AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Okay, then. Sarah?”
“You know who’s cute? Lucas Mitchell and Franco Avila.”
“Oh, yeah.” Yvette grins as she writes their names.
That’s how it goes for the next fifteen minutes. Sarah, Yvette, and Oscar, all throwing out names, pretty much just listing off either their friends or other popular kids they’re cool with.
Prom court voting is voted on by the senior class. There’s a list of ten boys and ten girls, and as far as I can remember, Woodbridge High has had a tradition. Of the lists, there is always one guy and one girl that’s the joke vote. It’s obvious to anyone in the senior class who they are because the other nine guys and girls listed are normal candidates. Basically, the popular students. You don’t have to be mega popular, but if enough people know who you are, then you’ll probably be on the list. Out of the ten candidates for each side, five guys and five girls are selected to prom court. All the candidates elected are legit votes. All except the joke votes.
“Okay, now to the fun part,” Yvette says with a wicked grin.
The joke votes? They’re names everyone in school knew didn’t seem to fit in with the other names. And it didn’t matter if no one voted for them. Their name was on the ballot, and when we tallied up the votes, we’d use those names as the fifth and final members of the prom court.
“Okay,” Oscar starts. “I got two classes with this dude. He had a girlfriend earlier this year, and from what I’ve heard, she dumped his ass because he’s gay.”
“Oh, my God.” Yvette giggles.
A string of hesitation pulls inside because this sounds awfully familiar to my conversation with Emma and Jen earlier. Then he drops his name.
“Micah Fernandez.”
“O.M.G.” Sarah looks over at Yvette. “I have a class with him too. I can totally see it now. Yes, he’s on the list.”
“You guys.” I clear my throat. I still feel like an ass about what I said earlier, so if there is any way I can dissuade this train wreck, I’m going to. “Come on.”
“What?” Oscar scoffs at me.
“The joke votes are one thing, but if we’re going to practically force someone to out themselves for a joke?” I look around the room as they look at me like I’m speaking gibberish. Greg is the only one who seems to nod in understanding. “Besides, how does being gay make him a joke vote candidate? Last year, Debbie Holbrooke was nominated and made the court, and she wasn’t the joke vote. The year before that, Jimmy Spivet, remember him? He’s gay and wasn’t the joke vote either.” Sarah gives me a blank stare while Oscar rolls his eyes at me. “Anyways, I kind of know him, and I don’t think he is. I think those are just rumors.”
“Matt’s right,” Yvette speaks up and smiles at me as if she’s doing me a huge favor. “Besides, I have a cousin who’s gay.”
I narrow my eyes, unsure what to believe, but thankful at least Micah won’t be the joke vote. Oscar just shrugs it off.
“Okay, then,” Oscar looks back at me. “What about Sam Patterson? Chess club. Honored in debate.”
“Yeah, because being smart is such a joke.” I roll my eyes.
“Come on, Hillard!” Oscar snaps at me. “I don’t see you throwing out any names.”
All eyes turn to me, waiting for me to add someone. There are names that come to mind, but I can’t bring myself to list someone, contributing to the callous traditions we’re continuing. After another moment, Yvette starts writing the name down.
“That’s fine; we’ll go with Sam.” She looks over at Sarah. “Okay, now for the girls.”
“I was thinking Janice Felipelli.”
“Yass!” Yvette grins.
“I can’t stand that girl. Stupid band geek.”
Yvette starts writing when Oscar speaks up, grinning at me.
“Wait a second. What about what’s her name …” He snaps his fingers, looking at the ground. “Hillard, the nerd girl?”
“What?” No. No, no, no. As soon as I look at him, his smile grows wider.
“Yeah, you know, the geek freak that does the YouTube videos.”
“Oh, yeah.” Sarah lets loose a devilish smile. “Isabel. Isabel Jacobs.”
