My Senior Year of Awesome (23 page)

“No. I’m fine. Good.” I take a minute to steady myself, pretending to be interested in the view of the Harmony passing by, so familiar that I’m sure in the past seventeen plus years I’d memorized every house on every street. If someone repaints their shutters, I trust myself to pick up on the difference.

High above, the night sky seems to float down to earth, wrapping around me like a blanket. A bright yellow moon hangs low, grazing the roof of the courthouse. Andy makes me happy, I realize. I just like being with him. And, I feel like I can tell him anything, and he would at least try to understand. Which is more than most other guys my age would do.

“You know, we’ve been friends for a long time,” I say.

“I wouldn’t categorize our relationship as friendship, exactly,” he responds, thoughtfully.

“Okay, we’ve known each other for years.”

“But not really well.”

“Andy, am I missing something I should know about my alleged future husband? Are you a closet cross-dresser? Is that why you want my costume?” I squeeze my fingers tighter to let him know I’m joking, and he squeezes back.

“Nothing like that,” he says. “I just think it would be nice if we learned more about each other. Especially if the Senior Superlative turns out to be a reliable predictor of the future and we do wind up getting married. For example, you know my family and you know about my goal of learning to fly. I know you have a ridiculous list of achievements you feel the need to complete before graduation.”

“So, we’re about even, then.”

Andy heh-hehs. “Not quite.”

“What do you want to me to tell you?”

“Anything. You’re great at avoiding serious conversation, you know.”

I do know. It’s not by accident that I refrain from telling people about my boring life.

“My name is Sadie Elizabeth Matthews,” I begin. Andy nods, a sign of encouragement. “I live with my mom in the Cambridge House apartments. And I was recently introduced to her new boyfriend, who happens to be my ex-Driver’s Ed instructor.”

“Sounds like you have some future sitcom potential. I talked to your mother after the show, by the way. She’s really proud of you.”

“You talked to my mom?”

“And your aunt. She’s nice too. Kind of like an older version of you.”

My mouth drops open, and my chin just about hits the dashboard. “Why? Why did you talk to them?”

Andy sighs, as if he’s being forced to communicate with a very naïve young child.

“Because I’m a nice guy, Sadie. And because I want you to like me as much as I like you.”

I hinge my jaw closed and open again. A million different words run through my mind, but I can’t say any of them. So, I blurt out the one question I’ve wanted to ask for weeks now.

“Will you go to the prom with me, Andrew?”

Fill It In – Random List

The Top Ten Reasons Why Andy is an Awesome Prom Date.

1. He’s a really good kisser.

2. Just looking into his blue eyes makes me smile.

3. He’s known me forever, so I don’t have to impress him. But, I know he’ll still appreciate how nice I look in my prom dress.

4. He makes me laugh.

5. Besides Mr. Drum (Scott), who faced death on a daily basis for years as an Army Ranger, Andy is the only person brave enough to get into the car when I’m behind the wheel. Although, he says he’s more afraid of driving with me than solo flying an airplane. I’m pretty sure he’s joking.

6. His car is small, so I don’t have to reach very far when I want to kiss him. Which is frequently.

7. He thinks Chase is an excellent boy’s name.

8. He’s super tall, so I can wear those ridiculous heels I bought at the Macy’s One Day Sale and I still probably won’t make it above his shoulder.

9. He asked what color prom dress I picked, and he actually listened to the answer. Then, when I quizzed him an hour later, he remembered what I said.

10. He’s the best man. And he loves me.

Mrs. McCaffrey was right. It’s better to hold out.

On prom night, Mr. Drum, I mean Scott, as he keeps insisting I call him, opens the door to greet my date. Scott has assumed the duty of potential step-father and he does his best to scare Andy while Mom helps me finish my make-up.

My grand entrance entails simply walking out of my bedroom and past the dining table. Four giant steps later, I reach Andy, who’s grinning and holding flowers. Andy just fills up space well, especially when formally attired in a classic black tux, with his hair combed and cut a few inches shorter than the last time I saw him.

Ah, the miracles of hair gel.

Not that I don’t appreciate his messy look as well. In the last month, since he agreed to be my date, I’ve discovered that I like everything about Andrew Kosolowski.

We stand smiling at each other like a pair of deranged lovebirds, completely forgetting our audience. My heartbeat goes all screwy and I forget to breathe until Andy clears his throat and it hits me that Mr. Drum, I mean Scott, (I’ll get it right one of these days), looks as if he wants to test out some new para-military weapons on the guy who is brave enough to escort me to the prom.

Andy hands me the bright pink roses he picked out, which perfectly match my dress. Mom wipes a tear from her eye, and Scott (Mr. Drum) kisses me on the cheek. My heart feels swollen, brimming over with love and happiness, and I pray to high heaven that my Spanx will hold everything in place before something inside of me explodes.

***

“So, the last time I saw that achievement list, there were a few empty spots at the bottom,” Andy says as we drive to the prom. Of course, I’d offered to drive, as I am more than ready to break in my brand-new license, but he insisted on getting behind the wheel. Admittedly, hitting the brakes while sporting four-inch heels is a challenge, even for a driver with more than two days’ experience, but I was willing to try.

“Earth to Sadie,” he prompts. Andy has a way of knocking the words right out of my head. “I’m offering my assistance to help you fill it in. Do you want to cut out of the prom and go to the zoo? Photo bomb the president? Rob a bank, maybe?”

I smile coyly and gaze at him from under my falsely extended eyelashes. “Jana and Ben are swinging by school on the way to the prom for some PDA in front of the school sign. After that, we just need one more achievement. Robbing a bank is a good suggestion. I was thinking about breaking a law, but I wasn’t going to aim as high as a felony.”

Falling in love, the one achievement I truly doubted would be possible, is happening everywhere. Jana and Ben. Andy and me. Dominic and himself. Even my mother and Mr. Drum checked off that particular item on their list of amazing lifetime achievements. They’re planning a wedding this summer. Before Andy and I leave for college. I’m not attending MIT, but in the last two months I’ve pretty much applied to every school in a thirty-mile radius.

“Sadie, you’ve already broken a law. Repeatedly.”

“I have? I mean, sure, you’re a few months younger than me, but really, no one gets arrested for statutory kissing, do they?”

“Not the kissing,” Andy says, with a laugh. “I let you drive my car, remember? Before your permit test.”

“Driving without a permit? That counts?”

Andy smiles down at me. “Sure does.”

“Would I be arrested or fined?”

“A police officer would issue you a written citation, and you wouldn’t be allowed to take the license test until you turn eighteen. I looked it up after I let you drive my car in the Towne Center parking lot. Did you have any other last-minute, unachieved high school aspirations besides breaking a law?”

I shake my head, but not too fast, because I don’t want to mess up my hair. “No.”

“Then you’re good. Can we still meet Ben and Jana in front of the sign? I want my name penciled next to as many list items as possible.”

“The list is what brought us together.”

“You credit the list, not Colette, who fixed the Senior Superlative vote or our previous twelve years of mutual respect and admiration?”

“Huh?”

“Sorry. Too many words?”

“It’s prom night, Andy. Can we cool it with the nerd talk for a few hours?”

“Only if you’re prepared to publicly proclaim your affection.”

“Sure, whatever. Let’s do it,” I agree. I text Jana to let her know about our change in plans. We pull up in front of school just as the fiery sun sinks behind the building, pulling what’s left of daylight below the horizon.

“We’re finishing this with two weeks to spare,” I announce, removing the dog-eared, crumpled paper from Aunt Tina’s silver evening bag.

“Yeah, now the real slacking off begins,” Jana says. “Total senioritis. Do you want to go first?”

“Let’s do it together. All four of us,” I say.

“I’m not kissing Kosolowski,” Ben insists.

“Only me, baby,” Jana promises, attaching herself to his lips.

While the two of them are otherwise occupied, I stretch up on my tiptoes and circle my arms around Andy’s neck. A prom-bound car filled with our friends passes by and honks. Andy tenses his shoulders and starts to pull back. I lock my arms around him and kiss him as if letting go would mean the end of humanity as we know it. When my knees start to buckle, he lifts me in his arms.

“Reputation ruined,” he says, with a wicked grin.

“This was your suggestion,” I remind him and press my lips to his once more. “Besides, the only way to prove your love is real is to kiss me twice.”

Fill It In – Your Awesome Achievements

1. Break a School Rule – Sadie & Jana Cut Homeroom!

2. Serve My First Detention - Sadie

3. Star in the School Play – Sadie & Jana are Audrey II

4. Pass Driver’s Ed – Sadie & Jana

5.
Kiss Two Boys in One Night - Sadie

6. Ride in Dominic Altomeri’s Stingray — Jana

7. Break a Law – Sadie Drives Without a Permit

8. Score a Varsity Letter – Mathletes Champs! (Mostly thanks to Andy)

9. Convince Mr. Drum to get into a car with you — Sadie

10. Kiss Shy Ben In Public — Jana

11. Fall in Love — Jana & Ben, Sadie & Andy

Writing has always made me happy. When I decided to seriously try to write a book, I never expected to meet so many readers and writers who would be willing to offer advice or read my work. Thanks to everyone who supported me.

Specifically, I need to thank an amazing writer and friend, Theresa Hernandez, for sticking with this story from beginning to end and every iteration in between. Your feedback and encouragement kept me going through the many ups and downs of the writing process. Sadie & Jana wouldn’t exist without you.

Thanks to my friend Audrey for reading and loving everything I write. Everyone needs an Audrey in their life. And thanks to the other many writers, readers, critique partners, friends, and relatives who also contributed to my story. Special thanks to Karole, Sally, Natalia, Carrie, and Dawn for reading and critiquing. Also thanks to my Philly critique group for helping me with my final round of revisions. Thanks to Pat Calvert, my teacher. I needed honest feedback and you gave it to me with gusto. I still hear you in my head reminding me to loosen up my dialogue.

I also want to thank Mom and Dad for turning off the television and encouraging us to read. To my sisters Amy and Maria and my brothers, Gerard and Nick, thanks for letting me bounce ideas off you and for always being willing to talk about books. And thanks to my sister-in-laws Eileen and Genevieve, for offering their expert advice and unwavering support.

Thanks to my husband Dean for not laughing too hard when I told him I was giving up my business career to be a writer. Also, for making the adjustments we needed to make to help my dream come true. A shout out goes to my kids, Dean, Matthew, and Kristen for always insisting I’m the best writer in the world.

I’d also like to send my appreciation to the Hernandez kids, Mattea, Noah, and Grayson, for supplying the teen feedback this book needed and helping me come up with a cool title.

Thanks to my Sixteen to Read debut author friends. Sharing this experience with you has been wonderfully uplifting. I’m eternally grateful for your support and encouragement.

Thanks to everyone at Georgia McBride Media Group for their input and advice. You made my book better with each suggestion and correction. And finally, thanks to Georgia McBride for emailing me at midnight to tell me she wanted me to publish my book. Yes, I was awake, and it was one of the most fun emails I’ve ever gotten. Thanks for supporting so many yet-to-be published writers.

Jennifer is a freelance writer and YA author. When she’s not writing, you can find her reading, working on home design projects, or trying to meet her daily goals on her Fitbit.
My Senior Year of Awesome
is her first novel.

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