Page 21 of The Year I was Almost Prom Queen

Chapter Six

Henry Cho won’t be having a party at his house again anytime soon. His mom flipped out when she saw the blood and Coke on her nice, white carpet. I mean, who has white carpet with kids? The party came to a screeching halt after that.

“What happened?” Dylan asked.

I didn’t see my brother or Tessa all night. But the minute we’re kicked out of the party, they appear outside, beside his car.

Jaron explains what he walked in on. He then has to put my brother in a body block to prevent him from going back inside and doing more damage.

I sit on the curb with my head resting on my folded arms. Tessa sits beside me and puts an arm over my shoulder. “I’m so sorry,” she whispers. “I thought I was helping.”

I glance up at her through blurred eyes. “What?”

“After the whole puking thing, and then the other girls were mean to you about being nominated, I put those pictures online to try and help you find a date. I’m sorry it’s caused you problems.” Tessa lays her head on my shoulder. “I was just trying to help,” she says again, in a small voice.

So, Tessa was the culprit. And she wasn’t doing it to make fun of me. Though her wording could have been a little better.

Jaron comes over and sits on my other side. “Can I take you home?” he asks. His voice is calm and smooth. Not a hint of menace left.

I look up at Dylan. “Tessa and I are going to get some shakes. You can come with us,” he says. I can tell by the sincerity in his voice that he actually means it.

“I think I’d rather just go home,” I say to Jaron. He grips my elbow and helps pull me to my feet. We both wave to Dylanand Tessa. Then Jaron puts his hand on the small of my back and guides me down the street to where he parked.

“Are you okay?” he asks again, once we’re safely inside his car. I sniffle and nod my head. As I do, the tears begin spilling down my cheeks. I’m shaking and I can’t make it stop. Jaron scoots over and pulls me into his arms. I lay my head back against his warm chest and he just holds me. Neither of us speak as I let my emotions from the last couple days pour out. He strokes my hair until the last tear falls.

I can feel Jaron’s heart racing beneath my cheek. His warm breath blows the hairs on top of my head and sends a shiver down my arms. I don’t know how long we stay like that. Not saying a word, and him just holding me.

When I feel like I finally have my emotions in check, I sit up and look around. The cars around the party house are all gone. The only light is coming from a streetlamp up the road. I have no idea how long we’ve been here.

“Why are you being nice to me?” I ask. I can’t help it. I just spent a long while in his arms, yet I can’t bring myself to look Jaron in the eyes.

“I don’t know what you mean?” Jaron asks.

“I mean…it’s just that we’ve never really talked at school or anything. Then you suddenly asked me to prom and then rescued me tonight.” I know I’m blushing as I ask my questions. I can feel it in my cheeks. “What changed?”

“You did,” Jaron says.

I finally turn and look him in the face. “Me?”

He smiles, “Yes, you. You’ve always had this demeanor at school that you want to be left alone. You never came to any activities or sports. I figured you were too good for me. Then after you got the prom queen nomination and posted those pictures online asking for a date, I figured now was my chance.”

My brain is swimming with information. He thought I was too good for him? Doesn’t he know it’s the other way around? I can’t even believe what I’m hearing. “But you’re on the baseball team,” I say quietly.

“So?”

“Don’t the baseball players get their pick of girls? I’m pretty sure you could take anyone to the dance and she’d be thrilled.”

“You’re the girl I pick,” he says, his voice low and husky.

If I wasn’t blushing before, I know I am now. My face is searing with heat.

Jaron turns in his chair and buckles his seatbelt. “I better get you home,” he says. “If Dylan makes it before you do, Coach might freak.” He starts the car and pulls away from the curb.

“I think my parents would have a party if I came home late. They’re always trying to get me to go out more.”

“Why don’t you?” he asks.

I shrug. “I’m shy. It’s not really my thing. It’s hard for me to be in big groups. I do better when I’m just one-on-one with someone else.”

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