The Hair Tie

Chapter 7

Two weeks had passed without anything interesting happening. I had been getting closer to everyone in the group, and everything seemed to be going well.

"So, the homecoming dance is this Saturday! Are you going with anyone?" Jessie asked me.

It was after school, and we were all hanging out in the library. Despite the fact that libraries were supposed to be eerie and quiet, I started laughing my ass off. "Me? G-Going with a date? Ha! You're funny." I wiped an invisible tear off my cheek and took in a deep breath before calming down. The girls gave me a blank stare while the guys had a smile on their faces. "What? I'd love to go to the dance, but I don't need a date. Who needs a date when you've got confidence, am I right?"

Okay, I didn't have confidence, but I didn't need a date either.

"Hands down, I agree with this girl!" Amber screamed. Ah, her feminism never failed to amuse me.

"Shh," a librarian scolded us.

"It was them, miss, not us," Ethan said. Let's just say he got a good smack to the head by none other than our lovely Jessie. "Ow!"

"Shh," Jessie mimicked the librarian, causing Ethan to roll his eyes.

"But really," Chelsea spoke up, "you have to bring a date! It's our last homecoming dance in high school; it has to be memorable!"

"Who would want to go with her?" Bryan jokingly asked. In the next second, he whimpered, getting kicked in the shin by Chelsea. "I was joking! Sheesh."

Huh, us girls were actually really violent. Or maybe they were just trying to flirt.. Who knows? Flirting takes many forms, and violence is one of them.

I rolled my eyes and snickered. "It can be memorable without a date," I retorted.

"Ugh, you're hopeless," Chelsea replied.

"And don't you forget it," I winked at her.

She giggled, "You know that's not a good thing, right?"

"Define 'good', because in today's society, nothing's 'good' anymore," I reasoned.

"Touché."

The boys groaned, probably sick of listening to us talk about the dance.

Hey, girls needed their girl talk, and right now was definitely a good time for it. They could have left if they wanted to. I hoped they knew we were going to keep talking about this, with or without them.

"But still!" Jessie persisted. "Homecoming is ten times more fun when you have someone to go with."

"Oh? How about you then? Do you have a date?" I raised my eyebrows with a knowing smirk on my face. I knew she still didn't have a date, and I also knew who she wanted to go with. I mean, she didn't tell me, but it was so obvious that even a blind man could see it.

She blushed, "Um.. N-No.. But I will have one, I can tell you that." She took a risky glance at Ethan, who was fortunately talking to Bryan, not paying attention to what we were saying.

"You're adorable," I teased.

"Shut up."

"Drew, we should start a campaign! 'We Don't Need No Man For Homecoming!' C'mon, it'll be a hit!" I think you can guess who said that? You know, vibrant red head, fiery personality? Yeah, Amber.

I laughed, "Thanks for the offer, but I think I'll pass. I received enough attention these past few weeks; I don't need anymore."

I recalled the few incidents that have occurred. Threatening letters in my locker, childish rumors being spread, glares and stares, all that jazz. It was high school. Did anyone honestly think it was a walk in the park?