THEME: #20 ~ Promise
"You look so handsome!" Mrs. Kemp is saying.
Howie pivots from the mirror with a sour expression. "No, I look dumb."
Willa Jean giggles from the doorway. "You do."
"Willa Jean!"
"Well, he does."
He slouches, ignoring the ensuing sigh about posture. "It's the hairspray. And everything else."
"…Too much?" his mother wonders, tapping at his hair.
Howie swats her away. "I still don't have to go to this stupid thing."
"You're stupid," Willa Jean says, sashaying out of Howie's room.
"...She's only jealous that you're going to a big boy party."
"I don't care," Howie says, slouching even further. "I just don't want to go. People are going to see me looking ridiculous."
"That's every day!" Willa Jean yells from the hall.
He brushes off his mother again, yanking at his tie. "I'm leaving," he says. "I'll be back early."
"Don't be such a sourpuss!" is the last thing he hears, trudging outside.
The evening air is cool. He combs his hands through his hair, easing the stiffness. His jacket is unbuttoned and his face is pinched when he rings the Quimbys' doorbell.
Beezus answers with a grin. "Excited?" she sing-songs.
"Shut up," he scowls.
"That's no way to speak to your driver, little man." She turns to yell over her shoulder. "Ramona! Howie's here, so come down! You'll be late!"
"Even better," Howie mutters, stepping inside.
There is a shriek from upstairs, and footsteps thunder closer soon after. Ramona slides into sight with a sweet-smelling gust. "Howie!" she cries. "Is this okay?"
She's wearing a rose-pink dress that floats above her knees. Her dark hair is pulled elegantly to the side and her eyes sparkle. She's watching him expectantly.
"Y-yeah," Howie mumbles.
She twirls, shimmering. "Promise?"
He looks away, wishing he hadn't mussed his hair and tie. "Sure."
I wanted to write a little something about Ramona and Howie going to their first co-ed party. since the book series was written quite a while ago, I figured that was more of a thing back then. of course, since they're neighbors, they would carpool, right? XD