**
When Cora and I had first arrived at the school for registration in August, I had been stunned by how elaborate the school looked. But now, I would have sworn we were somewhere else if I hadn’t seen the Winsor High School sign out front. Our school had been decorated with millions of tiny white lights. They were on every tree, bush, and flower, and even the statue in the middle of the parking lot. The moonless night made the lights shine even brighter.
The three limos pulled up in front of the school behind some of the other limos letting off groups of people. I put a couple of Tic Tacs in my mouth just to calm my nerves. The ramp to the school’s entrance had a red carpet down the middle. There were old-fashioned lampposts lining both sides of the carpet. In between the posts were incredible flower arrangements, made up mostly of white roses on large concrete pedestals. We walked down the red carpet, but I lingered a couple of feet behind everyone. I marveled at how beautiful everything looked. The rest of our group didn’t seem to notice anything. Maybe they had just come to expect this sort of thing, and the elaborate decorations were nothing new. The school never cut any corners; they always did everything first class.
The decorations outside were nothing compared to the ones inside. The long hall that led to the lunchroom had vanished. The lockers on both sides had disappeared too. There was now a cobblestone path that weaved in and out of a rolling sea of multi-colored roses. Along the path were the same lamps from outside, lighting the path with flickering candlelight. Underneath each lamp was a sitting area, each with unique wooden benches. The roses looked so inviting. I wanted to jump into them and swim in the rolling sea. The girls in our group oohed and aahed at the decor while we walked through the enchanted setting. Both Erin and Melissa were right next to me.
Up ahead was the lunchroom; well, at least that’s what it used to be. The ceiling was filled with long, white flowing silk that shone iridescently. In the center was a hanging chandelier covered by millions of tiny crystals. I wouldn’t be surprised if they were actual diamonds.
“Okay, crew.” Eric turned around to address the group. “The dance ends at 11:00 p.m. and the limos will be out front at 10:45. We will leave at 11:15. If you aren’t there by then, you’ll have to find your own ride home.” After Eric finished talking, the group split up.
“Let’s go get our pictures taken, and then we can dance and get some grub,” Matt said. I’m sure Matt was more interested in the food. He was one of the bigger guys on the JV team. At McDonald’s he ate double the amount I did.
We followed him over to the gym. It still looked like a gym, but it was set up with a couple of spots to get your picture taken.
“So how do you want to do the pictures? Together or by couple?” Livi asked.
Before anyone could speak, Eric answered, “Let’s divide up by couples so we can make our parents happy.”
I hid my smile because I knew this was part of his plan to be with Livi. He was making his move.
“Livi and I will go first.”
Eric and Livi left us and walked up to the first picture station, which was also decorated with roses. Both Erin and Melissa grabbed my arm at the same time. The girls stared at each other, trying to get the other to let go. I felt like the rope in a game of tug-of-war. I looked at Matt and his face looked shocked, obviously because he wasn’t picked.
“Okay, I’ll get my picture taken with Matt,” I said, hoping to break the tension. Both the girls laughed and so did Matt.
Melissa walked over to Matt and grabbed his arm. They walked to an open photographer. Erin put her arm under mine, triumphantly hooking us together. Erin was much shorter than me, and her brown, curly hair kept getting in my face every time she turned her head, which she did a lot. It was like her head was on a swivel, scanning everyone around her to see who was staring at us. The photographer that took Eric’s picture called, “Who’s next?”
We walked over and I gave him $40, paying for both of our pictures.
“Why thank you, Nicholas. You’re such a gentleman,” Erin said, leaning in closer to me. I was already regretting paying for her pictures.
The photographer positioned us in the sea of flowers. Erin had repositioned herself almost entirely in front of me, not at my side like the photographer had put us. Right before he took the picture, I saw Elle pass behind the camera. My heart stopped. Oliver was right there with her. Poof, the flash went off, blinding me. I blinked a couple of times. I can’t imagine how I must have looked for the photo.
Erin asked, “Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine,” I told her.
She gave me a big hug. “Well, good. I don’t want my date not feeling well,” she said loudly enough for everyone to hear.
We walked by one of the large light stands, where our group was waiting for us to finish. Elle and Oliver were next in line. Elle was staring at the ground, and didn’t look up. I was unable to see her face, but I could tell something was wrong.
We walked back into the transformed lunchroom. I was sure that when I saw Elle and Oliver together, it would ruin the entire evening, which it probably would have if I hadn’t seen that Elle was upset. My concern for her well-being suppressed any jealousy.
Erin dragged me out onto the dance floor, following Eric and Livi. Thank God my parents made me dance with them, because it turned out to be very useful. I didn’t recognize the music that was playing, but it had a good beat that I could dance to. Eric, Livi, Erin and I danced for what seemed like forever. Matt and Melissa danced to a few songs but then disappeared. I looked for Elle in the sea of dancers, but I never found her.
“Hey guys, do you want to go get something to eat?” I asked, speaking over the loud, thumping music.
“Eric, let’s go get some food,” Livi said.
“Okay, I can go for some food.”
The food area was set up on the opposite side of the lunchroom across from the gym, but all I could see was a long, tall wooden fence covered with ivy. There was a short line of people waiting to get into the small opening at the end of the fence, where a small podium stood with a glass lamp on it. At the top of the fence there were white pin lights illuminating the area where we were standing in line.
“So, Nicholas, how does this compare to your last school?” Livi asked.
“I don’t know. I didn’t go to Homecoming last year.”
Livi, Erin and Melissa gasped. Matt and Melissa had rejoined our group and were standing right behind us in line.
“Nicholas, I can’t believe it. Why not?” Erin asked.
“Well, I didn’t have anyone to go with,” I said.
Livi responded first, “I find that hard to believe. I know at least ten girls who would have killed to come to Homecoming with you tonight.” Livi looked over at Erin and Melissa.
We were just two groups away from the hostess, when Jennifer and Julie, Elle’s so-called friends, came walking out of the food area. They were both wearing identical short, skintight pink dresses. Both of them had their hair all done up in an elaborate style with diamonds pinned throughout. They were followed by their dates, and then right behind them was Oliver. He looked upset. I stood closer to the fence, hoping he wouldn’t see me standing there. Elle trailed a couple of feet behind him. He looked back at her, shook his head, and walked away quickly to catch up with Jennifer and Julie and their dates. I could only see Elle from behind.
“How many in your group?” The hostess was older, probably in her twenties. She was dressed in a black suit and a bow tie. She looked like she belonged behind a bar at a wedding reception.
Matt responded, “There are six of us.”
The woman looked at her clipboard and said, “Just a moment.”
I watched her disappear into the fenced area, which was still invisible to our group. Eric walked up to the entrance and I followed him, curious to see what was hidden behind the fence. It wasn’t just a bunch of tables with cookies and punch. There were black leather booths everywhere. Some o
f them were raised off the ground and others were floor level. Once again, surrounding everything was a sea of roses, but this time the roses had fountains in between shooting water from one area to another. Connecting the booths together were cobblestone paths similar to those we had seen at the entrance. Each table had an oil lamp as lighting. The lamp was only producing enough light for the people sitting there to see each other. From the outside, you couldn’t tell who was sitting at each booth. There were more people in tuxedos and black bow ties buzzing from table to table, taking orders and delivering food. This was as nice, if not nicer, than any restaurant I had ever been in.
The music stopped. “Excuse me, excuse me. Could all of the Homecoming Court make their way to the DJ’s table?” The voice over the microphone was easily identifiable as Joy Lemmins’.
“We can come back to eat after your Homecoming Court stuff,” Livi said. Eric agreed.
I looked behind us and the line was now the length of the lunchroom. “No, you guys go in. I’ll be done with the Court stuff soon, and I’ll come in and join you,” I said.
“Are you sure?” Erin said, linking her arm with mine.
“Seriously, it will be really quick. Go on in. Plus, look at that line.” Erin looked disappointed when I took back my arm. I walked off mouthing to the group, “It’s okay. I’ll be right back.”
I turned around and walked toward the DJ’s booth in the front of the room. There was a small opening in the crowd of dancers, and through it I saw the yellow in Elle’s dress. I squeezed through the crowd; Elle was right in front of me. I then became aware of the butterflies dancing around in my stomach. Her face was blank, expressionless, just staring into space.
“Elle.”
She looked at me and gave me a faint smile. She looked different. Her beauty was still there, but something else was wrong. I moved closer to talk to her. Then the music stopped abruptly and two large white spotlights appeared on us.
Joy Lemmins was standing behind the DJ’s booth. She was wearing a rhinestone-covered, dark green dress. With all of those rhinestones, she could have been used as the chandelier for the dance. All of the tiny stones sent a sea of green and white light around the room.
“Before we start the Homecoming Court thingy, I would like to thank everyone again who helped out with putting together another wonderful Homecoming.”
The audience’s sparse clapping was drowned out by Joy’s loud clapping, which was magnified over the microphone. I stood right next to Elle, hoping for her to grab my hand like last night, but nothing. I felt so distant from her.
Joy continued, “And now, for our Homecoming Court’s dance. Let’s have our couples go out onto the floor.”
The crowd backed up, making a large circle in the middle of the dance floor. An arm interlocked with mine on the opposite side of Elle. It was Amber. We walked out on the dance floor along with the other couples. My back was to Elle and Chad. The music began. At first I couldn’t hear the music. My mind was focused on Elle. I felt Amber start swaying back and forth, which forced me out of my trance, and I followed her lead. I recognized the song instantly. It was one of Cora’s favorite songs, “Faithfully” by Journey. I picked up the beat, and Amber was now following my lead. My back was still facing Elle. I tried my best to turn us, but Amber didn’t budge at all. The more that I listened to the music, the more I wanted Elle, not just to see her but to dance with her myself. I wanted to feel her warm arms around me, to feel her body against mine.
I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was Chad. “May I cut in, Keller? I don’t like how close you are dancing with my girl,” he said with a smile. He leaned in and whispered, “Plus, I know she would rather dance with you.” He motioned back toward Elle, who was standing alone, looking at us and waiting.
I let go of Amber and walked up to Elle. “May I have this dance?”
She nodded.
I took her hand and put my other hand on her waist. She did the same. Her touch radiated through my body, once again filling me with warmth.
She spoke first. “Don’t worry, the song will be over soon and then you can get back to your date.”
“What are you talking about? I don’t have a date. I’m only here because you asked me to come. Remember?”
“I saw you getting pictures with Erin. She has told a bunch of people that you are her date.”
“She’s not my date, and plus, aren’t you here with a date? Why should you care who I’m here with?” I said, putting more distance between us.
She moved closer. “Because I made a mistake,” she whispered.
“What mistake?”
“I should have said no to Oliver. It just seemed like I was supposed to say yes at the time. Then you came into my life. We became close, and all I wanted to do was come with you, share this night with you, but I couldn’t do that to Oliver. So I decided to come to the dance with him and hopefully get to spend some time with you in the process. That’s why I asked you to come.” Her breathing quickened. A single tear rolled down her cheek. I wiped it away.
“The whole night, Oliver has been complaining about you, saying you’re the reason why he’s having a bad football season,” she continued. “He also blames you for him not winning Junior Duke. I didn’t say anything to him because I didn’t want to make him angrier than he is already. I didn’t want him to come after you to pick a fight. He’s so mad and is acting more irrational than normal. He also thinks that I’m in a bad mood because I’m not with you, which I guess is true,” she laughed.
The song ended and another song started. I let go. Elle pulled me close and said, “Please, one more. Chad would rather dance with his girlfriend.”
“Who, Amber?”
“Chad and Amber have been dating since the beginning of last year.”
“Well then, I would love to have another dance.”
We swayed to the music, while I tried to process what she had just said. “You know, Elle, you’re too good,” I said. She looked up at me puzzled. “What I mean is, you went to a dance with someone you didn’t like just because he asked first. You took into consideration his feelings and not yours when, clearly, he didn’t deserve it.” She laid her head on my shoulder.
A moment later someone put a hand on my shoulder and wrenched me around. I felt a stinging sensation under my right eye. It made my head whip to the side. The stinging sensation began to burn. Oliver was recoiling back from hitting me. He looked scared. The fire filled every part of my body. I was ready to take him on. But why did he look so scared? He was the one who had just hit me. Thoughts raced around in my head. Then, from the stunned looks on the surrounding faces, I realized why. He just hit me with everything he had, and it didn’t even phase me.
Elle stepped in front of me. She started to scream at him, “You coward! Get away from us.”
Chad stepped in front of both of us, blocking our view of him. “Oliver, what do you think you’re doing?”
Oliver yelled, “Chad, get out of my way. He needs to pay for taking the captain of the football team’s date.”
“Are you blind? Can’t you see that she only came with you because she’s nice? And she doesn’t care about you being captain of the football team. Come to think of it, Nicholas has acted more like the captain this year than you have. You’re no captain of mine.”
“We’ll see if he’s captain material,” Oliver said, staggering back into the crowd. Chad had fifty pounds on him and was double his size. There was no way Oliver would try anything else with Chad separating us. Oliver pointed his finger at me. “Nicholas, you will pay for . . .” but before he finished, he walked away.
Coach Hoff emerged, being pulled by Joy Lemmins. She must have gone to get him as soon as Oliver hit me. Both of them looked around. Joy said something to him and he spoke immediately.
“Keller, Reiger, what’s going on here?”
Before Chad could answer I spoke up. “Nothing, Coach. Everything is fine.” The answer was enough for hi
m. He turned and walked away. Joy Lemmins stood there in shock.
Elle turned her attention to me. “Nicholas, are you okay?”
Amber and Elle were both looking at my cheek.
Chad patted me on the back. “Keller, you are one of the toughest guys I know. I don’t think many of us could have taken Oliver’s punch and still be standing. Plus, not telling Coach makes you captain material,” Chad said. He smiled and took Amber in his arms. “Come on, babe. He’s in good hands now.”
“Come on, Nicholas. Let’s go sit down,” Elle said, putting her arm around me, holding me up like a crutch. I took her arm and put it down at her side, holding onto her hand. We walked over to the entrance of the café. The line was still long. I led Elle past the hostess and down the cobblestone path. I searched for Eric.
I saw him up ahead in one of the large round booths a foot off the ground, sitting with Livi, Matt, Melissa, and Erin. The booth they were sitting in was filled to capacity. Eric and Livi were sharing a large ice cream sundae, and Matt, Melissa, and Erin were all eating their own desserts. We walked up to the booth. I had Elle’s hand still in mine. Scanning their faces, I got two reactions: Eric, Livi, Matt and Melissa looked happy to see me, but Erin didn’t look pleased to see me holding hands with Elle.
“So how was the Court stuff?” Eric asked.
“It was fine,” I responded.
Before I could say anything else, Elle said, “It wasn’t fine. Oliver hit Nicholas.”
Both Eric and Matt stood up in the booth.
“Sit down guys. I’m fine. It’s over.”
The girls in the booth looked as concerned as Elle did.
“What happened?” Erin asked. Elle explained what had happened detail by detail. When she was done, no one said anything except for Eric, of course.
“Nicholas, you are a machine. He blindsided you, and you didn’t get knocked down or out. Incredible! You. Are. The. Man.” He put his hand up for a high five.
Before I could respond, Elle said, “Your booth looks crowded. We are going to sit over there.” She dragged me over to an empty booth that was in the very back of the area. The booth was small—only big enough for two, maybe three people. It was the highest booth there, up five stairs. Sitting in this booth was like being in a romantic tree house. Elle leaned in really close to look at my eye.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
She said, “I’m making sure you’re okay. I don’t see any bruising, and there’s no swelling.”
“Elle, I’m fine, and by the way, he hit me on the other side of my face.”
She laughed.
A waiter walked up and said, “Hello, my name is David. Welcome to Winsor Café. Have you had a chance to look at the menu?” We both looked at each other.
“We don’t have any menus,” I said.
He glanced down at the empty table then produced two from his apron. “I’ll give you some time to look. I will be back in a few minutes.”
Sitting there with Elle was like a peaceful dream. If I had to get hit one hundred more times just so I could be with her, it would be worth it.
“Nicholas, can I ask you a question?”
“Sure, what is it?”
She paused and looked down. “Do you hate me?”
“Elle, why would you ask that? I don’t hate you.”
“Nicholas, sometimes I hurt the people I care about because I am trying to do the right things. Jennifer and Julie have no problem with hurting others because they only think about themselves.”
I put my arm around her. “Elle, listen. You are so thoughtful and caring. You have such a big heart and that can never change. You are nothing like Jennifer and Julie.”
She smiled.
“Nicholas, are you going to eat this?” Elle had my apple already in her mouth.
“I guess I’m not now.”
She laughed, spitting part of the apple out.
“Elle, you might as well eat it now.” Elle was lying on her stomach with my apple in her hand. Her legs were bent up and moving back and forth making small circles. She was so cute.
“Nicholas, ever since Homecoming, my parents have been wanting to meet you. What do you think?”
“Why do they want to meet me?” I asked.
“Well, I’m not sure. Oh, never mind,” she said pouting, sticking her bottom lip out like she was five. She was adorable.
“No, I would love to meet them. It sounds great!”
“It does? Well, okay then. How about dinner this Friday?”
“Okay, Friday it is.”