“You had nothing to worry about.”
“I guess not.”
“The Sadie Hawkins Halloween dance is in a month,” June says.
“Oh, my gosh, another dance?” There was so much drama with this one. I’m not. I’m ready for another one this soon.
“Yeah, but it’s a fun one where we get to dress up.”
“That’s true.” June and I talk about what we liked most about Homecoming week and make plans to ask our boyfriends to the Halloween dance.
Beth does my hair for the dance. She sweeps the curls up, pinning it around my head. “I’m so excited for you tonight,” she says for at least the sixth time. There’s this weird tension radiating off her tonight, but I think it’s because this is the first time she’s helped me get ready for a big event, and she’s not used to being so involved in my life.
“Ta-da,” I say, coming out of the bathroom. “How do I look?”
“You’re beautiful,” my mom says and promptly breaks down into tears. “I’m sorry I’m—”
“So excited for me.” I pat her back, handing her a tissue. “I know. Thank you for caring about me.”
“Clark, get a move on. Your love muffin is here. Let’s go,” Jack yells up the stairs.
“Good grief. And he calls me the dramatic one.” I pick up my phone and lip gloss.
“Wait here for an extra ten seconds. I want to get pictures of you coming down the stairs.”
I shrug. “Okay.”
My mom crushes me in a hug. “I love you so much, Hannah. Please always remember that.”
“I know you do.” I pat her back.
Beth takes off down the hall, and I take one more look in the mirror. I’m so excited. I’m going to remember this night for the rest of my life.
50. A Movie star And A Princess
I pull at my tie, feeling nervous, which catches me off guard. I’ve never felt anxious about a date or a dance in my life. But tonight is different. Hannah is different. I shove a couple of breath mints in my mouth and hurry and chew them. Check my hair in the rearview mirror and then open the car door and get out. I’m halfway up the walk when I realize I don’t have Hannah’s corsage, and I jog back to my car and get it. Jack is leaning against the door frame when I walk back up the steps. “Look at you, Hot Stuff. Is that a new suit?”
“Yeah, my mother insisted.” I blow out a breath.
Jack glances at the corsage. “Is that for me?” he croons in a girly voice. “Oh, you shouldn’t have.”
“Knock it off,” I laugh, punching his arm, and walk inside.
“Hi, Ford.” Mr. Clark says, getting up from his chair.
“Hi.” I hold my hand out, and he shakes it.
“You had one hell of a game last night,” he says, patting my back.
“Thank you, sir. But Jack was last night’s champion.”
“He definitely was—one of the best games I’ve seen him play. I’m not sure his mother would agree. She had a hard time watching him get tackled over and over.”
“She woke me up twice during the night to make sure I didn’t have a concussion,” Jack laughs.
“Okay, she’s ready.” Mrs. Clark beams as she rushes down the stairs.
“Scotty, Hank, come upstairs and say goodbye to Hanny and Jack.” Mr. Clark yells.
