Solo (27 page)

"So Eliana, do you have any brothers or sisters?" Lily asked.

Here we go, time for the third degree.
"No, I'm an only child."

"Why did you move here?" she continued.

I swallowed a mouthful of chicken. "My parents grew up here. My mom and I are staying with my grandparents while my dad is away."

"If your family is from here, why haven't we ever met?"

"Lily Marie, where are your manners?" Lucas' dad scolded.

His tone made me nervous and I searched for Lucas' hand. "That's okay, I don't mind answering. It's always been the three of us. My dad's job is demanding. We haven't visited much, and when we could, I spent all my time hanging out at the farmhouse. So I guess that's why I've never met anyone around here."

I felt Lucas rubbing the top of my hand. Carrie asked if we were ready for desert and went to the kitchen. My nerves were shot. Desert was the last thing on my mind, but I knew I couldn't be rude.

She came back carrying a pan. "Lucas told me you like peaches, so I made peach cobbler."

"Oh, I love peach cobbler." I was surprised that he was so observant.

The table was quiet during desert. I wondered what Lucas was thinking. Had he noticed his dad's glare? Was he upset with me? Did he want to kill his sister for asking too many questions? Dinner was almost over and I knew I'd get my answers soon.

Carrie and Lily started to clear the table. I followed Lucas into the kitchen with my hands full of dishes.

"What are you doing?" Carrie raised her eyebrows.

"Um, I thought I would help clean up."

"Don't be absurd. You're our guest. Lucas, why don't you and Eliana find something to do."

"Actually, I should be going soon. I haven't seen my mom all day."

Lucas looked disappointed but I didn't think I could handle too much more of this awkward evening. I said my goodbyes and thanked Carrie again for having me over. Lucas' dad was no where around. Lily asked me to come over again.

Lucas helped me into his truck and we headed down his long driveway. I was surprised when he pulled over and parked right before we reached the main road.

"Are you all right?" He sounded anxious.

I picked at my nails. "To be honest, I don't think your dad likes me. He doesn't seem happy with us being together. Who can blame him? You didn't help with his first impression of me."

"He'll come around. You don't need to worry about it. I'm crazy about you and that's all that matters." He wrapped his arms around me. "Sorry about Lily being so nosy."

"That's all right, it really didn't bother me."

"Then what has you so down?"

I felt a lump in my throat preventing me from talking. I buried my face in his chest when I couldn't stop my tears.

"What's wrong?"

My voice cracked, "I realized tonight that we're from totally different worlds, more than I first thought. I mean, your family is so proper. Your house is breathtaking and you can have anything you want." I had to pause to collect myself. "I'm the opposite. I used to think you were the hillbilly, but it's me, I'm the freakin' hillbilly. Your dad is right; I'm not good enough for you. I'm so—so mediocre…"

"Hold on, stop right there." He guided my face to where our eyes met and wiped the tears off my cheeks. "I don't want to
ever
hear you say you're mediocre."

He caressed my cheek and guided my head back to his chest. "I'm crazy about you."

"I think I'm
crazier
about you," I sniffed.

We stayed parked on the side of the road until the sun set. Afterward, Lucas drove me to my grandparents' house and we hid behind the truck door for a quick kiss. "I'll see you tomorrow at school." I grabbed my bag and started toward the house.

"No ride in the morning?" he called.

"No, sorry, I've got to continue working on my routine. You'll have my full attention tomorrow in study hall."

"Have a good night."

"You, too." I blew him a kiss as he backed out.

The house was quiet. I climbed the back stairs and peeked into Mom's room. She looked up from her book.

"Mom, I'm back."

"Hey, how was dinner with the Andrews?"

"It was…different. Their house is amazing. Carrie is very sweet. Lucas' sister, Lily, likes me. His dad seemed nice," I lied. "They invited us to their Memorial Day Barbeque. I said I would have to check with you."

Mom pursed her lips and puckered her eyebrows.

"Is there something wrong with going over there?"

She hesitated. "I had another idea for that weekend."

"I didn't realize you'd planned something."

"I wanted it to be a surprise."

"Okay, do you want to tell me now or wait?"

"Actually, I thought we could get away for the weekend and have a little break before your talent show. What do you think about going to the coast for a few days?"

"The beach! Mom, that's perfect!"

"I thought you'd enjoy it."

"I'll tell Lucas we already have plans for that weekend. Goodnight, Mom."

I couldn't believe I was going to the beach—sand, sun, sea, and a bikini; just what I needed to relax before the talent show. I changed into my pajamas and sat at my computer. It was a long shot, but I figured I'd check to see if Quinton had e-mailed me. I was delighted to see a reply from him with an attachment.

E,

This is one sick collaboration. I never thought about laying these tracks together. Your mind is amazing. I attached the mixed track you wanted and another that I tweaked a little. I won't be offended if you don't use it. Get your mom to record the piece. I wanna see the routine, beats, and your bangin' body all together. You owe me dinner next time you're in town.

Keep it real, gorgeous,

Q

Poor Quinton, he had no idea that my heart was already taken.

I started to download the attachments. What could he have done to improve my mix? I listened to the two tracks and the tweaks he'd made blew my mind. I couldn't wait until after school to piece the entire routine together. I planned to run through it over and over until prom.

Casey arrived early so we'd have plenty of time to beautify ourselves before the guys showed up at three. We spent hours perfecting our makeup and styling our hair. Mom pushed bobby pins into my hair to anchor it.

"Ouch!" I adjusted some of the pins.

"Are you all right?" Casey asked.

"Yeah. My head feels like a pin cushion. I guess it's the price to pay for beauty."

 Casey laughed and glanced at the clock. "The guys should be on their way."

"If you're not comfortable tonight, don't hesitate to call. I can be there in less than an hour," Mom offered.

"Don't worry." I gave her a hug. "You should know by now that Lucas is a complete gentleman."

"I know, but I still worry. It's your first prom." Her eyes started to water.

"It's really going to be okay."

"I know. I just wish your dad were here for this," she sniffed.

"Mom, you have to stop crying or you'll make me cry. I don't want to look puffy."

"I'm sorry, honey." She used the sleeve of her shirt to wipe her eyes.

I glanced at the clock. It was two-thirty. "We need to finish up. The guys will be here within the hour." I turned my stereo on. I figured listening to music would get us in the mood to dance. Casey and I bounced around in front of my mirror making sure our hair wouldn't move.

"I see the limo," Casey shrieked, looking out the window.

"I'm getting butterflies."

"Me too," Casey admitted.

I helped her with her dress and she helped me with mine. We plastered gobs of double-sided tape so I wouldn't have any accidental slips during the night. "Eliana, you look so gorgeous; your hair is perfect for that dress."

"Thanks, you look incredible, too. We're going to be the hottest divas at prom." We stared at ourselves in the mirror admiring the complete package before loading our little clutches with essentials and applying another coat of lip gloss.

Mom came back in the room. "The guys are downstairs." Her eyes filled with tears again.

"Okay, we'll be right down. I just want to spray some perfume," I said.

"All right, hurry so I can get pictures before you leave."

"I'm ready when you are," said Casey.

"Okay, lead the way." I set my perfume bottle back on my vanity.

Carefully, I walked down the stairs. I didn't want to trip. Lucas stood at the front door. His tuxedo made him irresistible. He looked me up and down and his eyes widened. "You look…" he paused.

"You're at a loss for words. That must be a good thing."

"That dress…"
he grinned.

"Yeah, I thought you'd like it." I spun around. "I'm not sure how I'm going to top this dress next year."

"I like the fact you're already planning our next prom." He slipped a corsage on my wrist and leaned in to kiss my cheek.

"Okay kids; let's go outside for some pictures." Mom already had her camera in hand, snapping candid shots.

We stepped outside onto the grass. Mom took enough pictures to make one of her coffee-table books.

"I should have these ready on Monday," she said, and snapped a few more.

"Mom, do you think you have enough?" I teased.

"Yes, I'm done." She walked over and put her arms around me. "Have a great time tonight. I'll see you tomorrow afternoon."

She glanced at Lucas. "You'd better take good care of her or you'll answer to me."

"I promise I'll keep her safe." He grabbed my hand.

"Good night, Mom," I called.

"Good night, honey." She walked back to the porch and took more pictures of us getting into the limo.

Lucas and I sat on one side of the limo, while Casey and Jack sat across from us.

"This is going to be a night to remember," Jack said, staring into Casey's eyes.

Casey smiled back. They were lost in their own conversation during the entire ride to Roseburg. By their body language, I didn't want to know what they were talking about.

I was a little distracted myself. I kept noticing Lucas looking at my dress. I couldn't understand his expression. Was he puzzled? Confused? Worried?

"Is there something wrong?" I whispered.

"No, it's nothing."

"What is it?
Is something wrong with my dress?" I started to look at my dress to make sure nothing had slipped.

"No, don't worry about it. Your dress is fine," he whispered.

"You can't look at me like that and not tell me what's wrong. You're giving me a complex."

"I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable."

"Too late. Just tell me what it is?"

He looked at the floor, then leaned in and said, "I really didn't want to ask, but you're forcing me. I'm trying to figure out how your back is completely exposed, but everything is staying in place."

I chuckled, "Three little words, DOUBLE-STICK-TAPE." He looked so confused I felt sorry for him. I couldn't help laughing. "Let me put it this way, my dress is completely stuck to me like glue. It will probably hurt later when I take it off, but I don't want any slips, so to speak."

The light bulb in his head went on and his eyes got wide. "Oh, I see."

The rest of the drive went smoothly. We arrived at a fancy little Italian place in Roseburg for a candle lit dinner. Lucas touched my bare back when he helped me with my chair—giving me tingles. All through dinner his eyes were fixed on me.

"You look beautiful. I'm use to seeing you in jeans and tees or your running clothes."

"Thanks, I can say the same about you; the tux is a few steps up from your cowboy boots."

"Hey, I almost wore them tonight, just for you."

We all had napkins tied around our necks during dinner; no one wanted to risk getting sauce on their clothes. We looked pretty humorous—to say the least. Jack and Lucas talked baseball for awhile. So Casey and I talked dance.

"So, how is your routine for the talent show coming along?" Casey asked.

"Nicely."

"Are you going to show us some of your moves tonight?"

The table went quiet. Lucas and Jack were waiting for my answer.

"I'm sure I'll be on the dance floor at some point, but I don't know about showing my dance routine."

"I plan to be on the dance floor
all
night," Casey grinned.

Jack looked at her,
"All night?"

"Well, most of it. Don't worry Jack. I know you don't dance."