Page 269 of Something Rad
“One more time for good measure,” I call to Robbie over my shoulder.
I spin around as soon as I reach the end, dashing back just the way I came, making my skid to a stop even more dramatic this time, a chuckle bursting out of me as Robbie has to stick an arm out to help steady me.
I sigh as I catch my breath, bending down to slip my heels back on.
“And now we can go back to the dance.”
* * *
Robbie and I won Prom King and Queen.
And, even though I already lived through the shock of winning Homecoming Queen, this time around didn’t feel any less surreal. I felt on top of the world hearing my name called after Robbie’s, hearing the entire gym burst into applause and walking on shaky legs up to the stage to get my crown. It’s a feeling I never want to let go of. A feeling I don’t think I’ll ever have to as long as I have Robbie. He just has this way of making me feel infinite. And it just makes me love him more by the minute.
As Robbie and I are descending the stage, he stops us, leaning it to whisper in my ear that he’ll be right back, that he’ll meet me on the dance floor for our dance in just a second. I give him a hesitant nod, agreeing. As he jogs his way back up the steps and over to the frontman of the band, I catch sight of Alice standing just to my side.
“Oh, hey,” I say, reaching up and fidgeting with my crown.
I feel like I’ve greeted her exclusively with anohfor the last several weeks, and I hate it. But I also can’t help it. Things are weird between us. Strained. Ever since her weird come-to-Jesus moment with me, I’ve felt like I don’t know how to talk to her anymore. Probably because I refuse to admit anything she said was right and because she refuses to take any of it back.
Alice smiles tightly at me. Another thing I’ve grown to resent, because Alice’s smiles arenevertight. “Another one to add to the collection, I guess,” she says, motioning up towards my crown.
I attempt a laugh. “I guess. Kinda weird, isn’t it?”
She shrugs. “Not really.”
I swallow, glancing back to where Robbie is finishing up saying whatever he needed to say to the singer.
“Are you happy?” Alice asks.
“What?” I ask, turning back towards her.
“Are you happy?” she repeats, taking a step towards me. “Tonight? With him?”
“I am,” I answer instantly.
I watch Alice’s eyes trail over my shoulder, and when I follow her gaze, I find my spine straightening.
Robbie has made a stop on his way back from his conversation. Standing behind a little half curtain on the side of the stage, he’s totally concealed from anyone looking at the stage from head-on, but from where we are watching from the side of the stage, we have the perfect view of him throwing back his flask, taking another long drink.
My head tilts as I watch him, concern prickling in the back of my mind. I clear my throat, forcing the feeling away as I turn back to Alice. When I meet her eyes, her face is surprisingly not showing any judgment. In fact, I’d say it’s showing the opposite. She almost looks resigned. Impassive.
“I really am,” I insist. “I’m always happy when I’m with him.”
Alice’s lips roll together as she nods. “Well, I guess that’s all that matters.” She steps closer, running her hand down my arm. “Have a good night, Sara.”
I blink as I watch Alice walk away. I think I would have traced her entire path to find Daniel, but Robbie’s voice in my ear and hand on my waist distract me.
“We’re up, Cooper. Ready?” he asks.
“As I’ll ever be,” I nod, leaning into him as he takes my hand.
Robbie leads us to the spotlight waiting for us in the middle of the dance floor.
“Let’s give it up for your 1988 Prom King and Queen!” the lead singer of the band calls out from the mic, earning a round of cheers from the crowd. “Now, for the lovely couple’s dance, we have a very special request from the King himself. Haven’t played this one in awhile, so if everybody could please show it some love.”
I look at Robbie, my brows raised in confusion as he lifts my hands, wrapping my arms around his neck. I don’t get to question him further, because the moment his hands land on my waist and the band starts playing, I instantly recognize the song.
Sara Smileby Hall & Oates.
