Soda Pop

Chapter 38- The Phone Call

When Brett rings the doorbell, I feel my heart plummet. We need to talk, and this talk may not end well for either of us.

But at the same time, I just want to enjoy my last high school homecoming. No drama, just having fun with my boyfriend and friends. Because I might not get to spend too much longer with any of them. Senior year is going by way to fast. And there is no way to slow it down. Once it's over, it's over. There's no way of getting it back. I just want to live today for today and enjoy it.

Or, you could get it all out before you get to homecoming and get it off your chest.

Stupid, pesky concience.

Better decide quick. Because he is getting impatient out there. He just rang the doorbell for the second time.

I hear my mother answer the door, and she invites him in.

"Casey, Brett is here!" She calls.

Casey, just walk downstairs and forget it ever happened. Just for one night. Then tomorrow you can talk all you want.

"Just one second!" I yell down.

"Well hurry up! Your dinner reservations are for in 20 minutes, and I want pictures!"

I roll my eyes, fixing the hem of my dress. My dress is icy blue with lacy sleeves. There is a dark blue sash around my midsection separating the skirt from the top.

And I can't believe I spent $9,000 on this dress. When my mom got the bill, she may have freaked out a little bit, but when she saw the dress, the fashion magazine editor part of her squealed with delight. She shrugged off the bill and took a picture of it. My dad was a little less impressed.

When I descend down the stairs, all eyes are on me. I see my mother get out her huge camera- the kind used to photograph models sporting this season's newest trends.

"Stop right there." My mother orders, holding up the fancy camera. "Okay, turn your head a little to the left. A little more. Okay stop. Set your hand on the banister. Lightly Casey, not like you are death squeezing it! Okay, now smile like you are having the time of your life, and say,'FRONT PAGE'!"

"Front page," I mutter through my teeth.

"Okay, now Brett you get in there. Put your hand on her waist. No, like you are groping her! Okay, good, now smile. Not too much teeth. Okay, a little less murderer smile, now. Good!"

Click. Click. Click.

"Honey, let the poor children go. I can see in their faces they are planning the murder of that camera," My dad comes in. He is dressed in sweats, out of his usual business suit and tie.

"Just a few more, please? It's my baby's last homecoming!" I hear her voice catch when she says it.

Yeah, if I even graduate.

My dad grabs her waist and spins her around, so she is not facing us anymore.

My dad mouths the word go. And we don't hesitate. By the time my mom realizes we left, we are already driving down the drive. I see her run to the mailbox, waving.

I stick my hand out the window of Brett's car, and wave back.

"Now, hurry. Before she comes after us and follows us in her car," I joke. He speeds up just a little bit.

We're eating at a local high end Sushi and Ramen restaurant with Courtney and her date, Clayton. I am excited to meet Clayton. He sounds like a really great person for Courtney. She needs someone like him.