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“She’s leaving for college tomorrow,” I said. “I barely got to know her at all, and now she’s gone.”
Dad smiled down at me. “You know they have these newfangled things now called cell phones. You can talk and send messages and—”
“You know it’s not the same,” I replied with a roll of my eyes.
“Maybe not. But that school’s only an hour and a half away, and Mom and I have been talking about getting a new car...”
My jaw dropped. “You’re saying I could have Mom’s old car?”
He nodded. “You’ve passed your driving test already, and no matter how much I hate to admit it, you’re growing up. We’re just lucky to have a front row seat.”
I squeezed him, thanking him. Maybe things wouldn’t work out with Kiyana and me long-term, but the fact that I had freedom, possibilities, that was more than enough for me.
The song came to a close, and Dad gave me another hug. “Enjoy your night, kiddo. We want you home by two.”
“Two?” I asked, not believing I’d have a whole two hours after the dance was over to spend with my friends, and hopefully, with Kiyana.
He gave me a wink. “Be safe.”
My friends approached me, Shelley and Gunnar holding hands and Van’s arm around Ronnie’s waist.
Ronnie said, “Looks like you got your happily ever after after all.”
Kiyana came and slipped her fingers through mine. “I know I did.”
Twenty-Six
Kiyana
I loved dancing with Xiomara,but I wanted her to myself. Around midnight, I got my wish.
The last song faded to a close, and the gym lights turned on, taking away all the magic of the disco ball. All good things had to come to an end, and I felt the clock ticking now more than ever. I wished I could stay in Emerson longer, wished I didn’t have to leave for college so soon. But I knew I’d be coming back to visit, and now I had even more to return for.
Xi and I broke apart, walking to join our friends in a haphazard circle. Our hair was slightly less perfect, and the guys had ditched their blazers somewhere in the night, but everyone was smiling.
“What’s next?” Xi asked.
Dillon said, “I wish I could hang out longer, but I need to start driving back home.”
Stefon nodded. “I’ll walk you out.” He gave me a subtle wink before linking hands with his boyfriend and moving toward the door.
Shelley said, “Gunnar was going to take me for milkshakes at Waldo’s. Anyone want to join us?”
Van glanced at Ronnie, and they nodded in unison. “We’ll go,” Ronnie said. They looked at us, waiting for our answer. I turned to Xi, silently begging her to spend my last night in town with only me.
Her cheeks were the most adorable shade of peach as she said, “I’m going to hang out with Ki.”
Shelley’s mouth fell open, and she put her free hand over her heart. “Oh my gosh, that’s so adorable! Xi and Ki!”
Xi rolled her eyes as if she weren’t grinning just as happily as I was.
“Come on,” I said, squeezing her hand.
She tightened her grip on mine, and as we walked away, her friends wolf-whistled and catcalled at us. I couldn’t get my smile to go away or even dim as every eye fell on me and the most beautiful girl in the room.
We walked out the gym doors, down the hallway, and outside. A gust of warm air fluttered the bottom of my dress, and I held it down just in case. “I wish I had a long dress like yours to keep me modest.”
She grinned. “I like seeing your legs. Reminds me of your cheerleading uniform.” She winked.
