Not a chance.
“Hey. The good news is you didn’t get caught and outed as a thief,” Harper says. “You had a momentary public humiliation, but at least the security cameras at school didn’t catch you hoisting the mascot up the flagpole.”
I smile a little at that. Facts. I’m lucky as hell.
The rhino head being hung in the courtyard at school caused an uproar with administration—mostly because adults are so sensitive about that shit—and the principal called an all-school assembly to lecture us about it. Threatened to expel whoever had done it, blah blah blah. I wanted to throw up.
“Can you believe Callahan kept harping on about how much mascot costumes cost, as if anyone cares?” Harper lets out a soft, ladylike snort. “Please, how much could it possibly have been? He was making it seem like it cost ten grand.”
Of course, she has to be on my side—she drove my getawaycar.
“Yeah. He’s pretty humiliated.” I pause. “Considering the seniors pull this prank every year, you’d think he’d be way cooler about it.”
Harper laughs, a sound that’s both infectious and comforting.
“You’re right. But maybe next year the senior prank should be something a little less conspicuous and more creative. The mascot thing is getting old.”
Why do I feel a strange sense of camaraderie with her?
I shrug. “Yeah, maybe.”
Harper smiles. “And I know you feel bad about Maddie rejecting you, but just remember—we’ve all had crushes on people who didn’t like us back.”
Does she mean herself? “Oh yeah? Like who?”
She grins. “That’s a secret I’ll never tell.”
Chapter 10
Harper
Yesterday was fun.
Easton looked like he was enjoying himself.
He stayed until it got dark.
He didn’t complain once.
He laughed at least a dozen times—not that I was counting.
Not only that, mymomdidn’t come outside once to check on us, which means she trusts me having a boy at the house. Wait. Is that a good thing or a bad thing?
Now it’s Sunday morning, and I’ve just gotten out of bed. I pull open my closet and stare inside before shoving a section aside and gazing again at the frothy pink confection hanging there, also known as my prom dress.
I run my fingers down the long, puffy skirt, reaching for it so I can see the front. Take it and hang it on the hook behind my door, nibbling my lower lip.
On my bed, my phone buzzes. I turn to see a new text flash on the screen.
Macy:Hey, what are you doing?
Should I be honest or should I lie?
Me:I was contemplating whether or not to try on my prom dress, LOL. Is that weird???
Macy:No! DO IT!!!! I wore mine around the house yesterday. Mom says I’m getting bang for her buck when I wear it at random times bwahahahaha.
Me:True. But you know I’m still hoping someone will ask me.
