Flower Feud (8 page)

My face fell. Complete and total humiliation!

Just then Amber jumped up. She reached out to put a hand on my arm. “Oh, Del, I’m just kidding!” She laughed, and then so did the rest of the girls. “I’m so sorry,” she added. “I just couldn’t resist.”

“Um … okay,” I replied, not sure what to say. Was that supposed to be funny? Because it so totally was not.

“Are you looking for Amy?” Amber asked, smiling warmly. “She’s at home.”

“Actually, I wanted to talk to you,” I said. “Do you have a minute?”

She gave me a funny look, then shrugged. “Sure,” she said. We walked over to the fountain and sat on the edge. I could keep my eye on Poppy, who was still scarfing down handfuls of popcorn. I looked down and saw a
thick carpet of pennies and nickels that shoppers had thrown into the fountain.
That’s an awful lot of wishes,
I thought.

Amber stared at me expectantly. “So what’s up?” she asked.

“It’s about the prom,” I said. “You know my family owns a flower shop, right?” I asked.

“Right,” said Amber. “Your grandparents did my bat mitzvah flowers. They were really nice.”

“That’s great.” I took a deep breath. “I need to ask you a favor.”

“Oh yeah?” said Amber warily.

I soldiered on. “I know that the high school kids aren’t getting corsages this year for the prom,” I said.

“That’s right,” Amber said. “Nobody wants those lame orchid wrist corsages.” She made a face. “So grandma, you know?”

“I know,” I said. “That’s why we’ve created this line of cool prom flowers.”

Amber looked skeptical. I reached into my bag and pulled out my phone. I flipped it open and pressed a bunch of buttons until I found my photos.

“This is a gerbera-daisy-and-feather-snap-bracelet corsage,” I said. Amber leaned in closely, then took the phone from my hand.

She looked up at me. “Wow,” she said. “That
is
really beautiful.”

The next picture was of Rose’s rose-and-rhinestone choker.

“That’s gorgeous!” said Amber. “Huh,” she said, looking puzzled. “I had no idea prom flowers could be so cool.”

I bit my lip. “So do you think maybe you and your friends would come by the store to check them out?”

“Definitely!” she said. “Is tomorrow after cheerleading good? Around five thirty?”

“Perfect,” I said. “Thanks, Amber!”

“Thank
you!”
she replied. “Oh, and um … sorry about before.”

I looked at her.

“About pretending I didn’t know you.”

“Oh that,” I said. “No problem!” But I resolved that I would always be nice to my little sisters’ friends.

“How’d it go?” asked Poppy as I joined her at the table.

“Great!” I said. “Amber and her cheerleader friends are coming to the store tomorrow to check out the flowers!”

“Gertrude, that’s great!” she said, grinning at me. She opened up her notebook. “Talk to cheerleaders. Check!”

As we headed to the south entrance to meet Mom, I felt like I was walking on air. So what if I hadn’t made the prettiest prom flowers in my family? I was a creative businessperson. My expertise was bringing in the customers. It didn’t matter how pretty the product was if you didn’t have anyone to buy it.

The whole family had come to pick us up. We were going to get takeout, ice cream, and a movie for our new Sunday night tradition.

As Poppy and I got in the car, I thought for a moment about how to most dramatically break the news.

“The cheerleaders are coming to the store to buy corsages!” Poppy announced.

Oh well.

Mom spun around in her seat. “Really, Del?” she asked. “How’d you pull that one off?”

After I told them what had happened with Amber,
they were so happy they even let me pick out the ice-cream flavor. Rocky Road, of course.

That night, after we had eaten our sundaes, we decided to iChat with Gran and Gramps before the movie. The news was too exciting not to share right away.

We were so happy to see Gran’s and Gramps’s tanned, relaxed faces that we all started talking at once.

“Let Del tell it,” said Dad.

So I told them everything. Okay, not
everything
everything. I couldn’t really discuss Hamilton. I also left out the spying. And luckily Poppy did, too.

“How funny,” said Gran. “You never know what those high school kids will think of next. Flowers being old-fashioned — how silly! Well, it sounds like you guys are fixing that. I’m really proud of you all.”

I could feel myself relax just hearing Gran’s voice. Once we had caught up on the Key West news, which involved fishing tournaments and a visit to an underwater hotel, Rose had an important question.

“So, tell us about
your
prom, Gran,” she said.

Gran giggled. “Well, my date was the handsomest boy in the whole school….” she began.

“That’s right,” said Gramps. “Me!”

“It was our first date,” Gran continued. “He told me later he’d been wanting to ask me out all school year and finally got up his nerve to ask me to the prom.” She laughed. “His face was so red!”

Gramps smiled. “She was the prettiest and smartest girl in the school,” he said.

Gran blushed. “I was so excited, I bought the most beautiful dress I could find. And I also had the nicest flowers, of course. Gramps came in to Flowers on Fairfield early to order them, and my father went all out.”

“It’s nice to hear a happy prom story,” I said. “Mom’s and Dad’s were kind of sad.”

“I got a four point four,” Dad protested. We all ignored him.

“I have another sad prom story for you,” said Gran. She lowered her voice. “Your Great-aunt Lily didn’t have a very nice evening at all.”

“That’s right,” said Mom, remembering.

“What happened?” Aster asked.

“She went with the captain of the football team. He was very sure of himself, and very self-centered,” Gran explained. “He completely forgot to order her a corsage! When he showed up at the house empty-handed, my father put together a corsage out of the flowers we had in the house. Imagine that — the daughter of the town florist had the worst flowers at the prom. Lily was so embarrassed.”

“Wow,” I said. That
was
a sad story. But it felt weird to feel sorry for mean Aunt Lily.

“Well, we don’t mean to end our conversation on such a down note,” said Gramps. “This is great news. Give us a call and let us know how it all goes.”

“Will do, Dad,” said Mom.

After a chorus of love yous and miss yous and talk to you soons, we disconnected. I stared at the blank computer screen sadly.

“Let’s go watch our movie now!” said Mom. “I don’t want you girls staying up too late. Tomorrow’s a big day.”

It most certainly would be. We had pulled ahead in the battle. Now we had to make our final charge.

When I arrived at the store on Monday afternoon, I saw that Mom had been busy. Mom spends most of her Mondays making the arrangements for Oscar’s, the fanciest restaurant in town, but she had found the time to re-create all of the prom flowers, too. (I’d left her my phone with the photos for reference.) And she had done an amazing job. They looked perfect.

Mom had also brought in hand mirrors and a table mirror so the girls would be able to admire themselves. She even bought some sodas and set out bowls of snacks. I grabbed a handful of pretzels and started munching.

“A party!” said Rose as she pushed open the door to the store. Rose, who was ten going on sixteen as Gran liked to say, wasn’t going to miss a gathering of high school girls for the world. She turned to Aster, who walked in
right after her. “Doesn’t this get you all excited for our sleepover on Saturday night?”

“Sure does,” replied Aster cheerily. I stared at her in disbelief. Was she for real?

“Now promise me you won’t wear black. And you’ll let me put some lip gloss on you.”

Aster sighed. “Sure, Rosie.”

I gazed at my sisters. Maybe Rose was right. Maybe Aster
was
looking forward to going to this party. Stranger things had happened, I guessed.

We had just set out the last bowl of chips when Amber and her entourage arrived. Ten chatty, giggling, shiny-lipped, sleek-haired girls.

There was a whole lot of oohing and ahhing over the designs as the girls tried them on. They switched flowers with each other, showed Mom pictures of their dresses that they had on their phones, and consulted with her about which flowers would look the best. Mom was flushed and laughing as she took down notes.

Soon enough, the girls got down to business: choosing the corsages that their dates would pick up for them.

“Jonathan is going to be totally relieved — he doesn’t
have to do any work!” said a bubbly, blonde girl.

A girl with short, black hair laughed. “Except pick it up and pay for it!” she said.

The blonde girl grinned. “Yeah, I forgot about that part!”

The bell above the door rang as an even bigger group of girls pushed their way inside.

I felt a swell of happiness. I turned to Amber. “Are these friends of yours, too?”

She shrugged. “I tweeted about Petal Pushers,” she said. “I have a lot of followers, you know. I’m cohead cheerleader.”

“Oh, I know,” I said with a grin.

Mom waved to me gaily from across the store.

I waved back. Prom season was saved!

A couple of hours later, the last girl left the store. We dumped out half-eaten bowls of snacks and rinsed out soda cans for recycling.

Mom locked the front door. “That was great.” She sighed. “I’m totally exhausted! But happy.” She looked at me. “Hey, I just thought of something. Should I make corsages for you and Becky?”

“That’s a great idea,” I said. “I’m not sure what color dress she’s wearing, though.” I texted my BFF right away.

WRIST CORSAGE 4 DANCE? I wrote. I snapped my phone shut.

“Okay, let me know when you hear from her,” said Mom. “And you?”

“Surprise me,” I said. “I’m going to wear my light blue dress.” It was the only fancy dress I had and I hauled it out for all occasions — recitals, holidays, etc. I had made the decision not to buy anything new. I was just going to keep Becky company, after all.

The next morning I filled in my friends about how great everything had gone.

“It’s true!” said Amy. “Amber was going on and on about how cool the flowers are!” She nodded wisely. “And there will be more middle school orders coming in, now that it’s cool with the high school kids.”

“Your sister is great,” I said. “She really came through for us.”

Amy smiled. “She
is
great,” she said. “Most of the time, anyway.” Then she sighed.

“What’s wrong, Amy?” I asked. But I knew what was wrong.

“Brian still hasn’t asked me,” she said sadly.

“Looks like you’ll be going stag with me and Becky,” I told her.

She gave me a hangdog look.

“Hey!” I said. “We’ll have fun!”

Heather looked at Amy sympathetically. “I feel guilty being so excited when you’re so disappointed,” she told her. Then she brightened. “But Billy and I are going to have such an amazing time!”

Jessica grinned. “Yeah, me and Jackson, too.”

Amy sighed again.

“Cheer up,” I said. “There are way worse things.” I glanced up just as Bob and Matt passed by our table. Bob gave me a dirty look.

“You could be going with Bob,” I said in a low voice, so they couldn’t hear me. “Or his lame twin, Matt.”

Everyone laughed. Everyone that is, but Becky. She looked down at the table.

“Hey, you never got back to me about the corsage
question,” I said to her. “Do you want my mom to make you one?”

Becky froze. She stared at the table and wouldn’t meet my eyes. “I … I think maybe I won’t need one,” she said.

“Are you sure?” I asked. I whipped out my phone, about to show her the pictures. “They’re really beautiful.”

“No, it’s okay, Del,” replied Becky.

I frowned at her. Why was she being so difficult? She knew this prom flower thing was a big deal for me. And she was usually so supportive. I looked at her searchingly. But she didn’t look up. Annoyed, I decided to drop it.

“So what are the chances of Brian asking me to the dance, do you think?” Amy asked brightly. “Slim to none or a definite possibility?”

We all groaned.

Four days and counting until this prom madness was officially over!

I searched for Becky after school to see if she wanted to walk home together, but couldn’t find her anywhere. When I left the building, I was surprised to find her waiting outside, looking impatient.

“Hey, Becky,” I said.

“Oh hey, Del,” she said nervously.

“What are you doing?” I asked. “Waiting for your mom?”

“Yeah,” she said.

“And where are you going?” I prodded.

Was it my imagination or did my best friend look uncomfortable? “To the … mall,” she finally answered.

“For what?” I asked curiously.

She looked up at the sky. “I thought I’d look for a prom dress,” she said softly.

“Without me?” I said with a grin. “Well, it sounds like fun. Mind if I come along?”

“Are you sure?” asked Becky. “I thought you said you had a mountain of Spanish homework.”

“Finished it in study hall,” I said. “I’ll text my mom right now. I’m sure she’ll be fine with it.”

“O-okay,” said Becky.

Becky’s mom pulled up a couple of minutes later in her shiny red car and we climbed into the backseat.

“Buckle up, girls,” said Mrs. Davis, looking crisp and professional in a pin-striped suit. “This is exciting! Your first formal dance. With fancy dresses and dates and all that fun stuff.”

I laughed. “No dates for us,” I told her. “Becky and I are going stag.”

“That’s right,” Becky said quickly.

When we arrived at the mall, Mrs. Davis handed Becky her credit card and said she’d be working on her laptop in the food court if we needed her.

We went straight to Fashions by Fiona. Becky is a careful shopper, and takes her time. I had no money and my mom had certainly not given me
her
credit card, so I just picked
a few things to try on for fun. A pair of studded jeans. A fake fur vest. A red sequined dress. I thought I’d make Becky laugh.

But Becky was taking her dress shopping very seriously. She barely smiled as I struck a silly pose in the shiny dress. “What do you think?” she asked, modeling a black dress with pink flowers.

I looked her up and down. “It’s a little short,” I told her. “If you dropped something, you might be afraid to bend over and pick it up!”

But Becky didn’t even crack a smile. She looked at her reflection and nodded. “I’ll be right back,” she said.

A white dress with puffy sleeves looked too little-girl. A shiny black dress was pretty, but had a plunging neckline. “Your mom will kill you!” I said.

Several changes later, Becky came out of the dressing room in the perfect dress. It was a soft pink that looked gorgeous against her dark skin. With an empire waist, a full skirt, and cap sleeves, it fit like it was made for her.

Becky looked pleased as she studied herself in the mirror, a faint smile stealing over her face.

“Oh, Becky,” I breathed. “You look gorgeous.”

Her purchase was wrapped in tissue paper and placed in a bright pink bag. I assumed we’d head to the food court to meet her Mom. But no. Becky wanted to find the perfect pair of shoes.

“Where is my friend Becky and what have you done with her?” I joked as we headed to the shoe store. I’d suggested we take the long way around so we wouldn’t have to pass by Fleur. After the last time, I didn’t want to take any chances that Hamilton’s mom would recognize me. She might think I was a stalker or something!

Becky smiled sheepishly. “I know I’m not usually the girliest girl,” she said. “But this is kind of fun.” She smiled. “I’m glad you came with me, Del.”

By the end of the shopping spree, Becky had purchased a pair of pretty silver flats, a delicate silver necklace with a heart charm, and small silver hoops.

“You’ve upped the ante,” I said to Becky. “My old blue dress isn’t going to cut it anymore.” I laughed. “I’m impressed that you’re going all out just for me!”

I waited for her to laugh. But Becky just bit her lip and looked at me as if she was going to say something. But she didn’t.

Wednesday afternoon. The school day was done. I had somehow managed to miss seeing Bob, Ashley,
and
Hamilton. An avoidance trifecta!

I packed up my books quickly, threw my bag over my shoulder, and slipped out the side door, which is rarely used because it locks behind you. No getting back inside unless you go around the block to the front entrance. Normally, this wouldn’t be an issue for me. But that day it was. Just my luck — it had just started to pour.

Sheets of rain lashed down from the sky, and the sidewalk was already running with rivers of water. And I had no umbrella, no raincoat, no nothing. My heart sank as I pressed myself against the metal door to avoid getting wet. If I ran around to the front entrance, I’d get soaked. I sighed. I’d have to wait it out. Either the rain would stop or someone else would come out the side entrance and I could get back inside.

The wind changed direction and I started to get pelted with rain. An image of myself on the living room couch, a cup of hot cocoa in one hand and a book in the other made me sigh with longing.

I had just started shivering when I heard the delightful sound of the heavy metal door creaking open. I smiled, ready to thank my savior. I’d be back inside in no time. “Hold …” I started to say, but then my voice trailed off.

The person who had opened the door was Hamilton. He, of course, held an umbrella in his hand.

I was too shocked to ask him to hold the door for me. We stared at each other as it slammed shut behind him. Great. Now I was stuck huddling outside in the rain — with the person I least wanted to see. Can you say
awkward
?

Hamilton cleared his throat. “Del, I’ve been wanting to apologize to you,” he said.

“What you did was wrong,” I said, unable to make eye contact with him. I felt a steely hard anger inside me.

Wait a minute
, I thought.
Are you more mad because of the spying — or because of Ashley?
I wasn’t sure and that made me feel even angrier.

I glanced up at the sky. Could I make a run for it? No, the rain was getting even worse.

Hamilton stared at his sneakers, then looked up. “But I just can’t apologize,” he said slowly. “I think I was right!”

I turned to him as a big, fat, cold raindrop fell on my head. “You’re right?” I sputtered. “How could you be right?”

“It just doesn’t make sense,” he said.

I looked at him, puzzled. Now what was
that
supposed to mean?
He
didn’t make any sense. I thrust my hands in my pockets and turned away. “You shouldn’t have done it,” I told him.

“I know,” he replied. With a sigh, he pulled his sweatshirt hood over his head.

“Del,” he started. “You’re making a terrible decision. There — I said it.” I stared after him, my mouth open in disbelief as he took off, jumping over puddles as he sprinted down the street. It was official. Hamilton Baldwin was crazy. What was he even talking about?

I waited for a while longer, in the hopes that someone else would come out of the building to let me back in. When no one showed up, I decided it was time to make a run for it, rain or no rain. Just before I left I looked down. And there, on the ground where Hamilton had just been standing, was his umbrella.
He must have forgotten it,
I thought.
Too bad for him.

But as I walked home, sheltered from the driving rain
by the roomy umbrella, another thought occurred to me. Maybe Hamilton had left the umbrella for me on purpose.

Hamilton got soaking wet so I wouldn’t have to.

I gritted my teeth. Why was he making it so hard for me to hate him?

Mom came home that night grinning from ear to ear. Rose, Aster, Poppy, and I had been having a secret discussion in the living room and we stopped talking as soon as she walked in the door.

I gave my sisters a warning look. It said,
Keep your mouths shut.
Rose and Aster nodded.

“What are you guys up to?” asked Mom, sitting on the couch and removing her shoes.

“Homework,” I said, although we didn’t have any books with us. I hoped she wouldn’t notice.

“Planning a …” Poppy started to say. Rose quickly put her hand over Poppy’s mouth. Luckily, Mom was distracted.

“I was so busy this afternoon!” she said. “I didn’t even have a second to sit down!” Dad heard Buster barking joyfully at Mom’s return and came in to the room from his
study. He sat on the couch next to her, and began to rub her feet.

“More high school kids?” Rose asked.

“Not just high school kids,” Mom said with a grin. “Lots more kids from Del’s school, too!”

I smiled. Amy had been right.

Mom shook her head. “I was taking down order after order,” she said. “There were so many kids coming in I could hardly keep them all straight.”

I leaned forward, my eyes wide. “Mom, you have to keep careful records. I hope you remembered to give everyone a receipt!”

Mom laughed. “Relax, Del, I’m just kidding. I was really careful. It was just all a big blur … except for this one kid from your school who came in to order a corsage for his date. He was just so sweet and nervous! It nearly broke my heart!”

“I wonder who it was,” I said. Then I smiled. “Oh, I bet it’s Carmine Belloni. He’s
going to the dance with his dream girl.”

Mom scrunched up her mouth. “No, it wasn’t Carmine,” she said. “But whoever it was told me he was going to the dance with the smartest and prettiest girl in the school. And the flowers should be extra-special.”

“That
is
sweet,” I said. I wondered who it could be. Both the nice boy and his smart, pretty date.

“Well, that’s exciting,” said Rose. “Almost as exciting as the big party we’re going to, right, Aster?”

“Right,” said Aster, curling her feet underneath her on the sofa.

“I’m thinking that we should both wear these cute pink T-shirts with purple flowers and rhinestones on them,” said Rose. “I saw them at the mall. It would be like when we were little and Mom dressed us in matching clothes. Wouldn’t that be totally awesome?”

We all turned to look at Aster. She couldn’t possibly be excited at the prospect of wearing a pink shirt with purple flowers and rhinestones on it. And matching, no less? But Aster only shrugged. “Awesome,” she said.

My parents and I looked at one another, eyebrows raised. Life was certainly full of surprises.