Burning Down the House (13 page)

Doug
: What’s this look like, chump?

Trent
: Looks like the same damn thing you just had. Hey, what time are we supposed to be at the parade lineup? Was anyone listening?

Rob
: Two o’clock.

Colin
: I don’t know why they didn’t just let us leave before lunch. We’re getting let out at one today anyway. So friggin’ stupid. God forbid I miss a half hour of trig.

Doug
: I’m gonna feel like such a tool riding around on that queer-looking float.

Me
: Hey! We worked really hard on that float.

Trent
: That why you had paint all over you the other night?

Me
: Yes.

Trent
: Oh, my bad. I just figured you were finger painting again.

Colin
: Oh, boy…here we go again…

Me
: How would you like to have to explain to Dana why you have a size seven Converse stuck halfway up your ass?

Rob
: Alright Trent…give it a rest.

Colin
: Where the hell did Riley get off to?

Trent
: Shit if I know.

Doug
: If he’s not back in five minutes, I’m eating his Doritos.

Trent
: Not if I get to ’em first.

Me
: Leave the guy’s food alone, you hogs! I don’t know how your parents can even afford their grocery bill. Are they multimillionaires or what?

Trent
: Doug’s mom has a side job.

Doug
: Screw you - I tried to go see
your
mom the other night but I didn’t have change for a dollar.

Rob
: (to me) See what I have to put up with?

Me
: My condolences.

Colin
: Don’t mind Beavis and Butthead. Their parents smoked a lot of dope.

Me
: That explains a lot.

Doug
: Hey - what were you guys sayin’ about a puppet show? Who’s having a puppet show?

Colin
: (laughing again) Oh, man…I’m not gonna be able to play tonight if you keep this up.

Doug
: Keep what up?

Trent
: Just finish eating and leave the grownups to their discussions.

Doug
: I don’t think this sandwich tastes right either.

Trent
: FUCK YOUR CHICKEN SANDWICH!

I was
hurrying out to the Tahoe after the last bell released us when I heard Riley shouting my name across the parking lot.

“
Sara! Wait - hold up a second.”

“Hey there,” I said
after he’d caught up with me. “What happened to you at lunch? I tried to ward off the vultures, but they snagged your food when you never came back.”

He
gave me a guilty look, like he’d been called out for doing something wrong. “Oh, yeah…sorry about that. Um…can I talk to you for a minute?”

“Sure. What’s up?”

“Over here. By my car.” Cupping my elbow, he steered me in the direction of his silver Mustang where we stood between it and a Taurus with a dented fender. From this spot we were less visible to the incoming wave of students all scrambling to be the first off school grounds. The parade started in an hour and a half, so a lot of them had to get changed before meeting at their designated lineup spot.

“Everything okay?”
I transferred my heavy backpack from one shoulder to the other. Assigning homework over homecoming weekend - it was convincing evidence that some teachers have no souls.

“Okay. Here’s the thing. Okay
...” He was shifting nervously from one foot to the other, like someone who desperately has to pee but can’t find a bathroom. “Okay. You know I like you, Sara. I mean…you know that, right? I think you’re a terrific girl. I really do. You’re…one of the nicest and cutest girls I know. Hands down.”

For one mortifying moment I was sure he was about to get all mushy on me
, and I could feel my heart sink. That kind of uncomfortable situation was the last thing I wanted to deal with on a carefree day like today. “Well…thank you.”

“I just don’t want you to be mad at me. Please promise you won’t get mad.”

What the heck was he talking about? “Why would I be mad at you?”

“It’s just…okay. You know I’m supposed to be
Jordan’s escort at halftime, right?”

Sure, I knew. Big deal, everyone knew that - why would he think I’d care? “Yeah
, I know.” I glanced over at the Tahoe two rows away, where Rob was probably already waiting for me.

“Okay.
So here’s the thing. Um…the truth is, before I asked you to homecoming I had already asked Jordan. But see, she told me she didn’t want to go…so I figured, you know, I’d just get someone else to go with me instead. I thought it would look wrong for the starting quarterback not to show up. Don’t you think?”

Relief
flooded through me. Was that what this was all about? He was afraid I’d find out I wasn’t his first choice? Laughing, I said, “It’s fine, Riley. I know we’re just going as friends. Don’t worry about it. We’ll still have a good time.”

“Yeah, but…okay. Um…wow. How do I say this.” He stared off into the
pale blue sky for a second. “See…the thing is, she just up and changed her mind. So…” Shrugging, he let his eyes return to me, and from the expectant look there it was obvious he just assumed I’d fill in the rest.

The smile on my face faltered.
“So…what?” He damn well better not be saying what I
thought
he was saying. No friggin’ way.

Judging from his expression,
he was wishing he was somewhere else right now. Anywhere else. “Look. I’m gonna be straight with you here. Me and Jordan, we have sort of a complicated history. She’s been my girlfriend off and on since the beginning of last year. Ever since she broke up with me over the summer, I’ve been doing everything I can to try and get her back. You see what I’m saying? I can’t take you instead of her if there’s a chance she wants to work things out. You understand, right?”

“You…have
got
…to be kidding me.” My tone was threatening. I didn’t give a damn if he and Jordan wanted to get back together, but to ditch me at the last minute like this? When it was too late to find another date? Who the hell
did
something like that?

“Oh, come on
now, don’t be like that. We’re still friends. It’s just one dance.”

“The dance that’s, um,
tomorrow?
As in twenty-four hours from now, give or take - would
that
be the one you’re referring to?”

“Okay
. You’re mad. So, okay, I know it’s last minute and all -”

“
Riley, if you say
okay
one more time I swear to God I’m gonna kick you right in your shriveled-up balls!”

He looked surprised at
the extent of my anger. “Damn, Sara, chill out - it’s not really that major a deal.”

“I
already bought a dress! I got a manicure and pedicure and made an appointment to get my hair done tomorrow, you…you…”

“So…what? You want me to
reimburse you the money you spent?”

“Oh,
Jesus Christ…” I couldn’t even look at his idiot face anymore. Storming off, I stalked my way to the Tahoe where I got in and slammed the door so hard the SUV shook.

Rob
looked over at me with a raised eyebrow. “Bad day?”

“Just drive,” I snapped between clenched teeth.
Seeing that I was in no mood to kid around, he had the discretion not to question me and compliantly drove in silence. At least
he
had sense enough to know when it was time to shut the hell up. At least there was
someone
in the world who was halfway attuned to the feelings of someone besides himself.

I seethed the whole way home. Out of all of
Rob’s friends, Riley Murphy with his polite and courteous disposition was the last one I would have expected to pull some stupid bull like this. Trent, Doug, Colin…even with their goofy roughhousing, I couldn’t imagine any of them ever stooping to this level. And offering me money - oh my
God
, that was just unbelievable! Fucking inconsiderate clueless
douchebag!

It wasn’t like I was upset at not going, and I definitely couldn’t care less about him and
Jordan Cox. But the whole damn school knew by now that I was supposed to be his date, and the thought of having to answer ten million nosy questions from everyone wanting to know why I didn’t show up there with him…it was enough to make me physically cringe.

Enough to make me want to take a sledgehammer to that shiny silver Mustang of his.

Asshole.

9

Dad slept all afternoon, so at least I didn’t have to explain to him why I
wasn’t going to the parade. Rob grabbed his football gear and left without a word, and until around six I had plenty of time to myself to sulk and come up with fiendish new forms of torture devised exclusively for certain star quarterbacks.

But
of course my dad wanted to go to the game to see Rob play, and I knew Dana would expect me there. So I took a quick shower, dressed in jeans and a red thermal top, and plastered on a cheerful face. After all, it wasn’t the end of the world. So I’d basically been stood up - so what? This whole thing wasn’t nearly as important as I was making it out to be. It was just a stupid dance.

We got to the game just before kickoff and sat in the stands with
Dana, her parents and her ten-year-old brother, Tyler. I noticed she had on Trent’s letterman jacket, a stark contrast to the formal gown she had on underneath. It was so big it practically swallowed her whole. Her hands were hidden up inside the sleeves.

“You look so
beautiful!” I told her, hugging her carefully so I didn’t mess up the perfectly arranged hair. It was down around her shoulders in shiny blonde curls, spritzed with hairspray to hold it in place. I’d already seen the sequined dress hanging in her room, but on her it looked even more elegant. The azure color brought out the blue in her eyes, and tonight they sparkled with excitement.

“Really?”
She touched her hair self-consciously. “Does it look okay? I look weird with curls, I know.”

“You
don’t look weird - you look smoking hot,” I reassured her. “Doesn’t she look hot, Tyler?”

He put both hands around his neck and made a gagging noise.

“Tyler! What did I tell you - behave yourself,” Mrs. Landry scolded. “Do you want to go sit out in the car?”

“
She oughta lock the little turd in the trunk,” Dana complained to me under her breath. She needn’t have bothered keeping her voice down - everyone was suddenly clapping and cheering over the kickoff. As usual, my eyes immediately searched out number forty-two. It had become a habit.

“Wonder what
Staci’s gonna be wearing,” Dana pondered.

“Isn’t she wearing her cheerleader outfit?” I could see her out on the field right now,
jumping up and down. It looked like she’d been to the salon as well. The dark hair was piled on her head in a mass of ringlets.

“No
, she and Jordan are gonna go change during second quarter. I saw Jordan’s dress - it’s
gorgeous
.”

“Mm.” At this particular moment, the redhead wasn’t
exactly high up on my list of favorite people.

“I’m so ready to get this over with. I can’t wait for tomorrow
, can you?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Trent was talking about maybe going out to eat first. You think you and Riley might want to meet us somewhere? Like Cristiano’s or someplace like that?”

“I
don’t think so.”

“Why not?
It’ll be more fun if we go together.”

“
Because I’m not even going anymore.”

“
WHAT!” she shrieked. “Whaddaya mean, you’re not -”

“Shh…!”

She put her head close to mine and lowered her voice to a whisper. “Why? What happened?”

I quietly relayed to her the events of that afternoon.

“Oh my God, that self-centered bastard…”

“Yep.”

“I cannot
believe
he would do something like that. I just can’t believe it.”

“Well, he did.”

“That is insane. And what is up with Jordan? You
know
she had to know you guys were going together! What kind of crap was that to pull?”

I
shook my head and shrugged.

“Oh, you wait
’til I see her…”

“I don’t want you to say anything to her. Or anyone else
, okay? Please. Just let it go, all right? I really don’t even care.”

“Well, I care! That was a shitty thing to do.
On
both
their parts.”

“I know. I just want to forget about it.”

“Why don’t you come anyway? It’s not like you have to have a date. You could ride with us if you want to.”

“
Oh sure, Trent would love that. Me tagging along while he’s trying to put the moves on you. Anyway, I’m not showing up there alone so everyone can talk about me!”

“You’re not the one
everyone will be talking about. It’ll be
them
when everybody finds out what happened!”

“
Dana, just let it go. I’m serious. Okay? It’s not a big deal.”

The stands erupted in a roar as our team scored. I hadn’t even been paying attention so I wasn’t sure what happened.

“And that’s the fourth rushing touchdown of the year for senior starting quarterback Riley Murphy…”

“I hope he fumbles next time,”
Dana grumbled.

On
my left side, Dad was applauding enthusiastically. “Quick feet on that quarterback,” he commented with a grin at me. He knew I was supposed to be going out with Riley tomorrow night. I was going to feel like a total idiot trying to explain to him why it wasn’t happening. Well, there was a lot to be said for procrastination. Tomorrow would work just as well.

Eventually
Dana and Mrs. Landry left to prepare for the halftime presentation. I stayed behind with the men, stargazing at number forty-two while Dad and Chief Landry debated whether the Terrapins were going to have a promising year, and Tyler wandered off to the concession area with money solicited from his dad. He still hadn’t returned at the end of second quarter when the announcer’s voice snapped me out of my daydreaming.

“Ladies and gentlemen,
it’s time now to introduce this year’s royal court. Please welcome our homecoming queen nominees and their escorts. Representing the senior class is Staci Sheridan. She is being escorted tonight by senior Colin Hayes…”

Staci
’s gown was surprisingly less revealing than I would have pictured, considering her flair for exhibitionism. It was an eye-catching lemon yellow and for once, the huge bazoombas were tucked away. Two other girls were introduced before Dana, and when she and Trent walked out on the field we made a big show of cheering and hooting. Following her was a girl named Shelly who was in my physics class and who I occasionally compared homework with. And last to be introduced, cutting a striking figure in a forest green dress that set off her coppery red hair, was Jordan Cox. Gliding across the turf on Riley’s arm, I couldn’t help but compare her to the scrawny misfit from ninth grade. Back then she was all freckles, stringy russet hair and layers of black clothes paired with combat boots. Amazing the difference a few years could make.

I swallowed my disappointment when last year’s queen
placed the crown on Jordan. Even knowing that Dana wouldn’t care all that much. She was on cloud nine just to be there with Trent. But I’d almost rather have seen Slutty Staci crowned queen after what Jordan had done.

“
Folks, let’s have a big round of applause for our Hillcrest High School homecoming queen, Jordan Cox! Congratulations to the queen and to all the members of this year’s court.”

Our school doesn’t crown a king like
a lot of other schools do, but I’d be willing to bet that if we did Riley would’ve snagged that title. The starting quarterback and the future valedictorian - they were every faculty’s wet dream. A high school cliché, the stuff cheesy eighties movies were made of.

It was a relief to me when the whole thing was over.
Rob’s prediction of a blowout turned out to be accurate - the final score ended up being 51-7 in our favor, but it wasn’t all due to golden boy Murphy. The rights to two of those touchdowns belonged exclusively to the running back with the hazel eyes.

My
physics notes were spread out across the coffee table in front of me late Saturday afternoon, and I was sitting on the floor finishing up the last few problems while Rob and my dad lazed about watching sports on ESPN. Football to them was a lot like a sale at Bath and Body Works to me. Enough could never be enough.

Over in his recliner, Dad glanced up at the mantel clock with the reminder, “Don’t you have an appointment at Kyra’s in a few minutes?”

And the dreaded interrogation had begun. Without looking up from my paper, I casually told him, “I cancelled it.”

“You did? Why’d you cancel it?”

My fingers tightened around the pen I was holding. “I changed my mind about going out with Riley tonight.”

I didn’t have to look up to feel both pairs of eyes on me.
For one blessed moment everything was quiet, but then my dad cleared his throat and said uncertainly, “Well, would you like to share with me what changed your mind?”

“I think it had something to do with the fact that he decided
to take someone else instead.” Gathering my papers together in a neat stack, I stuck them in my textbook and closed it. When I finally did turn my head in his direction, the look on his face was a combination of surprise and budding anger.

“Come again?”

“It’s no big thing…”

“When did he decide this?”

“Um. Yesterday.”

“
Yesterday!
”

“
I told you, it doesn’t matter. He and his girlfriend are getting back together so it would just be weird for him to take me anyway.”

“Well, I would think the
damn boy could show a little more consideration than to spring this on you the day before!”

“Dad, really
- I don’t care. It’s not…”

“It’s not a problem because she’s agreed to go with me instead. With your permission, sir.”

What?
Baffled, I turned my head to see Rob still sprawled out on the sofa directly behind me, his eyes challenging me to refute him. There was the slightest hint of a smile there and I wondered what was going through his mind. And why he was volunteering for something I knew very well held no interest for him. But I couldn’t bring myself to say a word.

“
I see.” Placated, my father turned his attention back to ESPN. The amusement in his voice was clearly discernable. “Well. All right then.”