Prologue
I can’t believethis is happening! Dreams really do come true.
In less than half an hour, Seth Cox will pick me up for the Sadie Hawkins dance. Somehow, I’ve got to hold it together, despite the army of butterflies swarming in my stomach. I smooth a hand over my dress, willing myself to get a grip. My reflection in the mirror catches my attention. Gah! I look so pale. I reach for a brush and apply more blush. Much better.
If only I didn’t have these gosh-awful braces. I hate being a metal mouth. Hopefully, the lip gloss won’t draw any undue attention to the shine. My orthodontist keeps assuring me that someday, I’ll have a winning smile and will be grateful for all the pain, suffering, and embarrassment my braces have caused. I guess that remains to be seen.
As if the braces and glasses aren’t awful enough, my hair’s in between curly and straight, meaning that it’s frizzy and uncontrollable most of the time. Tonight, I used a curling iron. After an hour and a half of contorting myself to work the thing, I’m somewhat pleased with the result. I can only hope that Seth will think I’m pretty … err, at least passably attractive. Igrin, imagining what Chloe Thompson, Ashley Jennings, and the other girls will think when I show up at the dance with the one guy all the girls swoon over.
Seth plays trumpet in the band. He came on my radar at the beginning of my seventh-grade year, and I’ve been crushing on him ever since. How could I not notice him? The trumpet section is in direct view of where I stand in the drum section. It gives me the benefit of watching Seth without being too obvious about it. Seth’s the class clown, always with something witty to say. I love his wavy hair and easy grin.
A couple of months ago, something serendipitous happened. I was leaving the band room when Seth noticed that I had dropped a sheet of music. In a show of chivalry that rivaled any knight in shining armor, he picked it up and called out to me. When I heard his voice and realized he was talking to me, the world stopped turning.
“You dropped this,”Seth said with his trademark grin.
“Thanks,” I stammered as we shared a smile. We might’ve actually had a conversation had I not been so tongue-tied.
“See ya around.” Seth gave me a cavalier wink before striding away.
I lived on that experience for days afterwards, my feet hardly touching the ground. Seth used to be an item with Tara Hines, the head cheerleader. However, the two recently broke up. Word is that Tara dumped Seth for Malcom Mitchell, the captain of the football team. Seth was torn up about the breakup, but one would never know it from looking at him. He constantly cracks jokes and enjoys showing everyone how good he is on the trumpet. If he weren’t so dang cute, I might even consider him cocky. However, Seth has such a fun-loving personality that it’s hard not to be smitten with him. He can get away with much more than the average person ever dreams of. Even our band director, Mrs. Wallace, aka The Ice Queen, has a soft spot forSeth and lets him get away with murder while making everyone else toe the line.
Knowing that I’ll probably never get another opportunity to go out with Seth, I worked up the nerve to ask him to the Sadie Hawkins Dance via text. It took an entire day for him to respond. Just when I thought he never would, the text came.
Sure, I’ll go.
That was two weeks ago. I kept expecting—hoping—Seth would mention something about the dance during band, but he hasn’t breathed a word. And I was too chicken to bring up the topic … or even give him a hint. Mom and Dad keep asking what time Seth is picking me up for the dance. Finally, I texted, asking and sent him my address. He responded with,
Pick you up at seven.
I texted,
Looking forward to it.
He said,
Sounds good.
I have no idea what to say to Seth or how to act around him, but I have to talk, or he’ll think I’m a moron. I spritz on a tiny amount of perfume. It would be disastrous for the scent to be overpowering. Mom insists on taking pictures. She’s giddy—has been waiting for this moment since the day I was born. I just hope Seth will be okay with her over enthusiasm.
A knock at the door nearly jerks me out of my skin. Is Seth here already? My palms are so sweaty. Eek. What if I have tohold Seth’s hand for the pictures? I wipe my hands on my dress. Oops. Not good. What if it leaves a stain? “Who is it?” I ask.
“Dad.”
I take a final glance at my appearance and press down my curls. I hope they’re not too big.
“Are you okay, hon?”
“I’m fine. Come in.” I relax ever so slightly. Seth isn’t here, or Dad would’ve already said something. That means I have a little more time to pull myself together.
He steps inside, a tender smile curving his lips. “You look beautiful.”
“Thanks, Dad.” A shaky laugh leaves my mouth. “You have to say that.”
His smile widens. “I’m only saying it because it’s true. I’m so proud of you.” His eyes go moist. “Your first date.”
“Don’t make a big deal about it when Seth comes. I don’t want him to get weirded out.”
“Why would he get weirded out?”
