Playing With Fire

Chapter 11-13

Chapter 11

To say that Kayla was surprised by my invitation to go dress shopping would be an understatement. Her eyes go wide, her pale cheeks flush, and I realize that I may not be the only one attending a dance for the first time.

Despite the ever present zombie threat, I have to admit I'm a little excited to do a formal dress-up thing. Though I'd never admit it out loud, the idea of doing the slow-motion walk down the stairs to greet my date, who would be dumbstruck by my beauty, hit all the girlie places deep inside me. For that, I blame John Hughes and his string of wildly tropey nineteen-eighties movies playing in an endless cycle on cable TV.

Kayla agrees eagerly, touting her own need to find a gown. Apparently black taffeta was hard to find. She suggests a trip to Charlotte the following afternoon and I'm immediately on board. Not only will the getaway be nice, but it'll give me a chance to ask her about Bianca, who is the only person besides myself I know to be capable of the hack that took down the squadron.

"We can leave after school and make an evening of it," she suggests.

"Sounds great, I just have to clear it with my dad," I say, dropping her and Derek off at her place.

"See if you can find me a black ascot while you're out, okay?" Derek says, before they are out of earshot.

At first I think he's joking, but then, maybe not. I wonder what his idea of Goth formal would look like and I snicker to myself, betting he'll show up looking like Gary Oldman in Dracula.

Grabbing my cell from my pocket before I pull away, I dial Oliver.

"Hello?" he answers, winded.

I wonder what he was doing. Surely practice hasn't started yet?

"Hey, it's Farris."

He sounds surprised. "Oh. Hey. Didn't recognize your number. What's up?"

"Are you running?" I ask, checking over my shoulder as I pull out onto the street.

"Forgot my notebook in the classroom. Had to run back for it before practice. And now I'm heading to the gym."

"Oh. I was actually looking for Georgia. Can I get her number?"

"Uh, yeah. Actually, wait. She's right here, I'll just give her to you."

"Hello?" her sweet voice cracks through the speaker.

"Hey, it's Farris. So, Kayla and I are going dress shopping in Charlotte tomorrow after school and I was wondering if you wanted to go? I know you're going with your other friends already but..."

I bite my lip. Truthfully, I had no experience with the whole dress-shopping thing and I needed someone there who would know what to choose. If I just went with Kayla, I'd have fun, but I'd probably end up looking like a burlesque pinup girl. Plus, this might be a good opportunity to begin merging my friend groups, breaking through those social barriers.

"Yeah, that sounds like fun. I'll probably get my dress tonight, but I could help you pick something out," she offers.

"Great, we'll leave right from the school, okay?"

"Sounds good."

"Um, okay, thanks. Bye." I say.

"Bye."

I hold the phone to my ear a moment longer, just to see if she's going to hand it back to Oliver.

Click.