It was finally here.
Homecoming week.
Reminders for the dance were everywhere. A massive banner hung from the ceiling of the main entrance. Green and white streamers—HHS’s school colors—made the halls seem brighter. The cheer squad was full of extra pep. At random times, members of the band marched through the school, playing fight songs to keep everyone’s spirits high.
“I feel like I’m in a teen movie,” Toni said as we walked down the hall.
“Is that a good or bad thing?” I asked.
“I’ll let you know.” She glanced around. “I’m waiting for the moment where everyone busts out into an unexpected dance scene.”
“Like in La La Land?”
“I was thinking more Breakfast Club, but yeah. I guess.”
I smiled at the note of skepticism in her voice. “Hey, remind me again. Wasn’t it you who roped me into this Homecoming stuff in the first place?”
Toni feigned a sigh. “Alas, you were destined to be a princess.”
“Whatever,” I said.
“And I, your lowly but loyal subject.”
“Toni, stop.” I laughed. “We both would’ve been happy being sarcastic bystanders like every other year, and you know it.”
At that moment, a cheerleader zoomed by doing a series of flips down the center of the hall, forcing everyone to stand aside or be run down.
“Okay, that was awesome.” I shook my head. “But man, back pain, anyone?”
“Um, one, I think you just proved we still are,” Toni said. “Sarcastic that is. And two, if I hadn’t nominated you, something like this”—she held up her phone—“might’ve never happened.”
The screen showed a picture of Rhys and me. It was taken at the parade, post-ankle roll, so I was in Rhys’s arms. I didn’t know who’d taken it, but they’d captured the moment when I placed my head on his shoulder, and Rhys was gazing down at me. The overall effect was undeniably romantic. It took my breath away.
“Ms. Weaver posted pics of the Court this morning,” I mumbled. “I didn’t even know the picture existed before that.”
“Again,” Toni said, “you’re welcome.”
I wasn’t sure if that meant she’d taken the photo or if she was just taking credit for setting everything in motion. Still, I smiled.
“Thanks, Toni,” I said. “I can’t lie. I’ve had a good time.”
She shot me a look. “I’m glad. Any news on you and Prince Rhys?”
“Well, I think I finally realized why I was hesitant to go on that date.”
“You did?”
“Yeah, Mom helped.” I gave a shrug. “Pretty sure I’m ready now, though.”
Toni smiled. “Tell me something I don’t know.”
“Okay.” I lifted my chin. “Rhys is standing at his locker a little way down the hall. We’re about to pass him. But instead, I’m going to stop and talk to him.”
“That’s big,” she commented. “You making the first move.”
“I know.” I released a heavy exhale. “Wish me luck?”
Toni laughed, bumping her shoulder with mine. “You don’t need it, A. Just do your thing.”
She gave me a thumbs-up, then called Ben’s name and kept walking. I stood there a minute gathering my courage before taking the last few steps to Rhys’s locker. His back was to me as he switched out his books.
“Hey Rhys,” I said, trying not to sound as nervous as I felt.
“Princess,” he said, his back still to me. “I have to be honest. For a second, I wasn’t sure if you were going to talk to me or bolt.”
I blinked. “How did you…”
“Good peripheral vision.” Rhys nodded, then shut his locker, turning to face me with a small smile. “It’s one of the things that make a quarterback successful.”
“Oh,” I said, then shook my head. “That makes sense.”
“So how’s it going?” he said.
“Good. And you?”
“Fine.”
I nodded.
“Was there a reason for this unexpected visit?” he asked.
Okay, so this was painful. Whenever Rhys came to talk to me, he was confident in himself, but I was all tongue-tied. What I really wanted to say was: I’m ready now. Let’s go out. It was simple, sounded good in my head, but in real life? Ugh. I didn’t want to come off as strange and/or desperate. How did other people do this all the time? I wondered.
Squaring my shoulders, I decided to just say it.
“Okay, I’m ready. Let’s go—”
“Hey,” he cut in, “did you see the picture of us this morning?”
I hadn’t expected that, but I nodded. “Yeah, I did.”
“I’m not usually big on photos,” he said. “But that’s one of my favorites.”
“Same here,” I said, fighting down a blush. “Though I think if I had your looks, I’d take selfies every day.”
“I’m flattered, Princess,” he said. “But no, that was Lana’s thing. When we were together, that’s all she did. Take pics and selfies.”
My heart dropped a little. “Really?”
“Yeah, I think she spent more time posting on social media than talking to me.” He shrugged, pushed his hands into his pockets. “Guess I’m not that interesting.”
“Yes you are,” I said. “I love talking to you.”
“Thanks,” he said in a soft voice.
Rhys stared at me, and there was no chance of my blush fading now. I was just about to bring up the date, try a second time, when he spoke again.
“I’m glad you’re here, actually,” he said. “Mom’s birthday is tomorrow night. It’s at my house, just a small thing, family mostly. I was wondering if you’d like to come.”
“To your mom’s birthday?” I asked.
He nodded. “I may need your help on the cake, but that’s not why I’m asking.”
“Yeah, I would love to. I love birthdays.”
“Cool.” Rhys gave me a wink. “Don’t worry, Princess. We’ll just think of it as another pre-date.”
“I wasn’t worried,” I mumbled. “Rhys, I want—”
He stepped closer, and my breath caught in my throat. “You know that picture made me realize something.”
“Oh yeah?” I said. “What?”
“It’s the only one of us together.” He lifted his phone and nodded for me to turn. “Until now.”
I didn’t look away from him. “I thought you didn’t like pictures.”
He shrugged. “I don’t. But I’ll like this one because you’re in it. Smile, Princess.”
I kissed his cheek instead, and as the click sounded, I wasn’t even mad about it.
…
The day went by fast after that. My brain didn’t want to focus on schoolwork, but I did my best to pay attention. Before I knew it, the final bell rang, and I was on my way to the cafeteria. Ms. Weaver had arranged one last get-together with the members of Homecoming Court. And yes, my feet might have carried me there faster in anticipation of seeing Rhys.
Unfortunately, he wasn’t there.
“Okay, princesses and princes, Homecoming week is officially upon us!”
She nodded once we’d all been seated.
“You’ll notice this is the final event on the itinerary before Friday,” she said. “We try to keep it open because a lot of you are involved in other activities. But I wanted a quick word to send us off.”
Lana raised her hand. “Ms. Weaver, if it’s our last meeting, why aren’t all the Court members present?”
I’d been wondering that as well.
“Zander and Rhys were excused because of football,” she said.
“Of course they were,” Lana mumbled.
More mutterings went through the group, but Ms. Weaver wasn’t deterred.
“Everyone will be here Friday, however, which is when we’ll take a group picture followed by the pep rally,” she said. “The Homecoming game is that night, and by halftime, we’ll know who this year’s king and queen will be!”
Ms. Weaver cleared her throat.
“I simply wanted to say thank you for being such a wonderful group to work with!” Her eyes had gone misty, and I couldn’t help but like her for all the effort she’d put into this. “I hope you’ve been practicing your dances. Don’t forget your tiaras and scepters on Friday. And finally, good luck!”
Everyone cheered while Ms. Weaver performed a little curtsy.
“Thank you for everything you did to make this special for us,” I said to her as I was leaving.
“Ah, Ariel.” Ms. Weaver put a hand on my arm. “I’m so glad you could be a part of it!”
“Me too,” I said and meant it.
Shopping for a Homecoming dress (the second time around with Mom and Toni) had been awesome. Learning how to dance, even the stressful bits with Lana, were fun. And of course, getting to know Rhys was amazing—but I’d learned a lot about myself, too.
I could walk down the halls in a tiara and not feel like an imposter.
I could do something completely outside my comfort zone (like be on Homecoming Court) and overcome my doubts.
I’d already touched a lot of lives with my baking. They enjoyed the sweets, yes—but the other students at HHS must’ve seen my heart…which was why they’d voted for me.
Though I’d been reticent at first, being a member of Homecoming Court had been a humbling, overall positive experience. I’d have to thank Toni later.
…
I was walking toward the parking lot when Lana caught up to me and thrust a square piece of paper into my hands.
“What’s this?” I asked.
“An invitation,” she said. “I’m having a princess party at my house on Thursday.”
I blinked. “And you’re inviting me?”
Lana sighed. “Don’t make it a big deal, Cupcake. I invited every girl on the court.”
“Oh, well, thanks, Lana,” I said. “I can’t believe I was invited to two parties today. That never happens.”
“Color me unsurprised,” she said and crossed her arms. “Out of curiosity, what is this other invite?”
“Um, Rhys kind of asked me to come to his mom’s birthday.”
“He did?” Lana looked surprised a second, but she managed to hide it with a flip of her hair. “I’m glad you two are hitting it off. I know it must be hard with the dancing.”
“He’s actually much better,” I said. She looked dubious, so I added, “Seriously. He practiced, and then we practiced together. Rhys is wonderful now.”
“Wonderful?” she repeated. “At dancing?”
I nodded.
“I’ll have to see it to believe it.”
“You and Zander seem to be getting along,” I said.
She rolled her eyes. “That guy? He’s so annoying.”
“But he seems to like you.”
“Well.” Lana sniffed. “He’s annoying with good taste.”
I laughed, and she seemed to shake herself out of it.
“Anyway, you’re a princess, so you’re invited to the party,” she said. “Come or don’t, Cupcake. It’s up to you.”
With that, she walked away and didn’t look back.
It was the first semi-normal conversation I’d had with Lana. If I hadn’t been holding the invitation as proof, I would’ve thought I’d imagined the whole thing. But nope. The little silver envelope was still there in my palm.
One birthday and one princess party.
My mind was already running rampant with all the baked goods and treats I could make.
