“Ohhh, this one is so pretty,” Corrine says with a longing sigh. She’s holding up a long, pink frilly concoction that looks horrible with her dishwater hair and ruddy skin tone.
“Try it on,” I say. If it makes her happy, why not?
“Are you going to try on anything?” she asks.
“Mmm…dunno. Maybe, if I see something I really like,” I say, though I have zero intention of playing dress up. I just want Corrine to have some fun.
I wander through the racks of beads and satin, fingering several gowns. For a brief flash I imagine myself wearing one at a formal dance with Kieron. This one…the silver and rhinestone silky one. I hold the delicate fabric up to my body for a moment before returning it to the rack. Like that would ever happen. Ever. Unless, of course, schools start holding dances at noon. Why bother even fantasizing?
“So, what do you think?” Corrine asks hopefully as she emerges in the hideous pink dress. Its tight fit hugs her ample figure unforgivingly, but she spins around like a supermodel.
I smile at her. “You totally rock it.”
She sighs, looking at the price tag. “I mean, I know I can never buy something like this, and where would I even wear it? It’s not like I’ll ever have a date to the dance. No one’s ever asked me to a dance,” she mumbles, the corners of her mouth turning down.
My heart goes out to her. Funny how I’ve never thought of Corrine and me being in the same boat before.
“School dances are totally lame anyways,” I say, trying to cheer her up. “I’m never going to one, either.”
Corrine admires herself in the three-way mirror, and I catch the salesgirl eyeing us disapprovingly. “Yeah, but that’s your own choice. I’m sure guys would ask you if you’d put your guard down, ever. And what about Kieron? I’ve seen how he looks at you. I bet he’ll ask you if you’re nice to him.”
Just hearing his name makes my chest feel fuller. Corrine returns to the dressing room to change and I follow, leaning by the door. “I don’t think he’ll ask me. But even if he does, I can’t go.”
“Why not?”
“Because you know I can’t leave my grandma—”
“No, I mean why don’t you think he’ll ask you? I haven’t really noticed him even talking to anyone but you. Whenever you guys are by each other, you just look so, I dunno…right together. Like you match or something. It seems logical he’d ask you.” She doesn’t sound even the tiniest bit jealous or bothered by her observation. Considering how gaga she was over him, this seems like a pretty quick recovery.
“Kieron and I are just friends,” I say.
She chuckles from the other side of the door. “Sure. He was reading you poetry and took you on a romantic fishing trip? Trust me, he’s interested in being more than just friends.”
Earlier when Corrine had asked what I’d done with my time off from school, I’d given her the cliff-notes version of my time with Kieron. But I didn’t tell her that he’d only pretended to need my help with his homework. I still wanted her to think that’s why we were hanging out.
“It doesn’t bother you that he might like me?”
“No, of course not. I mean, if you do hook up, of course I’d be totally jealous ‘cause he’s so gorgeous and all. But I know I’m not in his league…it’s not like I’d ever stand a chance.”
She emerges from the tiny dressing room in her sweats, the gown in her arms. The saleslady instantly swoops in and takes it from her. Corrine rolls her eyes. “Let’s go.”
I notice the time. “Sorry, Corrine, but I have to get headed back…”
She nods. “I understand. Totally. Thanks for today—” She stops and grabs my arm. “Wow, speak of the devil.”
I look at her surprised face and follow her line of vision. My heart sinks into my stomach. Sitting by the elevators eating frozen yogurt and laughing is Kieron…and Drusilla.
My insides feel like ice as I watch them. I’m so stupid. So very stupid. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
“Forget them,” Corrine says, pulling my arm. “Come on, let’s just go. You don’t want to be late.”
Suddenly I want to get out of there as fast as I can…before Kieron or Drusilla happen to glance up and see me. What are they doing here together? Is he reading her some poetry, too? Is that his thing?
Sickened, I spin on my heel and rush the other way, Corrine right beside me.
Chapter 15. Lucky
Sighing, I signal Gyan to bring me another drink.
“Bones, you’re being ridiculous.” I shift uncomfortably in my seat.