Play the Game Boy (BWWM)

chapter 17

Faith

I came home from work to a package sitting on my bed. My dad had said that the delivery guy dropped it earlier during the day and he swore that he didn't open up the card that was attached to the box, but I knew him too well to not realize he had snooped around.

When I got to the package, I noticed that the ribbon had been messily put back around it, and I knew my dad had peeked into it. I chuckled quietly to myself. Of course. I wasn't really surprised.

I plucked the card and recognized Brendan's messy handwriting right away. I immediately relaxed, now reassured that this wasn't one of Xander's sinister notes.

I read what it said :

I know you told me yesterday you couldn't be my date, but I had already bought this and I don't exactly fit in it, so I thought I'd send it anyways. I'm sick of Meghan always giving you her sloppy seconds clothing wise and I thought you deserved more for my big night.
— B. WENTHWARD

I opened up the package, apprehensively curious as to what it enclosed. When I peeped into it, I noticed that it was filled with satin of his favorite color. Red. I pulled out the material and discerned the shape of the beautiful dress. I smiled, holding it up before my frame —he had gotten my size right this time, no more extra-smalls for me.

I carefully wrapped the dress back inside of the packet when my phone started buzzing. I looked at the caller I.D. Nadine. She was probably on her way to pick me up and drop me off at Meghan's where we would all get dressed up for the event.

I picked up, beginning to gather my things inside of a bag. "I'm getting ready to leave," I said, forgetting about hello's or formalities.

"Great, I'll be there in a few," she replied before ending the call.

I packed as much stuff as I could cram inside my vintage tote before Nadine shot me a text indicating she was waiting for me in her car outside of my apartment complex. I hushed out quick goodbyes to my parents before descending down and outside, into Nadine's spacious car.

"Hey bitch," she greeted me as I climbed in and she drove off into the street. I rolled my eyes, chuckling. I didn't realize I had missed Nadine's dry humour this much these past couple of weeks.

"Well hello to you too," I replied, still struggling to fasten my seatbelt. "How you've been holding up?"

She knew I was referring to Xander's reveal as the town's cyberbully. It was taking a toll on Mason and I wondered if Nadine was okay. She always wanted to be strong, but this was tough news to digest, even for someone as strong-minded as her.

She shrugged. "Eh, I never liked Xander."

I blinked. Nadine didn't like many people, this shouldn't be much of a surprise, but I was still concerned. "What about Mason? How's he coping with the news?"

She sighed out. "He's being whiny about it, but he should snap out of that phase soon enough. I'm getting tired of his sullen mood."

"Nadine, his family's name just suffered a mortifying public humiliation, give the guy a break," I suggested.

"Yeah, you're probably right," she said, but I could tell she didn't mean what she had just said.