Go Baby Grow

Chapter 25 – The Prom

Friday, May 29th

Before they sat down for dinner at the restaurant, Ryder pulled Julie aside and asked, "Are the other dates being decent to you or are they being snobs?"

Julie giggled, "A little of both, I suppose." She explained that, for the most part, they were focused on money, status, beauty, and all-things-not-Julie.

"Even Jana?" Ryder, surprised, attempted to clarify.

"No, she's warmer and sweeter. I'm a little daunted by the other two. Stick close, ok?" she requested.

"My pleasure," Ryder smirked. "but you need to know, there is absolutely nothing to be intimidated about with those two."

Group conversation occurred during the entire dinner, with Ryder leaning in and filling Julie in about the people who were mentioned. Toward the end of the meal, when Julie excused herself to the ladies' room, Jana joined her.

As they stepped out of the ladies' room, Jana quizzed, "Are you having a good time?"

"Yes," Julie answered.

"You seem like a really great person," Jana stated uncomfortably. "Can I… umm… Can I ask you something?"

"Sure. No promises I'll answer, but ask away," Julie grinned.

Jana pulled Julie over to a quiet corner and whispered, "I don't know what to do." Julie looked at her new friend and waited for more information. Jana looked down and folded her arms. She slowly pulled her head upward and explained, "I'm going to spit it out… James and I… we have special plans tonight, and I want to back out."

"Umm… I'm not following," Julie smirked as she shook her head slowly.

Whispering, Jana clarified, "We're planning to sleep together tonight. I'm not sure I'm ready. What should I do?"

Julie was stunned and wondered, Why in the world would she think I'd know what to do? She's probably more experienced than I am. "Can't you just tell him?"

With a hesitant groan, Jana commented, "He'll be pretty angry."

"If he loves you, he can wait, right?" Julie threw out innocently.

"I'm not sure he wants to wait any longer. We've been talking about this since Christmas," Jana fretted.

"So?" Julie quipped in response. "Jana, you can change your mind. You have that right."

"Will you stick close to me tonight?" Jana asked.

"Are you afraid he'll hurt you?" Julie pressed.

"No. He's not like that," Jana clarified. "I've been telling him yes for months and I don't feel right backing out. If he never gets me alone tonight, it'll be hard to slip away to the room."

"Room?" Julie inquired.

"The guys all rented rooms," Jana shared, not knowing Ryder hadn't done so.

"Hmm…" Julie sighed. How dare he, she thought.

After dinner ended, Ryder tried to put his arm around Julie as they walked to the limo. She stepped out of his reach and kept walking.

"What's wrong?" Ryder pressed quietly. Knowing her well, he commented, "You're pissed about something."

"Jana talked to me," Julie mumbled.

Ryder put his hands in front of his body in a position of surrender and swore, "I've never slept with her."

"She told me you guys all rented rooms," Julie huffed. "What the hell, Ryder?"

"JJ, I did not rent a room. The other guys did. I didn't. I swear," Ryder assured her.

"Why would she say you did?" Julie pressed.

Ryder shrugged, "I guess James mentioned it and thought I was doing the same thing. I have no idea, JJ."

The arrived outside the limo and climbed in. Jana anxiously scooted over and called out, "Julie! Come sit by me." James' hand slowly slid out of the opening in the back of Jana's dress. Ryder ended up sitting across from Julie and next to Darren.

Darren leaned over to Ryder and commented, "Everything going well?"

"She thinks I rented a room. She's pissed," Ryder mumbled. While the others chatted during the drive, Ryder gazed out the window. As they approached the venue, Ryder started a running commentary, "Check it. There's Cam and Susan… and Laura – who's she with? Who is that guy? Wait a minute…who knew Lisa and Taylor were hooking up?"

"I wondered," Nina weighed in. "They've been doing whatever they can to sit together in math all term."

Kara inquired, "I thought she had a boyfriend at St. Stephens."

"Really? Who?" Julie asked.

"I don't know. We call him the St. Stephens Guy," Nina shared.

"Awwww… look at the happy couple," Ryder oozed. The Nolan and Lissa of their grade, Johnny and Donna were walking into the hotel arm in arm with overwhelming admiration for one another.

"They're so adorable," Jana cooed.

"They're nauseating," Darren commentated. "and they've been nauseating since 3rd grade."

The limo stopped and the driver walked around to open the door. Darren and Nina maneuvered their way to be the first couple out. Darren leaned his head back in the limo after stepping out, winked at the guys, and explained he'd catch up with them later.

James sighed heavily and tapped his foot. "Ready J?" he asked Jana.

She exchanged looks with Julie and chirped, "Yeah."

Mark and Kara followed, leaving Ryder and Julie in the limo. Ryder questioned, "Are you still pissed? Because I promise you I did not rent a room."

"I believe you," Julie clarified. "Sorry. I was thrown for a loop when I thought you'd made… umm… big plans."

"Shall we?" Ryder smiled as he extended his hand. He helped Julie step onto the sidewalk and she wrapped her hand around his bent arm. Julie felt as if she was on the Red Carpet. Everyone was curious to catch a glance at Ryder Hunt's mystery date. Person after person greeted Ryder by name, handshake, or hug.

"Ryder!" a girl named Polly exclaimed as she hugged him. Her date followed along willingly, not seeming concerned about his date hugging Ryder.

"Hey, Polly," Ryder flirted. "You're looking spectacular." He extended his hand and greeted her date by name. "Having a great night so far?" Ryder inquired as he made small talk and forgot to introduce Julie.

"We are," Polly smiled as she glanced at Julie. "Hi, I'm Polly."

"Julie," Julie responded.

"Is this the Julie? The BFF and fellow Academy student?" Polly celebrated.

"Yep, this is her," Ryder laughed. He looked over at JJ and admitted, "I've told a lot of people about you." Julie grinned in response, unsure what to say. Had they been alone, she would have challenged him to disclose what he'd been saying about her.

As another student walked behind Ryder and bumped him, Ryder slipped something into his inside coat pocket. It seemed that the other student handed him something, but Julie only saw Ryder's hand slip out and return to his side. Another guy came up and threw his arm around Ryder. "Enjoy, Ryder," he encouraged as he handed him a Big Gulp cup.

Ryder didn't offer Julie a drink of his soda, which was odd. She wasn't offended, but she did notice he kept it to himself. Together, they milled around the room. Ryder chatted and laughed with everyone he encountered. After an old flame admonished him for forgetting to introduce his date, he apologized and made sure he remembered to do so in each subsequent interaction.

As Ryder polished off the Big Gulp, he led her to a garbage can. Suddenly, she noticed her purse was in the limo.

"Hey, RB, I left my purse in the car," she told him.

"Let's go grab it," Ryder suggested.

"A little thirsty tonight, hmm?" she teased. Ryder grinned mischievously and raised a shoulder casually. His eyes were a little glassy and his cheeks were rosy. At first, Julie attributed it all to being outside.

They spotted their driver, one among many who would sit in the parking lot for hours before driving groups of students home. He opened the door for them, assuming they wanted a private place to make out. He'd chauffeured proms before.

"There it is," Julie sighed with relief when she saw her matching beaded purse on the floor of the limo.

"Hold up," Ryder requested. He slumped down in the seat and took the flask out of his pocket.

"What are you doing?" Julie asked anxiously.

"Want some?" he offered.

"No," Julie grumbled. "Why are you drinking?"

"Because we're here to have fun. Drinking enhances the experience," Ryder flirted with a beaming smile. "Last chance… are you sure?"

"Positive," Julie answered. "Any other surprises I should know about?"

With an uncomfortable laugh, Ryder responded, "Umm… the Big Gulp had rum in it."

Julie sighed, "The room, the drinking. Do you have drugs too? What else do you have planned?"

"My plan, dear Julia," Ryder charmed, "is to dance with you, to laugh throughout the evening, and to have fun with my friends." He reached out his hand as he stepped out. She grasped it and wrapped her hand around his lower arm. Unable to help himself, Ryder reminded her, "Wait a minute… I thought we cleared up the whole 'I didn't rent a room' issue."

"I stand corrected," Julie replied flatly.

Ryder pulled Julie to the dance floor and exclaimed, "Let's dance, JJ!" Obviously attracting the attention of most of the attendees, Ryder danced with great moves and goofy ones. Soon, he was switching from partner to partner, acting like he was going to rub up against a guy and kissing the hand of a female. Each new partner encountered a surprise move. Ryder was the life of the party.

Julie faded away and sat down at a table. Jana scurried over. "This is what he always does at dances," Jana explained. "His dates either spend the night following after him, going home with someone else, or sulking at a table."

"I'm having fun watching him. He's having a blast and I really don't mind," Julie reassured Jana. "Where's James?"

Sighing loudly, Jana explained, "We went up to the room and started drinking. When he started kissing me, I told him we could go as far as we already have but no further. He was really mad, but was trying not to be. He suggested I come back down here and give him some space."

"I'm sorry," Julie frowned as she patted Jana's hand.

Ryder came over, obviously buzzed, "JJ?! What the what? I had to search you out, Darling Date."

"You were doing you own thing. I've been watching," Julie smiled.

"Jana Baby, come dance with me," Ryder urged.

"I'm good, Ry," Jana assured him.

Ryder pulled out a chair and turned it around so his chest was against the back of the chair. "You two aren't having enough fun. Jana, where's your date?"

"Upstairs," Jana answered factually.

"By himself?" Ryder laughed. "Tonight was supposed to be a first, not a repeat act with his hand."

"Ryder…" Julie warned. One side of Ryder's mouth smiled as he raised his eyebrows toward his date and flirted. With a stone cold expression, Julie stared at him until he clued in.

Spreading his arms wide, Ryder attempted to apologize, "Hug, Jana? I'm sorry. That was rude."

Jana hugged Ryder briefly and Ryder cooed, "Oh… I miss your hugs." Jana excused herself and promised she'd return shortly. In truth, she wanted to get away from her drunk ex-boyfriend.

"Ryder, that was completely out of line," Julie stated seriously but without judgement.

"The hand comment or the hug?" he attempted to clarify. A guy walked by and offered Ryder another Big Gulp cup. "Thanks, man," Ryder beamed as he began to drink it.

"I'm not cleaning up your barf tonight," Julie plainly pointed out.

Ryder laughed, "I don't get sick from drinking, silly."

"What happens then?" Julie wondered.

"Sex… lots of inappropriate sex. That's what happens to me when I get drunk," he howled.

Julie shook her head slowly and grinned. "Ryder, Ryder, Ryder."

"Is that a 'no'?" he chuckled. "Since you're my date, you get first right of refusal."

"Ry, what don't we take a walk outside and get some air?" Julie offered as she set the Big Gulp cup on the table.

They walked around the parking lot and Ryder shared his drunken philosophies about life. Julie humored him, relieved to have him away from more alcohol. "Let's go sit in the limo," Ryder suggested.

The two made their way to the car. Ryder sat on the floor and leaned his back against the lower portion of the seat. Julie stretched out on her side across from him and rested her head in her hand.

"You really are amazing and beautiful tonight…" Ryder began. "Like always. You are always beautiful."

"Thanks, Ry," Julie chuckled.

"You think I'm saying that because I'm drunk," Ryder laughed.

"Nah, I believe you," Julie smiled softly. "I am beautiful."

"Told you!" Ryder howled. As his laughter faded, he added, "I gotta tell you something really important... are you listening?" Julie nodded and he continued, "Sometimes, Julie… lots of the time, I wanna kiss you. Then I back out because I'm a male slut and you're so wholesome and awesome. You're too good for someone like me."

"Stop talking, Ryder," Julie grinned. "You're starting to say things you'll wish you hadn't said."

"I mean it, Julie. I mean, mean, mean it. But if I kissed you, I might lose you and I never, ever, ever want to lose you. This is the shit I think about before I fall asleep at night," Ryder disclosed.

"Why would you lose me? What's that about?" Julie inquired.

"Because we'd date and then you'd realize what a jerk I am and how messed up I am and you'd leave me and I'd lose my best friend," he explained in a long, run-on sentence.

"I'd be a pretty shitty best friend then," Julie pointed out. "Best friends don't take off in an instant and run away."

"See," he pointed with force and determination, "that's why you're my best friend. I love that about you… you're loyal. And you're my friend. And I love you."

"I love you, too, Ryder," Julie grinned. "Love you like a brother and best friend."

He rested his head on the seat and displayed a toothy smile. "Then I'm a lucky guy, Julia Claire Caldwell."