Free Double Threats Forever by Julie Prestsater Page A

were).
    “She did a great job. It all came together perfectly,” I say.
    “The dude should really be working on Broadway stages or doing set designs for movies or something.”
    “Yeah, we should ask her for her autograph so we can sell it on eBay in ten years.”
    “We can say we knew her when,” Steph adds.
     
    Keesha is the last of the girls to be announced. The auditorium fills with cries when all the girls realize she’s escorted by Josh. “Upon graduation, Keesha plans on reuniting with her long lost love Jonathan when he moves back to California. She enjoys spending time with her friends, having girls’ night out, and dancing. She is most known for her killer strike on our girls’ varsity soccer team.”
    Josh and Keesh work the crowd, pointing at the crowd, smiling, winking, and doing the pageant wave. If she doesn’t win, I will be shocked.
    When it’s our turn to dance, I’m about to hyperventilate.
    “Just chill, Meg. We dance all the time,” Keesh tells me after changing from her formal gown she wore with Josh on the runway to her Scary Spice costume.
    “Not dressed like this. And not on a stage in front of the whole school with spotlights in my eyes.” I’m pretty sure I look like a hooker in my short pink fitted (like a glove) dress and ridiculously high heels. I may have lost the weight to fit into shit like this, but it doesn’t mean I’m comfortable in it. Someone get me my Berkeley hoodie and a pair of sweats. Throw in some Chucks while you’re at it.
    “Dude, stop being a wimp. If I’m not freaking in my stripper costume, then you shouldn’t either. Just pretend we’re at a party.”
    “How you doing, Shay?” I ask.
    She looks about as good as I feel. Even with the gobs of makeup she’s wearing, she still looks pale. At least she doesn’t look like a tramp like the rest of us. “I’m okay. Let’s just hurry and get it over with.”
    Steph, who I thought would be the one to freak, is surprisingly calm. She peaks her head around the curtain and waves.
    “Who you waving to?” I ask.
    “Dominic. He’s sitting with the moms.”
    Oh great. Even more people to see me when I trip and fall.
    Before I can run away, Keesh is name is called and our music begins. Steph pushes me toward my spot on stage and I begin our routine to “Wannabe.” I loosen up after the first few beats and have a blast with my friends as the audience sings along with the music.
    When the whole thing is over, I meet my mom outside.
    “What did you think?” I ask.
    She hugs me. “Well, if you guys ever need a part time job in college, you could always dance.”
    “Ha ha.” I say. “Very funny. I told them the only thing missing from our routine was a pole.”
    “Josh is always saying he’s a pimp.”
    Oh no. Not my mom too. “Don’t encourage him.”
     
     

Chapter 10
     
     
     
    Sometimes I feel like Meg Ryan in You’ve Got Mail . I’ve only watched it with my mom a thousand times. She loves that movie. But instead of emailing back and forth, I thrive on getting video chat requests from my hot college friend. I don’t know why I don’t just say boyfriend. I can’t remember the last time I went out with someone other than him, or even wanted to. But Alex and I are still just really good friends. Whatever. If anyone believes that, they’re blind.
    There. Video chat coming through. I sit up in my bed, adjust the screen so he can see my perpetual smile, and I click on accept.
    “Hey, babe! I’m surprised you’re not out celebrating,” he says as soon as the call goes through.
    “Yeah, I thought we would too, but once Keesh got her crown, she left as soon as she could to go home and talk to Jon.”
    “It must be killing him that he missed it. Hell, I’m sorry I did. If it had been you, I’d have driven my ass down there just for the halftime show at the game and come right back up here. I wouldn’t have missed it for anything.”
    His eyes are so sincere, I know he means it.