Now We're Even

Now We're Even Chapter Three

 Chapter Three

SIX HOURS TIL PROM.

"So, if you guys want, we can all get ready for prom tonight at my house. My sister Lindsay will even do our makeup," Cameron gleefully offered, spray painting gold glitter onto their banner.

All twelve girls sat in a half circle of the auditorium floor, decorating the 12-foot long WELCOME TO PROM 2019 sign.

Usually around that time they'd' have been having cheerleading practice but it'd been rescheduled so they could finish their decorations.

To which Eliza was extremely grateful.

There was no way she would be able to execute any of those flips without her hat flying off.

"I'm in," Mariah Wilson grinned, sprinkling more glitter onto the already shimmering sign.

"Me too," Cynthia Brier added.

"I can't go," Eliza mumbled, keeping her eyes on her work.

"What do you mean you can't go?" Cameron squealed, disappointment etching her features.

Eliza shrugged a little. "My mom wants to take pics," she lied.

Knowing that the real reason she couldn't go, was because she needed to go wig hunting with Beth.

"Oh, come on Liza," Cynthia protested, "we'll take plenty of pictures and send them to your parents afterward."

Eliza sighed. "Sorry I can't."

"Whatever," Cameron mumbled. "You know you"-

"Guys! Guys! Come quick. Carly just caught Shane making out with Linda and they're having a huge fight outside!" Kevin Peterson loudly announced, crashing into the room.

Everyone jumped to their feet and bolted after Kevin.

But it wasn't like Eliza could see anything, as twelve other kids were already crowding around the front door, looking out at the explosive couple.

Oohing and ahhing the entire time.

Eliza soon grew tired of trying to fight her way through the crowd and ran back up to the auditorium.

It looked absolutely stunning.

With thousands of gold and silver balloons and streamers hanging from the ceiling.

And hundreds of tiny star-like strobe lights scattered across the walls, ready to be switched on that night.

And they weren't even finished decorating yet!

By the time they were done the place would look...

"Oh no," Eliza moaned, scratching at the hives that were slowly creeping up her back.

A jolt of panic rushed through Eliza because she knew that once she started to itch, there was no telling how long it would last.

Slowly the hives travelled up her arms, then her back.

And pretty soon she was flailing around like a crazed hyena.

She was thrashing around so much that her hat flew off.

But Eliza kept scratching.

And scratching.

Until her entire left arm was covered in blotchy red welts and her skin was warm and-

"Well, well. What do we have here?"

Eliza stopped dead in her tracks, her arms hanging at her side.

Her heart froze and panic rose within her at once.

She didn't need to look up to know who's voice she was hearing.

But she did.

"Wilbert!" She growled, narrowing her eyes at the lanky boy.

"Eliza," he nodded, lowering his phone.

Eliza dove for her hat and shoved it onto her balding scalp.

"What do you want creep?" She snapped, pointing a finger at Wilbert.

He shrugged, then casually said, "nothing. Just for you to be my prom date."

For some odd reason Eliza broke down laughing, so hard that she doubled over.

"There is no way in this world that I'd go to the prom with you," Eliza announced through her giggles.

"Okay, then I'll just show this video of you looking like a shedding coyote."

"You wouldn't," Eliza hissed, crossing her arms.

Though she knew the freak would.

"You think I won't?" Wilbert challenged, waving his phone back and forth.

Eliza jumped up and lurched across the room, for the boy's phone. "Give it to me!" She screamed.

Wilbert just knocked her backwards and slipped the phone in his pants.

Eliza backed up immediately.

"Look I won't go to prom with you. It's totally out of the question," she explained looking Wilbert dead in the eyes. "So, what else do you want?"

Wilbert looked thoughtful for a moment, then a slow sadistic smile crossed his acne plagued face. "Prom or no deal."