All the cool kids are doing it! I've added an ask page to my Tumblr account - partially to give the poor thing a use I imagine.
Truth or Dare
If you have a Tumblr account, you can ask any of my sims - past or present - a question over yonder. But if you DON'T have a tumbler account you can just ask it here and I'll copy it over as needed.
Questions and Answers already processed can be found here.
The questions should be addressed to a particular character and will be answered in character - hopefully with a picture just for fun. :)
Chapter 7
The moment after I hit the ground seemed like a happy memory now that the adrenaline had worn off and the real pain had set in. Nai'a was on the phone still and fretting around like a mother hen as she spoke in rapid, clipped sentences to whoever was on the other end. By then my head was too full of pain to pay much attention to her words though.
It felt like and eternity before the saints in EMT uniforms arrived and scooped me gingerly off the gravel track. Despite their efforts, I felt every movement as if a thousand knifes were stabbing through me.
They were trying to ask me questions but all I could focus on was the pain. Beside me, Nai'a answered everything before they finished asking. "I already called your Dad and Erik..." she said to me just as I was being loaded into the ambulance.
Thankfully, by the time we arrived at the hospital, my head felt clearer - I imagine it had to do with whatever was in the shot they'd given me. Nai'a, Todd and Gene had followed the ambulance all the way to the hospital and were now hovering around my bed in the chaos that was the ER.
As I'd been deemed stable but urgent by the EMTs, I was processed by a nurse and an intern and moved to an empty bed to await my turn.
In the bay across from me, a man was bleeding through the bandages on his head, making my stomach squirm. In the bed next to me, though I couldn't see her beyond the blue hospital curtain, a young child was throwing up and if her mother's frantic cries for a doctor were any indication, the child was terrifyingly ill. Suddenly my potentially broken leg and the pounding in my head from skull meeting earth seemed minor in comparison to those around me.
The head wound was the first to be taken off to another, probably more private, room and soon the sounds from the other side of the curtain were replaced with silence as well. Nurses and doctors came and went in a hurry around here - I guess they were exceptionally busy today.
"What happened?!" Erik ran up, a nurse was behind him scolding him for disturbing patients in his quest to find me I suppose.
"I fell off some cheerleaders" I was surprised to find that talking did not actually make my head worse as I'd feared. I silently praised the EMTs once again.
Erik, for his part, looked confused and clearly thought I was damaged as he looked over at Nai'a and Todd for explanation. They had nearly finished the story when my Dad showed up and demanded they begin again. He looked both scared and angry as they came to the part where I tumbled toward the ground.
The last to arrive on the scene was a white-coated doctor and a nurse in pink scrubs. "Sorry that took so long, it's been a mad house around here." the doctor said with a smile. After a quick scan of the chart that had been assembled for me based on my own account and that of the EMTs he nodded. "Looks like we need at least an x-ray to check out that leg. You said you hit your head during the fall?" I nodded at the same time Nai'a started to tell the tale again. While she was talking the doctor came closer and started poking and prodding at my head, as well as checking my eyes and a number of other small tests that must have told him something. "I'd like to schedule you for an MRI in the morning as well..."
"In the morning? You mean I have to stay here?" I sputtered in surprise.
"Just for tonight probably. You have a nasty bump there and it's going to take another couple hours to get you through x-ray anyway. We'll get you moved to a room though in the meantime." he was already scribbling away on my chart. He gave us all one last smile before passing it off to the nurse and heading off to who knows where.
He was right about the x-ray though, it was late by the time they'd examined my leg and determined that not only was it broken but that I'd likely torn a ligament as well. As soon as Dr. Spencer delivered the news and left, my friends were chattering around me. At some point Veronica and Timothy had been called as they were waiting for me when I returned from the x-ray. "The cheerleaders are all frantic about what happened!" Veronica said with a laugh.
"Why?" I asked, grimacing as I realized the pain medication was starting to wear off.
"They're terrified they'll get in trouble! It's not like you've trained with them or anything - the coach will probably come down hard on them for it." V explained.
"You know all this how?" Todd asked, shaking his head in wonderment.
"I added most of them to my Twitter back when I was an alternate and never unfollowed them." she said with a casual shrug.
"Okay okay." the nurse who came in to disrupt the gathering smiled good-naturedly at everyone, "Visiting hours are over so unless you're family - it's time to go on home kids." The others groaned but said their goodbyes, promising to return in the morning.
"He father went to get her a few things - can I stay until he gets back at least?" Erik asked - unwilling to leave my side short of being forcibly removed. Thankfully the nurse nodded, granting the allowance before leaving the room. "I'd stay all night if I thought they'd let me."
Unfortunately the small reprieve was short lived as not five minutes later my dad had returned - a small bag in his hands. "Aren't visiting hours over Erik?"
"I am pretty tired Erik - I'll see you tomorrow okay?" I said, reaching a hand out to him.
"Don't doze off just yet Ginny, I ran into someone back at the house and he wanted to see you..." I wasn't sure how Dad has schmoozed the nurse but she looked the other way as he opened the door to let in yet another after hours visitor.
"James?" I could feel myself trying to fall asleep already but surely I wasn't so tired as to hallucinate.
"Hey, I stopped by to return your jacket - I found it while I was cleaning the rental car out to return it tomorrow..." James said. "Your dad told me what happened, are you okay?"
"Broken but otherwise alive I suppose." I was avoiding looking at Erik at that moment, what must he be thinking of James's statement? I'd told him about A funeral but had neglected to furnish details.
"Well, I left the jacket at your house...thank you again for coming to the funeral with me." he said, trying to focus on me rather than the emotions rolling off Erik.
"It was good to see you again. Good luck with that girl..." I said, partially for Erik's benefit. Maybe he would see that it was just friendly chatter...maybe.
"Thank you." James said with a small chuckle. "I guess I won't be seeing you again for awhile so this is good bye."
"Have a safe trip James." I said, my eyes were heavy and laden by the time Dad escorted him out of the room. I watched James disappear through the tiny window in the door before turning my attention back to Erik.
He was carefully guarding his emotions but he met my eyes. "I'll be back tomorrow." he said, standing and stretching a moment. He leaned over the bed to give me a kiss on the forehead and smiled. It was slight and I was sure it was strained but it was there. "Tomorrow Gin." he said at the door.
And then he too was gone.
With some help from a friendly nurse, I'd shed the crappy hospital pajamas and slipped into my own, more familiar, clothes. Whether by chance or choice, Dad had packed my absolute favorite pair of pajamas and it was a small comfort in the frigid, stark hospital. My leg was bound with a temporary splint - casting would be another "fun" thing on my to do list in the morning no doubt.
I was terribly exhausted and yet sleep was slow to come that night as I thought about Erik mostly. Beyond that, getting comfortable in a hospital bed and a split was an act of futility. I would have tossed and turned if I were physically capable of it no doubt. Finally, as a nurse came around to do her early morning (or late night?) checks, sleep started to overtake me.
I was on the cusp of awake and asleep when the nurse left. Moments later, the door opened again and my eyes fluttered open, staring blearily. I was too tired to focus though and let them close again. I barely felt him gently scoot me over and lay in the bed next to me due to the overwhelming exhaustion.
"Why are you here?" I whispered, my eyes still shut. I curled against him, happy for the company.
"Just couldn't stay away. I should have a couple hours before your nurse comes around again." I was asleep before he finished speaking though.
------
'Surely it was a dream' I thought to myself as I began to wake up once again. I could feel the warmth of the sun streaming through the window near my bed but I didn't dare attempt to roll over to face the morning just yet. I didn't even open my eyes, only wrapped my arms tighter around Erik.
Erik. I guess it wasn't a dream at all! I opened my eyes and looked at him. He was pensive and silent. I wondered, not for the first time, what he was thinking. "Good morning." he said once he saw I was awake.
"Morning." I replied. "How have you avoided being discovered?"
"I've been awake most of the night, I heard them coming and slipped out until I heard them leave again.
"You must be exhausted then."
"I don't think I could have slept had I tried." he said with a frown.
"Erik...about James..." I started, might as well get this over with from the start.
"It's okay Gin. I trust you." he said. Once again the small smile seemed strained.
I couldn't help but raise my eyebrows at him. "Well good...his cousin died, he wanted a friend and asked me to come to the funeral...."
Erik merely nodded in acknowledgement of my words. "Okay."
"Who are you and what have you done with my jealous Erik?" I asked with a weak smile.
And Erik laughed, probably too loudly as a nurse came in then and banished him from the room.
Although I could hardly believe Erik's change of attitude, having things resolved with him made the rest of the day seem much easier to face. Now I would just be happy to get home! Of course things never quite work out the way we planned.
Moments after Erik left, Dad came in followed by Dr. Spencer. They both had identical somber expressions.
"Ginny...I've been looking over your x-rays again and there's a chance...albeit small, that this ACL tear will require surgery..." Dr. Spencer said.
"Surgery?" My mind flashed to the cold, sterile operating rooms I'd seen on TV and in movies and I shuddered at the thought.
End Chapter
Chapter 6
"Seriously V, you're as bad as Erik!" I said with an eye roll.
"Well think about it from his perspective Gin...he sees you chatting it up with your older, smarter boyfriend..." V was sitting in the window sill and had been trying to rationalize Erik's behavior for the last thirty minutes.
"Ex! Ex-boyfriend. Ex-boyfriend who moved to the other side of the country and is here for a FUNERAL. It's not like he came back for me!" I argued.
"But Erik doesn't know that! Or didn't anyway. And then follow that up with you dancing with your pseudo-stalker - seriously what's up with that guy Gene anyway?" Veronica laughed but before I could respond she continued, "And then not five minutes later you're crowned Homecoming Queen with yet another ex...sorta!"
"An ex who has a girlfriend!" I pointed out but V brushed my argument aside.
"It would be too much for any guy I think." she concluded as there was a knock on the door to my bedroom.
My dad stepped in and smiled. "You girls doing okay?"
"Sure Mr. B." Veronica said with a smile. "Thanks again for letting me stay this week, I know..."
"Think nothing of it Veronica. You're welcome here anytime, you should know that." he said. "You two should get to bed though, school in the morning."
"Night Daddy." I said with a smile.
"Night Mr. B!" Veronica added, hopping off the window sill and plopping on the bed next to me.
Dad's office door had barely shut when the doorbell rang. V and I both popped out of bed and made a bee-line for the balcony where we'd be able to see the person. "Is that?"
"James!" My dad said in surprise as he swung the front door open. He spied us from the balcony and shook his head with a chuckle. "Ginny! I think you have company." he called over to me. Veronica followed close at my heels as I headed downstairs.
"Hey James." I said awkwardly. "You remember Veronica?"
"Yes, hey V." he said to her. "Can I talk to you for a moment Ginny?"
"Yeah sure." I said, stepping in front of Veronica. She shot me an 'I told you so.' look and I just rolled my eyes again. I could feel her watching from the kitchen window as I stepped out onto the porch.
We fidgeted awkwardly for a moment before James suggested we sit on the steps. "Remember the funeral I mentioned?"
"Yes, was it someone you were close to?" I asked, trying to ignore the biting cold on my exposed flesh.
"Mhmm, a cousin of mine that was nearly a brother." James said, looking down at his hands. The silence stretched for a few minutes and I was about to ask how he died when James stood up and started walking along the edge of the pool. "He was in the Army, killed during a deployment."
"Oh!" I choked back a gasp. Over the years the news of the ongoing war had become more like background noise lately. "I'm sorry." I stood up and walked up behind him, read to reach out and comfort him but he resumed speaking so I dropped my arm.
"I came to ask you if you'd go with me to the funeral. Sounds odd I know...while I was close to my cousin I was never close to the rest of his family. I just, I'd like a friendly face I guess." James turned back to face me and must have seen my shiver. "Oh! You're freezing out here aren't you?" He whipped off his coat and before I could protest he was putting it over my shoulders.
My body was betraying me as it trembled under his innocent touch and nearness. "Um, th-thanks." I said softly.
"No problem." he said quietly and then stepped back a few paces.
"So...funeral, tomorrow? What time?" I asked, desperately trying to get the conversation back on track.
"Ten AM, at the cemetery at the base. You know where the base is?" he asked, starting to reach for the pockets of the jacket I was now wearing. When he only found air and his own sweater he chuckled.
"Yes, I know where it is." I said, unzipping the jacket slowly and holding it out to him. "I'll be there."
"Thank you Ginny." he said as he took the jacket from me. I saw him out the gate and then sank into a pool chair.
------
Though I had school in the morning, my dad wrote me a note after I explained the situation to excuse me from most of my morning classes. I still went in for first period to deliver the note and turn in a paper. Erik caught up to me as I was putting my stuff in my locker before leaving. "You're all dressed up." he said with a smile and a stroke of my cheek.
"Yeah, I have a funeral to go to." I said. I knew I should divulge more information but I didn't want to deal with his reaction at this particular moment so I left it at that.
"Oh I'm sorry, I didn't know." he said frowning.
"Just found out yesterday" I said. "Look I gotta go, I'll see you later okay?" I leaned forward and kissed him lightly.
"Sure. Later." he said, watching with a perplexed expression as I trotted toward the stairs.
I arrived at the base a little early in order to get past the gate guards. I'd never actually been on base before but I knew there was security at every entrance point so I had my Driver's License ready as I approached. After a couple questions as to the reason for my visit, they waved me forward. Thankfully the cemetery was very close to the main gate so I didn't have to get lost navigating unfamiliar territory.
As I stepped out of the car, I noticed a lone figure standing by a marker and after a moment of observation I knew it was James.
"Thank you for coming." James said as I approached. He didn't even turn to look at me. "I really appreciate it."
I nodded and then realized he wouldn't see the slight movement. Of course I didn't know what to say at that moment so I just slipped my hand into his and stood quietly by his side for several minutes. Eventually we made our way inside a nearby chapel for the service. James was one of the pallbearers so I was left walking somewhat awkwardly amongst people I didn't know but I simply followed along until we reached the outside.
I hung back as James shook the hands of dozens of people and hugged others. I got the impression that only a handful of those in attendance were family and the rest were friends and coworkers. I was daydreaming about nothing in particular when I felt a familiar presence beside me. "Thank you, again." he said with a weak smile.
"What are friends for?" I replied back. "I'm sorry about...I'm sorry for your loss." I added. James just nodded and stood with his hands in his pockets as he watched people begin to trickle away.
"Do you have to get back right away?" he asked.
"Probably...why? What did you have in mind?" I said.
"Go someplace with me?" he asked offering his arm. After a moment of thought - or lack of thought - I nodded a hooked my arm in his.
"I forgot how beautiful this place is." I said, looking out over the pond. The Koi Pond was tucked far away from any main road so getting there required work that most people were unwilling to exert. I'd only been a handful of times myself but every time was nearly magical.
"This is one place I really miss, of course I didn't come that often but to not even have to opportunity...I told myself the first time I came home, I'd make the effort." James said. "I just didn't think these would be the circumstances."
"How is college life?" I asked, leaning back on the grass - good thing my dress was black.
"It's good I guess. New city, new people, new life..." he said, laying back as well and tucking his arm under his head.
"New girls?" I asked, though I wasn't sure I wanted to hear the answer to that question to be honest.
James chuckled. "There's one...though our schedules are making things complicated so far." he said with shrug.
"I miss you." I said after a long silence.
"I miss you too." he said, his hand found mine on the grass and we lapsed into silence again, just laying there staring up at the trees and listening to the occasional splash from the fish.
------
I stopped by my house to change after saying goodbye to James, I didn't want to spend the rest of the school day in the funeral dress with grass stains. By the time I got back to school there were only a couple periods left - including Newspaper.
Nai'a pounced as soon as I arrived and started peppering me with questions about where I was but I was granted a reprieve when our editor called me over. "Lance is out sick with the flu or mono or something..." he said. He thrust a few papers in my hands and smiled, "Congratulations, you're our new sports writer this week...or until he gets back."
"Sports? I don't do sports." I protested, my eyes wide as I looked at the football schedule in my hands.
"You do now." he said and then turned away from me. I groaned and looked at Nai'a for help but she was barely hiding her snicker.
I relayed my new found problem to Todd that afternoon and he suggest coming out to practices and getting a new perspective before the game that weekend. Which is how I found myself in my gym clothes on the third day of watching the football players and cheerleaders practice. Tisha had suggested I join them for a routine or two just for fun....yeah it was a bad idea but somehow, here I was.
"Are you sure about this?" Nai'a asked with a frown. Unlike me, she hadn't been here the rest of the week and was just here out of loyalty now.
"To be honest, I'm not sure about anything right now." I said quietly. I plastered on a fake smile as the cheerleaders descended on us.
"I think I'll go observe." Nai'a said, stepping away from me and scrambling for her camera bag. Well at least I'd have pictures for my article.
Without warning, one of the girls turned on the stereo and they all started moving to the music. I knew from watching them that this was a warm up mostly, though even it was in near perfect unison. Except for me, the statue who was looking around with a bewildered expression on my face. Finally, after some prompting I started trying to mirror their movements and found I was a bad imitation of a cheerleader.
This went on for ten to fifteen minutes before the real work began. I'd taken gymnastics and tumbling as a kid but none of it compared to the moves these girls were making. I looked over at Nai'a and was pleased to see her camera clicking away as Terra flipped several times and then landed perfectly on her feet, pumping her fist in the air.
"Hey Gin! Come here! We have an idea!" it was impossible not to be caught up in their good mood and I happily jogged over to them. It wasn't until I felt my feet leaving the ground, several pairs of hands placed firmly on me as I was lifted, that I started to question.
"Guys, I don't think this..." I waved my arms to try and catch my balance as I felt the world disappear.
"Just relax!" they all said and laughed.
Once my feet found purchase on the shoulders and cupped by the hands of others, I was able to find my center and somehow keep myself upright. Nai'a was cheering and trying to take pictures at the same time.
Beneath me, the cheerleaders were beginning to cheer and dance to the music while I stood still as a statue. I was afraid to move lest I fall and land in a heap. But, as I said, it was hard not to be caught up in their mood.
And then everything started to spin as I lost my footing. I felt myself slip and tried to find my balance again with no luck. My foot slipped and I was tumbling backwards. Though there was a spotted there, I knew she wouldn't be able to do much other than cushion the blow.
There was a flurry of activity as I tumbled into Tisha and we crashed to the ground. My leg got tangled in something and was bent at an impossible angle as spasms of pain shot through it and me. "Ow..."
"Gin!" Nai'a was shouting as she ran over to me, her camera bouncing wildly against her chest with every step toward me. "Gin are you okay?"
"Ow" I whimpered, trying to sit up and get a better look at my leg.
"Oh wow!" Nai'a said with a grimace. She whipped her cell phone out and dialed so fast I thought my head would spin - actually it already was but that was probably from the fall. "We need an ambulance at Carson High School..."
End Chapter
Chapter 5: Boys
"Ginny!" Mr. Falkman called my attention away from the computer screen. I glanced over at him curiously and he motioned me over. "I was reading the article you submitted about the Fire Pit - I like it...but it needs more."
"More?" I asked, trying to remember what all I'd said. It had been a couple weeks since I'd even turned it in and I'd only written it as an attempt to get away from Erika.
"Pictures! It's all about the new look of the club but no pictures!" he said thrusting a copy of my own article at me. "Go back - take one of the photographers..."
"Oh! okay! I'll get Nai'a" I said glancing around for my favorite photographer.
"Nai'a is off on an assignment!" he snapped. Then he looked around the room for a moment. "Gene! You can take Gene." he was already motioning someone over so I stepped aside. Who the heck was Gene?
I shoved the papers into my bag and stepped out into the hall. The Pit would be opening for the night soon but some of the pictures might look better with a smaller crowd. "You Ginny?" he asked.
"Yeah, Gene?" I asked, though I must have looked unconvinced because he chuckled. "Sorry, you don't look like a Gene." I said finally.
He waved off my apology and held up his camera bag. "Where to?"
"The Fire Pit." I said quickly pulling my own bag onto my shoulders.
"Cool, lead on." he said. The trip over to the Fire Pit was short - not like our little town was that big. Gene and I talked about school mostly to pass the time and I made a quick call to Erik to see if he could get us in before opening.
To my surprise, Erik was standing by the side door with a grin. "I was here anyway, there's a small private party upstairs." he said before I had a chance to ask.
"Thanks!" I said, giving him a light kiss as greeting. I introduced Gene and Erik to each other and hid my smirk as they seemed to size each other up.
"No problem." he eyed Gene for a second and then smiled again. "Sorry I can't show you around, I have to get back. Just show yourself around."
Gene waited until he was gone before speaking. "Boyfriend?" When I answered in the affirmative, Gene seemed to grunt in acknowledgement before pulling out his camera and focusing his attention the task at hand.
I hung back as he took more pictures than could be needed for the entire newspaper and showed him to each floor. We tried to stay away from the people of the private party when we reached the third floor - they didn't need us bothering them.
I felt like I was constantly looking over Gene's shoulder and probably a nuisance so I walked over to the couches so I could watch both him and Erik, who was playing for the party. I'm still not sure what I tripped on but I felt my foot catch and then I was tumbling forward.
Right into the arms of someone else.
"I'm beginning to think this is a habit of yours, falling down." he said. He awarded me with a small smile when I looked up into his eyes.
"James..." It came out as a disbelieving whisper. He slowly righted me and put me back on my feet. "Sorry. About that." I muttered.
"No problem." he said. "It's good to see you again Ginny."
"You too." I said, fumbling past the desire to tell him how good he looked. I knew Erik was mere feet away and probably watching the whole exchange. Had he recognized James? Surely he had... "So, how's Yale?"
"Good. I came home for a family funeral and the Speech and Debate team from Franklin was having this thing today so I came to see old friends." he said.
I glanced around the room and recognized a few of the faces from Speech and Debate tournaments so I nodded. "A funeral? I'm sorry to hear that."
James nodded and looked down toward the floor for a moment. Maybe he could feel Erik's eyes on us like I could because he glanced toward the small stage. "You and Erik..."
"Yeah." I said. After a long moment of awkward silence, I plastered a smile on my face. "I should go. I suspect Gene is done with the pictures and I have to go shopping for a dress..."
"For?" James asked.
"Homecoming. It's this weekend." I said. On an impulse I gave him a quick, friendly hug. "It was good to see you again James."
------
The Homecoming game ran late so we all had to scramble to get ready for the dance. Several students involved with the dance set up, including Erik, V and Tim, actually had to leave the game early so that everything would be ready when the rest of the students showed up. When I walked in, fiddling with the heart necklace I was wearing, the first thing I saw was Erik on stage and I smiled at him.
Veronica was also on stage, though I'm not sure she was thrilled about it. Alex was no where to be seen and I wondered if he was still home sick. He'd been out all week with something. Tessa wasn't around either so I knew he must still be nursing the flu.
The room started to fill slowly as students trickled in, most of them happily talking about our overtime win at the game. I hadn't seen any of the football players yet but suspected they were probably still getting ready or picking up their dates.
The one downside to dating the guitar player who was solicited for pretty much every school function was the fact that I rarely had a dance partner. I didn't mind too much but I did miss dancing the slow dances with him in particular.
"So...like, he's like your boyfriend?" Erika chirped, having materialized at my side. She popped her gum a couple times while waiting for a response.
"Yes, he is." I said, trying not to cringe as she popped her gum again.
"He's like a total cutey." she said.
"He's like totally taken." I said, mocking her a bit. Okay a lot.
I felt a tap on my shoulder - at just the right moment because I was about to gouge Erika's eyes out. "Hey." Gene said with an awkward smile.
"Hi Gene!" I said, adding some extra cheerfulness to blot out the encounter with Erika.
"Wanna dance? Seeing as your boyfriend is occupado?" he asked.
"Sure. Thanks for asking." I said. It was a fast paced, dance song and I needed an excuse to get away from Erika.
We shared a couple dances before the music stopped and the spotlights swung over to the entrance. The crowd of students and faculty turned in that direction and burst into cheers and applause when they saw Todd, the captain of their winning football team, standing there with Mei-Ling. The dance goers parted as he was directed toward the stage.
Fact was, our team had a mostly losing streak until this year so every win was more exciting than the last. Todd gave a quick speech and thanked everyone for their support before hopping off the stage with Mei-Ling.
Erik resumed his position with his guitar and sought me out in the crowd. He smiled for a moment but it slipped as he must have taken in Gene. Gene seemed poised to step in as my dance partner again and I considered how to delicately remove myself. Unfortunately I didn't come up with an answer before Erik looked away, turning his attention to Veronica who was singing for the evening.
Gene took my hand as soon as the music started and swung me around toward him. At least someone was having a good time.
I'd barely extracted myself from Gene's constant attention when Timothy stepped up on stage. He'd been elected class VP again so he'd been working hard on the dance all week. He tapped the microphone a couple times until everyone turned toward him expectantly. "Thank you all for coming tonight. Those that went to the game will know that we didn't announce the Homecoming court during half time like we usually do - we had a small delay but we're now ready to present you with your Homecoming King and Queen."
A cheer erupted from the crowd in response. I remembered submitting my vote earlier in the week for King - I couldn't think of anyone I wanted for Queen so I'd just left that vote blank.
"This year's Homecoming King is..." From somewhere a drum roll played - it must have been prerecorded though as there weren't any drums in the room that I could see. "Todd Anderson!" Todd hopped onto the stage with ease and smiled and waved as the crowd cheered.
Tim waited for the roar to die down before he switched to the next envelope. Veronica and I shared a giggle at the craziness of all of this but waited while Tim dramatically pulled the card from the envelope. He already knew the name on the card as he'd been part of tallying the votes but he was making a show of it anyway.
"This year's Queen vote was so close we had to recount several times and every time we seemed to come up with a different result. There were three ladies that very nearly tied in votes.." V and I look at each other and seemed to be silently considering the candidates. "Our Homecoming Queen this year is..." the same recorded drumroll played for a moment. "Genevieve Bartlett!"
On instinct I was already clapping and looking around for the victor before I realized the name he'd said. "Huh?" I mouthed to Veronica. She was grinning and so was Nai'a. They gently shoved me forward toward the stage and then began whispering happily to each other.
A portion of the crowd seemed to have the same response as I did but they recovered a little quicker and the whole room seemed to be booming with applause as I stepped up onto stage - a little less gracefully than Todd.
There was a small flurry of activity as Todd and I received the flowers and crowns. Behind us, Veronica was back in her position at the microphone and Erik had recovered his guitar, posed to resume playing for the remainder of the dance. I couldn't be sure but his eyes looked dark as he looked over at me. He gave me a small smile but it didn't feel genuine.
"Now the King and Queen will share the traditional spotlight dance." Timothy set before leaving the stage. Todd took my hand and winked at me as he led me down to the clearing on the dance floor. The lights dimmed to the point where only the stage and this clearing were illuminated. There were students swaying all around us in the semi-darkness, waiting.
The first chords of a slow song began and Todd put his arms around me delicately. "It's just me Ginny." he whispered. I nodded and put my arms on his shoulders.
The dance seemed to go on forever but the tension soon eased. I was just dancing with my best friend - no big deal. "You make a beautiful Queen." Todd said.
"Thanks...I don't know how it happened..." I stammered, still trying to process it.
"You don't even get how popular you are do you?" he asked with a chuckle.
"I am NOT popular. Not that I care really..." I argued.
"Which is part of the appeal. You're best friends with the captain of the football team, you're dating the bad boy guitarist, you're on the newspaper...but most of all, you're nice to everyone and accessible. Even the cheerleaders like you...as much as they like anyone." Todd said.
I was trying to formulate a response when the music and our dance came to an end.
"We're going to take a short break." Erik announced, snapping my eyes from Todd. Someone else in charge of back up music hopped on stage and had another song playing through the speakers before Erik was even off the stage.
"Thanks for the dance Todd." I said with a smile.
"Care to dance?" Erik asked, his voice was tight and I could tell he was trying to keep a lid on his emotions at the moment.
"Sure. I'd love to." I said with a genuine smile. I wrapped my arms around him and pulled him closer than I'd danced with Todd or Gene tonight and he seemed to relax a bit.
I looked over his shoulder as we danced and saw Todd meeting about as much resistance from Mei-Ling. She kept looking in my direction and I buried my face in Erik's shoulder.
Erik had to go back to his guitar after a couple songs so I was left dance partner-less once again. After a moment of pouting, I headed over to the buffet to get a drink and was soon joined by Todd. "How 'bout we get our picture done?"
"Huh?" I asked, glancing over toward where he and Mei-Ling had been dancing a minute ago.
"She stepped out for a minute." he answered my unasked question. "We need to do a picture - as a King and Queen. Why don't we take this moment to get it done?"
"Oh sure." I said and let him lead me to the photographer. I'm sure he took far more pictures of us than any of the other couples. Aside from being the King and Queen, the night was winding down and most everyone else had already had their picture taken. Todd returned to Mei-Ling's side and I had to stop the photographer from packing up. "I haven't done a picture with my boyfriend." he looked confused and I saw his eyes wander to Todd questioningly. "Oh Todd's just a friend!" I said as Erik came over looking annoyed and dark all over again. "This is my boyfriend!"
"Oh right." The photographer said, pulling his camera back out of the bag. He motioned us toward the backdrop and I smiled but apparently Erik wasn't having it. "This is where you're supposed to smile young man." the photographer joked, hoping to lighten the mood.
"What's going on?" Erik asked, turning his full attention on me.
"Erik, calm down. It's tradition!" I said assuming he was feeling jealous of the dance with Todd and even the pictures.
"And what about your photographer friend over there?" he asked motioning absently back toward the dance floor. The dance photographer's eyes were wide for a moment but I knew he meant Gene.
"It's not like I had soooo many other options Erik!" I raised my voice. "What do you want me to do, stand there and tap my foot all night. I'd rather stay home! I danced with Gene because he was a friend who asked - nothing more!"
"Right! I saw the way he was looking at you all night Gin!" Erik's shouts were turning a few heads by now.
"Did I look at him like that?" I asked quietly. "Have I ever given you reason not to trust me?" I closed my eyes and shook my head. "Forget the picture. This is not a moment I want to remember." I said to the exceptionally patient photographer.
I shoved past Erik and out of the room, several pairs of eyes following me until I was beyond the doors. I'm sure they snapped back to Erik once I was out of sight. There were a few lingering couples in the halls of the school and I took several deep breaths to keep calm as I passed them. I tried a few classroom doors, seeking a dark quiet place to hide for a few minutes while I calmed down but all of them were locked.
The library doors, however, yielded to my touch and swung open. As soon as the near darkness consumed me, I collapsed on the ground and let out a small, choked cry.
I heard the door squeak open a few minutes later and admit someone else but I didn't move from the ground.
"I'm sorry." he said. "I was an ass, I'm sorry." He knelt down beside me and put his hand on my shoulder.
Part of me wanted to be spiteful and pull away from his touch but, as ever, it made me feel better to have him near. He offered me his hand and carefully helped me up.
"I was jealous - unnecessarily - but I lost you for awhile once and don't want that to happen again." Erik said.
"Neither do I." I said quietly. "I love you Erik...but you gotta know I wouldn't do that to you."
"I know that, I just hate to see you in the arms of someone else...even if he's catching your fall or just a friend..." Erik said. "Especially someone I know you..." he trailed off.
"Someone I was with in the past...like James? Or Todd?" I finished for him. Erik nodded, looking toward the floor. "But I'm with you now."
End Chapter
