The Boy in the Woods (2014 Wattys Winner, Wattpad Version)

Chapter 45 - Where the Boys Are

May 1961

"Who here can't wait for the junior prom?" Janet White asked loudly to the group of girls eating at the lunch table.

"Me!" rose a chorus of answers.

"Next question!" she announced. "Who do you want to ask you?"

"I already got asked," said Patty Melleville with a smug smile.

"You did?"

"By who?"

"How did it happen so fast?" Janet asked over the other girls. "They only put up the posters this morning."

"It was Bobby Baker. I guess he wanted to make sure he got to me before anyone else," she said casually.

"Him? Oh, my gosh! You're so lucky!"

"Well, he is the handsomest boy in our class."

Jess and Louise gave each other a look. It was so typical of Patty. She'd always been full of herself since her father was the mayor, but she was wrong, Jess thought decidedly. Marty was the most handsome boy in their class, even if he wasn't attending school.

"Well, I'm hoping Arthur Mullen will ask me," Janet informed them. "Or Vic Cromer. I can't decide."

While the girls debated the merits of each other's choices, Jess and Louise remained quiet. Jess didn't know if Louise was hoping to go to the junior prom or not, but she wasn't. When they were back at their lockers to collect their text books for afternoon classes, Jess heard a male voice behind her.

"Uh, hi. Uh, Louise?"

Jess turned around to find Harold Krueger, a tall gangly boy who was so shy, Jess wasn't certain if she'd ever heard him speak before. Four boys stood behind him, giving her the impression they were there to back him up.

"Oh, hello Harold," Louise said with a smile, and he dropped his head, his face flushing a deep red.

"Do you, uh, you want to, uh, go to the prom?" he asked his shoes, his voice cracking on the last word.

"Why, yes, Harold," Louise said, her face lighting up. "I'd love to!"

"Oh?" he said, looking up with a shocked expression. "Oh," he repeated, still staring at her, and Jess wondered if he hadn't expected her to say yes. When he said 'oh' again, one of the boys behind him stepped forward.

"Okay, champ," he said, good naturedly slapping his hands on Harold's shoulders. "Time to go. He'll talk to you later," he said to Louise, pulling Harold backwards. "When he's recovered!" he laughed.

While he steered him away, Harold still looked like he was in a daze, followed by the other boys, except one. As Davey Stone stepped towards Jess, her stomach sank.

"How about you, Jess? Would like to go with me? We can do a double date." Louise looked at Jess excitedly.

"I'm sorry, Davey," Jess said gently. "No, thank you."

"Oh, I didn't realize you were already going with someone," he muttered, dropping his head.

"Actually, I'm not going at all." He looked up with surprise.

"Oh, uh, okay. Maybe next time," he said backing away.

"You're not going?" Louise asked, the disappointment evident in her voice, and then her eyes widened. "Don't tell me your uncle won't let you go?" she asked in a hushed voice.

"I'm sure he would, as long as the right kind of boy was taking me. I - just don't want to." The look on Louise's face let her know she saw right through her.