.

“Are you sure? Try it. Get closer,” Chloe taunts. Nathan rolls his eyes, again, but otherwise ignores her.

“I got it! I’m going to need all of your help though! Including you, Aunty T. I need a sheet of paper. Let's take notes.” Aunty Theresa grabs me a pad of paper and a pen from a drawer. In big, block letters across the top of the page, I write PROJECT CASTLE. Chloe, Nathan, and Aunty T all smile big and nod enthusiastically.

“I’m ready! What do you need?” Aunty T rubs her hands together, apparently forgetting about dinner entirely.

“First, we need someone to distract Julia.” I rub my hands together, too, channeling Aunty T’s excitement.

“I’ll do it. We need to make a plan to stop Ginger anyways.” Chloe grabs her phone and heads toward the door.

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