A green-haired girl dressed in leather awaits them in the hall. “Hey, dweebs, ready for tonight?”
“Sup, Liz.” Kota greets with a jerk of his chin. “Yep, so ready. I got the drinks.”
“I’ll buy the pizza,” Jimmy adds.
Mike drapes his arms around her shoulders. “And I’ll supply the kissing.”
“You wish.” Liz shoves him away and starts down the hall. The boys flock after her. Blue banners hang from the ceiling promoting the Under the Sea dance. Fizzy bubbles and seashells decorate the backdrop. Liz rolls her eyes. “We should ditch the dance. Why do you guys insist on going to a cheese fest? Y’all can’t even get dates.”
“Hey!” Mike’s mouth drops. “Yes, I can!”
“We all can. Especially Kota. He gets tallies every day,” Jimmy defends his friend.
“Those bozos only crush on you, then go on to the next. Trust me.”
Kota shakes his head. “Nope. I could pull all of them if I wanted. Even the top girl. Macy Hart is into me.” He gloats.
“You’re shitting.” Her flat tone is dismissive.
“I’m not.” He squabbles. “Tell her, guys.”
“It’s true.” Jimmy beams. “It was hot gossip last week while you were despising human life.”
“Ha ha, very funny.” Liz fakes amusement. “And who cares? Macy Hart is a snooze. You’re better off dating a grandma. She’s so vanilla.”
“She’s won Most Beautiful three years in a row.”
“Those contests are rigged… plus she uses boob tissue.”
Kota playfully bumps her shoulder. “Sounds like someone has a green monster on their shoulder.”
“I’m not jealous of the plastic queen.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll dance with you.” Mike reaches for her hand.
“You’re going to lose that hand if you touch me, and that’s sad. Cus,it’s your girlfriend.”
“Why so cruel?”
“Oh, Mike, why would you think that?” she exclaims sarcastically, as if a sweetheart.
“You’re so mean.”
“No, I’m a ray of sunshine.” She smirks. “What time is this dumb dance?”
“6.” Kota scrolls his locker combination in. “We’ll show at 6:30 and leave at 8.”
“And stay out till midnight!” Liz replies enthusiastically. “Now…that’s a real party.”
“You sure you can be out that late, K-Man?” Mike asks, concerned. “Isn’t the rez strict on curfew?”
“Yeah… but I have a secret way out.” He pops the book inside his locker and shuts it.
“You’re gonna get busted. What punishment would your parents give you?” Liz cocks her head to the side.
“I’d probably have to cook dinner until my hands go sore.”
Her eyes widen. “That’s it?”
“Yeah.”
“That’s not punishment…”
“Yes, it is, hand cramps are the worst!”
“Can we switch houses?”
“Depends on if y’all eat poyha.”
“P-what??”
“Poyha… deer meat and wild berries.”
“That sounds nasty.”
“Oh, trust me, it’s the best.”
“Kota.” Mike tilts his head forward. “One more coming in, hotshot.”
Uh oh… I’m sure the last girl went to cry. I’d rather not do that again. I should be flattered by the attempts; instead, they’re causing anxiety. I want to run away. I want to flee outside, but that’ll be rude. I don’t enjoy being mean. I honestly want to keep my word to my gang.
Kota’s thoughts are transparent enough for Liz to get a read. She marches ahead to meet the girl, who rocks a chic fairy style, short olive dress with loose sleeves. The flower headband she wears has veiny roots covered in green leaves.
Aww… she looks so sweet. Meaning she’s going to crash hard over what she’s about to hear. He gives a regretful gaze as the wistful teen stops in her tracks.
Liz crosses her arms. “Kota isn’t accepting dates; he’s going with us. Try someone else. Sorry, hon.”
Kota cringes as her face droops into a grimace. All her confidence fades. The girl doesn’t speak; she just goes back the way she came at a hasty pace. Great… now I’m a bully. Maybe I should skip the dance to avoid facing the girls I rejected. That’s if they’re still going. I should apologize again to ease the pity I feel. “I’ll meet you guys at the bus stop at five.”
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