Sincerely, Vantae

TWELFTH GRADE

Subject: Truth or Dare

Pick one.

Sincerely, VANTAE

Subject: Re: Truth or Dare.

Dare.

Intrigued, LILI

Subject: Re: Re: Truth or Dare.

I dare you to tell me what really happened between you and alex last night.

Sincerely, VANTAE

Subject: Re: Re: Re: Truth or Dare

I picked DARE. That's a TRUTH. That's cheating! But since we're speaking of alex...Gah! I should've said no to being his date tonight. Why is he wearing a yellow tuxedo?

Embarrassed, LILI

Subject: Awaiting the Dare...

You were definitely better off coming to prom alone. I'm starting to think I should've done the same.

My date keeps asking me questions about when I plan on becoming a professional athlete. Tell me what happened between you and Alex, or, actually tell me anything. I need some intelligent conversation. My date doesn't speak much.

Sincerely, VANTAE

Subject: Re: Awaiting the Dare

Meet me at the punch bowl in fifteen minutes.

You're welcome (in advance) for the distraction, LILI

I walked over to the punch bowl minutes later and met Lili. "I've got five minutes before she notices I've been away too long."

"I've got ten." She grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the ballroom.

She tugged on all the doors as we walked down the hallway, until she finally found one that would open: A janitor's closet.

"We needed to have the conversation in here?" I asked. "Are we in grade school again? Twilight zone, maybe?"

"It was awful." She slumped against a small chair. "Absolutely awful."

"What are you talking about?"

"Losing my virginity." She shook her head. "I'm hoping the next time will be better..."

"There aren't any do-overs on virginity...That's...not how that works."

She rolled her eyes. "I meant sex. I figure he'll try to do it again tonight, and I've heard some girls say it gets better with time so I can only hope."

"I hope it's better for you, too..." I sighed. "Sorry it wasn't what you thought it would be."

"It's not your fault..." She looked up at me. "So, when do you plan on telling the media hounds what college you're attending? You know all of those greedy-eyed recruiters are waiting with bated breath."

"You're not?"

"Why would I be?"

"Because I haven't told you either."

"But I know you so I'm pretty sure it's an easy guess."

"Out of forty six schools with full scholarship offers on the table?" I crossed my arms. "Try me."

"When I get this right, you owe me a trip to Yoona's Waffle Place. Your treat."

"When you get this wrong, I'll take you to the IHOP down the street."

She smiled. "Jeju Beach University."

I was silent.

"Is that it?" she asked. "Did I get it right?"

"Nope."

"Liar!" She laughed. "I can see it all over your face. "You should accept the facts by now. I know you better than you know yourself."

"No, you just think that you do."

"Want to bet on that, too?"

"As a matter of fact—" I stopped talking as the doorknob turned, as the door suddenly opened.

Mr. Hwang, the same janitor from years past. He looked back and forth between Lili and me, shaking his head.

"Thank you," he said.

"Thank you both very much for being the perfect sign that I really do need to retire...Now, get the hell out of my closet..."