AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I have to work,” Gem blurted out. Her eyes were huge. Her mouth turned down. She looked horrified. “Omg. I have to work. I have to miss it. I’m so sorry. My uncle specifically asked for me to help with Mario’s, but I’ll be done by nine. Can we do the planning then?”
Kira’s eye twitched. “You want us to postpone our planning until nine o’clock on a Friday night, after the football game, for you?”
Even I winced at her tone. It was almost scathing.
“Theresa can fill in for her.”
Both snapped their gazes my way. I refused to flinch, saying, “I know you don’t get along, but it’ll be one meeting. She’ll be taking her cousin’s place. Get along for one time? I think you can both do that. Right?”
Ciara sucked in her breath.
Kira’s eyes narrowed. “Keep her in line, and we’ll be fine.” She cast those eyes on Gem next. “You can only miss a few times before you’re kicked off the Homecoming committee.”
Gem visibly swallowed. “Yes. Okay. I won’t miss again. I promise.”
Kira and Ciara took off, and Gem whirled to me. “It’s family! I can’t let down my family, and they’ll be disappointed in me if I can’t help out because I told them I would. What am I going to do? I can’t not be on the Homecoming committee. And we totally have to go dress shopping this weekend. Alred will go with us. He lives for this sort of thing.”
I wasn’t sure what she meant, but I took her shoulders in my hands and leaned down. “It’ll be okay. It’s not cool that Kira’s picking the planning times based on her schedule. Friday? Really? But just mention it to your uncle and aunt and see if they can work with you over the next month or so. It’s only until Homecoming.”
She was blinking, her eyes going back to normal size and her cheeks looked less haggard. “Right. You’re right. It’s only until Homecoming, and you’re also right. My uncle and tía will totally work with me. They’ll be understanding.” A different thought came to her, and she began shaking her head, walking away.
I frowned. “What?”
She kept shaking her head and went faster. “No way am I going to be there when you tell Theresa she’s my fill-in. You’re on your own with that one.”
“Wha—”
But she was gone as the first bell rang, and . . . crap.
I hadn’t thought that out either.
47
RAMSAY
Theresa only said she wanted to murder me, but she agreed to being Gem’s replacement. She had a weird look in her eyes when she said that, so I wasn’t sure what to prepare myself for, but it was happening.
The plan was to go to Kira’s for the meeting, then head to my place before the game. Which is what we did, and the whole meeting had been more of an excuse to hang out.
Kira and her group stayed on one end of her living room. Theresa and I were on the other side. In between were a bunch of other people, and they were all excited now that the theme had been picked. They brainstormed about different decorations, and where each decoration should be for the dance, the parade, and the procession. People were picked to handle voting for Homecoming King and Queen and all the rest.
After a couple hours, we headed out.
“You can stay and get ready here? Go with us.” Kira’s offer was being extended to me, not Theresa. That was obvious from the nasty look she was giving Theresa, who rolled her eyes and harrumphed. “I’ll wait for you outside.”
“We’re good. I need to get something from my house.”
She nodded, her gaze lingering on the door. “My parents are gone this weekend, and I’m taking advantage. We’re pre-partying until the game. You’re welcome to come back and join, or join us after the game? We’re all coming back here. Your cousins usually come over.” Before I could ask, she made an exasperated sound. “And yes, Gem is obviously invited. She’s on the planning committee, and I’m aware where she goes, her cousin goes. As long as you’re around, Garcia can come, but you’re responsible for her. Anything bad that happens, you have to handle it.”
I opened my mouth, not sure how to respond, but then I figured it was a win. I’d take them when I got them. “Thanks.”
She gave me a grudging nod, still giving her door a hard look before I left.
Some of the other girls not in Kira’s main group were also leaving. They gave us a ride to get food and then to my place. We’d just gotten dropped off when my phone buzzed.
Scout: What are you doing this afternoon?
Then, right after, it buzzed again.
Clint: PARTY! WHERE ARE YOU?
Me: Theresa and I are pre-partying at my house. We just got here.
