Starlee's Turn (The Wayward Sons 2)

“Exactly. Same as my year—the desire to reward the mean girls starts to fade after twelve years.”

I sit on the small armchair next to the brochure stand. “That’s what my friend Claire said, but I don’t know. The guys I get, but why would they pick me?” All three of the women in the office share a look. “What?”

“Honey, you’re beautiful,” Leelee says.

Sierra adds, “And new. Kids love new people, especially around here.”

“You’re also associated with the guys,” Katie says. “That can’t hurt.”

No. I doubt it can.

I look at my hands and muster up the nerve to ask, “You don’t think it’s a joke, do you? Like Carrie or something, and I’m going to walk across that field and pig’s blood is going to rain down on me?”

Sierra sighs and places her cup on the coffee table. She leans forward. “Honey, you’re adorable—you’ve got those boys wrapped around your finger. If you have even the tiniest bit of influence over the rest of the school that you have over them, I’m not surprised you got voted in.”

Katie circles the counter. “Let’s stop whining about this and get to the big deal; what are you going to wear?”

“Wear?”

“You have to have an outfit for the game. Something amazing. People go all out. Last year this one girl wore a cape. It was silver.”

“A cape?”

“Some girls go more formal, but really, it’s up to you. Jake and George will be in their uniforms. You’d think the cheerleaders would wear theirs, but I’m sure they’ll come up with an excuse to get into a dress.”

I shake my head. Why did we only get two days’ notice? “I’ve got nothing. See? I should back out.”

“You’re not backing out,” Leelee says, “and someone grab the keys to lock the door. I think I have the perfect thing up at the house. Come on, we’ll go look.”

Katie lifts the key off the hook behind the counter. Sierra stands next to me and gives me a quick hug. I have no idea what my grandmother is about to show me, but I do have a feeling any chance of getting out of this thing is quickly coming to an end.

We’ve reached the house when footsteps sound on the sidewalk behind us. I turn and find Claire.

“Hey,” I say, surprised to see her here. Most of the kids that live in town don’t come up to Lee Vines. “Is everything okay?”

She peers at the others behind me on the porch. “I just wanted to talk to you real quick, if it’s not a bad time.”

“We’ll go search the closets. You talk to your friend,” Leelee says ushering Sierra and Katie inside.

I sit on the step and Claire moves to sit next to me. “Look, I tried to find you after the announcement today, but things got a little crazy.”

“There were a lot of people there.”

“I just feel like I need to confess that I may be part of the reason you and the guys ended up on the ballot.”

“You are?” I feel the crease in my forehead.

“I’m tired of Christina getting her way. Jake shouldn’t have to put up with her garbage—it’s his homecoming too. And the other guys? They deserve it also. It wasn’t hard to sway everyone. Especially not after her drama at my party the other night.” She shakes her head. “People really don’t like her.”

I wrap my arms around my knees. “I appreciate you thinking about me, and I don’t know if you’re aware, but this is way out of my league. School dances, homecoming, boys…all of it.”

“Really? You handle yourself pretty well, especially when it comes to boys. You’ve got the four most elusive at the school eating out of your hand. You’re in the service club and you’re at all the football games and stuff. I figured you were probably pretty popular at your old school.”

I fight back a laugh. About all of it but the boys. That, I want to say, is about proximity, but I know it’s more than that. We have a bond. Something different, but I’m not ready to share that with anyone.

“I went to public school through the 6th grade and things kind of fell apart for me. I was definitely not popular. I mean, I was homeschooled after that and didn’t even have any friends. This is the first time I’ve been to school since then.”

She looks impressed. “Wow, really?”