On my drive home, after I put down the sun visor, the corner of a piece of paper or something of the like sticking out from under the mirror cover caught my eye.
I pulled on the corner and a polaroid photo—one I’d completely forgotten about—of me, Sierra, and Keenan before our senior year homecoming dance fell out. Keenan had his tongue out and was putting bunny ears behind myhead. Sierra was holding up a peace sign with pouted lips, and I was looking at her like she was the only star in my sky.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
hayden
OCTOBER, SENIOR YEAR
Istraightened my tie in the bathroom mirror upstairs as Keenan and I got ready for the Goldfinch homecoming dance.
I’d awkwardly asked Sierra if she wanted to go to the dance with me, but she gave me the same nonchalant answer as always.
“I’m not really a school dance person.”
“Have you ever been to one before?”
She shrugged. “No, but you don’t really want to go with me, do you? I’m sure there are plenty of other girls you could ask.”
I could tell she was trying to play it off like she didn’t care, but I noticed the way she stiffened as she waited for my response.
It took some persuasion from my mom, but she eventually convinced her to come.
Sometimes I worried that my feelings for Sierra were one-sided, but her body language told a different story. I didn’t miss the way her cheeks would flush and her tongue would get all tied up when she was around me.
While Keenan was his usual self and went for the flashiest outfit possible, a hot-pink suit jacket and matchingpants with black dress shoes, I went the more classic route with a black button-up, black dress pants, and a light-purple tie to match Sierra’s dress.
“Come on, Keenan, your hair looks fine.” I tugged on Keenan’s arm as he raked his gel-covered fingers through his hair one more time.
When we walked down the staircase, I caught a glimpse of her in the living room, and my jaw practically hit the floor.
Her dress, a satiny-looking fabric, fell just above her knees, and her blonde hair cascaded down her back in loose curls.
“Wow.” I blinked a few times before moving to stand next to her.
Keenan joined us before I could get another word out. “Damn, Skippy, you sure clean up nice.”
Sierra rolled her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest. “Thanks.”
“You look amazing,” I breathed out. Words failed me in the moment, and I hoped she realized how breathtaking she truly looked.
“Thanks. Your mom did a good job.” She let out a soft laugh as she spun in a slow circle.
“She had a perfect canvas to work with,” I whispered, quiet enough that I wasn’t sure she heard me, but the ghost of a smile flicking across her face said otherwise.
Mom entered the living room from the kitchen, holding a camera in her hands.
“Mom,” I groaned, drawing out the word.
“Oh, shush, Hayden. Just a couple photos!”
It was never justa couple photoswith my mom. Mae Watkins loved to capture every single moment, big or small.
“Come on, you three, get close. Act like you like each other!” She winked as she held up the camera, not waiting for us to squish together before snapping photos. She justified them as “candid.”
Sierra was sandwiched in between me and Keenan, both of us having our arms around her shoulders. The camera shutter clicked as we looked at each other, making goofy faces before bursting into laughter.
“How cute! Hayden and Sierra, just you two now,” Mom directed us.
