“A good debate will feed me for weeks,” I agreed. “Regardless, we’re going to have an actual team this year. And I have a good feeling about them. They’re going to show up and do the work.”
“That’s incredible.” She squeezed my bicep. “I’m proud of you. That marketing push over the summer was brilliant. Thanks to you, we have a full executive board. And though I adore being your all-rounder, I’d like to just crunch the numbers without having to worry about everything else.”
Haven joined BWD as treasurer, but as attendance waned and people began to leave, she became my everything. The organization was too buttoned-up and preppy for a woman who dressed in flowy skirts, carried crystals, and communed with her ancestors. But she put on a blazer and pencil skirt for me, and that’s when I knew I’d give her the world as soon as I could.
“I even got that one girl from my design class to agree to be our graphic designer,” I said.
“That shy girl? Covee?” Haven raised a brow. “You’ve been trying to get her to talk since freshman year.”
“Tell me about it.” I sighed, pleased that everything seemed to be coming together.
“So, now that we have an executive board…” Haven looked a little hesitant to ask her question. “Is the ball a go?”
Low ticket sales and the withdrawal of three sponsors caused the cancellation of last year’s ball.
I smiled. “I can say we’re eighty percent in the clear.”
Haven clapped. “Oh my God, I’ve been waiting for this day.”
I laughed. As a former homeschooler, Haven had had noexperience with school dances. This was as close as she was going to get.
“I’m going to hold a vote on themes in a couple of weeks,” I said. “Any ideas you want to toss in the ring? I’m thinking gothic or old Hollywood. A couple of the girls wanted Regency or disco.”
“Masquerade, please,please. I’ve dreamed of this,” she pleaded. “Masks, hidden identity, and falling for a girl I may never know in one night.”
“It’ll be on the list,” I promised. “And we’ll let democracy do its work.”
I typed ‘masquerade’ in my notes app, adding it to the long list of ideas I’d gleaned from other board members. Before I could relock my phone, a text from Mr. Thorn In My Side came through.
David
Don’t forget about tonight. A no-show means an automatic forfeit.
I scoffed and responded:
I know what it means. I made the rule. Why don’t you just worry your pretty little face about your part? K?
David
She thinks I’m pretty. I’m blushing.
The thought of David blushing had me shaking my head. Despite his pale complexion, I’d long ago learned he barely changed shades.
“Hey, don’t forget an umbrella today.” Haven’s warning made me look up from my phone. “It’s going to rain, and your hair’s too nice to ruin.”
I frowned because that wasn’t on today’s forecast. “Yousure? They said it’d be sunny all day.”
“Trust,” she said, and wiggled her fingers to emphasize her arthritis. “You don’t want that five-hour installation to go to waste.”
“Alright, thanks.” I tucked my phone into my pocket and grabbed my bag. “I’m off to conquer the world. Do you need anything while I’m at it?”
“Bones of our enemies would make a good broth for tonight.” Haven winked.
“Done. I’ll see you for dinner.”
“Love you,” she said.
Haven didn’t emphasizethe rain enough for me. Halfway through the day, it felt like a full-on hurricane was passing through town. Everyone scrambled across campus, trying to get to their destinations without getting soaked to the bone. A few professors even canceled classes for commuters because of flooding on major streets.
