Weathered Love

FREE

The end of junior year was already coming up. Junior prom was fast approaching, and I was trying to figure out my plans. I would have gone with Ivan, but he had asked Samantha, and while I couldn't be happier for them, it meant that I had to find an alternate date. Or go stag.

"Hey, Ivy," Ethan, a casual friend of mine, called out one day while approaching my locker.

"What's up Ethan?" I asked, smiling brilliantly at him. After that night at Derek's, everything was brighter and more beautiful and I smiled a lot more. I both loved and hated my new attitude.

"Do you have a date to junior prom?" he asked. I shook my head. "Wanna go together?" he asked.

"Sure," I replied, relieved to have someone to go with. Ethan was a nice guy, and a really talented actor. We took drama class together, but more than that, he and I were in all the extra-curricular drama activities together. He never let his darker, South-Asian complexion get in the way of trying for "typically white" roles. And he usually got them because he was so damn talented. I admired his talent and his nonchalance at most people's doubts.

"Cool," he said. "Um..." he continued.

"Something on your mind?" I asked while also closing my locker.

"Well, Aaron doesn't have a date either," he sheepishly admitted.

"I'll ask around," I offered, "But no guarantees. Although I'm surprised you guys don't have dates," I added, honestly astounded they were dateless for such a big event. "You guys are both handsome and talented. Forgot to ask the girls out?" I asked. Aaron had the most beautiful voice on the face of the planet, and I could easily name ten girls who would faint at the idea of going to junior prom with him. Ethan too for that matter.

"You know how we are," he admitted. "Our art comes first. Social events second," he stated.

"Let me ask Mackenzie," I offered. "If Aaron thinks he can handle her," I asked, raising my eyebrows. Mackenzie had such a strong personality, I wasn't sure Aaron's artistic soul could handle her aggressive nature. Nonetheless, Ethan was nodding enthusiastically. "Alright, I'll ask her," I offered.

"Great," Ethan said. "I'll pick you up around 7?" he asked. I nodded, happy I wouldn't spend this night alone.

I asked Mackenzie at lunch, and she was indifferent. "Sure," she replied. "No lucky guy has snatched me up yet," she commented. I wish I had her confidence.

Karen and Caleb came and sat down at our table at that moment. "Snatched you up for what?" Karen asked.

"Junior prom. Ivy and I are going with Ethan and Aaron," she commented.

"Really?" Caleb asked, looking surprised. I despised that surprised expression.

"We should all share a limo!" Karen squealed.

I laughed. "Ethan's picking me up, and I imagine we're all going to carpool. Not that a limo wouldn't be awesome, but I'm not sure everyone can afford to split one," I stated, noticing Karen's disappointed expression.

"No worries," she commented. "I understand." Within a matter of seconds, her brilliant smile was back on her face.

"Understand what?" Leah asked, sitting next to us.

"Why we wouldn't take a limo to junior prom," I answered.

"Ivy kindly pointed out that not everyone can afford a limo," Caleb said, gesturing to me. I felt myself turn bright red and hoped I didn't look as self-conscious as I felt. I studied Caleb's gestures and comments more closely now. Ever since both Leah and Derek stated that they suspected he had a thing for me, I scrutinized every word, every letter, every glance... I wanted a clear indication that what I was told was not merely speculative. But so far, that's all it seemed to be. Mere speculation.