ruin | guy germaine

Chapter Sixteen

Laney McKinley

"Tomorrow, dress up if you want. Curl you hair, do your makeup, whatever makes you feel happy. If you don't want to do that, that's fine. As long as you're comfortable and happy. Tomorrow is the day I come clean. Am I nervous, hell yeah. I don't know what you're reaction will be. You're probably nervous as well. So, enjoy your Queen record that you hopefully don't have already, and relax. 5th period, before lunch, will be your surprise. I hope this is putting a smile on your face because you deserve it."

       I read the note over and over again as I walked out of the school, following Connor who still wouldn't talk to me.

    I knew he wouldn't believe me. Brady was his best friend. Grandma and Grandpa dropped off grandpas car for Connor to drive us home. They were letting us take it to school, which was cool.

    As I was about to get in the car, I heard someone calling my name. I looked for whoever was calling me and saw Ryan standing at his car a few spots beside us.

    "Wanna come with me?" He questioned, "I have to pick Chloe but we were going to come visit you guys after school! I guess grandma said we were having a dinner together tonight again."

I smiled. I glanced at Connor who was already looking at me, "I'll see you at home," he murmured.

I thanked him and ran to Ryan's car. He drove a really nice car. I had no idea what kind it was, but it was really nice and everyone talked about it.

     His friends greeted me, starting conversations with me. I loved his friends. They were all super nice and funny. Half of them walked to my classes with me.

    "You wanna drive?" He asked me. He held the keys in the air. I looked at him confused.

    "I only have my permit, though," I told him. It's not that I'm bad at driving, I'm actually good and I could go for my license, but my birthday isn't until next month.

     "Yeah, but I know you're a good driver," he said. I started to smile.

    "Are you sure?" I questioned. He nodded. He tossed me the keys and I caught them. I ran to the drivers side, throwing my book bag in the back and then getting in to the car.

     I pushed the button to start it, placing my foot on the break. It started. It even sounded nice. I looked at Ryan in amazement. He laughed at me.

     I rolled down the windows, considering it was a nice day. I waved to his friends and pulled out of the spot.

The three of us made it to my house, singing old songs at the top of our lungs. I was so glad to be with my family again. I missed them all so much.

I got lost quite a few times. Ryan wasn't that good at giving directions. He was also dyslexic, so he'd say left instead of right, and instead of Warren Road, it was Marren Road. It was a fun trip.

I ended up making dinner for everyone, with the help of my grandma. Connor still wouldn't say a word to me, and it hurt. I didn't blame him for thinking the way he did though.

He didn't want to see his best friend as a bad person. He didn't want to lose Brady.

After dinner, Kayli and I washed dishes. Connor and Ryan cleaned up the food and Chloe put the dishes away. My other siblings locked themselves in their rooms, probably watching TikToks and sending them to each other.

I told Kayli about this whole homecoming thing. The dance was literally in two days, and I was getting nervous. I told her about the mystery person who has been leaving notes in my lockers for the past week.

She decided to come over in the morning and help me get ready. I honestly think she was more excited than I was.

I got to thinking, it could be one of Ryan's friends, but I guess I didn't really get close with them until Tuesday, so none of them really knew me. Plus I'm pretty sure they all had girlfriends.

My grandma thought it be a good idea to get pictures at my house. She had a big thing planned. Since my mom was barley home, my grandparents kind of took over. Grandma told me to invite all of my teammates over and we could get ready together and have sort of a spa day.

Ryan was going to invite his friends too, and then their dates would come later for pictures. I was kind of excited. After all, it was my first school dance.

     "Wake up, sleepy head," I heard someone whispering in my ear. Cold chills were sent up and down my body. I moved onto my side, throwing my arms in the air to stretch. I wanted to sleep. The person shook me, "come on, stinker, wake up."

    The person laughed. I knew it was Kayli. She smelled strongly of vanilla and flowers. She started to tickle me, which caused me to giggle. I quickly sat up and pushed her back onto my bed. I climbed down the ladder and waited for her down at my couch.

    She eventually climbed down, "you ready for this wonderful day of yours?" She grinned ear to ear.

I laughed and shrugged, "yeah, I guess."

    I glanced at the clock. It was earlier than when I usually woke up, but it was fine.

I eventually got my shower. I then got changed into the clothes Kayli had picked out for me. I didn't even know I had these things in my closet.

I wore a white shirt, along with a cute black and white checkered dress. I also wore a plain pair of white sock and Air Force 1s, which again, I didn't know was in my closet.

In Texas, I'd never wear anything I wore now. Especially this. Everyone body shamed me no matter what, so I always wore sweatpants and sweatshirts, along with an old pair of converse I got from goodwill.

Kayli blow dried my hair and curled it. She then braided it for me and put a scrunchie in my hair that matched my dress.

She knew I wasn't a huge fan of makeup, so she only put a little bit on to cover up the cut on my face I still had from Rachel. She also put some nude eyeshadow on, and mascara, and what I think is called highlighter. It was some kind of powder type stuff that made you shine.

I wasn't going to lie, I looked good. This was the best I probably have ever looked in my life.

I took a few mirror pictures. Kayli helped me pose. She also took some pictures of me for me to post on Instagram.

We suddenly heard honking outside. She ran to the window and leaked outside, and then turned to me.

"Oh, my brother is here to pick you up!" She said. She walked back over to me.

I smiled, "I freaking love Ryan," I laughed. I heard him screaming my name outside. I walked over to my couch and grabbed my book bag. I slung it over my shoulder, walking to my window, "Connor still won't talk to me, I'm guessing," I sighed, "he usually wakes me up every morning and we sit here and talk for awhile, but not today, I guess."

I frowned. I missed my brother, but there was honestly nothing I could even do about it.

"I'm sorry, Lanes," Kayli said. I started to climb out my window, "hey, after school, can I come over and finish that dress?"

I smiled again, "yeah, of course," I completely forgot that she was making a dress. I figured it was shipped already since the girls dance was tomorrow too.

Kayli smiled at me, "have a great day, little cuz."