Page 29 of Daniel
Sitting at the edge of the lounge area, I looked through a row of tall potted plants to see Lila and Sandra checking their phones. They were only four feet away, but didn’t seem to notice me.
“The ball was really fun this year,” Sandra said, smoothing back her glossy black hair.
Lila was wearing a deep rose sweater that set off her blonde hair, which was a bit darker than usual. I noticed that she had toned down her makeup a bit today as well.
“Yeah, and most of the photos are great,” Lila said, scrolling away.
Then she sighed. “Except for this one.” She held out her phone to Sandra. “Check it out. Poor Prairie looks so out of place beside those slim girls.”
“Well, Daniel certainly seems to like her,” Sandra said. “He can’t keep his hands off her.”
“He’s probably just making a point,” Lila said. “His brothers suddenly found girlfriends, so Daniel couldn’t go to the ball alone. He had to find a date immediately. No wonder he was so frantic to meet the new girl in town.”
My heart sank. I had always looked up to Lila like a big sister. We got along so well as kids, but now I didn’t know whether she was trying to look out for me, or whether she simply spoke the truth.
I glanced to the left to see Daniel next in line at the concession stand, then my head snapped to the right to see my mother leaving.
I raced over to join her. “Can I get a ride home with you?”
She seemed surprised. “Sure. Your dad is just finishing up a conversation. He’ll be here in a minute.”
I walked around to the other side of the truck to send a text.
Me:I’m really tired, so I’m just going to get a ride home with my parents. Thanks for a great evening.
Ten seconds after I sent the text, my phone rang. “Prairie, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” I couldn’t stand lying to him, but I was on the verge of tears. “I’m probably just tired from moving, and all of this Christmas stuff. I think I really need a good night’s sleep.”
“Can I at least say good night to you?”
“We can say good night over the phone,” I said. “I’ll text you when I get home. Goodbye.”
As I hung up, I realized that I’d never been so rude in my life. But it was better than attempting to explain that it was for his own good. He needed to be with a girl who was perfect. Somebody who didn’t look ridiculous in a photo with him on the town website.
Somebody far more proper and appropriate than I would ever be.
And now I was going to have to find a way to officially break up with the most gorgeous, sweet, caring man I’d ever met, before anyone thought less of him.
19
DANIEL
My eyes could barely blink. My fingers could barely work to put the phone away. I felt sick.
What did I do wrong? Could I have said or done something that offended Prairie? Maybe all those years of not dating had made me awkward, and I didn’t even know it.
Please, please,I muttered internally.Let this be fixable. I cannot lose her.
Setting down my untouched hot chocolate, I walked toward Prairie’s cousin Lila. She had been increasingly friendly with me over the past few years, so maybe she knew something.
As I approached, Lila and Sandra were laughing while pointing at a phone.
“Look at how tiny Robin and Sierra are next to her,” Lila tittered. “Prairie would have to lose at least twenty pounds to even be considered as a bridesmaid at their weddings someday.”
“Such a shame,” Sandra said. “She has such a pretty face.”
Lila stiffened, as if that comment hurt her. She was nowhere near as pretty as my Prairie, no matter how carefully she did her elaborate makeup.
