Genevieve was true to her word. She never gave me another reason to be angry with her or to doubt her motives after that night. The next couple of times that she saw Elle, she went out of her way to talk to her, to make Elle feel like Genevieve was more like a family member than competition. Because of that, Elle became more comfortable around her, which was a big weight off my shoulders. And that helped me a lot, because Riley and Genevieve were always at our house now.
With the changing colors of leaves came Homecoming. I was picked to possibly be on the Court once again, along with Elle, Chad, Amber, Eric and Bryce. It was everyone at our lunch table. The only exception was Livi, but she didn’t care. She was too busy helping Eric campaign for Junior Duke. She had put up posters of him everywhere and handed out cookies with his picture on it. I was so glad that he got nominated, because he normally was the one trying to get me elected. I hoped that Eric would win this time. After all the attention last year, it would be a nice change to not be in the spotlight. I was looking forward to just being part of the crowd, but not having to hide.
“Elle, what color dress are you wearing to the dance?” I asked in between bites of an incredible apple dumpling that Cora had made for me for lunch.
“I’m not wearing a dress. I was thinking I’d go in shorts and a t-shirt. Do you think that’s okay?” Elle grabbed her fork and took a piece of the dessert.
“You would look stunning in anything, my dear, but I think Cora would be devastated. She can’t wait to coordinate my suit with your dress.”
“Well, we can’t rob her of that pleasure. I will be wearing a light pink and black dress. But that is all I’m telling you. The rest will have to be a surprise.”
I looked around our table. Everyone was talking about Homecoming, including Erin, who had become a regular at our table now. Knowing her, she was hoping Bryce would ask her to the dance. I said I would help Bryce get a date, but Erin wouldn’t have been my first pick. When Erin saw something she wanted, she was aggressive in going after it. And after he saved her from the runaway bus, she followed him around like a lost puppy.
I leaned over to Bryce. “So are you going to ask anyone to the dance?” I whispered to him.
He shrugged his shoulders.
“I think you should ask Erin. She is dying to go with you, if you haven’t noticed. She has turned down two other guys, hoping you will ask her.”
Bryce looked up, hoping no one had heard what I said.
Elle had and whispered, “Bryce, yeah, do it. It would be fun. We can double date.”
“Okay, Elle, I will,” he said.
Bryce looked at Erin across the table. He cleared his throat. “Erin,” his voiced cracked a little in the middle of her name, “will you do me the honor of being my date for Homecoming?”
She hopped up from her seat and ran around the table like she was playing a game of Duck Duck Goose. She tackled him with a big hug, saying loudly, “Yes, I will go with you!”
Bryce’s cheeks turned a deep shade of scarlet. He was so embarrassed by her reaction. The lunchroom went quiet, including the table of girls who watched him every day. They were clearly not happy with his choice. I bet he wished he could take back the invitation right about now.
Eric jumped up and stood on top of his chair putting his hands up. “Can I have everyone’s attention? Please, please, everyone can I have your attention?” Eric yelled. “Bryce, the most eligible bachelor at Winsor, now has a date for the dance. So sorry, ladies. Better luck next year. Erin is the lucky winner of the Bryce Adams lottery.” Eric then took a bow and sat back down like nothing happened. The lunchroom applauded. Livi punched him.
Bryce slid down in his chair almost all the way under the table. Some more of the girls’ faces around the lunchroom showed that Eric’s announcement crushed their dreams of being asked. I guess the announcement was needed after all.
Bryce and I got up from lunch a short time later. We walked down the hall toward our classes which were right next to each other.
“So, do you want me to pick you and Erin up or do you want to meet at the restaurant?” I asked.
“To be honest, I haven’t given it much thought. I didn’t really think I was going,” Bryce said.
“No problem, I will pick you guys up.” I put my hand on his shoulder. “Don’t worry about anything. I was in the same position last year. Everything works out for the best. You’ll have a good time, I promise.”
“Thanks, Nicholas. I am lucky to have made such a good friend like you.”