Back to Me

Homecoming

Twenty minutes later Hanna, Mona, and I arrived at the school gym, and by the amount of music and noise I could tell people were enjoying themselves.

"Hey, you guys made it." I heard Aria say in relief. "I thought you guys had talked me into coming and then decided to skip."

"Aria, why would I do that to you?" Hanna asked her. "I would be here even if I was grounded because I am going to be crowned homecoming queen if it's the last thing I do."

"Where's Emily?" Mona asked.

"She's not here yet, that's why I was getting worried." Aria answered.

"Well, I'm sure she'll be here soon. You know how Mrs. Fields is; she's probably giving Emily last minute lectures on not getting too drunk." Mona assured her. "Now, I hate to leave as soon as I've gotten here, but I should go find my boyfriend. See you girls around."

"Hi, sorry I'm late. My car was at the mechanic and it took longer to fix than expected." Emily said as she came up to Hanna and me.

"That's okay, Em, we're just glad you're here." Hanna told her. "Oh, there's Sean, do you mind if I go dance with him?"

"Of course not, you go have a good time while us single girls stand here hoping for some cute guy to ask us for a dance." Aria sighed dramatically and all four of us started laughing.

"Well, it looks like one of you will be dancing with a handsome guy tonight. After all Spencer's 'friend' who happens to be a very good looking counselor and chaperone is here." Hanna teased before I heard her high heels walk away.

"When is she going to believe that Jason is just a really good friend?" I asked rhetorically.

"When pigs fly." Emily answered.

"I'm doomed." I sighed as I laughed and shook my head.

"I wouldn't say you're doomed but you're definitely not getting off the hook anytime soon." Aria commented.

"Would anybody like to get a drink with me? It's a little warm in here." I asked.

"Sure, I'm pretty thirsty myself." Emily replied.

"I'll come too, but I need to use the restroom first." Aria added.

The three of us walked together and then Aria went off to the bathroom so it was just Emily and I standing beside the punch table.

"Hey, Spence, do you mind if I go talk to somebody real quick?" Emily asked hesitantly. "I can stay if you want because Aria should be back any minute."

"No, you go ahead, Em, I'll be fine." I assured her.

"Thanks, Spence; I'll only be a few minutes." She said giving me a quick hug and then walked off.

Emily ended up being more than a few minutes and I got cornered by Melissa. She had been invited to announce this year's homecoming king and queen. And of course she took the opportunity to rub it in my face that she had been homecoming queen when she was here.

"So, are you enjoying yourself?" I heard Toby ask from behind me a few minutes after Melissa left.

"Hey, Toby!" I greeted him and a smile immediately spread across my face. "Um, do you really want me to answer that question?"

"No, I know that you've never been a big party type, and I just saw Melissa talking to you. So since Jenna is talking to her friends I decided see how you were doing."

"Well, I appreciate your concern. Other than Melissa being typical Melissa, I guess I'm having a good time." I told him.

"How about we make sure that you're having a good time? Since this is a school dance, would you care to dance with me, Miss Hastings?" He asked sounding extra charming and comical at the same time.