POPULAR by SUMMER DAY (chapter twelve: dance preparations)

Chapter Twelve

Dance Preparations

    Meanwhile, Ethan was hanging with his team and his two female ‘friends.’

    It was only a week before Dance Fangdango and still Flynn had not revealed his true intentions. I was starting to get a little concerned.

    At midday, I noticed Ethan and Gigi still holding hands in the lunch queue.

   “Is this one a keeper?” I whispered as I chose my sandwich. Like I cared.

   I took my seat with my group of Pop Girls, when they all stopped talking as Ethan walked by.  

   “Remind me again why I like him?” Macey whispered. She tried to become leader of The Princesses last year but got outvoted. Macey is Mrs Teegan’s daughter.

   “He’s hot,” India added. She’s Mrs Tory’s eldest twin.

   “Way hot,” Wednesday agreed, but of course I’ve met him loads of times before at Honey’s house where Honey treats him like the furniture. I warned you, Honey.”

    Wednesday is dating a hot actor on set. She’s way advanced in the rules of dating.

    I had to set them straight.

    “Do you think it’s pretentious to have been named after a character from The Tempest? That’s very Shakespearean.”

   “I think it’s sweet,” Macey whispered. Wednesday looked at me and raised an eyebrow.

   Juju answered. Juju, short for Julie (daughter of Mrs Brooke), recently transferred from a school in New Mexico. We accepted her instantly, it was like, instant bonding.

   When Julie was a toddler she could only say Ju, and the name stuck. Boo (daughter of Mrs Freya) is the sweetest, blondest girl who never says Boo to a goose and only says nice things. So that’s us, Princesses of the year – this year – Macey, India, Wednesday, Me, Boo, Veronica and Hilary as a probational member, added to the mix. Oh, and Tyler, who doesn’t realize he’s an honorary member.

    All of us try to be open and have opinions, but sometimes we just keep it amongst ourselves. Julie says opinions might hurt people, but I say, no way, say what you think. I have tried only to use my opinions to help people. After all, someone’s got to.  While the rest of the group ate, I got to work immediately on my tablet.

    “Hey little Miss Matchmaker.”

     The voice of reason had re-entered my world. The Princesses smiled welcomingly at Ethan.

     “Mmm,” I said as I typed away, “some of us are too busy to wait around and have a conversation when one of us is finally ready.”

    “Ooh, you sound jealous.” Ethan whispered.

    “What of? Ariel? I don’t think so.”

    “Never mind Honeyboo, I thought we could get together and hang out this weekend.” That’s what Ethan calls me when he’s making fun of me and all my ‘schoolgirl’ games. I’m nowhere near as famous as the real Honey Boo Boo, of course.

    “That would be great except I’m busy.”

     His bland model-type girlfriend Gigi, laughed nervously. I’m thinking, it’s so great being a model but couldn’t you develop a personality? She’s hardly ever said a word to me even though she’s been to my house! Gigi just laughs at whatever Ethan says; so nauseating. 

    I grabbed Ethan by his muscular arm and pulled him toward the sandwich bar.

   “Hey, I was in the middle of a discussion with Hills.”

   “You mean Hilary? She wasn’t…”

    “An online discussion.”

   “Oh, right. I forget sometimes. I’m just so taken with Gigi’s loveliness I can’t think straight.

    I nearly puked.

    “I’ve noticed. You’re quickly becoming the school Romeo,” I added sarcastically.

     He laughed.

    “I was kidding…”

    “I hope so.”

    “Anyway, I just wanted to tell you my ‘stupid matchmaking formula’ is working.”

    “Oh yeah? Says who?”

    “Me. Hilary and Flynn are besotted with each other.”

   We looked around the lunch room. All the students were in groups, musos, cheerleaders, socials, princesses, computer nerds, sporty types, gleeks, arty types, math geeks, weird scientists, Dali-esque artists and performing artist theatre wack jobs who mostly wore black and tights or tutus and acted like every day was an opportunity to audition for Fame. So sad. But I’m sure I could find a match even for them - if they asked me; but for some reason they’ve never invited me to their parties, never spoken to me and if I didn’t know any better I’d say they maybe don’t even like me. I must be imagining it.   

    We glanced beyond the lunch table. In the middle, next to Hilary, Flynn was holding court. He was acting way social.  

  “If you think Flynn is happening, you might wanna think again. Flynn is all about Flynn,” Ethan whispered.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I went to school with his brother. His brother liked to enjoy himself. He was expelled for being ‘an entrepreneur’ – he employed smart kids to write essays for his friends, amongst other things. Seems like Flynn is a real ladies’ man.”

  “You’re just jealous.”

  “Doubt it. His older brother got two girls pregnant at the same time. I don’t think that’s anything to be jealous of.”

   I pretended I wasn’t shocked.

  “Well, it’s wrong to judge the younger brother by the older one’s behavior.”

  “Maybe, but from what I’ve heard, the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree. Still, he’s your ‘project.’ Good luck with that.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “If you are trying to encourage him to take you to Dance Fangdango, you should form an orderly queue.”

   “What do you mean?”

  “Oh, he never dates exclusively.” 

   “Well, for your information, he’s already expressed an interest in dating my new friend... exclusively.”

   “Hilary?”

    We glanced at them both at least twenty feet away.

   “Yes. Why would that be so incredible?”

   “Well, Hilary doesn’t seem like his type.”

   “What? Attractive and sane?”

   “No, rich and easy.”

  “Ethan Knightly, I am ashamed to call you my friend and neighbor.”

  “What do you mean? I’m just doing what you do every single day.”

  “What?”

  “Making a judgment call; telling things as I see them; unintentionally hurting the feelings of others. I guess you’ll work it out when you grow up.” He grabbed two oranges from the dish. “Meanwhile, my friends are waiting.”

   “Run away,” I said, just to annoy him. I’d show him. I was right and he was wrong. The next match would be the best I’d ever made.

POPULAR (chapter thirteen: the offer)

Chapter Thirteen

The Offer

That afternoon, as I updated my Matchmaker files, Hilary called.

   “Hi Honey,” Hilary said.

   “Hi Hills, what’s up?

   “I need to talk to you, now. I’m so excited.”

   “Okay, tell me everything…”

   “Not on the phone...”

   “Oh, of course, come over for a swim. Daddy’s at work and the only person who might disturb us is my mutant neighbor but Ethan’s been distracted lately…”

   “Okay, see you soon.”

   Hilary arrived on her bike. She only lives a few streets away. I didn’t overly approve of her riding because the sooner a girl gets her own motor, the better to promote her as a socially independent entity, but since we don’t even drive yet, that can wait until next year. At least biking is good for toning your upper thighs. I made a note of Hilary’s predicament on her file: Under the heading Roadworthy, I wrote ‘encourage Hills to learn to drive.’  

   One of the things I love so much about making friends and taking on new matchmaking projects is that I learn so much. Of course, initially my subjects are supposed to learn from me but it’s so much better when I also learn from them.

   Hilary was excited when I answered the door, practically jumping out of her skin.

   “Guess what?”

   “What?”

   “I got invited to pre-prom… I mean, the vampire ball… Dance Fangdango.”

   “Really?”

    My plan had worked fast.

   “Yes.”

    Almost too fast.

   “Oh wow,” I said to Hilary, tentatively. I didn’t realize Flynn was so… ready. “Tell me everything. How did he do it?”

   “Well, we’d been smiling a lot at each other in the halls…”

   “I’ve noticed.”

   “And then at lunch, in the cafeteria…”

   “Yup, noticed that too…”

   “And then, we got talking when we both had to do that joint project…”

   Instigated by me, I thought proudly.

   “And well, he suggested we meet up at the library to study…”

   Hang on, libraries weren’t Flynn’s style…

   “And well, he told me he’d had feelings for me since last year.”

   “Feelings? That’s awesome!” Then it occurred to me, “Flynn only just arrived in school at the start of the semester…”

   “Oh, it’s not Flynn, Honey. It’s Rafe. Rafe Martin. We met at a television and comic convention before I came here…”

  The maths nerd? I was aghast but tried to control my shock.

   “Yes. That’s why I need your advice. You’re so smart Honey. Here. Read the note he left in my locker.” I picked up the crumpled note with my finger and thumb.

   “It’s so genuine and sweet, don’t you think?”

   “Mmm… it’s been written on a napkin,” I said disapprovingly, feigning surprise.

   I held the one edge that wasn’t stained with soda and read the first few lines.      “Rafe’s sentence structure is surprisingly error-free,” I announced.

   “Yes. Intelligence is one of Rafe’s strong points.”

   “Really?” I said.

   I unfolded the note, noticeably stuck together with the remains of Rafe’s lunch. That guy was so socially absent.

   Reluctantly, I read the entire document.

   Dear Hilary

    I’ve liked you since we got to know each other over our math project. You worked so hard even though you told me math wasn’t your ‘special interest’. You are the most fun I’ve ever had in math class – apart from that time when I discovered the value of Pi, years ago. I’m the sort of guy who would never go to a dance normally but I’d like to go this year. I’d like to go with you – if you’ll have me.

   Signed

   Rafe Martin

“It’s quite…”

“Good?” Hilary ventured.

“Actually, I was going to say… uninspired.”

“Do you think I need to reply?”

“Oh, yes, it would be impolite not to.”

“What do you think I should say?”

“Oh, I would never interfere in your social life, Hilary.”

 “But, we’re just getting to know each other…”

 “Well, do you like him?”

  “I think so.”

  “But, do you think… you could ever love a man who sleeps with his calculator?”

   “How did you know that?”

   “Rumor.”

   “Well, I mean, it’s just a dance.”

   “Only that, well, I’m almost certain there is another boy, a far more socially acceptable boy who really wants to ask you… he just hasn’t gotten around to it… yet.”

   “Who?”

   “Flynn Elton, of course.”

   “Really? Flynn likes me? How do you know?”

   “It’s so obvious. He was hovering over your photograph, trying to get the image perfect. When I stepped in because he had to take another phone call, I took the final picture. Your image was in the view finder and when he saw it he just went cray cray. He even said he wanted to have it framed professionally!”

  “Oh,” Hilary said, surprised. It was obvious my new friend had been previously oblivious to her own charms so I set her straight.

  “I’m only telling you this Hilary because I wouldn’t want you to accept an offer from some random ‘friend’ when you could potentially go to Dance Fangdango with the future love of your life. I mean, think, it could just be like that final scene of a great teen movie – like Twilight or Some Kind of Wonderful or Pretty In Pink - something without the vampires.”

  “Oh,” Hilary replied again, looking more than a little confused.

   Hilary thought for another moment. Her slight short sightedness (I had convinced her to use contacts) making her eyes rub at this very moment. And if I wasn’t mistaken, her eyes were watering a little.

  “So… you don’t think?… “

  “…You should accept Rafe Martin?”

  “Yes!”

  I sighed, exasperated.

  “Well, what do you think Hilary?”

  “I don’t know.” Hilary searched my face for a sign of approval or disapproval. I did not smile.

   “No?” she ventured.

   I breathed a sigh of relief before I spoke.

  “I’m so glad you reached the same conclusion as me. I don’t even know if we could keep you in The Princesses if you were to regularly start associating with Rafe Martin. He’s such a dork!”

   I smiled. I didn’t mean to be mean, but it was true.

  “I am so glad I have my new friend back,” I added, “I was so worried you’d gone over to the dark side and I’d never be able to speak to you again.”

   “Oh… well… how should I word my reply?”

   Hilly looked so confused it was only right to offer assistance.

  “Here,” I said, “I’ll help you. You can even use my laptop. This is how you should begin…” 

POPULAR (chapter fourteen: the refusal)

Chapter Fourteen

The Refusal

      That night, I fixed daddy his dinner but he typically brushed my culinary efforts aside (trying to get him to stick to the nutritious food plan I devised for him is difficult). He told me, ‘Honey, sweetie. You are the best daughter in the world but I’m just not hungry for carrots when I’m in the middle of a deal.”

   “You need your vitamin D, daddy. I’ve been reading about middle aged men needing extra vitamins to combat mood swings and depression.”

  “Don’t you mean women?”

  “No daddy, men can be just as affected by depression. It’s the scourge of the modern age.”    

  “Sometimes I wonder where you get your facts from Honey Woodhouse!”

  “The internet, of course.”

  Daddy shrugged and raced off to his study as usual. I wish he’d slow down.

  As I’d just returned from cheerleading practice (Hilary and I made the team) the only thing left for me to do was shower and change and wait for Ethan to come over for our movie night. Of course I’d never want to be one of those girls who ‘waits’ for her man, but since Ethan’s just a friend, those rules don’t apply to us.

    It was bothering me a little just how much I looked forward to hanging out with Ethan that day. It was like a change had come over me but I couldn’t identify what it was.

     I’m sure the last time we had movie night he snuggled just a bit closer to me on the couch. Then I remembered he said he might bring Gigi.

   Sure enough, there was a knock on the door of my home at exactly 6.30pm. Ethan is very reliable like that and we like to get started early.

   “Where’s your girlfriend?”

   “I didn’t bring her. Gigi has her linguistics study group.”

   “Oh, how riveting. Maybe… you should have gone with her. Just putting it out there, ” I added, placing a bowl of Ethan’s favorite chips on the table, “Sounds like  she has her eye on someone special in study group.” I added. “Like, maybe another boy…” This comment may have been slightly beneath me but I couldn’t resist.

   “She does not.”

   “Then why isn’t she here?”

   “Because I didn’t invite her!”

   “No need to get annoyed.”

    I went to check the popcorn with a smile on my face. I made Ethan’s favorite with extra butter. We’d chosen a Star Wars retrospective for the evening’s viewing but it was just an excuse for me to finish my self-manicure (I’d missed my weekly appointment at Marvin Markin’s to go to cheer practice). Besides, I wanted to ask Ethan’s advice without him realizing it.   

  “You should be happy I even turned up since I’m kind of over your snarky little asides.”

  “Oh, you’ll never be over them, Ethan,” I said under my breath as I retrieved the starters Phoebe and I spent all afternoon making.

   Phoebe and I also manage to meet up once a week especially now she’s having her first baby. Wednesday is there too when she’s in town, and sometimes Mark is too. Mark Knightly is the perfect older man. I wish Ethan would take some notice of how to behave with women and how to dress, from him, since Ethan seems to ignore my influence at every turn.

   It appears I’ve gone too far tonight, though, since Ethan is sitting slouched on the couch with his feet on the coffee table.

   “Feet!” I can’t resist telling him.

   “Honestly, Honey, you are such a nagger. I can only imagine what sort of a nightmare girlfriend you’ll make for some lucky guy one day,” he said sarcastically.

   Ethan laughed at his own joke but I took the high road and ignored him.

   “Not all of us are planning on serving men our whole lives. A woman should always be proud to be her own person and then if she finds a man who enhances her life, adds to it in happiness and doesn’t take, then she should marry that man. However, friendships and being social should also remain important.”

  “Thanks for that little piece of advice, Honey. Since you’re so into being social and you think you are so ahead of the pack gossip wise, I think I might know something you don’t, for once.”

  “I doubt that,” I said under my breath.

   I placed some snacks (real man food) on the coffee table. I’d even draped one of my summer sarongs over the lamp to set a good example for Ethan – let him know that women like soft lighting and generous settings, and lots of food – even if they don’t want to pig out in public.

    Ethan stuffed at least six mini pizzas in his mouth, complained that we could have just dialed a delivery pizza, guzzled my soda and asked, when he’d barely finished eating, “so, don’t you want to know?”

    “Know what?”  I pretended I didn’t care as I opened my favorite nail polish.

    “The gossip I found out today in physics class.”

    I sighed. “

   “The only thing I know about physics class is that not much gossip happens there.”   

    “Ha ha. Well, since my study partner was composing a letter to your new best friend…”

   “Hilary?” First of all, although Hilary is my new friend, I would hardly call her my bestie; she’s too new. To find those friends I’d have to go back to grade school to Wednesday and Ty and Veronica and…”

   “Me?”

   “If you must put it that way, then yes Ethan; you. You are like this couch. I have known you so long, you are extremely comfortable, in an argumentative kind of way, but I’m also happy to walk all over you."

    “Mmm... you might wanna re-phrase that.”

    “Ha ha…” I said

    “Anyway, as I was saying, normally we talk about…”

    I did my best to look bored and gave a little yawn as I ate some popcorn.

    Ethan continued, “… physics stuff, stuff you wouldn’t be interested in, but yesterday, he was trying to compose a long text to ask a girl to prom. It was pretty funny, I’ve never seen him so intense. But hey, since that’s all settled, you can stop matchmaking now and spend more time with your old friends…”

   “What do you mean?”

   “Well, seems your new friend has sorted her dating dilemmas out herself.”

   “She has not!”

   “Well, she could do a lot worse than date a smart, sincere guy like Rafe Martin.”

   “I have news for you, she’s not going with him.”

   “What?”

   I felt a sheepish blush covering my cheeks. My helpfulness was certain to be mis-interpreted by Ethan.

   “Would you like another glass of soda?” I asked, to take the edge off my own comments.

   “No. What did you do, Honey?”

   “I merely suggested that someone else, someone who really liked her wanted to ask her to prom instead and was intending to ask…”

   “You’re not seriously talking about Flynn Elton are you?”

   “Of course – he’s totally hot and happening and he has good dress sense.”

   “Flynn’s a player, Honey.”

   “Excuse mois?”

   “He plays people. He’s playing you. He sucked up to you  - not her! I heard his dad wants to close a real estate deal with your dad.”

   “Huh?”

   “Never mind, your dad is already onto it, he’s got it covered. I’ve been wondering how long it would take you to see through him.”

   “Oh, so you’re suggesting I wouldn’t know anything about business deals – except that I do deals every day with my matchmaking business. I’m even thinking of monetizing my blog!”

   Flynn almost spurted out his soda.

   “What?” 

   “Yes, I’ve been working on all my matchmaking formulas and adding up the results – with a little bit of artistic embellishment. Peeps are sure to want to be part of my venture – something you’d know nothing about, clearly.”

   “Wait a minute. Rewind. Did you see her answer?”

   “Yes.” I added warily, thinking a straight out lie would never work with Ethan.

   “Did you type her answer?”

   “You know I’m not an expert typist. I would never do that!”

    “I don’t believe you, Honey.”

    “Rafe Martin is not Hilly’s type. Look, I keyed in all their details into my system, my laptop, admittedly. I didn’t have Rafe’s exact birthdate nor any of his personal details, but based on my observations, they are not a perfect match.”

    “If any such thing exists. It’s a high school dance, Honey.”

    “It’s a miss match, Ethan! Rafe is nowhere near Hilary’s social stature at school!”

     “You can’t be serious? He’s above it! The guy is a computer genius – he’s inventing his own gaming start up; he’ll be a millionaire by the time he’s twenty-one! He’s got a decent personality when people bother to include him and I’m told, by his sister…”

  “His sister! She’s sure to be impartial,” I added sarcastically.

  “…that when he goes out he has fashion sense! There, is that good enough for you little Miss Busybody!”

   “It’s not about me! It’s about Hilary. I only want what’s best for her.”

   “You mean what’s best for you.”

   “Well, of course I didn’t want her to be left a social pariah.”

   “Hilary Jones is an okay girl. She is not a stunning fashion plate. I agree she’s pretty, sort of, but she isn’t very popular…”

   “Not yet, she will be soon,” I said under my breath, “with my help.”

   “With your help, she’ll be a total outcast.”

   “Whatever.” I said, pretending not to be listening.

   “As I said, she is not some great socialite like those girls who are famous for being famous, neither is she an amazing beauty or an academic giant. I think Hilary would be lucky to get a date with Rafe…”

  “That’s just so typical of a male’s way of thinking!”

   “Wow, I’m impressed Honey, you’re growing into quite the little feminist with all your frilly frou frou skirts and lipstick and nail polish – what’s all this then?”

   He touched the edge of my blonde hair, freshly ironed and dipped into some awesome red hair color to keep the ends fashionable. It was very eye-catching and I couldn’t blame him for wanting to reach out and touch it.  And for a moment, even as he was sitting in a less dominant posse on the floor and arguing with me, I thought he was tempted to lean over, in the midst of our fight, rap his manly arms around me and…     Mwah! Kiss me!

   But he didn’t.  Instead, he got even more annoyed. He stood up and put his hands in the air and practically went ballistic.

   “Hilary was lucky that Rafe even noticed her let alone asked her to the stupid dance.”

   “Oh, so typical. All guys think that girls are lucky when they pay them even a moment’s attention and all guys think they are way smarter and more perceptive than women. By your standards, Hilary should do very well given that males are about as impressed with women who have a mind and ‘talk back’ as, as…. You! I mean, a guy would never choose to date intelligence over the pretty, c’mon.”

   “What?”

   “Don’t say ‘what’, it’s rude! Say ‘pardon’.”   

   “My point is that Hilary’s personality is not exceptional in any way.” Ethan seemed more than a little irritated by then and got up to leave.

   “And who are you to judge? As if men are only interested in females for their minds, not their looks and charm… as if.” I said sarcastically.

   “Any smart guy wants a girl he can hang with and talk to…”

   “But looks are important to most men. Whatever,” I shrugged. “I’m not really in the mood for Star Wars in my lounge room tonight anyway.”

  “Me either.”

  “You may leave,” I waved my freshly painted nails.  

  Ethan got up and actually climbed out the window which has always been a more direct way of getting from my house to his, than the front door. I mean, it literally took him less than ten seconds to disappear.

   “Oh!” I was so exasperated.

   Then as I looked up I saw Phoebe and Mark.  

   They were seated at the Knightly dining room table, where Ethan just brushed past his older cousin. Mark and Phoebe Knightly were holding hands as they read through some paperwork on the table. Honestly, they looked so in love it was almost too much information. Phoebe looked up and waved at me and Mark made a glum face because they both knew Ethan and I must have argued or Ethan would have wound up sleeping on the couch like he usually does on movie night.

   I huffed upstairs.

   That night, as I got ready for bed, I couldn’t shake the idea that somehow, someway, for once, I was wrong. And Ethan, who is usually so socially inaccurate, was right.  

POPULAR (chapter fifteen: Shop till you drop)

Chapter Fifteen

Shop Till You Drop

The next day, we were all due to meet Flynn at the mall to go shopping.

    Hilary and I got to our meeting place (a busy café) early, because I wanted to stress the importance of table manners to Hilary who looked a bit stressed out. I couldn’t blame her, really, with so many guys after her. Ty and Jess arrived also and we all talked about TV, shops, Dance Fangdango,  who we’d take (I announced that being head of the committee made it perfectly acceptable for me to attend alone – since I was in charge of being social). Other peeps who turned up without a partner, well, I couldn’t be responsible for the way high school society would judge them. Jess gawked at me and even kicked me slightly under the table when I expressed that sentiment.

   The Sunrise Mall is a bit like a mix between Farmer’s Markets and Century City. It’s way exclusive and new and only locals like us congregate there.

   Daddy doesn’t go shopping, of course. I do. I have a list with all sorts of healthy food stuffs on it. I intend to purchase the food at the organic market before it closes. I make a mental note then put my ring on the wrong finger to remind me. That’s what I always do to remind myself of stuff I might forget.

   My ring is a small pink stone that Ethan picked out for me when I was turning eleven and he was turning twelve. It’s so cute but I happen to know Mark helped him choose it.

    I remember saying, “it’s totally inappropriate to give a girl a ring unless you’re getting married to her,” and he just said, “well, I didn’t choose it and I wasn’t going to get you anything so take it up with my cousin.” Mark just laughed at our childish ‘spat’ as he put it and said, “take it up with the shop assistant, she thought it was a good choice.” 

   Of course, I didn’t believe the ring had no meaning. Even then, I wanted him to divulge his true intentions but he wouldn’t. I guess it’s hard to have true intentions at almost twelve.

   At the mall, Hilary was doing so well socially, holding fort and talking to the older Princesses. I was very proud of her.

    After drinking our milkshakes, we all went our separate ways to go shopping.

    We had arranged to meet Flynn outside my fave fashion store Girls Zen Now which Mrs Teegan co-owns. She used to model for Teen Vogue. We get an awesome discount and there are so many items to choose from that we never double up on the same styles. Mrs Tory (co-owner) keeps a record of who in our group bought what, where and how they are going to wear a particular item. I double up on my laptop just to be safe and add it to my matchmaking file. Mrs Teegan and Mrs Tory (those are actually their first names, I just add the Mrs to be polite) often shake their heads at my behavior. I have no idea why.

   I nudged Hilly when Flynn arrived. He was wearing hot jeans and cool sunglasses. He could teach Ethan and Rafe a thing or two about style, I thought. He was so excited to see Hilly he was all, ‘hi ya babe,’ n’ all that. He was very busy on his phone though, as we went about trying on dresses but way attentive when we modeled them. His eyes lit up when I said I was trying on Hilly’s dress as an alternate because I’d already chosen mine. It was as if just the mention of Hilary’s name turned on a light bulb inside him.

   Then, when Hilary was in the changing room, he gestured to me to come closer.

   “Hey babe, gotta show you something.”

   I knew he was going to show me the image of the framed photo of Hilly, so I walked close. Flynn was all smiles and charm as he pecked me on the cheek and said, “check this out.”

   The photo looked amazing.

   “Wow,” I said. “You should surprise Hilly, she looks amazing.”

  “I didn’t have it framed for Hilary. You took the photograph. You’re an amazing photographer, Honey. You shouldn’t underestimate yourself so much.”

   “Oh, sure. Thanks.”

   Was he kidding? No one had ever accused me of underestimating myself. Of course it was true that my photo was aces even if someone’s hand was slightly cropped, but what about the image of Hilly?    

  To be honest, I was a little bothered that he hadn’t asked my advice about how best to ask Hilary to Dance Fangdango, but I reasoned that he was just a seasoned expert and probably didn’t need my advice with women. These things are hard to admit but occasionally true. 

   Then it occurred to me as Hilary struggled with her fashion choices in the change room, that Flynn was staring… at me. Actually, he was staring at my chest. Doesn’t it annoy you when boys do that?

  “My eyes are up here,” I reminded him. 

  He averted his gaze and smiled.  

  Then I realized.

   Flynn liked… me! Of course. How stupid could I have been? I froze as he took my hand. 

   “I got the photo framed ‘cos you took it, not because Hilary is in it.”

   “But that’s impossible, you’re supposed to like Hilary not… me.”

   Flynn laughed.

   “I do like Hilary, totally, she’s your… project and you’ve done… amazing work with her. I mean, I think I could probs just snap my fingers and bam… she’d be in my bed yesterday but babe, you are totally the one for me.”

   Uh, how gross! Yet another egotist. How could I have been so dense? He continued, “I mean, I told everyone we are going to the vamp dance together. You should smile. You are one lucky girl.” He actually touched the dimple on my cheek in that moment. I was not smiling when I spoke.  

   I brushed his hand away.

   “Uh, how could you? You know I’m practically in charge of prom and matchmaking is my hobby and…I can’t take anyone. Besides, you seemed so into Hilary.”

   Flynn laughed. “Only to impress you. You and me – that’s hot. Me and Hilary? That’s not. Have you seen where she lives? The car her dad drives?” Flynn shrugged and changed the subject, “So, you coming to the Fangdango Dance Party with me or what?”

   Fixing a serious social gaffe is never impossible, is it?

  “Flynn,” I whispered, trying to see in him the man I’d thought he was just ten minutes ago, “I’m going with myself – I’m in charge, remember?”

   “Oh, yeah, right. So, change the rules.”

   “I can’t. You should totally take Hills… she’s expecting you to ask her.”

  “Are you crazy? Socially, Hilary is a zero. Without you, babe, she’d be nobody. ”

   I was taken aback.

   I had no idea Flynn was such an elitist person. Mr I think so Highly of Myself I Make all Girls swoon. Arghh!  Flynn Elton was a snob, plain and simple. Anyone with real class would never be a snob. Did my association with him make me the same?

   Exasperated, I stomped my foot and headed back to the changing rooms. After I got out of my clothes and into my jeans, I dragged an unsuspecting Hilary out of there. We made quick purchases of our chosen dresses (Hilary’s was pink and mine was blue) with Daddy’s credit card – it was the least I could offer, and left the store.  Flynn was still talking on speaker phone like he was the most important person in the world.

   Turns out he was talking to his Dad.

   “Hey,” he called out to me as I was walking out the door, “I only asked you out because my Dad wants to do business with your Dad – he told me to make friends with you so don’t think you’re so special Miss Fancy Pants! I already have Keesha on direct dial… and she’s way hotter than you. Plus, she puts out.”

    Don’t you hate it when boys who don’t get what they want feel the need to put you down and try to make you feel worthless?

   Miss Fancy Pants? He had to be kidding as well as insulting. It occurred to me how wrong was I? Flynn might be hot but he was not chivalrous in any way. He was not polite or even funny. He was not respectful and he was definitely not kind. Suddenly he didn’t seem anything like the man I thought I knew.   

   “What is he talking about?” Hilary asked me as we walked along the pavement.

   I had to hold back tears. I was so frustrated, so stupidly socially inept. So… wrong. The only thing left to do was to come clean.

   I stopped walking and turned to her on the pavement, “I’m so sorry Hilary.”

  “What do you mean?”

   “I’ve been so… misled.”

   “Huh?”

   “Did you send the letter to Rafe?”

   “I did what you told me to do.”

   I shook my head and told her the story.

   “Flynn Elton is not who I thought he was.”

   I elaborated and Hilly sniffed a little and wiped her eyes at the end. 

   Then, she did something unexpected. Hilary smiled and gave me a hug. She was a true friend. A better friend than I had been, even if I’d meant well.

    “C’mon,” Hilary said, “Let’s go get cookie dough and caramel ice-cream. That makes everything better.”

   Afterwards, we sat eating our cones on the sidewalk waiting for our ride, looking seriously dejected. Even our skirts and tops were a little crumpled in the unseasonably humid atmosphere.

  “Never mind,” Hilary said. “At least I still have your friendship and that has meant so much to me, Honey. You couldn’t imagine.”

   I could. If only she knew the extent of my interference. Hilary was such a good person, so true and kind. I had to put this situation back on track.

   But how?

   I’d make Dance Fangdango the best dance ever regardless of dates or non-dates.

   We hugged. I didn’t deserve her forgiveness but she gave it to me anyway. I knew Hilary was a special person. At least Ethan was wrong about that.

POPULAR by SUMMER DAY (chapter sixteen: prepare to dance)

Chapter Sixteen

Prepare to Dance

     I’d spoken to Ethan privately over iced tea served by the pool.

     Ethan had just broken it off with Gigi, supposedly because she was needy. I felt kind of bad for suggesting to him the possibility of her potential to cheat, but I’m sure my comments had no influence on him whatsoever. Besides, he and Gigi have different value systems and their star signs don’t match. Anyway, she’s decided to go to Sweden on an exchange program for senior year. Ethan says he is giving relationships a ‘miss’ for now, whatever that means.

   I feel the moment is right to admit defeat and broached the subject of Hilary without divulging full details.

   “Of course, I hate to admit it, Ethan, but you might have had a point about Flynn.”

    We were in the swimming pool by then. I was wearing my new hot pink one piece with the ruffles on the edges. Hills told me earlier that Ethan couldn’t keep his eyes off me when I’d previously worn that swimsuit but I snapped back, “Ethan has always had a thing for ruffles, it’s not my problem.”

  Hilary thought that was kind of mean.

  “I think you’re kind of mean about Ethan,” she said.

  “Huh? He’s like a brother to me – sometimes annoying.”

  “Well, all the girls talk about him. All of us like him. The Princesses have been gossiping about who would get to take him to the dance.”

   How could I have become so out of touch with my own group? I’d hardly spoken to any of them outside school hours in days.

  “Ethan never goes to school dances, and if he ever did, he totally would not be exclusive.”

   So, that was the background to the two of us swimming laps that afternoon before, suddenly, Ethan told me he was coming to the dance.

  “I’ve made up my mind,” he said. Ethan is a Sagittarius, but he also has Taurus rising and they are very determined once they’ve set their minds on something.  “You said I never participate in school socializing and I’m going to prove you wrong.”

   “Mmm…” I said, “well as long as you’re coming, you could give us a ride. Now that you have a new car it won’t embarrass me to show up with you in it.”

   “Really, are you inferring we should go together?”

   “Never. I’m just using you for a ride.”

   “I’ll be over by six.” Ethan smiled. Honestly, I can’t imagine how he would even dream I’d go to the dance as his partner.  

  “Six is early.”

  “Well, I’m feeling pretty social.”

  He arrived on Saturday night, around six, just as I was finishing Hilary’s make up. I still hadn’t done my own but Hilly looked like a dream. Jessica and Ty were impressed with our stylish ensembles. Wednesday had a night shoot so we were filming the entire occasion for her. There is no way she’s going to miss next year’s dance.  

   After Hilary walked down stairs I heard her and Ethan in the lounge room discussing some Reality TV show. I didn’t know Ethan watched reality television. 

   Phoebe insisted on taking photographs of us to post on the web. We ate some snacks before we left and somehow Ethan and I collided in the kitchen in a kind of truce.

   “You know what, Honey?” he said, “I think I was wrong about Hilary and you were right. She’s really an exceptional girl and so pretty. I was probably too quick to judge her.”

  “Really?” I asked.

  “Yes. She is not only very attractive but she’s also nice and humble, unlike some people I know. A girl who is eager to please and willing to play ‘boy games’ on the computer as you put it, makes good company. I was definitely wrong about her. Rafe would have been lucky to go out with her. But I was right about him too. She would have been a good match for Rafe.”

  “By the way, where is Rafe?”

  “He’s not coming. There’s some physics expo on in San Diego this weekend and he’s gone with his dad.”

   “Oh.”

   I suddenly felt very low. All my matchmaking had gone south. What was wrong with me? How could I have got my messages so… mis-matched?

   Ethan changed the subject with a direct question.

  “Is Flynn coming?”

  “Oh, well, I guess so. We’ll probably see him there.” Elaboration would only cause me further humiliation.

  “Right,” Ethan said, as if he knew I was holding back information.

  “Well, let’s get going then,” he added, grabbing the car keys.  

   “I’m so excited,” Hilly whispered to me. “This is my first dance at Sunrise and we’re all going together. I don’t mind that Flynn’s not here.”

   Hilary, as you can probably tell, was a better loser than me.