AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter 22
Matt
The rest of the week Izzy and I mostly keep to ourselves. I don’t give her anymore classroom whispers. I still want to go to prom with her, which I told her again the next day. But she still held her ground. Even if we didn’t speak much, whenever I see her smile, it makes me remember what it was like when we kissed. I’ve kissed a few girls, but there’s something about her. Us. I want to explore what that is. Not just kissing her, which I want to do too, but we connect. She knows who I really am and likes it. I also told her that I didn’t apply to college, another secret I’ve been keeping from everyone, but it didn’t seem to bother her. I’m still surprised my father hasn’t nagged me about college applications, but then again, he doesn’t really pay attention to the stuff going on around me.
But Izzy does. Even when we don’t say anything, our eyes meet as we’re coming or going from class. A silent conversation. I know what I’m saying, but I’m not quite sure what she is.
It’s funny because all the costumes I’ve designed have a mask so that I won’t be recognized. The Spike costume was easy enough to make, and I didn’t mind that it was just a suit, because I never wore it to a comic convention. I actually used it last year for Halloween, when I took Isaac out trick-or-treating.
Isaac dressed up as Ed, even though in the show Ed is a girl and I told him that. “I don’t care,” he said. “She’s cool. And she has those goggles. And she’s into all that computer stuff, like me.”
It’s a tradition I started with him three years ago when our parents split up. We both dressed up and I took us out to different neighborhoods that have a reputation for giving out loads of good candy.
But wearing it to prom is a totally different story than wearing it for Halloween. If I don’t feel comfortable enough even telling my best friend I’m into all things nerd, and that I designed and made my own cosplay costumes, how in the hell can I dress up in front of the entire school for prom? Worst of all, I hate that that is my only hindrance in going to prom with Izzy and I can’t get over it.
One thing that doesn’t go by unnoticed, by either myself or Izzy, is how the rest of the school has seemed to form a Team Izzy group. Her friends have taken it upon themselves to put up posters with different superhero logos or quotes, that all urge people to vote for Izzy on prom court.
Today’s the last day to get in votes before the court is revealed at the pep rally. By the looks of it, Yvette and Sarah’s attempt to make Izzy the joke vote is going to backfire in their face.
We get out of sociology and both head for the quad for lunch.
“Looks like Team Izzy is making a run for the money.”
“Yeah, Cindy and V got a little carried away.”
“I think it’s cool.”
“Thanks.” She grins.
“You know you’re gonna be on the court, right?” I mean it in a real way, that people are actually voting for her. But she laughs it off.
“Yeah, I’m the joke vote, remember?”
“Hey.” I pull her to the side. “Iz, you’re not the joke vote to me.”
Her eyes meet mine, and she gives me a warm smile. “I know.”
“And you’re not the joke vote to a lot of people. People like that you’re you. Like you said, you’re definitely owning it.”
“You know.” She takes a step closer, enough that I can smell her and relish in it. “People would like that you’re you too.”
“Are we really gonna go over that again?” My chagrin makes her roll her eyes, but she keeps her smile in place.
“Fine.”
“Look, if you don’t want to go to prom with me—”
“I said I would. You just have to accept my condition.”
I let out an incredulous laugh. “You know, you really drive me crazy, in more ways than one.”
We stay silent for a minute longer, her amber eyes staring at mine. God, I really want to kiss her. My tongue rolls across my bottom lip and I catch her staring at it, which makes me grin.
I clear my throat. “Anyways, after counting the votes, we set everyone up for the prom court couples when they’re announced. I know Yvette is going to want me to couple with her for the prom week events if I’m on court.”
“Well, there you go,” she sarcastically replies. “The President and VP. One happy couple.”
“I want to couple with you.”
