Page 44 of Part of Forever
“Glitter never stops spreading. There’s always more than you think,” I say, resting my head on his shoulder. Tucker tugs on my hand.
“Glitter is weird,” he replies. “Let’s get you to the dance.”
19
The Valentine’s Danceis held in the school gym, which usually smells like sweat, but my breath catches when we walk through the doors. It smells clean, and the decorations are stunning.
“You wouldn’t even know that just yesterday people were playing basketball in here,” Grace says, the awe in her voice matching what I feel.
The parent volunteers who decorate really went all out this year. There are several round tables surrounding the open dance floor, covered with silver tablecloths, and there are red paper hearts everywhere. In the middle of the dance floor, a disco ball shines down, reflecting the splashes of silver throughout the room. Nearly every wall is covered with black and white cloth hanging from the ceiling.
“Are you sure we’re not in a tent?” I ask, only half-joking.
“It’s still the gym,” Tucker says, pointing above us. “There’s the basketball hoop.” The rest of us look up, but even the hoop has been covered with the same billowing fabric that covers the walls.
“Well, I can see why people love this dance,” I say. I’m still sore and a little weak from my surgery, but I won’t let that ruin mynight. Everything looks amazing, and I’m here with Tucker. I couldn’t ask for anything better.
We spend the next couple of hours dancing. Tucker always seems to have an arm around me, holding me close, even during the fast songs. Not that I can really dance to those anyway.
“This is perfect,” I whisper to him as another slow song starts. He smiles and presses a kiss against my forehead.
When a new songstarts playing, I move away from Tucker, eyes widening as I take him in.
“Oh my gosh.” There is glitter on every part of his suit.
“I don’t even want to look.” He groans and his eyes don’t leave my face, but I can’t look away from his black jacket, which is covered in glitter. As are our hands, faces, hair, and basically anything we’ve touched. The glitter has definitely multiplied, because my dress looks exactly the same as it did when I put it on.
“That’s probably a good idea,” I say as he starts jumping to the beat. I give a little bounce, but wince in pain.
“Water break?” he asks, and I nod. We make our way to the table covered with cookies, punch, and water. He grabs both of us a cup of water and leads me to the chairs that line the wall.
We’re not the only ones sitting out. The dance has been going for two hours now, and I’m glad I’m not the only one who’s feeling tired. I’m actually feeling better than I expected—a tiny miracle.
“So, has this been the dance of your dreams?” he asks.
“I don’t know if I ever really dreamed about dances like this, not in the same way that Grace did. But she is the one who loves all the princess movies.” I give his hand three squeezes. “It has been perfect, though.”
“I’m glad.” He squeezes my hand back when Missy and Amber appear in front of us.
“You shouldn’t be with her,” Missy says, jerking her head toward me. Tucker’s fingers tighten around mine. “You should still be with Amber. Or even me, but I don’t like you. Amber does, though.” Our heads all swing to Amber, who’s bright pink.
Tucker coughs. “Um.”
“She’s just a selfish brat, you should be with someone who isn’t so self-obsessed,” Missy says loudly, and several people look in our direction. It’s clear the punch was spiked and she’s had a little too much to drink, judging by the way she sways on her feet—but her words still sting. I’m not self-obsessed—she doesn’t even know me, how could she say that?
“Let’s go, Missy.” Amber tugs at her arm, but Missy ignores her.
“You deserve to be with a girl who cares about someone other than herself,” Missy says as Amber pulls her away and mouths, ‘I’m sorry,’ to us. But the damage is done.
He deserves to be with someone who isn’t selfish.
He deserves to be with someone who isn’t self-obsessed.
He deserves to be with someone who isn’t a liar.
The words bounce around in my head, the last one making me freeze. Missy didn’t say that, but I am a liar. I’ve been pretending everything is fine and not telling him the truth when I should have. I glance at Tucker. He deserves someone better than me.
“No,” he starts, knowing exactly what’s going on in my head. “Rosie, no.”
