Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 132933 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 665(@200wpm)___ 532(@250wpm)___ 443(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132933 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 665(@200wpm)___ 532(@250wpm)___ 443(@300wpm)
“You just do your own thing,” Kinney continues without pause. “You’re a lit-up target, you know. Maybe I should be giving you my encyclopedia.”
Fairy lights are strung around my tight black dress. The battery pack is artfully strapped underneath my dress to my back. Duct tape for the win.
“I can stick up for myself too,” I say softly. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep a twelve-foot distance from you at all times.”
“Thank you,” she whispers, then adds quickly, “You look cool, by the way. Don’t let anyone mess with you.”
I assure her that I won’t, but I’m not so worried if people laugh at what I’m wearing. I’ve already concluded that they might. More people will likely be embarrassed for me than I’ll be embarrassed of myself.
Winona calls out like we’re at camp, “Coolest chaperone award goes to L to the U to the N to the A.”
“Luna!” Vada and Audrey finish with summer camp claps.
I smile. “You can all thank the PTA mom who is the Head of The Homecoming Committee. She’s the one who let me dress in costume when I asked.”
“Aunt Rose is the best,” Kinney says definitively.
Aunt Rose didn’t really question why I wanted to chaperone. Neither did my parents. I think they all assume I want to be there for Xander, and I do.
I promise, I do.
But I also want to see him.
“I will be your friendly neighborhood jellyfish,” I tell the girls. “You need something, just follow the glowing light.”
“Does this friendly jellyfish have any booze?” Vada asks with a gap-toothed smile. “Just asking for all the other thirsty sea creatures.”
“I am a very thirsty sea creature,” Audrey says into a nod.
Kinney gives me puppy dog eyes. “Luna?”
“Sorry, Kin. This jellyfish is of the dry sort.”
“Rats,” Audrey says, then gasps. “The picture I posted of Beckett and Charlie has over two million likes now. Look.” She shows the girls.
“Damn,” Vada whistles.
The girls pump Audrey up for a job well done. Recently, Beckett asked his little sister to run his Instagram account. He’d rather not have one, but his ballet company said he’s required to have a social media presence for publicity.
By the time I pull up next to the parked security SUV, the high school parking lot is already packed with other cars.
SFE bodyguards begin piling out of their vehicle. The girls all jump out of mine in a fit of giggles over something Winona said.
I wait in the car, watching as they all head into Dalton Academy. A huge banner hangs over the entrance that says Homecoming: Under the Sea!
“Did you go to Homecoming?” I ask Frog.
She fixes her earpiece and adjusts her plain black dress. She looks like she could fit in with the demographic. She’s only eighteen, so it wasn’t so long ago that she was in high school herself.
“Nope,” she says. “Sophomore year, I got in trouble for borrowing some costumes out of the drama room. Instead of getting suspended, my mom made a deal with the administration, and I was banned from attending school dances.” Her face lights up as she sees the banner. “So this is my first.” She turns to me, even happier. “I’m glad you decided to chaperone.”
My heart swells more, satisfied with my choice even if it means putting myself in a situation to be teased. “Me too.”
I grab my umbrella from the backseat. Fairy lights cover it, and it’s draped with fabric like the tentacles of a jellyfish. If I hoist it over my head, I’m somewhat concealed. Though, I know there’s not going to be any hiding from him.
There never really has been.
I smile on my way into Homecoming.
For the most part, not many people actually laugh at me. A few giggles here and there and one jock even gave me a high-five. Not too bad.
In the dimmed gymnasium, I blend with the other glowy décor. Neon and sparkles illuminate the space into an underwater wonderland. Standing near the edge of the basketball court, I’m among the other teachers and PTA moms.
Most of the high schoolers avoid me.
I figure someone probably spiked the punch, and the teens are keeping their distance from the chaperones tonight. Including the jellyfish kind of chaperone.
I linger near the snack table. Not many people have gone for the cupcakes and brownies, too preoccupied with the punch and dancing. Most girls are in purple and green iridescent mini-dresses—their take on a mermaid, I’m guessing—and the boys are in blue suits.
SFE bodyguards are posted closer to the bleachers near their clients, and I wait impatiently for Xander and Donnelly to arrive. My pulse spikes and lowers in anticipation. He’s not my date. I know that, but the logical memo is having trouble being translated to my heartstrings.
Signal lost in the galactic inter-webs.
Cannot compute.
One hand holding the umbrella, I use the other to check my phone.