Page 1 of Perfect Mess

Prologue

It was Janet’s idea to go. We wore fancy dresses, got our makeup and hair done. Ralph even bought corsages. Janet said, if we didn’t do it right, we’d regret it. Janet said we’d remember that night for the rest of our lives.

She wasn’t wrong.

I was only seventeen. Algebra was brain torture invented by evil scientists. Every night before bed, I played whack-a-mole with a tube of Clearasil. Dad called me beautiful, but none of the boys agreed.

It was the end of the night. Colored lights danced across the ceiling. The DJ brought things down a notch, a slow song, one everyone knew. Couples drifted to the dance floor. I didn’t want to dance, I was fine just standing there alone.

Jack moved like a shark in dark waters. I didn’t see him until it was too late. I wondered why he looked at me. Jack Thompson was a god. I was less than nothing.

His wavy blonde mane held his crown. When I met his eyes, they were full of secrets. “I brought you something.” He pulled another crown from behind his back. “For the queen.” Jack offered his hand like a prince at the royal ball. “Will you dance with me?”

Logic and reason deserted me.So young. So stupid.That was the last time I let my heart rule my head.

We danced, and the world stopped. Time was unfathomable and intangible. Like algebra. At some point, Jack pulled me closer, his hands pressed against my back.

When the music stopped, I realized a crowd had gathered. They were cheering, cheering for me! I swam in a sea of adulation, a rock star everyone adored.

“Come on, Mary,” Janet came out of nowhere, snatched my hand.

“Janet?” I didn’t understand.

“We have to go.” Her eyes blazed but her voice trembled.

A voice cried out, “Long live the queen!”

“Now!” Janet yanked me through the mob as Ralph cleared the way.

More voices joined the first one, “Long live the queen! Long live the queen!”

Janet dragged me after her. Where? Why? I didn’t know.

“Everything’s going to be okay,” she said.What are you talking about?

The chant spread through the room like a virus, “Long live the queen! Long live the queen!” Giddy gawkers pressed in from all sides.

“Where are you taking me?” I snatched my hand back.

Janet’s eyes begged me. “Anywhere but here.”But I like it here!

As Janet pulled me after her, the faces took shape. Like looking through a camera lens twisted into focus. The people surrounding me weren’t cheering, they were laughing. Those weren’t smiles, those were sneers.

Janet grabbed my hand back, and this time, I let her whisk me away.

Ralph ushered us into the bathroom. We stopped in front of the mirror, where Janet ripped the crown off my head. Ralph tore away something taped to my back.

“Ralph? Janet?” Nothing made any sense.

Ralph held up a paper sign, the thing taped behind me.

Queen of the Geeks

“I sawAshley give it to him,” said Ralph.

“Jack put it on you.” Janet spewed impossibilities.

“He wouldn’t have.” I tried to replay it back, but everything was a blur. “He couldn’t have.”

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