Home Sweet Drama (21 page)

The music faded, then stopped. The lights on the stage brightened and everyone turned to watch Headmistress Drake walk across the stage and step up to the microphone.

“Hello, students,” she said. She smiled at us.

“It's now time to announce the winners of the eighth-grade junior royal court. Will the eighth-grade nominees please come onstage?”

I stood still—waiting to see who would make the first move.

26

CROWNED

I SAW CALLIE MOVE THROUGH THE CROWD. It was the first time I'd seen her all night. She looked stunning in a deep purple V-neck cap-sleeve dress with black kitten heels. Callie walked to the side of the stage, climbed the stairs, and stood behind Headmistress Drake. Nicole was onstage next, then the guys started to line up a few feet away from the girls. Jacob and Eric stood at opposite ends of their line, just like Callie and I did. Paige hurried to stand next to me and Heather took her time getting onstage and stood on my other side.

The spotlight was blinding. I couldn't see anyone in the crowd, but I was glad—I wanted to pretend that no one else was in the room. The people onstage were enough to deal with.

Headmistress Drake smiled at us, then turned back to the crowd. “Please give a round of applause to your eighth-grade junior royal court nominees.”

Everyone clapped for what felt like
forever
.

“Thank you,” Headmistress Drake said. “The students standing before you are those who were nominated by you. One boy and one girl will be crowned prince and princess of the eighth-grade junior royal court. This is an enormous honor that only a select few students at Canterwood Crest Academy ever experience during their time here.”

Omigod, how much longer was she going to talk?!

“The level of commitment to our school that I've observed this week made me even more proud of our student body. Each of you threw yourself into all aspects of Homecoming and your dedication to our institution is inspiring.”

Headmistress Drake paused and smiled at the crowd.

“I've talked enough,” she said. “I realize you're all anxious to hear your winners. Just a reminder—the winners and runners-up will dance together.”

At least I didn't have to worry about that. I had to make it through the announcements. Then the plan was to sneak out.

“And your runners-up for eighth-grade junior royal court are …”

I looked over at Heather, who blinked, looking bored. I sneaked a glance at Paige. Her hands were clasped together and her eyes were wide and gleaming in the stage light.

“Eric Rodriguez and Sasha Silver!” Headmistress Drake said.

Omigodomigodomigod. I started to sway and, for a second, I thought Fainting Sasha might make an appearance.

“Hold it together, Silver,” Heather hissed in my ear. “Just stand there.”

I couldn't even make myself look past Heather to see what the guys' reactions were. I didn't want to see Eric's face. He had to be just as unhappy about the idea of being forced to dance with me.

Cheers of “Go, Eric!” and “Yeah!” broke out from the crowd. Paige reached over and squeezed my arm.

“Congratulations!” she said, beaming at me. I just stared at her. Did she
not
realize what I was feeling?

I didn't answer Paige—I looked back at the crowd and tried to breathe.

“And your winners for the eighth-grade junior royal court are …” Headmistress Drake said. “Jacob Schwartz and Heather Fox!”

Heather's head snapped around in my direction and her face had a look I'm sure was similar to mine when I'd heard my name.

“Hold it together,” I said, repeating her words. “You're the Homecoming princess.”

The crowd cheered and the clapping seemed to reverberate from the walls.

“My mother is going to freak,” Heather whispered, with an amused expression. “Omigod. This is
beyond
wrong.”

I smiled, shaking my head, then looked over at Paige.

“You should have won,” I whispered.

Paige managed a smile, but I could see the disappointment on her face. “It's okay. I wanted to win, but at least I still get to dance with Ryan.”

“Exactly,” I said.

Headmistress Drake turned to face us. “Please congratulate your winners. When you're finished, Eric, Sasha, Heather, and Jacob need to head down to the center of the floor.”

Before I could move, Nicole came over and hugged me. “Congratulations,” she said. “I'm so happy for you!”

“Thanks,” I whispered.

Nicole started to reach out to hug Heather, but when she got a glimpse of Heather's face, she yanked her arms back.

“Um, congratulations, Heather,” Nicole said, flashing a smile. Heather glared at her and stalked off to the other side of the stage. Nicole walked feet behind her, keeping a careful distance.

I looked over and Headmistress Drake was still watching us—making sure the winners were properly congratulated. If she wasn't watching, I'd
so
be off this stage.

Paige walked over to the other nominees. I was hyperaware that Callie and I were the only two girls standing at our end of the stage.

Callie straightened her shoulders and walked over, stopping directly in front of me. Her dark eyes bore into mine and she almost didn't even look like my ex—best friend.

“Congratulations, Sasha,” Callie said, her voice cold.

“Thanks,” I said. I opened my mouth, wanting to say something—but not knowing what to say. Before I could decide, Callie walked away.

Headmistress Drake would call me out for being a poor sport if I didn't walk over to the other side.

Just get it over with,
I told myself.

I walked over and Troy reached me first. “Congratulations, Sash,” he said.

“Thanks,” I said.

Andy and Ben cast a quick glance at Eric before coming over to me.

“Congrats, almost-princess,” Andy said, smiling at me.

Ben nodded. “Yeah, I'm glad you placed. That's cool.”

I listened to them, but it was almost as if I couldn't hear their words. I couldn't stop watching Eric and Jacob. They had no reason to talk, but I couldn't help worrying that Jacob would try to do what he thought was right and tell Eric and Callie the truth about my party.
But he promised he wouldn't,
I reminded myself. And I trusted Jacob.

Eric and Jacob stood as far away from each other as possible. Callie was talking to Eric and Nicole and Jacob were engaged in conversation.

I looked around for Heather and saw her talking to Troy. She smiled at him and he grinned back at her. Maybe the bright spot of the night was the possibility that this could be the start of something between them.

Callie walked away from Eric and left the stage. Eric was alone now—it was the perfect time to talk. Then, after I congratulated Jacob, I could leave the stage.

I took a looong breath and walked over to Eric. He looked comfortable dressed up in a black blazer, black pants, and a red button-down shirt. But he looked like he would have rather been wearing a polo shirt and breeches.
I walked up to his side and when his scent hit me—the smell of clean laundry mixed with mint—it was overwhelming. He turned to look at me and I almost stepped back when our eyes met.

“Congratulations,” I said. My voice was barely audible over the crowd on the floor that had burst into chatter.

“You too,” he said. Unlike Callie, there wasn't a hint of malice or anger in his voice. That was Eric. Calm. Acting as if this was completely fine that we were about to dance together. The way he handled these situations made me hope we could be friends one day.

“I guess I'll see you on the floor,” I said.

He nodded and his eyes left my face when Jacob walked over.

“See you there,” Eric said to me. He looked at Jacob. “Congrats.”

Jacob nodded. “You too.”

Eric disappeared offstage and I was left standing with Jacob. I wanted to hurry off the stage and stand next to him at the same time.

He looked at me, shaking his head. “Can you believe this?” he asked. “I have to dance with Heather and you get …” He could barely get out the name. “… Eric.”

“I know. It's so not fair. If we're ‘princes' and ‘princesses,' why can't we do whatever we want?”

“If I got to do what I wanted,” Jacob said, leaning closer. “I'd dance with you all night.”

I looked at him—saying nothing but wanting to spill everything. The ache I had in my chest whenever I saw Eric intensified times a million when I looked at Jacob. I wanted everything to be simple—I wanted Eric to be happy with whomever he chose, I wanted Callie back as my best friend and, maybe most of all, I wanted a chance with Jacob. I wanted him to be my boyfriend. My video-game-playing, Nintendo-obsessed, afraid-of-horses boyfriend. I wanted to tell him all of that. But I couldn't.

“I have to go,” I said.

“I know.” Jacob's eyes were on mine and we'd somehow moved so close to each other that our faces were inches apart. Jacob smelled like chocolate frosting and cupcakes. Even that tiny detail made me miss him. And I couldn't handle thinking about it.

Before I lost it, I walked across the stage and down the stairs.

Eric was waiting in the center of the floor. Without a word, he reached out and took my hand in his warm one.
Feet away, Jacob and Heather held each other's hands. Heather looked over at me and I shot her a
Can you believe this?
look over Eric's shoulder.

The lights dimmed and a semislow song started. Eric was a wonderful dancer. He didn't glare at me or try to make me any more uncomfortable than I already was. And that was something I liked and missed about him. We'd been able to talk to each other about anything. He'd made me hot chocolate the night Jacob and I had gotten into a screaming match at the Sweetheart Soirée. He'd coached me through the YENT tryouts—being there for me through all of my insecurities.

And I'd thought it was enough. I'd been beyond happy. When Eric had misinterpreted what he'd seen between Jacob and me, I thought I'd be devastated for months about losing Eric. And I was—I missed his presence in my life. His friendship. I couldn't stop thinking about Jacob, but I had to stay single.

I kept my gaze over Eric's shoulder and he did the same, looking over mine. Heather and Jacob were keeping a polite distance between them and they weren't looking at each other either.

The minutes seemed to drag on forever and finally, the song ended. The crowd clapped and Eric released my
hands. I didn't know what to do or what to say. Did I just walk away?

“Excuse me,” Heather said. She stepped between Eric and me. “I'm cutting in.”

Heather grabbed my arm and led me away. “You need to dance with the guy you really like,” she said. “Jacob.”

27