Outside the stadium, the crowds dissipate and head for their cars. “Sure you don’t want to join us?” asks Lauren. “Stan’s is hostingfree donuts for everyone. I’m working up the nerve to ask Drew.”
Maybe I should tell her not to go to the party, or at least, not to get her hopes up. Then again, maybe I would do the world a favor by just minding my own business. “I’m sorry, I can’t go. I’m expected home.”
Pascha hasn’t stopped scowling since Whit blew me the kiss, and doesn’t look disappointed at my response.
“Okay, well, have a nice weekend.” Lauren grabs Pascha’s arm and begins to pull her toward the parking lot.
“Lauren?” I call out.
She turns around. “Yeah?”
“The wider open the heart, the easier it is for Cupid to shoot his arrows.”
She cocks her head to one side, then gives me a baffled smile. “Okay, thanks.”
Instead of the parking lot, I follow those ambling toward the street.
“Mim?” says a voice from behind me. Court, still wearing his uniform and bright with the flush of victory, steps into the fluorescent lighting.
There are no mood scents to guide me, but there’s a bouncing energy around him, a liveliness like a puppy who has found its favorite kid. My insides spin with his nearness. “W-what, don’t you have a debrief or something?”
“The debrief went something like this, “Nice footwork, you clowns. Don’t be late to practice on Monday.”
“That was an amazing kick.”
“Thanks, though you better spray Whit before I get jealous.” From behind him, a couple of girls whisper and giggle.
I chew on my lip. I can’t spray anybody until Mother returns and makes the BBG. Of course, by then, I won’t need to because Mother will have exiled me to the far reaches of the Arctic Circle.
I need to tell him the truth at last. But before I can muster the words or the courage, he grabs my hand. “Let’s get lost.”
We dash back toward the stadium, through exiting stragglers, and over litter and pulled-down posters. A few fans try to stop us, but we run past them.
When I’m out of breath, Court pulls me to a dark spot underneath the bleachers.
“The PUF didn’t work,” I gasp.
“For sure?”
“Yeah, for sure.”
He looks more surprised than worried. “So what’s next?”
“My mother will be home soon. I’m in way over my head.” I stare glumly at my shoes.
“Hey, don’t feel bad. You know, it’s not so bad, Mom being in love. She’s been laughing a lot this week. And Mr. Frederics is kind of cool. He bought every one of her pies at the rally this morning. Maybe the PUF didn’t work for a reason.”
Yes, the loss of my nose.
He tucks me into his arms. “You don’t have any excuse not to kiss me now that the game’s over.”
My resolve weakens with one glance into the still waters of his eyes. One little kiss. I already lost my nose, and I may as well enjoy myself while I can. It’s his big night after all.
I draw back. No. I can’t do that. A kiss would just dig me deeper in the hole, further strengthening a bond that should never have formed. I already made my choice—nose over love. If I can sever our tie, maybe Mother can make an elixir for me like she did for Aunt Bryony. I tear myself away. “I can’t.” The two words weigh heavy as cement blocks.
“What are you talking about?”
He comes close again, but I hold up my hands. “You don’t like me that way. You think you do, but so do the rest of the people I infect.”
