Page 21 of Heartless Pucker in Love

“April,” Lucy peered around the block. It was getting dark. “Why can’t I drop you off at the school?”

“Because, Luce, I can’t have my big sister dropping me off at prom.”

“You make me sound like an uncool parent.”

“You’re twenty-two, a full-blown adult hence, no longer cool.”

She scoffed, her brown eyes widening and shining with laughter. “Excuse me? I’m the coolest big sister ever. I just snuck you out of the house to get you on your first date.”

“Oh my gosh, this is my first date.” It hit me then that Julian was way out of my league. He was experienced, and I was… a clueless loser. What if he kissed me? I didn’t know how to kiss! “I’m freaking out here,” I said as I pulled in a deep breath.

Fingers snagged my chin, and I was forced to look at my big sister. “Okay, I’m going to be the uncool, cheesy parent here for a moment.” She smiled her gentle smile that always put me at ease. “You are the sweetest person I’ve ever known. Any guy would be lucky to take you to senior prom. Julian is lucky to have you on his arm tonight. Just remember, you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do.”

I nodded.

Lucy smirked. “And if he tries any funny business, we’ll sic Cass on him. She’s such a little monster.”

My giggles filled the car and some of my tension seeped away.

“Just be yourself, relax, and have a good time. Okay?”

“Okay.” I smiled.

She dropped her hand. “Alright, I won’t embarrass you. Get out of here.”

Grinning, I leaned over the console to give her a hug and slid out of the car.

“April…” She peered out the window with concern.

“I’ll call you if I need you. I’ll be fine.”

Seemingly reassured, she exhaled, nodded, and turned the car around.

It only took me two minutes to make my way to West Oak High. Palms sweaty, heart racing, but overwhelmed with excitement, I made my way to the double doors of the gymnasium. Music filtered through the closed doors.

“Here goes nothing.” Finally, I felt like a normal kid. Doing normal things like going to prom.

The doors burst open and I saw Julian hurry out. How did he know I’d arrived? His eyes swung around the parking lot, and he reached into his pocket to pull out his phone. I assumed I was the one he was going to call. He’d written his phone number on another note and slipped it into my locker after his invitation. We’d texted a little for a month even though he mostly avoided me at school. That confused me but again, I passed it off as him being nervous.

I waved. “Hey Julian, I’m here.”

He spotted me and took off in my direction with long strides. He looked upset. My steps faltered and so did his until he came to a stop. His eyes rounded as he gave me a once over.

My heart stuttered, and my mouth went dry. Anxiety almost bowled me over. Julian dated girls like Regina Sanders, the head cheerleader. Did I even compare? There was something in his eyes that boosted my self-esteem, though. He seemed to approve of me.

When he said, “April, wow, you look...pretty.”

I beamed. “Er...th-thanks, you too.” I closed my eyes. Awkward April strikes again. “Handsome. I mean, you look handsome.” My face burned. He was wearing the hell out of his tux. His broad shoulders filled out the jacket perfectly.

He was about to say something else when the gym doors opened again, and a bunch of guys filtered out.

“Dude, I thought you said you’d get her inside.” Ric, one of Julian’s close friends, and a complete douchebag laughed. “You ruined the other part of the plan.”

Julian snarled over his shoulder, “Shut up, man.”

The others laughed, and one of them said, “To hell with it. She actually fell for it. That’s hilarious enough. She’s actually wearing flowers too, what a weirdo.”

My heart dropped. Plan? My head spun and nausea rose in my gut. Had Julian asked me to prom as some sick joke? I looked from him to his friends and back to him, wide-eyed. Sweat ran down my chest from the heat of my embarrassment. Nothing those idiots did usually got to me but this...this was too much. My heart plummeted a little lower. I really thought Julian liked me. At that moment, I silently prayed for the ground to open up and swallow me.