Page 205 of Something Rad
“Don’t even think about saying it,” I cut her off.
“Well, regardless,” Alice continues, “no matter who your arch-nemesis is, I would think the best thing you could possibly do is show them how unbothered you are by them. Show them how much fun you’re having and how little you’re thinking about them.”
I blow out a steady breath, letting my eyes fall shut. I refuse to think into what she’s saying, much less respond to it. Mostly because I know she’s right.
“What’s your next excuse not to go?” Alice asks.
I open my eyes again, looking at her. “Well, Paul…” I groan.
“What about him?” she asks.
“Well, if you’re forgetting, we kind of made out once.”
“Right,” she nods, waiting for me to elaborate. When I don’t, she suggests, “You could…do that again?”
“Alice!” I bark out a laugh.
“What?” she questions me, feigning innocence.
“Absolutely not. No thank you.”
“It was just a suggestion,” she shrugs. “He’s hot, and you only have a couple more months to make dumb decisions before graduation.”
“I think I’m good with passing onthatparticular dumb decision,” I assure her.
“Fine,” she says. “But what about the dumb decision of going to the party at all?” She wiggles her brows at me, an impish grin on her face.
I let out a heavy sigh. “If I say we can go, will you not make me go out the rest of the school year?”
Alice thinks about my offer for a moment, then holds out her hand to shake. “You’re coming to Prom, but otherwise, deal.”
“Prom?”
“Yes. And it’s not up for discussion,” she states. “But, if you go to Jesse’s party with me tonight, I won’t otherwise force you to socialize in public for the rest of the school year.”
I chew on my bottom lip, my gaze flashing between Alice’s hand and her face. “This is a horrible idea,” I say.
“Which is why it’s a great idea,” she insists. When I don’t respond for a few moments, she adds, “Sara, you need this. Come on.”
I blow out a breath, shaking her hand before I can think about it any further. “Fine.”
“Great. Now give me your keys.” Alice holds out her hand.
“For what?”
“This place closes in half an hour,” Alice grins. “I’m running to your house to grab you a change of clothes and leave a note for your mom that you’ll be home late and then will be back here to pick you up.”
I glance down at my jeans and striped sweater. “What’s wrong with the clothes I’m wearing?”
“Sara, remember that talk we had.”
“Which one?”
“About your glow.”
My face falls.
“You haven’t glowed in a while. And you’re certainly not going to in those old things.”
