CHAPTER 4
The hum of the powerful engine vibrated in the cab of Billy Nolan's car, filling in the silence between him and Chris Hargensen. She didn't know a Ford from a Chrysler, couldn't care less about the model. It was a frame and four wheels Billy revamped into a poor man's muscle car. To Chris, that meant he was clever and handy. Billy also didn't play by rules people made for each other. Neither did Chris. This made him exciting. The possibilities with him were endless.
Chris knew that about Billy, but she didn't think Billy had put that together about her yet.
"Don't you back out now," said Billy.
That startled Chris out of her silence. "That's not even what I was thinking. What do we do if somebody snitched us out?"
"You should have thought that through before. I told you you shouldn't have let your friends in on it."
"Well, somebody had to fix the voting. You and I couldn't do that, Billy."
"Why does it have to be Cunt-ie White on the pedestal? Keep it simple. The blood spilling on any girl would make your point. Cunt-ie would probably puke all over her dress when she sees it. The smell alone might make her piss herself and faint. She's that weak."
"No, Carrie has to be prom queen," said Chris. She hated Billy's use of cunt, but wasn't going to argue that it was too demeaning for Carrie. "It was Carrie's ignorance and sobbing that caused all this. I've had to take her preaching; now her hysterics and sniveling gets me suspended from prom. And Carrie goes to prom with Tommy Ross! When they banned me! I bet she feels so protected and entitled. I hate her, and soaking Carrie would get back at Sue, too. I hope the blood gets over Tommy's tuxedo"
"You didn't tell anyone it's going to be blood did you?"
"No, they think it's going to be syrup dyed red, just enough like blood to remind Carrie of her shower-room meltdown. I would have never thought of pigs' blood. That was a good idea, Billy."
"Yes, it'll make her feel unclean."
"What?" said Chris.
"In the Bible, there's only one thing that's more unclean than period blood, and that's pig's blood."
Chris blinked. "When did you read the Bible?"
"I went to Sunday school," said Billy, "and I just read all the parts of the Bible kids weren't supposed to read."
They turned into the school parking lot. Chris saw the vintage model Geo Metro in the far corner of the lot. Two male figures stood in front of it.
"Oh, shit!" She said. "It's Eric Karis, and he's with Dillion Koibuld What the fuck are those losers doing hanging out here?"
"Looking at the girls. Envying what they don't have."
"Well, I hope Eric doesn't see me. I'm done with that twerp."
"If he comes near us, I'll beat the shit out of him."
Chris and Billy found a parking place on the other side of the gym from Eric and D. Chris picked up the false ballots on the back seat then texted Tina. She stood looking over the hood toward the gym and waited for Tina's answer. Billy got behind Chris, who leaned back her head against his shoulder. Her put his hands around her waist and they swayed to the slow music emanating from the gym. Chris sighed, closed her eyes. The moon happened to be full and the very spring air had turned sweet. Arousal was blooming within her, but she held her desires in check for the aftermath. She knew Billy would do the same.
"I just realized," said Chris in a breathy voice, "I'm going to enjoy this much more than just going to prom."