Chapter 0001

I stifle a giggle as purple and silver streamers fall on top of Lance's head. Half of a purple one sticks to his nose while a mix clings to his dark hair.

He waggles his eyebrows at me, causing a laugh to burst out of my mouth.

"Here, let me help you."

My pumps clank against the metal rungs of the ladder as I climb down from the ceiling of the cafeteria. Really should've worn jeans to decorate our school's cafeteria, but this morning had been picture make-up day. Definitely didn't wanna miss the chance to correct my horrid photos from last month when the hugest zit showed up. Bright red and right on the end of my nose like I was a cross between a witch and Rudolph the Reindeer.

Now, I am clear-skinned and look good in my emerald mini-skirt and loose poet-style white blouse.

"Sorry about dropping the box on you." I pick the papier-mache streamers off and replace them with the others. Pulsing techno music drifts across the cafeteria, my favorite song, and I start humming along.

Lance shrugs. "That's okay, I was enjoying the view of you up there."

A flush heats my whole face. While Lance and I had started dating during a July pool party right before school started, we'd only skimmed second base so far. It is my junior year of high school and things are looking up. I have a gorgeous jock boyfriend, my grades are good, and I've volunteered to help decorate for Prom.

"Remind me why we're doing this now when the dance isn't until tomorrow night?" Lance leans an elbow on the ladder.

I right the overturned box and brush the spilled decorations back inside. "Because I want everything to be perfect. Especially since it's your last Prom here."

Which totally bums me out. He's gotten accepted with full scholarship into Louisiana Wildcat's College to play for their football team. A whole state away. My high heels pinch my toes and I shuffle from foot to foot to ease the cramp.

"Don't be sad. Next year will fly by and soon you'll be down with me, even if you are already eighteen and should be graduating with me." He wraps his arms around me. "We'll visit the riverboats, eat etouffee and beignets until we pop."

I lean my head against his chest, breathing in his scent of powder, mint gum, and a hint of cigarettes. If my life had been different, I would be a senior too, like him. "Promise?"

"Sure," he says as though I asked him to hold my hand. "You can come to visit on the weekends and during school breaks. We can even throw in some gambling since you're legal."

"Until then, I'll be your lucky lady." I reach up and kiss his neck.

"You always are." He hugs me, then leans down, brushing his lips across mine.

"God, I leave you alone for five minutes and you're already sucking face." Amelia, my best friend, makes gagging noises as she enters the cafeteria juggling three crates.

"Here, let us help you with those." I untangle myself from Lance's arms and dash to grab one of the boxes while he takes the remaining ones.

"Gesh, Amelia, you got some muscles under your sleeves, these are heavy," Lance says in an approving tone.

"Since you've taken my best friend away most nights, I bought a gym membership downtown." She pats a neon-blue nail against her dark cheek.

"Looking good." He winks, then strides toward the ladder, setting the new supplies beside the streamers.

I had been spending more time with him than my friends. After Prom, I make a mental note to have a girl's night out with Amelia, Jolene, and Rachel.

"Sorry, Amelia." I put the box I held beside the others. "It's not Lance's fault. I've been busy with planning this since September."

"If I wasn't here now," Lance adds, "I wouldn't see Brene all week until Prom. She even blew me off at the movies last Saturday for some fundraiser."

"Poor baby," Amelia teases.

"Hey, I told you why I couldn't go that day, Lance. Wasn't my fault you didn't want to listen to the story of the bag of kittens I found on the side of the road." I'd spent the afternoon taking the kittens to a shelter that doesn't kill them if they don't get adopted and then stayed to help bathe them and feed them. They'd been covered in fleas and malnourished.