Page 97 of It's in the Contract
“Hey.” Suzy gives me a small smile, which gives me just a tiny bit of hope.
“You look beautiful.”
“You too,” Suzy says.
Mateo closes the door, and we head to the dance.
Music blazesin the high school gym, and my mood improves somewhat. Strings of fairy lights are hung in loops across the ceiling, leading to a mass of green and gold balloons in the center. I’m hit with a blast of smells, clean sweat and sweet perfume. The warmth of the room is welcome after the chill of the night air. The mass of dancing, singing, and laughing students lifts my spirits. Maybe this will still be fun.
Dana looks at Troy and screams, and she drags him into the fray.
“Catch up with you guys later!” Troy calls.
Chelsea and Nicole notice that we’ve arrived, and they point and scream. Instantly, a bunch of girls swarm us, complimenting our dresses and hair. Mateo stays toward the edge of the group, bobbing his head with the music. The song playing finishes, and Butter by BTS comes on over the speakers. I squeal.
My eyes automatically search for Suzy, and when they land on her, I can’t help but smile. I’m so relieved when she smiles back that I think I could melt into a puddle.
Suzy is a dorky dancer. She’s an amazing cheerleader, and when someone choreographs the moves for her, she can dance like Rihanna. But when it’s unchoreographed, she is an awkward, gangly, sight to behold. I love it.
Suzy comes dancing over to me, doing the sprinkler of all things, and she whacks Dave in the back of the head, but he doesn’t seem to notice. We dance and sing along to all the words, even the Korean ones, me copying her strange moves and thengiggling to myself when people around us start copying me. The song ends, and I’m breathless. I don’t know where Mateo ended up; the crowd carried him somewhere.
“Do you want to sit?” Suzy asks.
“Yes, please.”
We glide across the dance floor and take a seat at the chairs arranged around the walls of the gym. There’s a table covered in a lacy tablecloth to our right, and a few girls sip soda or grab mints from a glass bowl. I tentatively reach out and put a hand on top of Suzy’s.
“Suze, I’m so, so sorry.”
“No.” Suzy squeezes my hand. “I’m the one who’s sorry.”
I look at her, surprised. I open my mouth, but Suzy holds up a hand.
“I was mad. You messed up.”
“I did.” I’m not even phased, I’m just relieved. “I know. I messed up so bad. I trust you with everything, I don’t know why I didn’t trust you with this. And I’m really,reallysorry I missed your tournament. I would’ve loved to be there cheering you on.”
Suzy smiles, and the veneer of ice she’s been wearing for the past few weeks melts away. “I’m sorry I didn’t give you a chance to explain, and I’m sorry I’ve been avoiding you. From now on, we tell each other everything.”
I grin. “Everything. I don’t even need boys. I just need my best friend.”
Suzy beams, and I pull her in for a hug.
“So . . . did you ever confront Brielle about dropping you?” Suzy pulls away.
“She didn’t admit to anything, but . . .”
“We both know she did that on purpose.”
I lean back in the chair. “I could’ve been out for the season, and I was lucky that my head injury wasn’t worse.”
Suzy growls. “We’ve done everything we can to get you that spot on the podium. It’s going to work.”
Suzy goes on, reassuring me that our night will be a success, but I don’t hear. I want to listen. I’m grateful that we’re talking, but I see him.
Zeke stands in the middle of the dance floor, hands in his pockets, a bubble of space around him. People dance, jumping and screaming, but he is still. He looks like he’s waiting for something. Me?
Zeke’s eyes meet mine, and it makes my breath catch in my throat. He’s so good looking. How did it take me so long to see it? Broad shoulders strain against his tux, and he’s wearing a navy blue tie. It matches my dress perfectly. Did he do that on purpose?
