Winter's Idolatry

"I am not going to the Snow Ball."My voice was firm. I shut my locker and turned to face my two best friends, Preslie and Ocean."But—why?" Preslie basically whined. I could see the frustration behind her eyes. She had been trying to get me to go to our school's winter ball for weeks.Since the moment the school announced the ball being hosted for the students, Preslie had already started browsing for dresses and mentally planning how her hairs and nails were to be done. She was one of those girls.I didn't have a problem with it. I was fascinated by the importance it held to her. I liked that she could look forward to such a thing—it was just something I would prefer to not take part in.Nothing about it was appealing to me.Preslie could feel free to spurge on her hair, nails, dress, shoes—anything she wanted. She was as excited as a young child high off of sugar. As long as she didn't expect me to do anything correlating with this ball.We were opposites, which never usually meant

I was sitting in AP English, finishing a handout to pass time as I waited for the bell to ring-signalling class to start."Eliza."I didn't bother looking up as Preslie called out my name in a sing-song voice. She hopped into the desk beside mine. "It has been three days since Dallas asked you-and you have refused to talk about it. You haven't said a word about it."I continued jotting down answers on my paper. "Have you also been timing how many seconds it's been since Black Sabbath broke up?"Preslie rolled her eyes at my remark. She leaned over, hovering over me to catch my attention. "I just want some details!""You were right there when it happened. You know the story as well as I do." It was almost amusing how much Preslie was highlighting this. At least one of us was excited about the ordeal I had put myself in.Preslie groaned. "At least tell me what the plan for tonight is.""What is the plan for tonight?" I asked, still looking at my papers with a playful smirk on my face. I

"Hey."I glanced over to see Orion walk into my AP biology class and swerve into the seat beside mine."Hi." I mumbled awkwardly, confused by his presence. I knew he was in this class but I never once associated with him."This is weird, right?" He narrowed his eyes lightly, chuckling a bit. "I mean, I don't think I've ever once talked to you in this class." I guess he sensed it was a little unusual too."Very unsubtle but very true." I smiled a little. "I didn't expect to see you anytime soon."Orion tugged on his uniform's tie, leaning back in his chair. "Why is that?"I shrugged. "I don't know-different social groups.""You're the only talk around the school right now." Orion quirked an eyebrow."Perks of accepting stupid proposals." I grinned faintly.Orion chuckled softly. "It was-interesting."I scoffed. "That's one word for it."Orion and I fell into easy conversation the rest of the class. We talked about Gilmore Girls-which was surprising, to hear he watched the show. We talk

"Dallas has been awfully clingy considering you two are just dates to a ball." Dom raised an eyebrow.We sat in front of the fireplace in my lounge room on the couch, mugs with hot chocolate in our hands.I sipped on the hot chocolate before placing the cup down in my lap and adjusting the blanket around our shoulders. "Beats me. If I knew a way to get him to leave me alone then I could probably also find a cure for Influenza.""It doesn't annoy you?"Dom and I had been close since we were kids. He was like a brother to me-so it wasn't weird having him ask me about these things, nor was it weird talking to him about it. It was easier than it was talking to Ocean and Preslie because with Dom, I could be more open and honest and his perspective was different than theirs."Of course it does, Dom." I laughed lightly because that was a stupid question. "The more I try to get him to back off me, the more it seems like he pesters me.""So he's doing it to-I don't know, tease you?" Dom asked,

"Where do you think you're going?"I was stopped in the middle of the hallway by none other than River and I wasn't surprised."To class," I said flatly, my face straight."Nuh-uh." She shook her head, a wicked smirk laying on her lips. "We need to have a little chit-chat." Who the hell says chit-chat?Before I could tell her to screw off, she yanked my arm and dragged me into an empty classroom."What the hell, River?" I snapped as she shut the door behind us.She turned to face me. Slowly, she narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest."What do you want?" I pressed, talking slowly. "And where are your minions?""They aren't minions," she rolled her eyes. She stood in front of the door as if she were guarding it because she probably assumed I'd make a run for it. I would have, too. "Tell Dallas you won't go to the ball with him."I scoffed and looked at her in disbelief, "Why would I do that?""Because he only asked you out of obligation." She muttered bitterly, a sour lo