Decoding You *Watty Awards 2012*

Chapter 33

The senior bash was being held outside on the tennis court. It was the perfect spot. Tables were set up for us and there was even a stage for kareoke. The music was going, it could have been fun.

I was worried Audrey was going to show up with the guide. But I see Harper and Preston show up first. Harper walks up to me and eyes me, "Are you okay?"

I look down at the ground, "No I'm not okay."

I look back up at her and she says, "I don't know what to do Rory. Audrey thinks she's right, and I know you think you're right, but you both did things wrong. You should have told her you were in love with hiim."

I bite my lip and nod, "I know. But Audrey just handed that book over to him. I don't even know where it is."

Preston clears his throat, "Ryder has it."

I look at him wide eyed, "Why?" I look at Harper, "Why didn't you get it back?"

She shrugs, "He was reading it on the ride home. By the time we stopped at Preston's I forgot about it. It's not like there's anything bad about him in it Rory."

I nod, "I know but it's still..."

"You need to read this."

Preston hands me the notebook Ryder had been writing in, "Why?"

He sighs, "He didn't write anything bad about you Rory...it's all...just details. Just like yours."

I take it from him and head over to the bleachers leaving them both standing in the middle of the bash.

It only takes me an hour and when I close it and look up Ryder is standing there watching me.

"I think we need to talk."

I stare at him silently and see our sisters in the distance, "What the hell are they doing here?"

He turns and scowls in their direction.

When they walk up they're holding a stack of papers, two pieces of cardboard, string, and a marker.

"What is that?" I ask.

Abigail and Sammi look at eachother before Sammi says, "What you both did was wrong, but the beginning of it was actually a good idea. We took the journals and photocopied them last night."

Abigail clears her throat, "Now it's all one book. All you guys have to do is throw it in the time capsule."

"And tie it together and make a cover."

"It's only fair that you rename it."

I look at Ryder and notice he's contemplating it, "What are we suppose to do with these?" I ask holding up the notebook.

Harper walks up, "Burn it at the bonfire the last day of school. Burn them both. And don't put that book in that time capsule. Just remember Audrey is Student Council president, she's in charge of the unburial at a future senior bash."

I meet Ryder's gaze and then look back at Harper, "I thought you were mad at me for lying to you? Shouldn't you be with Audrey?"

Harper shrugs uncomfortably, "You both lied."

I look at her, "I know that. How about you go tell her?"

Harper stomps off and Preston shakes his head, "Don't push Harper away because you're mad at yourself. She didn't do anything wrong."

I tilt my head and look at him, "Oh like you didn't do anything wrong? Aren't you the one who helped Ryder lie to me?"

He gulps, "I'm sorry Rory."