“Sixty percent of the time, it works every time.”
We laughed at the quote fromAnchorman, Chance’s all-time favorite movie, and I felt a little lighter. Or maybe that was the booze. I switched to beer as we finished the setup and students began trickling in.
But as with all parties, I blinked and suddenly the huge house was packed with bodies that shouted, laughed, or danced to the thrumming, bass-pounding music from Mr. Blaylock’s state-of- the-art sound system.
Donte, Isaiah, and the rest of the team arrived, and I stood in the center of my group as conversations were shouted at me from all directions. I added a comment here and there but found my eyes scanning the faces of people who flowed in and out of the kitchen to fill up their cups from the keg or the punch bowl.
Donte nudged my arm. “You looking for someone special?”
I blinked. “What?”
“You look like you’re on a date and afraid of being stood up.”
“Oh, nah,” I said quickly. “Violet, I guess. She’s supposed to be here with Evelyn.”
“Oh yeah? You going to ask her to homecoming? Make it official?”
I shrugged, took a sip of beer. “We’ll see.”
Donte laughed. “Always Mr. Cool. Well, look no further, ’cause here’s your girl now.”
My girl, I thought. It sounded strange even in my head. Like a foreign language.
Violet came in with Evelyn, wearing a skintight dress that highlightedher every curve. Her hair fell around her shoulders in silky black waves, and her deep blue eyes scanned the crowded kitchen nervously.
She was beautiful. Stunning, even. And was going to make a great patient care volunteer; Mom said her first visit with Violet the day before went well and that she was a smart, sweet girl with a heart of gold. Only a fool wouldn’t try to earn Violet’s love and respect. Yet my gaze kept wandering. Searching…
“Hey, boys,” Evelyn announced to my group in the kitchen. “This is Violet’s first house party.” She looked to me pointedly. “Be gentle.”
I knew my cue when I heard it and moved through the crowd to Violet, wearing my trademark give-no-fucks smile.
“Hey.”
Violet smiled shyly. “Hi.”
“So…this really your first party?”
She laughed. “Is it that obvious?”
“Nah, you’re doing all right.”
“Any pointers?”
“Yeah. If Chance offers you a cup of his ‘world-famous’ party punch, sayno.That shit is like gasoline.”
She laughed again, and it was time to make my move and ask her to homecoming. But I was so goddamn tired of putting on this king-of-the-world show when real life was hammering at me like the pulsing music and noise of this stupid party.
I moved in closer to Violet. “So listen…”
“Yes?” She glanced up, her blue eyes large and soft.
“My mom said it was awesome meeting you.”
“Oh. Right.” She sounded as if she’d been waiting for me to say something else. Orasksomething else.
I just want to talk to someone and have a real fucking honest conversation.
“You made her happy, and that’s a big deal to me. So thanks for that.”
