I shake my head. “We can’t bring any of the decorations into the gym until the day of prom—they need the space for basketball games and stuff. There’s literally no room to store any more of the decorations at school.”
And there are a ton of them.
She nods, understanding. “Are you still excited about your dress?”
I shrug. I was so ridiculously excited about the dress when we first bought it, but now it’s a daily reminder that I have no date and likely never will.
None of my prayers are being answered.
Ugh.
“What’s the shrug for?” my mother demands, standing up straight now.
“Yes. I’m still excited about my dress. I’m just nervous.”
Mom tilts her head. “What are you nervous about?”
I shrug again. “Just…maybe that prom won’t live up to the hype. But seriously, I love my dress and can’t wait to wear it.”
She wants to say more but doesn’t have the energy—I can see it on her face.
“We should probably make an appointment for your hair.”
We should, but I don’t see the point.
Not if I don’t have a date.
“I was going to have Macy do my hair and makeup.”
“Are you sure? Because I can make an appointment at my salon.”
I nod, unenthused. “You can if you want.”But it may not be necessary.
She hangs out a little longer, finally disappearing into the house. When she does, I go back to the task at hand, sketching the outline of my knight onto the cardboard.
Flashy metal.
Swords.
Cool helmets.
Breastplates.
My knights will have it all!
I concentrate, working well into the evening, far past the time my dad gets home. Working so long he brings me a plate—spaghetti. He sets it on the workbench, my music blaring from the wireless speaker.
Dad doesn’t question me the way Mom does, nor does he seem to mind that art supplies are scattered everywhere. For some reason, I’m not sure if his silence feels better or worse.
I twirl my paintbrush between my fingers, staring at the half-finished knight in front of me. The outline is bold, the details sharp. He looks powerful—like nothing could knock him down.
I wish I felt like that.
Instead, I feel stuck.
Chapter 3
Easton
