Free Fans of the Impossible Life by Kate Scelsa Page A

althoughSebby’s favorite thing to do was spin both of us at the same time, and I was starting to feel dizzy. I had lost track of how I had gotten here. I arrived at the gym. I ate a cookie. What about before that? And now? The three of us laughing and spinning as if this was the way that it was supposed to be. As if anything about this was normal.
    The song changed and Sebby started doing dramatic moves of framing his face and dipping himself to the floor.
    â€œWhen Sebby starts vogueing I need to take a break,” Mira said in my ear. “I’m gonna go get some fresh air.”
    She said something to Sebby and he nodded, and she left us there alone together. Sebby smiled at me and grabbed me around the waist. He took my hand.
    â€œDo you know ballroom?” he said.
    I was suddenly very aware of the presence of other people around us, remembered my own fear about the unstructured nature of this night.
    I felt myself pull away slightly.
    He grabbed me tighter, pulled me toward him so our torsos were touching. We were almost the same height, his hair dusty blond to my very brown, his defined edges in places where my face had stayed insistently round, but somehow looking into his eyes felt like a mirror. As if that was the reflection of myself that I wanted.
    â€œYou won’t dance with me?” he said, smiling.
    My hands were sweating. I didn’t know what to say. I had arrived at the gym . . . I had eaten a cookie . . .
    He leaned over and whispered in my ear.
    â€œNo one cares,” he said. “And if they do, then fuck ’em.”
    I took a deep breath and nodded, tried to smile, and then he dipped me to the floor and I fell backward and I was laughing too hard to care anymore. Fuck ’em. Yes, that was right. That was it exactly.

UNCORRECTED E-PROOF—NOT FOR SALE
    HarperCollins Publishers
    ..................................................................
MIRA
    Mira made her way out the back door of the gym. She looked back to see Sebby with his arm around Jeremy, dipping him to the floor.
    â€œBe gentle with shy boy,” she had whispered in Sebby’s ear. He wasn’t listening to her, of course.
    Outside in the parking lot the night seemed to have taken an unfortunate turn. Molly Stern was leaning against a Jeep, loudly throwing up any food she had eaten that day, or possibly anytime that week. Rose was standing next to her, nobly taking on the job of holding Molly’s hair back for her, while Sarah and Anna looked on disapprovingly from a distance. And in the middle of it all was chaperone Peter Sprenger. Mira almost turned back around and went inside, but her curiosity got the better of her when Talia pushed past her clutching a cup of water, nearly spilling it in her eagerness to bring it to Peter.
    â€œMolly, why don’t you drink some water, okay?” Peter said.
    Molly, temporarily done vomiting, lifted her head and tried to stand up straight.
    â€œShe just came over to the cookie table and barfed on my shoes,” Rose said. “I got her outside as fast as I could, but I think she left a trail.”
    â€œI thought I should have . . . something to eat,” Molly said between choking sobs.
    Talia attempted to assist her with sipping from the cup of water.
    â€œShe can hold the cup herself, Talia,” Rose said. “I’m pretty sure her arms still work.”
    Talia glared at Rose as Molly sipped the water and tried to stop crying.
    Peter looked over at Sarah and Anna. “May I speak to you girls?” he said.
    Sarah hesitated, and for a moment it seemed like she might actually say no, but then she gave in and Anna followed her over.
    â€œWere you with Molly before the dance?” Peter asked.
    Sarah shrugged. “Maybe.”
    â€œMaybe? Or yes?”
    Sarah and Anna looked at each other.
    â€œYes,” Sarah said.
    â€œAnd what exactly were you doing?”
    â€œNothing,” Sarah said, making a drunken effort