Free Lessons of the Heart by Jodie Larson Page A

on my bed, flipping through her magazine yet not really paying much attention to it. I think she just needs something to keep her fingers busy. I’m sitting on the floor next to the bed, looking through my phone.
    “No one. I’m going solo.”
    Penny throws down the magazine in a huff. “You can’t go by yourself. It’s not right, especially when you’re going to be royalty.”
    “Pfft. Whatever. Who says I need a date anyway?”
    She stands and walks to my mirror, fluffing her red hair before tucking it behind her ears. “What about Chase?”
    I turn to face her. “What about Chase?”
    She rolls her eyes and sighs. “You can’t avoid him forever. And I know for a fact that he asked you to the dance.”
    I fall back on the floor and toss my arm over my eyes. “Just because he asked doesn’t mean that I need to go with him. Maybe I don’t want to lead him on. Maybe I really do just want to go by myself.”
    Her red lips twist to the side. This is not good. “The only reason why a girl says she doesn’t want to lead a boy on is because she’s waiting to ask someone else.”
    I pull my arm up and look at her. “Seriously?”
    “So, who is it you’re holding out for? Do I know him? Of course I know him. He must be in our school and we know everyone. Is it Lyle? Drake? Matt?”
    “No, no, and hell no. It’s no one you know.”
    “Aha! There is someone you’re waiting for! I knew it. Who is it? Tell me, tell me, tell me.”
    “Fuck!” I yell. “It’s no one, okay? I’m not holding out for anyone. I just want to be single. Is that so unusual?”
    “Yes,” she simply says.
    “Whatever.” I stand and pull her out the door. “Well, if we want to make our hair appointments we need to get going. Stupid dance won’t wait forever.”
    “Come on, lame ass, let’s get moving so you can fly solo.”

    I smooth a hand down the front of my dress, thankful that I remembered to wear a button down shirt on the way to the salon. The emerald green satin dress hugs my curves in all the right places and highlights the flecks of gold in my hazel eyes. My hair is twisted into an elegant updo, soft and curly while accentuating my long neck. An emerald pendant necklace with matching earrings completes my outfit.
    “You look incredible,” Penny says, entering my room.
    “So do you. Don’t let Liam see you. He’ll probably kidnap you and tie you to his bed.”
    There’s a twinkle in her eyes and she smiles brightly. “You think?”
    I make a gagging gesture. “Gross. Forget I said anything.”
    And, on cue, Liam walks into my room but stops short in my doorway.
    “Holy shit, Penny. Are you trying to kill me?”
    “What?” she says innocently, spinning in a slow circle to give him the full view.
    She’s wearing a short, backless, silver halter dress, coming down to her mid-thigh at most, complete with platform silver strappy heels. Her hair is also swept up with several braids integrated throughout. Gold hoops and a gold necklace she got from her parents are her only pieces of jewelry and really, she doesn’t need anything else.
    Liam grabs a pillow off my bed and holds it in front of him. “I need to go now.” He turns and leaves, making Penny laugh quietly.
    “Burn that pillow when you’re done with it,” I yell at him. “I don’t want it after your boner’s been rubbing up against it!”
    I grab my purse off my dresser and smile. “Ready?”
    Penny nods. “Now I am! Mission accomplished.”
    I roll my eyes and usher us down the stairs. “My poor brother. I don’t even want to think about what he’s doing in his room right now.”
    “Maybe I should go in there and find out,” Penny says.
    I shake my head and keep her on the stairs.
    “Don’t even think about it. Just walk. We’re going to be late.”
    “Well if you had a date he could have picked you up and we wouldn’t have to worry about it.”
    “I told you I don’t need one,” I say. We round the corner into the living room where