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“I’m not sure I like this new Lily.” His eyes crinkled.
“Jase,” Mom sighed.
“I know, I know, Fee. But she’s my little girl.” He sounded a little choked up. “I’m not ready for senior year—college applications and prom.”
“You still have a few months to get used to the idea of prom, Dad.” I smiled, but it didn’t reach my eyes.
“Yeah, well, I have to survive Homecoming first,” he grumbled.
“Oh, hush. You loved Homecoming our senior year.” Mom swatted his chest. “I can still picture you now, wearing that stupid plastic crown.”
I snickered into my hand. It was hard to believe my dad was once that guy—the star quarterback and most popular guy in school.
“Who was your queen?” I asked.
“You’re looking at her.” A proud smirk crossed his mouth.
“Smooth, real smooth. But no, it wasn’t me. You know I wasn’t that girl back in high school, baby.” Sympathy glittered in her eyes, as if Mom knew what it was like to be the odd girl out.
But she didn’t know.
How could she?
She’d been shy and a little quirky, sure… but she hadn’t been beholden to a mental health disorder that didn’t give any warning before it decided to strike.
“We could go dress shopping before Homecoming. The four of us. Or we could turn it into a proper girl’s day out with Hailee and Ashleigh, and Mya and Sofia.”
“I hadn’t planned to go, Mom.”
“What? You have to go.” Disappointment washed over her. “It’s senior year, Lily Star. Homecoming is a rite of passage.”
“What’s that about Homecoming?” Peyton breezed into the kitchen.
“Lily isn’t planning on going.”
“Uh, yes she is.” She shot me a questioning look. I didn’t know why it was such a surprise.
“We talked about it and I distinctly remember you saying you would come this year.”
I released a steady breath. “Actually, you and Ashleigh talked about it and I didn’t agree or disagree.” I’d just sat and listened.
“You have to come.” Peyton pouted, traipsing over to me and throwing her arms around my neck. “It won’t be the same without you. Plus, you know who will be there.” She’d lowered her voice to a whisper, but it didn’t stop me from pinching the back of her arm hard.
“Mother of—” She jerked away from me and rubbed her arm.
“Peyton?” Mom glanced between us.
“Just a muscle ache. I’m fine.”
“So dress shopping? Are you in?” Mom looked so hopeful I didn’t have the heart to tell her I couldn’t think of anything worse.
* * *
Kaiden eventually texted again,asking me to come to Bryan’s to talk. I hadn’t wanted to talk surrounded by our friends but decided that maybe they would be a buffer if things got too weird.
So here we were at Bryan’s house. Aaron and Cole were here. Gav too. Bryan’s parents were out of town until at least tomorrow and since the weather had taken a turn for the worse, he suggested we hang out in his indoor swimming pool.
Ashleigh and Peyton had freaked out when he’d announced that. So of course, they’d worn their bathing suits under their clothes. Poppy and Sofia too. I’d let them talk me into wearing one also, not that I had any plans on using it.
