Free Prom Kings and Drama Queens by Dorian Cirrone Page B

come with her.”
    “What does that mean?”
    Brian arranged his sword on his hip and sighed. “I drove her here because her father asked my father if I would. Randy had a ride with Kyle, and Brandy didn’t want to go with them.”
    I felt like a breath I’d been holding had just been released. I hoped my relief didn’t show too much as I said, “Her dad?” No matter how much I wanted a date, I’d never ask my parents to intervene.
    “Yeah, my dad does business with Mr. Clausen,” Brian said.
    “So you aren’t going out with Brandy?”
    “No way,” Brian said. “I don’t want to sound cocky, but she wishes.” Then suddenly, he grabbed my shoulders and jerked me in front of him again.
    “Brandy?”
    “Yeah, she just walked by,” he said, adding, “so are you glad you came to the party?”
    “I was until I became the entertainment at the bar.”
    “Forget about those idiots,” he said. “I’m glad it’s just us out here.”
    “Really?” I squeaked.

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    Brian smiled. “Yeah, I wanted to tell you thanks for being so nice to Grams. She doesn’t get to see many people, and she just, well, seems a little happier since you came by.”
    “I’m here to help,” I blurted. Immediately, I wanted to take the words back. What did I even mean? I tried to save myself with a question. “But why doesn’t she get to see people?”
    “She moved down here from New York to be with her family after my grandfather died. It was hard for her to stay alone up there with her eyesight going.” I remembered Grams squinting when she read the captain’s note. “Is she going blind?”
    “Oh no, not that bad,” Brian said. “But she can’t drive, so it’s hard for her to meet people.”
    “Maybe Captain Miguel can change that for her,” I said, smiling.
    But Brian didn’t seem to share my optimism. He frowned for a second and hesitated. “Uh, yeah, about that. My parents found out about the captain, and they’re really upset that she wrote back to him. They don’t want us to deliver the note.”
    “Why?” I cried. Sure it was a little gross to think of old people making out and stuff, but this was a perfect opportunity for Lily to get out and meet people.
    “They’re afraid she might get taken advantage of,” Brian said. “She has a lot of money, and they think that 95

    makes her an easy target for crooked guys.” I laughed. “Captain Miguel doesn’t exactly seem like a gigolo.”
    “Probably not,” Brian said. “Listen, I didn’t come out here to talk about my parents. Grams said something about you and it got me thinking.” I gulped. Had she told him I liked him? What about all that winking? Winking was supposed to be in place of coming right out and telling things. Wasn’t it?
    “Um”—I hesitated—“what did she say?”
    “She asked me how I could have let someone like you live next door for so many years and never ask you out?”
    Whoa. She was good. My insides were dancing to the beat of the music behind the glass doors, but I forced myself to stay calm and respond in a cool man-ner. “And what did you say?”
    Brian shrugged. “I said I didn’t know.” Was that it? I nodded and rested my elbows on the balcony.
    Brian turned and did the same.
    So now what? I breathed in the salty air and shivered a little as a breeze blew by.
    “You cold?” Brian said.
    “A little.”
    He grabbed a beach towel off a chair. “Anyway . . .” Brian said, “I started thinking maybe Grams was right.
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    Ever since I moved here I’ve just hung out with Brandy, the drama queen, and her crowd. I didn’t even consider that you and I could hang out. I mean—if you’d want to.”
    I wanted to jump up and down on the balcony and yell, “He likes me! He likes me!” Instead, I tried to keep my voice from cracking and answered, “Sure, that would be great.”
    “Great,” he echoed, circling the beach towel tightly around my shoulders.
    Suddenly I recalled the Christmas Eve that I was seven.