My Spy

M.I.A

"Gentlemen, find your Belles and grab your dancin' shoes! It's time to two-step!" Mr. Blackwood's voice fills the dance hall and there is a sudden frenzy of dancers. Ladies push through the sea of wide dresses to find their men and a rough circular formation is formed on the wooden dance floor.

The dancing space sits in the center of the hall and circular dinner tables spiral out around the slightly raised wooden platform. The tables are patriotically decorated and flickers of light from the tea lights illuminate the viewer's faces. While Hollis has many events throughout the year, Founder's Day is by far the biggest and accounts for almost half of the Party Planning Committee's annual budget. Guests find their tables and quickly fill their seats while volunteers roam around taking orders for colorful cocktails and finger food.

There are ornate crystal chandeliers that hang across the ceiling and the venue slightly dims the lights to give the dancers the proper mood.

Annabeth's sweaty palm still clutches onto mine and I watch as she swings her head back forth looking for Ryan and Austin. They never met us under the oak tree and Annabeth is about to send the National Guard out to find Austin.

"Annabeth, you need to calm down." I try and reassure her but she just shakes her head as she purses her lips together. Her wild eyes still scan the crowd and I am afraid she might start crying.

"No Sawyer, this was my chance. I have to dance with Austin!" She says with a shaky voice. I glance to her as I ask, "Chance for what?" She finally gives me her attention and snaps, "To be seen with Austin. People will talk about us if they see me on his arm." I drop her hand and shake my head at her.

"Annabeth, you know Austin isn't your boyfriend or anything right? He's going home to South Carolina soon and he's not looking for a wife."

"I know Sawyer. But just because I know I'm not Austin's girlfriend doesn't mean the town doesn't. Isn't that why you've been parading Ryan around town all morning? So people think you're a couple? Because the world wouldn't be right if Sawyer Sweeney was sad and single," she says harshly. I look to her and now feel as pathetic as I thought Annabeth was being. I did want the town to think we are a couple because I feel like we are one. But it is a charade and I'm dying to convince this town I'm happy. Why do both Annabeth and I need to feel accepted and validated by this godforsaken town?

I shake my head at her, "You're right. But aren't we going to feel dumb when they leave back to S.C? We are just going to have to make up more lies."

"At least you really are hooking up with Ryan. And after he's gone, you'll still have plenty of prospects," she confesses. "For you, lying is just until Whitney and Jackson are married. After they are hitched, you are free to do as you please. The all-seeing eye won't be on you anymore. The scandal will be forgotten and you won't be a constant pity party. Me on the other hand, I'm twenty-six and have no prospects. I need this Sawyer. I need to feel admirable, even if it's a facade. Mama's need to tell their sons that if Annabeth Matthews is good enough for Austin Sweeney, she's good enough for their own son." I frown as she talks to me and a pit forms in my stomach. Annabeth always felt like the ugly duckling next to Whitney and me. We were handed things off pretty silver platters where Annabeth sometimes was the one holding the platter and sucking up our scraps. She's a pretty girl, but her constant need for any attention drives guys away. However, it's kind of our fault because Whitney and I were always the ones soaking up the attention while she was left in our shadow.

"Annabeth, you will find someone, someone that will be so lucky to have you. With or without Austin's help," I reassure her but I can tell she's not having it. Her cheeks are flushed and tears pool in her eyes like she's about to completely flip out.

"Easy for Sawyer Sweeney to say," she mutters before she stalks off toward the entrance. My shoulders drop and I release a long sigh. I twist my gloved hands and am starting to feel the pain of being stood up. I know I could easily go find a new partner, but I wanted to dance with Ryan. Not so the town would see but because I truly enjoyed dancing with him. Being happy with him is no longer a silly charade. It's the truth.

"This is the final call for all the dancers to take their places. I see some stragglers coming in from outside so we can wait two more minutes," Mr. Blackwood announces and I feel defeated. Austin and Ryan must have gotten caught up with their work. I glance one last time to the entrance but don't see Austin's golden hair anywhere.

I take a few steps toward the dinner tables and scoot out a banquet chair. I adjust my petticoat so I can plop into the seat and immediately drop my head into my hands. The lace from my gloves tickles my face, so I pop my hands out to slide off my gloves- I would like to wallow in comfort. I gently place my gloves together and I feel the chair scoot out next to me.

"Why aren't you out there ready to dance? This is the founding families time to shine darlin'," Tate Samuels says as he sits next to me. My face warms as I take in his handsome face and I immediately fling my arms around my old high school friend. He gives me a squeeze back and I'm elated to have run into him.

"Tate! I didn't know you were in town, how are you?" I ask, still baffled from seeing the familiar face. He nods as he answers, "I'm great. I'm visiting from Philly just for the weekend. I was hoping to run into you while I was here." He flashes me the smile that used to make me go weak in the knees. "You look beautiful by the way. The only girl that can pull off the period look- not surprisingly," he says as he fingers the ruffles on my sleeve. I watch his hazel eyes inspect the rest of my dress and warm memories from high school come pouring back.

"You are looking rather dashing yourself ya know. Love the suspenders," I gush back as I snap one of the suspenders on his slender chest. Tate was always handsome, even when we were kids. He's always had this natural tan that makes his hazel eyes pop. He was my first playground boyfriend and we even got married under the monkey bars. We never seriously dated after middle school but we always had chemistry when we were around each other.

"Yeah, my mom dressed me. Surprise, surprise." He says with a smile before asking, "So why are you sitting here by yourself? Aren't you supposed to be dancing?" We both look over to the fidgety dancers anxiously waiting for the music to start.

"Well I was, but I think I got stood up by my partner." Tate frowns and then suddenly snatches my hand up.

"I'll fill in. I think I can remember the steps. If not, the hoop from your dress will prevent me from stepping all over you, so you won't be completely miserable." He pulls me up and away from the table before I can say no. He tugs me toward the back of the dance formation and I can't help but glance at his tush as I walk behind him. Tate is a professional baseball player and has the slender, athletic build. Even in high school, I could proudly say, his baseball butt drove all us girls nuts.

I look to the dancers but don't see Annabeth among them. I scan the tables I can see from my point of view and spot her off to the side of the floor with her arms folded across her chest. Her chestnut hair is starting to lose its hold and she keeps pushing her limp curls out of her face. She's clearly pouting and when she spots me with Tate she mouths, "Told you." She turns on her heel and stomps off out of view.