What If... All Your Friends Turned On You (10 page)

“Calm down, you guys,” Alex said. “There was no harm done. And that actually wasn't Haley's fault. The driver of the SUV should have looked before pulling out in front of us like that.”

“I had the right-of-way,” Haley said. “Didn't I?”

“That's my point,” Alex said.

“But Haley didn't react fast enough,” Annie said. “That's what matters when you're driving on the road for real.” She lovingly patted the dashboard. “My beautiful little car almost got smashed by that monster SUV!”

“I'm really sorry, Annie,” Haley said. “To all of you.”

“You definitely do need practice, that's obvious,” Annie said.

Haley was inclined to agree. She was hoping to get her license on her birthday and not a day later, since her parents had hinted that she might find a car waiting for her in the driveway. If that little wish came true, she wanted to be able to drive the car immediately—without her parents riding shotgun. “From now on, if you want a practice car, use your boyfriend Alex's,” Annie added.

“Boyfriend?” Haley shot Annie a baffled, annoyed look. Why did Annie have to use that word? Annie raised her eyebrows high over her eyeglass frames as if to say,
Well, that's what he is, isn't he?

Haley glanced at Alex and could see immediately that he'd caught the look that had passed between the girls.
Oh God
, she thought.
Things are going to be awkward between us now. If only Annie hadn't used the b word…
.

“Well, my girlfriend can practice in my car anytime she wants,” he said lightly. “That's what boyfriends are for, right?”

Haley tried to laugh along with him. It was gentlemanly of him to make a joke out of the awkward situation Annie had created.

“Thanks.” Haley admired how calm he was in the face of a near accident. He'd probably make a great driving tutor, she thought. That is, if Annie didn't scare him away first.

Things are warming up fast between Haley and Alex—at least it looks that way to Haley. There's always room for misinterpretation, but Haley's got a good feeling about this. Of course, the closer she gets to a love connection with Alex, the harder it will be to back out. So she'd better be sure she wants to pursue this or there could be hurt feelings all around
.

If you're sure Haley wants to explore the possibilities with Alex, turn to,
COLLEGE BOUND
. If you think she should take her time to see what other opportunities arise and find out the latest buzz at Hillsdale High, turn to,
PRINCIPAL CRUM'S LITANY
.

“Y
ou're stunning,” Alex said, helping Haley into the passenger seat of his father's European sedan.

“You're late,” she said, smiling.

Alex winced. “Mrs. Eton needed some last-minute help with her speech,” he said, seeming genuinely contrite. Then he broke into a huge grin. “How is anyone going to look at the governor once you walk into the room?”

“Think you can get off that easily?”

“Have I mentioned you look stunning?”

“Twice.”

Haley had borrowed the dress she was wearing, a vintage strapless number that was black and beaded and shaped like a mermaid, from her mother. It had been sitting in Joan's closet since Joan and Perry's ten-year college reunion, and from the minute Haley put it on, she looked far older than her almost-seventeen years. In fact, her father nearly didn't let her out of the house. Luckily, Joan had convinced him to let Haley go—even if the party was to celebrate a Republican reaching high office.

Alex drove carefully the whole way, as if he were carrying precious cargo, and every few minutes he turned to look at Haley and smile. When they were almost to Princeton, he said, “I can say with all honesty, Haley, that tonight is the absolute best night of my life.”

“But Alex, we haven't even gotten to the party yet!”

“I know, I just didn't want to forget to say it.”

Alex stopped his car in front of Drumthwacket, the governor's executive mansion, and waited as the valets hurried over to open their doors for them.

“You know, you don't look so bad yourself,” Haley said as Alex took her arm to escort her inside.

It was true: she'd never seen Alex look so handsome. His tuxedo fit him perfectly and his eyes had a twinkle in them that lit up his face. Haley didn't know if that twinkle came from his love of politics or
from being with her, but it didn't matter—either way, the inaugural ball was turning out to be a dream date so far.

When Alex had first invited her to the inauguration, it felt natural to accept—and that made Haley suddenly giddy that things were getting more serious between them, like way more serious. Which was a good thing, as far as she was concerned. She liked the way she felt around Alex: secure, natural, able to let her hair down without worrying what he would think of her.

After seeing what some of the other junior girls at school were going through with their boyfriends, she realized what a gift it was to be able to be herself around a guy and not worry the least little bit about him straying. Coco, Sasha and Cecily, on the other hand, seemed to be on a drama binge, having dumped their boyfriends and undertaken drastic diets and makeovers to make the boys feel the loss even more keenly. But what was the point of all that effort? If you had to bend over backward to make a boy like you, was he even worth it in the end?

Alex was a senior and so much more mature than Drew, Johnny, Spencer or even Reese Highland, boys who were only one year younger but suddenly seemed like children. Being with Alex felt like being with a college guy. He was calm, smart and sensible. He had lofty, admirable goals and he treated Haley as if she were just as mature as he was. She loved it.

They stopped at the threshold of the ballroom and surveyed the scene. They had played a large part in planning the party after all, especially Alex. The room looked beautiful and so far everything seemed to be running smoothly. Alex turned to her and said, “Ready to go knock their socks off?”

She beamed at him. “Ready.”

“First, let's go congratulate Mrs. Eton,” Alex said. Haley followed him across the dance floor to a knot of people near the bar. The group parted, revealing Mrs. Eton at the center. She was dressed like a queen in a silver gown trimmed with white fur; her diamond earrings were massive.

A young man, clearly one of Mrs. Eton's aides, spoke first. “Hey, Alex, nice legwork. Everything looks great.”

“Oh, Alex, there you are.” Mrs. Eton reached out to shake his hand. “In case any of you don't know Alex Martin, this is one of my bright young interns. He has a very promising future in politics, I assure you. We're very lucky to have him on the Republican side, and I intend to keep him there!”

There was laughter, and a few members of the crowd—reporters, Haley guessed—jotted down notes. One woman asked Alex how to spell his name. Haley felt proud to be with him; he was so obviously respected by everyone he worked with, even though he was only eighteen.

“Governor Eton, I'd like you to meet Haley Miller,” Alex said, stepping aside to make room for Haley.

She held out her hand and the governor shook it. “Lovely to see you, Haley.”

“It's an honor to be here,” Haley said. “Congratulations, and best of luck in your new job.”

“Thank you, dear. I'm going to need it.” Mrs. Eton grinned and turned to one of the reporters. “If you have any more questions, get them over with, please. I'd like to celebrate!”

The entourage laughed as if this were the wittiest remark they'd ever heard. Haley followed Alex to their table to set down her evening bag, snagging a glass of sparkling water from a passing tray.

“Haley? Is that you?” A tall woman Haley's mother's age stopped her and smiled. It was Karen Warshaw, a state senator who'd fought alongside Joan Miller to stop the opening of a mill that would pollute the Delaware River. “I almost didn't recognize you, you look so grown up.”

“Hello, Karen,” Haley said. “This is Alex Martin. He's an intern with Governor Eton. Alex, this is Karen Warshaw, state senator.”

“Senator, Haley's told me wonderful things about your work on education reform,” Alex said, shaking her hand. “It's a pleasure to meet you. You know, I share your support for charter schools and inventive
solutions in teacher training. The unions have grown too big and powerful. It's time to restore checks and balances.”

“What a charming young man,” Karen said in a low voice to Haley. “But does your mother know you've crossed enemy lines?”

They all laughed. Inauguration Day was a celebration of democracy, Haley thought, a time to take off the gloves and put politics aside, if only for a day.

“Please give your mother my best,” Karen said, walking off. “And tell her I think I'll have another case for her soon.”

“Thanks for saving me there,” Alex said. “I should know her name but I drew a total blank. She's one of the governor's fiercest critics—and Mrs. Eton likes to keep her enemies close.”

“You're welcome. Here comes Eli Morgenstern. Remember, his wife's a Democrat and it embarrasses him, so don't bring up anything too partisan.”

“Gotcha. Mr. and Mrs. Morgenstern, hello!” Mr. Morgenstern was a wealthy investor in his seventies who was a major contributor to the Republican Party. Nobody in politics could afford to get on his bad side. He looked very at home in a tuxedo, probably from years of attending charity events. His wife, twenty years younger, shone in a gold Japanese kimono dress.

Alex and Haley had a pleasant five-minute
conversation with the Morgensterns about Mrs. Morgenstern's passion, Japanese art. By the end, the older couple were exclaiming over the well-mannered, nice young couple who knew so much about so many different subjects.

“Whew,” Alex said to Haley. “I'd hate to offend that guy. The governor would never forgive me.”

“You've got nothing to worry about,” Haley said. “They loved you.”

“Correction: they loved us,” Alex said.

For the rest of the cocktail hour and all through dinner, Alex and Haley worked as a team. Haley conversed easily with people of all stripes, most of whom were years older than she was. The challenging family dinner conversations she'd grown up with were paying off. When Alex's memory occasionally failed him under pressure, Haley effortlessly filled in the blanks, reminding him of names and occupations. Thanks to her mother's political work, Haley knew more people at the ball than she expected—and they knew her. By the time dinner broke up for dancing, Alex was very impressed with his date.

“You should go into politics,” he said, leading Haley onto the dance floor. “You're very good with people.”

“Thanks,” Haley said, “but I'm not sure politics is my thing.”

“I'm telling you, you're a natural,” Alex said.

They danced to the swing band until they got thirsty and headed back to the bar. Mrs. Eton was sitting nearby, talking to the Morgensterns.

“We're having a wonderful time, Eleanor,” Mrs. Morgenstern was saying. “I don't remember the last time we went to a political function without ending up in a terrible argument.”

“Not tonight, though,” Mr. Morgenstern said. “I vowed we wouldn't fight tonight.” He waved Alex and Haley over. “Here's that cute young couple, the future of America. I'd just about given up on this generation until I met these two.”

“That's my intern,” Governor Eton said proudly. “I hired him myself. He's from good Republican stock, and it shows. He's got the smarts and great work ethic to prove it.”

Mrs. Morgenstern blanched, and Haley saw trouble coming. “Governor Eton, are you suggesting that brains and hard work are exclusive traits of the Republican Party?” Mrs. Morgenstern said, in high dudgeon.

“Diana, don't start,” Mr. Morgenstern snapped.

“Of course not,” Mrs. Eton said, eyeing Haley. “After all, Haley here is a Democrat.” The governor then gave a conspiratorial wink to Alex, as in,
Your lefty date just saved my butt!

“The real issue for young people is not which party they belong to, but getting them involved at all,” Haley said, deftly shifting the conversation.
“Did you know voter registration among eighteen-year-olds is only thirty percent?”

Mrs. Eton nodded, recognizing political expediency when she saw it. “She's absolutely right, of course. We must get more young people involved, no matter what party they choose. There are many Democrats whom I admire and trust, Diana, and I count you among them.”

“Thank you, Eleanor,” Mrs. Morgenstern said. “That's very gracious of you.”

“Crisis averted,” Alex whispered to Haley. “Quick thinking, H.”