Broken

Chapter Nine

I loved homecoming week at school. It was bittersweet this time since it would be my last one, but that only made me want to make it the best yet. I knew that was a challenge because I had always imagined how my senior homecoming would go. Justin would finally ask me to the dance and I would tell him how I felt about him. That wasn't going to happen now and  I was going to have to go alone and watch him with Nora all night.

I pushed those thoughts away and took notice of all the decorations as I walked into the school. Our school colors were plastered on everything and our logo drawn in various styles. It was so great to see. I then turned down the hallway and felt my breath catch in my throat. I saw people carrying single red roses everywhere. It was a Bridge Wood tradition for the boy to ask the girl to homecoming with a rose. I picked up my pace and hurried to my locker as quickly as I could.

I opened my locker up and put my backpack's contents away. I let out a sigh and tried to focus. I just had to lose myself in my school work and this day would be over. All this awkward would be over and the fun part of homecoming would come.

"Attention students," said the voice of the secretary over the intercom. "The homecoming coronation nominees are in. Congratulations to king nominees Justin Lathrop, Martin Alonso, and Cody Morton."

Applause and cheers erupted through the hallway. I found my eyes following those of the others. I saw Justin and Martin congratulating each other. They had been good friends since Martin joined the football team. I had sort of become friends with Martin through Justin.

Justin looked over and his eyes landed on me instantly. He was right about his black eye, it was completely healed. He still had teammates and friends patting him on the back and congratulating him, but he only gave them small nods. I took a deep breath and smiled at him. I mouthed 'congrats' to him and he mouthed 'thanks' back. He suddenly looked over at Martin who pointed to his locker. Justin looked at the top shelf of his locker and there was a red rose sitting there. I quickly turned back towards my locker.

"And congratulations to our queen nominees Hayley Allen, Nora McBride, and Carly Nelson."

My breath caught in my throat. Me? I was a queen nominee. I did not see that coming. Why would people nominate me? I closed my eyes. This was good. That meant people liked me. That was a good thing. I heard some people congratulate me and I tried to smile at them. Most of them were people I had never really talked to.

"All nominees are required to attend a meeting after school in the gymnasium. Thank you, that is all."

I dared to glanced back over at Justin. I did not see him by his locker and it was closed now. My eyes immediately found him. He was now leaning on the lockers next to Nora with his back to me. I could see her listening to what he was saying. Then I saw her take the rose from him and smile.

I turned and looked away. It was now official if it was not already. Justin Lathrop was not taking me to the homecoming dance. Freshman Hayley would have had her heart broken. Senior Hayley was used to the fact that it was never going to happen. I needed to get over him. I had to shake the thought that there could ever be an us.

"Hayley."

I turned back around to find Justin now standing directly in front of me. He leans against the neighboring lockers with a grin on his face. I could not help, but smile back. His smile was contagious.

"Justin," I said.

"Congratulations on being nominated," said Justin. "I'm so happy for you."

"And I'm happy for you," I said. "I saw Nora say yes to your rose."

Justin shrugged, "Yeah, well..."

"I'm happy for you, both of you," I said quickly. I hoped he did not realize how awkward this was for me. I glanced away for a moment. I could already see them slow dancing together and accepting the crowns together. I looked back at Justin. He was watching me carefully and then his eyes darted behind me with a narrowed look.