White Teeth Teens

17. Team

Mom and Dad agreed to my party scene plan!

After school, Val, Allison, and I get in Liz's car and we drive to Hudson for party decorations and snacks. Logan thinks I'm at PAWS so the secret of the party is still in effect.

"Ben was asking about you at lunch," Allison says as we're browsing the chips aisle of the grocery store.

"All," Val hisses.

Allison blushes. "Sorry. Liz said you wouldn't want to talk about it. I forgot..."

I let out a sigh. "Don't be sorry. I'm the one who should apologize for being MIA this week," I say to her and Val. I ate lunch with Liz and Garrett in the foyer again to avoid the cafeteria.

The girls tell me it's okay, and then we're distracted by the extremely important position of what kind of chips we're going to buy. Potato and onion dip or tortilla and salsa?

In the end we go for both!

Liz finds colorful shot glasses that we can pour water into and some cheap Christmas lights on the way to check out. While we're carrying the grocery bags back to the car, Allison comes close to me and whispers, "For the record—Ben seemed really eager to talk to you. He really likes you."

This makes me smile. Maybe I can kill two birds with one stone tonight. On the drive to my house, I sit in the back so no one can read my phone over my shoulder. It's stupid to text Ben now since he's at soccer practice but, I do anyway.

Me: hey id really like to talk to you. are u free tonight?

I keep my phone in my hand for the rest of the drive just incase he responds.

#

When we get to my house, we tiptoe into the kitchen. Mom is there, bouncing Colin on her knee. She gestures towards Logan's room, where I hear loud music, and tells us we don't have to be that quiet.

We start setting up the kitchen and family room. Allison and Val take a break to play with Colin while Liz and I pour snacks into bowls. Around five, Selena and the other members of the Media Club come over with equipment and start setting up. They've brought a disco ball and neon lights for decoration as well.

"Thank you for coming!" I found her in the hallway this morning between second and third period and told her my plan.

"This is amazing, Rory," Selena says.

"Should we get Logan now?"

Selena covers her mouth. "Oh my god, okay!"

"He's in his room. You'll hear the music."

She squeals with excitement and runs up. I try to preoccupy myself with more set up but I can't help keeping my eye on the stairs. A few minutes later, I see Logan coming down, looking around like this is some sort of trap.

"What the...?"

Selena drums on his shoulders. "We're gonna finish the shoot!"

Everyone cheers, but Logan's face is still scrunched in confusion. He points to me. "You did this?"

"Yes," Mom interjects. She comes out of the study that she was hiding in with Colin at her chest. "Your sister set it all up."

I can tell Logan doesn't want to show too much excitement but he's struggling to keep his lips from turning up. He finally smiles with all of his teeth and gives me a tight hug. "Thank you," he whispers in my ear.

"Love you," I whisper back.

"Love you too."

I freeze—I was not expecting him to reciprocate! I'm still frozen in place as he leaves me to greet all of his friends.