Page 129 of Something Rad
Luckily, I’m able to force my eyes away from Denise as we find Alice and Daniel over by the food table. We spend a few minutes catching up with them before Alice drags me onto the dance floor when her favorite Whitney Houston song comes on.
As the song starts to fade out, we begin making our way back to the guys. I don’t ever make it off the dance floor, however, becauseSeparate Waysby Journey starts playing, and Robbie doesn’t hesitate for a single second, practically throwing me over his shoulder to force me back onto the dance floor. He refuses to wipe the smug smile off his face as my stream of complaints eventually gets lots in giggles and I finally have to give in and dance along with him to the song that’s been stuck in my head for a full week now.
“Ready to admit defeat yet, Cooper?” Robbie asks me over the music as we bounce around on the dance floor.
“To you? Never,” I shake my head. “But what exactly are we talking about?”
“That you were wrong and Journey totally rocks.”
My mouth falls open. “I never said theydidn’trock.”
“Maybe not exactly,” Robbie says, narrowing his eyes at me, “but you did try to change the station when they came on in my car.”
“I did,” I agree.
“Which is deeply offensive on so many levels.”
I follow Robbie’s lead, taking his hand as he spins me around. “I understand that now.”
“Good,” Robbie nods. “Just glad that we can keep the status quo.”
“The status quo?” I question him, my brows pulling together.
“That I’m always right,” Robbie grins, stating it like it’s a fact.
I bark out a laugh. “That’s comical.”
“When have I ever been wrong, Cooper?”
“Hold on, do you have a pen and paper?” I ask. “I need to make a list.”
“Hilarious,” he sneers. “Just admit it. I’m always right.”
I look up at him, my lips pulling up at the corners. “Fine, I’ll admit it.” Robbie starts to slowly raise his fist in the air in success, but I cut him off, placing a hand on his chest. “On one condition.”
“What’s that, Cooper?” he asks.
“I get to keep the cassette.”
Robbie’s tongue pushes into the side of his cheek. “Not a chance in hell.”
“Then I guess you’re not always right.” I give him a self-satisfied grin.
Robbie tilts his head at me, studying me. “You know what, Cooper–”
“Can I have everyone’s attention please?”
The music cuts off abruptly, and Robbie and I both jolt away from one another, not realizing how close we had gotten until the lights in the gym suddenly turned back up. Our eyes stay on each other for one more long second before we both spin forward to face the stage where Principal Whileyman is currently standing.
“Now, I see you all are having a great time tonight,” he says into the microphone in his hand. “Is that right?” Cheers sound from all over the gym in response. “Great, great, we love to see that,” Principal Whileyman continues. “I don’t want to hold you too long, but we’re getting late into the evening, so it’s about time we announce our Homecoming King and Queen!”
Everyone erupts into more claps and whistles as the blood drains from my face.Why had I completely forgotten about this part of Homecoming?I glance shakily behind me, realizing I walked right past the table set up for people to cast their votes when we walked in.
“Now, I know the anticipation is killing all of you, so let’s just get to it!” Principal Whileyman says.
More applause sounds. I swallow hard, my mouth suddenly feeling bone dry.
“Your Homecoming King and Queen for 1987 are…”
