PrideandPopularity20July11 Read online

  “How did he contact you?” I asked.

  “He found me on Facebook,” she mumbled. “Do you think Mom’s going to kill me?”

  I chuckled. “Probably.” We crossed the street, this time checking for traffic.

  “You think it’s going to be bad, then?”

  “Ah, nothing more than your typical ‘grounded for life.’”

  Cass moaned.

  I squeezed her shoulder as we started up the driveway. “Hey, no matter what happens, I’m just grateful you’re safe.”

  She sighed. “How much do you think we owe Taylor?”

  Everything. No matter how much he will try to deny it, Taylor Anderson truly is a superhero.

  TWENTY-THREE

  RANDOM RUMOR

  So you want to know what’s worse than being up half the night talking to the Andersons, your parents, and the media? Yep, someone at the hotel leaked the story to the press. You’ll never guess, so I’ll tell you. It was going to school Friday morning— dead tired and fully exhausted, walking around like a zombie— and overhearing that Taylor had a date to prom. Not that it mattered, because it didn’t. I mean, duh, he’s Taylor Anderson, right? So why should it bother anyone at all that he had a date? I mean seriously, there is no one who would care less than me.

  Except that’s what I didn’t get. I did care! What was I thinking, anyway—that he’d miraculously start loving me again because he saved my sister? Yeah, right. He was probably more disgusted with us than anything. I mean, hello? Better stay away from the Hart sisters—talk about trouble. One’s got a temper and will rip your head off for crossing her, and the other is so flirtatious she’ll start dating anyone she meets on the internet.

  So it’s obvious, I decided. I will never see Taylor again. I get it. I blew it. And really, it is a good thing. Because who wants to be popular anyway? It’s so highly overrated, it’s a joke. I certainly don’t want to be. I don’t, really. I just want the guy behind the popularity.

  I stopped walking to my art class as the reality of that last thought hit me. I had just admitted to myself that I liked Taylor Anderson, and I was flabbergasted. Oh my gosh. How much more blinded by fear and pride could I have been? I was totally afraid to have my heart broken by another popular jerk, and too proud to see that there was actually a different Taylor Anderson—a real, sweet, caring Taylor Anderson beneath all the popularity. I finally realized I actually preferred the guy behind what everyone else saw.

  And to think he used to love me. Me.

  “Hey, Chloe.”

  I turned to see Madison jogging to catch up. “Yeah?” I half smiled and began to walk again as she joined me.

  “Wow, so I heard about Blake. How are you doing? Why didn’t you say anything?”

  I guess now would be a good time to point out that the school had also been talking about Cassidy and Blake. Not that I blame them. I mean, it made the 10:00 news last night and the local newspaper this morning. It was such a hot story that it almost trumped Taylor asking a girl to prom. Almost.

  I shrugged at Madison. “There comes a point when you have talked to so many reporters that you get tired of talking about it, you know? I figured most people know anyway.”

  “Well, how’s Cassidy? Is she okay?”

  “Yeah, she woke up with a raging fever this morning. I think the stress of last night might’ve added to everything. I mean it’s pretty embarrassing to have strangers and your parents go through all of your Facebook messages, phone texts, and emails, especially when you have to answer questions about every one. Cass was up later than I was, and I went to bed way after midnight. But I think she’ll be okay—much better than she could’ve been.”

  “Yeah. That Blake guy is a creep,” Madison said. “Thank goodness for Taylor.”

  I owed so much to Taylor. My whole family did. Who knew that his feeling he should check out Blake’s Facebook profile would lead to my sister being saved?

  Walking on in silence, I contemplated the “almost”s and “could have been”s that surrounded Cassidy’s ordeal yesterday.

  Madison interrupted my thoughts. “Hey, I’ve got some news that’ll cheer you up.”

  “You do? What is it?”

  “Guess who got nominated for prom king?” she practically gushed.

  “Uh, Taylor?” I snorted.

  “Well, yeah, but who else?”

  “Oh, um, Zack?” I tried.

  “Okay. Yes, but who else? Come on Chloe, think. Who is the least likely to be nominated for prom king, but would make the coolest king ever?”

  Is this some sort of trick question? “Okay, who would I never think of? Uh, I don’t know. I give up.”

  “Ethan. Ethan’s been nominated for prom king.” She began to jump up and down.

  Ethan? Ethan! “Shut up. Ethan got nominated for prom king? Eeeh. That is so cool!” I jumped with her.

  “Voting starts Monday, so don’t forget, okay?” she said as we joined Alyssa for art.

  Maybe life isn’t so bad after all, I thought. I mean. Alyssa got Zack, who she deserves. Madison loves Collin and is so happy to have a boyfriend. My sister is safe. And Ethan just got nominated for prom king. Life is good. Plus my birthday’s in fourteen days. I’ll finally be an adult. That’s just weird and cool all at the same time.

  Suddenly, I wondered if Ethan had a date to prom. He would be way fun to go with.

  A couple of days later I got an email from Ethan. I thought it might’ve been a casual invite to prom now that he had been nominated for king. And I was right to an extent—it was a prom invite, just not for me. Cassidy was grounded from all media outlets, like the phone, email, Facebook, etc., so it would make sense that Ethan would email me to ask her for him. The lucky girl! Her birthday was actually the night of prom, so I was positive my parents would relent and let her go, just this once. Plus there was the added fact that they adored Ethan.

  Needless to say Cassidy was all smiles, bragging, and giddy giggles. She was so happy about Ethan asking her to prom that I really couldn’t be too jealous or sad. With all of the gossip that was going around school about her, she needed to feel special. It took three days of begging but my parents finally agreed to let her go. I think what closed the deal for them was that Cassidy was able to borrow a dress from one of her friends. So with the security of not having to buy an extra dress this year, Cass was free to go. Thank goodness no one commented on my peculiar lack of a date. I don’t think I could’ve handled it.

  Me not having a date didn’t stop rumors from flying. It was eight days before prom—and exactly one day before my birthday. Imagine my surprise when I saw Kylie sitting in her car in front of my house as I pulled into the driveway after ballet. What is she doing here?

  I got out of the Volvo, grabbed my gear, and headed over to Kylie’s car to see if she needed something. By the time I had made it halfway down the driveway, she was heading up. She looked totally bent—completely ticked off—so I decided to stand my ground and wait for her. From the look on her face, this would not be a sweet little chat. What gives? I noticed she was wearing her cheerleading workout clothes.

  “Hi, Kylie.” I smiled. Maybe I can kill her with kindness.

  She got right to the point. “Look, we need to talk.” Then she smiled her beauty queen smile at me.

  “Great.” My smile got wider. “Would you like to go inside?”

  Kylie looked up at the house and sneered.

  Careful, dear, someone might see your true character.

  Then she turned back to me, her smile in place. “No thank you. Out here is fine.” She pointed to my front lawn. “I don’t plan on being here that long anyway.”

  “Fine.” I walked over to my mom’s bench and dropped my ballet bag on it. When I’d turned around, Kylie had followed. “So what do you want?” I placed my hands on my hips.

  “I want you to stop this lie that you’ve been spreading around, that’s what.” She flipped her hair over her shoulder.

  I expected Kyli
e to elaborate, but she didn’t, so I finally asked, “What lie? What are you talking about?” All pretense of a smile was gone from her face.

  Kylie looked like she was going to freak out. “What do you mean what lie? You know perfectly well what I’m talking about. Don’t try and play stupid with me.”

  I blinked. There was no way I was getting into it with her. She better explain herself quickly or I was out of there. Nothing ticked me off more than cheerleaders who thought they were better than everyone, and I refused to play her game.

  “The lie about you and Taylor going to prom together! I know you made it up. I know you’re just—”

  “What in the—? What are you talking about?”

  “You’ve been telling everyone you’re going with him, so that way Taylor will feel like he has to take you. Well, it’s not going to work. Taylor’s taking me to prom.”

  I started to laugh. It was unbelievable. This is why she left her cheerleading practice early to come to my house? Because of a rumor? Figures. I turned around, swept up my bag on my shoulder, and then faced her. “Don’t believe everything you hear, Kylie.”

  “Are you telling me you’re not going to prom with Taylor?” She took a step forward.

  “Look, if you’re going with him to prom, congratulations. It’s obvious I’m not, isn’t it?” Why is she still here?

  She looked confused.

  Good. That makes two of us. I folded my arms.

  “But has he asked you?”

  I grinned. “Has who asked me what?”

  Kylie lost it. “Taylor. Has Taylor Anderson asked you to prom?”

  “You just told me he asked you, and you just told me I was lying about him asking me. So if he has already asked you to prom and you’re certain I’m lying, then why are you here, Kylie?”

  “Ooh!” Kylie took a deep breath. “Look, Taylor and I have promised to go to senior prom together ever since we were in grade school, and I’m not going to let anyone mess it up for me, especially you. Do you have any idea how long I have planned for this day? My dress, my shoes, my nails, my hair, all planned months in advance. Not only will you be hurting me, but you’ll completely trash any chances you ever had of becoming popular. It’s bad enough I have to watch Zack make a fool over himself with Alyssa, but believe me, if you come within twenty feet of Taylor, I’ll make sure everyone hates you!” Her voice rang with triumph.

  Promises, promises. “Ooh, I’m so sad. What would I ever do if Kylie and her friends never talked to me again?”

  “I could make your life miserable.”

  “Do me a favor and get out of my yard, now.” I didn’t even give her the courtesy of pointing.

  “Not until you promise me that you won’t go to prom with Taylor.”

  I shook my head at her immaturity and shrugged. “Fine, then stay. But I don’t have to promise you anything. I can do whatever I want.” I hitched my bag, brushed past her, and headed toward the door.

  “Chloe, if you walk in that house without promising to stay away from Taylor, I’ll go to him myself and make sure he stays away from you.”

  I slammed the door behind me as I stormed into the house. After a few seconds, I heard Kylie’s tires screech as she peeled out of our street.

  What I have I done? What in the world is she going to tell Taylor?

  TWENTY-FOUR

  BIRTHDAY WISH

  The next day was Friday, my birthday. I managed to keep my head down the whole day and keep out of earshot of everyone. I didn’t need to know I was being talked about. I would much rather live in a bubble and believe everything was all right than to see the world as it fell in around me.

  As my last birthday in high school, it didn’t go so well. Alyssa and Madison both forgot it was my birthday. I had specifically steered away any conversation about this day for the last two weeks, since I didn’t want them to change their plans with their boyfriends for me. They had planned a double date to go bowling. Maybe if we all had guys it wouldn’t have been so bad, but I really didn’t want to be pitied or be the third wheel.

  So, on Friday night, I found myself celebrating my birthday alone. Dad and Mom had planned to go to a double feature at the movie theater, and Cass and Claire were spending the night at friends’ houses. Mom was so sweet—she had even gone and bought a small ice cream cake for Alyssa, Madison, and I to devour. It was my favorite, an expensive Oreo cookies ’n’ cream cake from Baskin Robbins. I stared at the cake Mom had left on the counter to soften and knew I’d have to at least eat some of it or she would know what had happened. I got a knife from the butcher’s block and even attempted to cut the thing before I gave up. I wrapped the whole cake back in its packaging and placed it in the freezer for later. I just didn’t have the heart yet to eat my birthday cake all by myself.

  This is my eighteenth birthday—I’m finally an adult. There is no reason to feel sad. None at all. I have wonderful friends who are happier than they’ve ever been before. I have a happy family that loves me. I even have happy ballet students. Happy people and happiness are all around me. So what’s the big deal? This should be a very happy birthday for me. Pluck up! Besides, it’s not like eighteen is all that special anyway. I mean, there are plenty of other ages out there that are just as fun like, seventeen and nineteen and . . .

  I had just planned to go ahead and let the first tear fall when the doorbell rang. I wasn’t exactly dressed for company. I mean, I still had my ballet clothes on under my jeans, and my hair was up in a poufy ponytail. Thank goodness I hadn’t started crying yet! Heavens knows I’m not pretty when I cry. After a couple of tugs at my shirt, I shrugged my shoulders and answered the door.

  There stood Taylor Anderson. His dark hair was slightly tousled, his chest was moving at the rapid pace of his breathing, and his blue eyes smoldered into mine. My heart flip-flopped. It would’ve done more but it didn’t have a chance. Without saying a word Taylor crossed over the threshold, took me in his arms, and kissed me. I was shocked, dazed, and a little breathless. He grinned at my discomposure when he released me slightly, just long enough to whisper in my ear, “That was for being the only girl I’ve ever known that would stand up to Kylie. And this—” he brought me close again and kissed me a second time “—was for handling Blake. And this—this is for you.”

  My heart literally stopped beating when I realized he would kiss me again. In an instant my lashes fluttered closed. I felt two gentle fingers tilt my chin up just before his mouth captured mine. The kiss nearly caused me to dissolve into a puddle. Taylor chuckled as he held me tighter to keep me from falling before he continued to kiss me again in the softest, gentlest, most romantic kiss a girl could ever wish for.

  When he released me, I thought my insides had turned to jelly. I braced myself on one side of the doorframe and breathed, really breathed for the first time since he had arrived. Taylor chuckled again and braced himself on the other side of the doorframe with the front door still wide open. I relished the cool breeze on my warm skin and glanced up at him. He looked almost as stunned as I did.

  Our eyes met and he smiled. “Wow, girl, you can really pack a punch.” He shook his head. “I don’t think my heart has ever beat that fast.”

  “Mine actually stopped,” I admitted. We were too close— way too close. I couldn’t stop my eyes from shining into his.

  “Well, I promise I won’t move,” Taylor said. “Go ahead then. I’m waiting.”

  “Go ahead?” Am I supposed to kiss him again?

  “You know, slap me. I know you would’ve had I given you the chance. So go ahead. I’m all yours.”

  He’s all mine. “You want me to slap you?” I couldn’t help smiling—he looked so amazingly attractive staring down at me.

  “I know I should apologize. You’re probably expecting me to. But I’m not—”

  “Taylor Darcy Anderson, if you dare try to apologize for kissing me, I will slap you.” I placed my hands on my hips.

  “Are you serious?” His eyes began to g
litter into my own.

  Okay, is there a hotter guy in the world?

  “What?” Taylor matched my smile. “What are you smiling about?”

  “So is that why you came over?” I asked.

  “To kiss you?” He grinned impishly. “Well, yeah. I’d wanted to for so long. And then—and then, when Kylie came over and said all she did, I couldn’t help myself. I drove straight here. My only thought was to kiss you senseless.”

  “Really? You mean she didn’t tell you about it yesterday?”

  “No, I was gone yesterday. Today was the first time I’d seen her. Why?”

  “So you came to kiss me senseless?” I decided to get back to the good part.

  “Yeah, I figured I’d pay for it later.”

  “Oh, you’ll pay,” I teased. “Don’t think you can get off that easy.” I stepped back and rested my hand on the door handle.

  “Seriously, Chloe, I . . . I can’t, I can’t—” Taylor took a deep breath and steadied himself a moment before he continued on. “I can’t take this any longer. I still love you. If you want me, then the offer stands. If not, I—I promise I’ll never bring it up again.”

  Slowly, I stepped toward the doorframe. I placed one hand on his chest—which he immediately covered with his own— and I wound the other up his shoulder and around his neck. I could feel the frantic beating of his heart as I stood on tiptoe and gently lowered his cheek to my lips, and then mischievously whispered, “Only if you take me to prom.”

  “Done.” He chuckled and held me in place when I went to pull away. “Are you sure you want to go to prom with me? Sure, I can dance, but not anything like what you’re used to.”

  “Don’t worry about that.” I laughed and rested my cheek against his chest. It felt so good to be in his arms. “I’m a dance teacher, remember?”

  Taylor laughed and held me tighter. “Hey, do you want to go out to dinner or something? Movie?”

  I looked up. “Yes. But I, uh—I can’t.”

  “Why? Are you watching your sister or something?”