Page 89 of Saints & Sailors

At the time of the party, I’d been too cool to admit and admire the dedication my mother and Joyce had for their beloved singer. I wouldn’t even admit that the idea had seemed fun. I was only a casual listener of Beyoncé after growing up with my mother playing her music, but if I wasn’t being a brat, maybe I would’ve dressed up too and gone to Joyce’s party.

“She’s from the B’Day era,” I told Dreux.

He peeked again at the image before continuing to drive as the light turned green. “Interesting. So, Cowboy Carter, huh? Did not know you knew ball.”

He was teasing and it made me smile. “I guess that’s one blonde I’ll let you call me.”

He smirked. “What’s your favorite song from that album?”

God, I must’ve heard that record about a million times. My mother had played it religiously whenever I was home. She’d even cried when Beyoncé had won Grammys for it.

There was one song that had always stuck out for me. A smooth, mellow ballad that called for perseverance. “ ‘Just for Fun’ is definitely my favorite.”

Dreux accepted this and appeared thoughtful. “I guess mine would be ‘II Hands II Heaven.’ That outro is celestial.” He looked my way. “ ‘II Most Wanted’ is a hell of a duet, too.”

“II Most Wanted” with Miley Cyrus. One of the album’s love songs.

Dreux’s eyes were back on the road and I kept quiet as he pulled into the student parking lot.

Over the last week, the lot next to Horton High had transformed from vacant to a wonderland of neon lights, rides, game booths, and concession stands. The smell of fried food hung in the air as we climbed out of the Bronco. The parking lot was full. Shouts and screams could be heard in the distance, and a rap song was blasting from speakers.

At the gate leading into the carnival, I spotted Cameron, Vanity, and Bonham hanging back.

It was a group adventure, but there was an elephant that needed to be addressed.

As we came to a stop in front of them, there was no missing the way Dreux only acknowledged Cameron and Vanity.

Bonham was beside Cameron, hands in his pockets and as out of place as I was. He gave me an awkward smile and a tip of his chin.

Tonight was about fun. Fun with friends.

I took a step away from Dreux and looked between him and Bonham. “So, before we head in, what if you two talk?”

Dreux silently raised a brow as Bonham repeated, “Talk?”

I didn’t know the complete depth of their previous friendship, but I thought it was worth hashing out. Dreux had messed up, and Bonham deserved to know Dreux was sorry and hadn’t ratted him out. And I hoped Dreux would even thank him for not dragging him down with him once he was being sentenced.

Second chances, sometimes thirds, was what some of us really needed.

So I pushed for peace. “Yes, you’re both my friends and I really think if you talked, you could squash the issue between you.”

Bonham all but glared at Dreux who stared on impassively.

It was Dreux who shrugged. “We should talk.”

Bonham’s gaze flickered toward Cameron who gave a shy smile of encouragement, and for just a fragment of a second, I could’ve sworn I saw him blush. He came back to Dreux and grimaced as the two walked off.

“This oughta be good,” Vanity mumbled as she watched the two head down the parking lot for a quiet space to talk.

I went and stood with the girls, quickly taking note of their outfit choices for the night. Cameron kept it cute in a white small button up top that barely covered her belly button and ripped jeans. Vanity was in a large pale pink hoodie with a matching headband in her hair.

“Do I look okay? For…the carnival?” I stammered to ask.

Cameron hid what looked like a laugh behind her hand as Vanity narrowed her eyes. “You look cute…for a carnival.”

“Yeah, I’m sure Dreux thinks so too.” Cameron leaned close to tease me.

I should’ve voiced how I didn’t care what Dreux thought, but I didn’t. Instead, I hung back watching as Dreux and Bonham spoke in the distance. Bonham’s arms were folded and his posture read of being guarded. Dreux was as calm as ever as he talked.