April 8-
I don't know if I can wait another day of dragging this on, I call Leon and ask if he wants to grab a burger tonight. Then I call Rhonda. I meet him at our usual booth near the side window and slide in. "Hey," I say as I start looking at the menu.
"Hey there," he replies. I want to lunge across the table rip his stupid lips off. I see Rhonda standing outside with Kayla. She is showing Kayla the same email that Phoebe had sent me, the same email I sent her about twenty minutes ago. "Helga, you get those prom tickets yet?" Kayla is visibly upset, her hands are over her mouth; they must be done, Rhonda is pointing inside to our booth.
"Yes, I did." I say as I nod, staring directly at Rhonda, "But you see, the thing is, I won't be going with you to prom." The girls are nearly on us. He looks up at me and before he can open his mouth to say anything- SLAP! Exactly what I'd hoped for; if I'd hit him I could be kicked off the team, between the two of them it becomes a family issue. I needed to use my phone on the sly anyway.
"What is your problem!" Kayla is yelling at him; she is making a statement, not asking a question.
"My problem? You girls are nuts. What is your deal?" Leon is still holding on, "Helga, are you mad at me? Why aren't you going to prom with me?"
*You've got mail!*
"That would be why, Leon." I get up and walk out of the restaurant, our little group taking things outside in my wake.
"Wait, Helga," he is trying to stop me, and see what I sent him at the same time. He manages to grab my arm, but before I can turn to do anything, he freezes. He knows full well what he is looking at. Kayla peels his fingers off of my arm, the sound from the video making her angrier each second.
"How could you do that Leon?" Kayla is a foot shorter than him, but that doesn't stop her from getting in his face, "Helga is my friend! How could you?"
"Kayla," Rhonda doesn't want this to become a full fight, "it isn't worth it." Kayla nods and walks over to us; we leave him standing by the door. "That, girls, is why I don't date guys. They are all pigs."
"Speaking of which, is the school going to let you bring Patty to prom?" Kayla asks, but I want to find out too.
"I don't know yet, I am turning in her guest permit* on Monday, I really hope she can." Rhonda turns to me, "Are you going to be alright?"
"Yeah, thanks for helping me out back there." I sigh, "I think I'm just gonna go stay at Phoebe's tonight." We say our goodbyes and part ways. I get to the train depot in time to catch the last commuter subway to the old neighborhood; it may be more crowded, but there are almost no stops. I call Phoebe, but it goes straight to voicemail, "Hey Phoebs, you are probably already at the movies with Tall Hair Boy, let me know when you get home." I also send Bob a text since it helps keep him off my back.
[Going to spend tonight Phoebe]
The subway stops as I put my phone away. "Now what to do until Phoebe gets home?" I ask aloud to nobody. I head out in the direction of Phoebe's house, my hands in my pockets, kicking a pebble along my way. A flash of pink catches my eye. I reach up and my bow is gone. I run after it as it dances on the wind, high above my head. After many blocks, full of twists and turns, it catches on a fire escape. I climb up the fire escape, "Gotcha! You thought you could get away fro-" I suddenly know exactly which fire escape I have come up. "This would be where I end up tonight."
*Most schools don't let you bring just anybody to the dances and you have to apply/sign up anyone that isn't a student, and there are usually age restrictions. Patty was 14/6th grade when they were 9/4th grade, making her most likely 22 when they are 17.
Also, I uploaded this, but forgot to post last night, I am so sorry you guys!
