Free carefully everywhere descending by L.B. Bedford Page B

even if you don’t have a date.”
    â€œOh, I know that, it’s not that, I was just… busy,” I say as someone’s voice crackles over the store’s speaker system, calling an employee to the back room to pick up a call.
    â€œSo… what are you both doing here?” I ask after a moment of uncomfortable silence. I wish Scarlett would jump in and say something, even if it’s one of her hit-or-miss jokes.
    Carolina glances over her shoulder. “We’re here as a group. First, Irina wanted to stop to pick up some more bobby pins. Her hair is a nightmare , she ended up with a terrible stylist. Then Serhan thought it would be hysterical to buy a toy or something to leave around the room and film people’s reactions. He’s trying to find something right now. Then Chad had the bright idea to see if he could find a mask to photobomb people in. Here he is— Did you find anything?”
    Chad, a budding frat boy, is already obviously drunk. He’s tall and bulky (football and soccer) and not particularly bright, judging by the comments he’s made in class. His answer “The Romans” in response to who invented the cotton gin will live in infamy to me. It was for US History.
    His eyebrows wing upward when he sees me.
    â€œHeeey. Where’s your dress?”
    â€œI don’t have one,” I say.
    â€œShe’s not going to prom, Chad,” says Carolina helpfully. He looks me over.
    â€œOhhh. Why not? Come on, you can come with me.” Before I know what’s happening, he’s slipped to my side and pinned me to him with a heavy arm around my shoulders. His suit is stiff and feels strange through the light fabric of my henley shirt.
    â€œSee?” he asks Carolina and Scarlett, and a newly appeared girl; Irina, I guess. “Don’t we make a great couple?” He barks out a laugh, swaying a little on his feet. His head turns toward me and lowers, and I realize he’s about to kiss me. My heart kicks into overdrive, and I shove the shopping basket up between us, spilling the cough syrup box from it and knocking him off balance. Startled, he falls back against the shelf, sending other medications cascading to the floor. My basket is knocked from my hands and skitters away. But he doesn’t release his hold on me, and I’m pulled to his chest, struggling to free myself.
    â€œLet me go,” I say, high-pitched and muffled. Instead, his grip tightens around my neck and pulls me closer. My feet slide behind me on the glossy floor, and my knees are weak. I’m almost fully supported by him when another slim, strong arm winds around my waist and steadies me.
    â€œLet her go, Chad,” says Scarlett, right in my ear, voice angry. “Come on. This isn’t funny.”
    â€œAw, yes it is, come on,” replies Chad, blinking blearily up at Scarlett. “I’m—see, I’m gonna show up with two dates. Isn’t that awesome?”
    â€œNo,” says Scarlett shortly. Her free hand grips the wrist Chad has around me and works me out. As soon as the pressure around my neck and head loosen, I duck under his arm and together Scarlett and I stagger back. Chad struggles to get his feet under him, still splayed against the shelf.
    â€œIt would show Dana a thing or two,” he continues petulantly, to himself, it seems. A store manager has appeared on the scene, looking serious. We’ve also gathered a crowd of gawking shoppers. The costumed drama is too good to pass by, I suppose.
    â€œSir, I’m going to have to ask you to leave,” the manager says loudly.
    Chad struggles to focus on him. “Huh? Oh, okay.” He almost overbalances righting himself. Once he gets fully vertical, he takes a moment to stop swaying and orient himself. Then, seemingly perfectly normal, sets in a nearly straight line for the glowing Exit sign and sliding doors.
    After they swish shut behind him, I realize