Landry in Like (14 page)

“Maybe you should ask Vladi what he did this weekend and see if he mentions the club,” Peyton said.

“Why? Do you think he'd lie about it?”

“No, I don't, but I can see your brain is working overtime and I think it'd put your mind at ease. Plus, if he lies and said he stayed at home watching a movie, you know to dump his sorry behind,” she said laughing.

“Yeah, I dunno. Maybe. I need a manual to tell me how to handle this sort of thing. They make instructions on how to use a toaster over, but for relationships we're on our own. What's worse: burnt toast or a broken heart?”

“Truth,” Peyton said taking another cupcake.

Just then my phone got a text. It was from Vladi.

Vladi:
Hey, just wanted to check in and see what you were up to tonight.

The fact he wrote, “check in” made me feel a little better. It sounded so couple-y.

Landry:
I'm at Peyton's.

Vladi.
That's cool. Steve and I went to that teen club.

Landry:
Oh? Was it fun?

Vladi:
It was alright. You ever been there?

Landry:
Nope, but some of my friends went tonight.

Vladi:
Yeah, I saw Ashanti with some girls. I walked over to see if you were with them. Maybe some time we could all meet up there.

Landry:
Yeah, maybe.

Vladi:
We're going to grab burgers now, so I'll talk to you later. Just wanted to say good night before it got too late and you went to bed.

Landry:
Night. Have fun.

Vladi:
Night, cutie.

“Look, he put a smiley face blowing a kiss after that,” I said, holding my phone out to Peyton. How do I respond?”

“Oh man, um… do the same thing back. I know it's unoriginal, but I've had way too much frosting tonight to come up with anything better.”

“Don't think I'm a dork, but will you read through his texts and see if you pick up on any weird vibes?” I asked.

“What do you mean? Are you getting weird vibes?”

“No, but maybe that's because I want to believe everything is all perfect and rainbows and glitter and I'm too naïve and dumb to pick up on anything,” I said.

She laughed and took my phone. “Nope, looks legit to me. I wouldn't worry. If anything, worry about the older girls at the high school who have access to him every single day,” she said. “Oh, that didn't help, did it?”

I rolled my eyes. “Not exactly.”

We cracked up.

“Come on,” I said, adjusting the pillow behind me. “We have a mystery to solve.”

“Right, that poor B&B owner is counting on us,” she said.

O
n Monday
, it seemed like everyone had gone to that club over the weekend. People kept talking about it and showing their cell phone pics. Ericka and Tori came over to stand with Thalia, Peyton, and me. Even though things had been weird with Ericka and Tori, I suddenly felt this solidarity with them as it felt like we were the only girls in the eighth grade who weren't at the club this weekend. We had to stick together, right?

Later, at lunch, I saved Ashanti a seat, but then I noticed she was already sitting down. She was at her old table with Halle and Maggie and, what's worse, Yasmin was with them and so were some boys. They were all talking super loud. Meanwhile, I was stirring some leftover spaghetti that had seen better days.

“I wish people would shut up about that stupid club,” Devon said, glaring at the other table.

“You aren't into that place?” Tori asked, looking hopeful.

“I want to go, but my mom is so protective,” she said. “But I was visiting my grandparents anyway this weekend.”

Later, in social studies, India sat down at our usual table with Peyton, Ericka, and Tori. “Landry, you and Peyton need to come out with us next time we go,” India said. “There were a lot of girls checking Vladi out. He was playing ping pong and air hockey with his friends the whole time, but if he were my boyfriend, I'm not sure I'd be all that comfortable with him going to a place like that without me.”

Tori put her pen down. She appeared as queasy as I felt, but I just nodded and said I'd think about it.

After school I went to meet Ashanti by her locker.

“Hey, you up for a Skylar Halston mystery night on Friday?” I asked. “Peyton and I were talking about doing another sleepover.”

“Oh, sounds like fun, but last week I promised the girls we'd do the club again. There's this guy Halle likes who told her he comes every week, so…” Ashanti rolled her eyes. “Maybe another time.”

“Yeah, sure. No, that sounds like fun, too.”

I waited for her to get her stuff.

“Oh, I'm getting a ride today. I'm going over to someone's house to work on some cheer stuff,” she said.

Someone's?

“Oh? Halle's?” I asked.

“Uh, no.”

“Maggie's?”

“Yasmin's. She invited a bunch of us. I'll text you later,” she said, suddenly in a hurry. “Bye, hon.”

I walked to the bus by myself. When I got on, I saw Peyton was already sitting with India and Devon was sitting with Hakeem. I took the closest seat and just stared out the window until we got to my stop.

O
n Friday
, I called Peyton after school, and she said she was talking to Devon on the other line. She told me to hold on and then came back saying Devon wanted to do a three-way call. Suddenly Devon's voice boomed out.

“You guys are not going to believe this,” Devon said. “My mom said I could go to the teen dance club with India, Valine, Liv, and Kendall.”

I felt my stomach drop.

“Your mom? Seriously? I never saw that happening,” Peyton said.

“I know, right? Mrs. Overprotective said India's father checked it out. He said they have a strict policy about no alcohol, and they make sure to check student ID's so it's only teens. Mr. Allen said they watch the older ones like hawks. Now we just need your parents to agree,” Devon said

“Our parents?” I asked.

“Well, duh. You and Peyton have to come with us. It'll be so fun, plus Kendall can get her brother to come with — ta da — Vladi! How awesome would that be?”

In what universe would my mother agree to let me go to a teen dance club with my boyfriend? I didn't even want to go, but at the same time it hit me that all my friends were going and I had felt weird that Ashanti was going to be there without me again.

“You have to ask, Landry,” Devon said. “It would be so great if we could all hang out together.”

I managed a nervous, “Sure,” but I didn't know how to say the idea of being in a dark room with loud music and strangers didn't exactly fill me with happiness. Whenever I saw places like that on TV or in movies there were always girls judging one another on their outfits, looks, how they danced — everything. It sounded so intimidating.

Peyton cleared her throat. “I guess I could ask. My sister, Lacey, used to go to places like that and my parents were okay with it then,” she said.

“I can't see my mom going along with it,” I said.

“Well, ask her, and if she says no, then maybe my mom can call her and talk to her or Mr. Allen can,” Devon said.

I agreed because I didn't want there to be one more thing distancing me from Ashanti and the other girls. If everyone was into this, then I guess I'd just have to try to like it, too, right?

As soon as we got off the phone, I thought about the best way to ask my mom when it hit me — she'd
never
agree to it. All the teen dance clubs in Chicago were always getting shut down because of underage drinking and fights. My mother would never let me go. I was completely safe. Mom was having her tea in the living room with a new book she picked up at the bookstore. She always hated when I approached her with anything when she was relaxing with a nice cup of tea and reading, so it was the perfect time to ask. I was guaranteed to get shot down.

“Hey, so India, Devon, and Ashanti are going to the teen dance club that's downtown with some high school girls, and they wanted to know if I could go, too.”

“Oh, I heard about that place,” she said, looking up over her book. “Well, I guess. Sure.”

“That's too bad. I was so looking forward to — Wait, what?”

“You can go. Do I need to drive one way?” she asked.

What on earth? “You know the one I mean, right? The place right downtown.”

“Uh-huh, I saw on the news that it's run by a nice Christian couple who wanted a safe place for teens to get together,” she said.

Oh, just my luck. Maybe those people made sure there wasn't any alcohol or drugs in there, but what about judgmental jerks? Could they protect me from that? The whole thing sounded like a good way to get gossiped about.

“Kendall's probably going to ask her brother and Vladi to go, too,” I said. Ah-ha! She'd never let me go if she thought it was a chance to hang out with my boyfriend. Mission accomplished.

“Oh, that's great. I would feel a lot better about it knowing Vladi was there. That way no strange boys will be asking for your number.”

Abort mission. This plane is going down.

“So you're not worried about anything happening?” I asked.

“Like what?”

Sigh. “Okay, I'll tell the girls I can go.” I started to leave the room and then came back in. “Wait, so you were weird about me going to the movies with Vladi, but a dance club is okay?”

“Because the movie theater is full of adults and strangers and there's a lot more trouble you can get into there. I haven't heard anything bad about this place and, frankly, if Mrs. Abrams is onboard then that is a ringing endorsement. Plus, you said Mr. Allen checked it out. If he's okay with it, then it must be safe.”

I texted Ashanti that I was going to be at the club tonight, too, and she sent back a bunch of smiley faces. Then I sent Devon a message, and she said everyone was going to get ready at her house.

I called Peyton next to tell her the news.

“Oh man,” she said. “I would have thought you were dead in the water when you mentioned Vladi going, but it sealed the deal? I will never understand parents. I wanted to have a Skylar Halston sleepover and now we're doing a club thing. I want to say, ‘No, I'd rather stay in and play a computer game', but I don't want to look lame.”

“I know, that's what I wanted to do, too,” I said, thinking about how I heard Yasmin had gotten mad at Arianna for ditching her for a high school junior as soon as they got to the club last weekend.

“Well, do you want to spend the night after?” she asked.

Spending the night would be fun, and it would also ensure that Peyton wouldn't ditch me at the club if she knew she was going to have to deal with me later on.

“Yes, so what do we wear to this place?” I asked.

“India said her cousin told her everyone wears jeans and a cute top.”

“Define, ‘cute top'?”

“I know, right?” Peyton said. “I'm going to wear my teal Franciszka T sweater. I have that baby blue and white cowl neck one that is too tight on me. It might fit you if you want to try it.”

Perfect. That sweater was similar to the one Peyton was going to wear, so if we showed up in almost the same thing no one could laugh at me. If they did, well, I wouldn't be alone.

I walked over to Devon's with my purse and tote bag with makeup, hair stuff, and an extra top in case Peyton forgot the sweater.

Devon answered the door. She had straightened her tight curls and now had full waves. She appeared nineteen, and her hair was like a Bouncy Hair conditioner ad.

I followed her inside where Liv Mackintosh, India, Valine, and Kendall were doing each other's makeup.

Kendall got up and gave me a hug when I walked in, and Liv glanced over.

“Hey, I'm Liv.”

“Oh, hi.”

“Liv, you've met Landry before,” India said.

“Oh sorry,” Liv said in that bored ‘”sorry-not-sorry” tone.

“No, that's fine,” I said. I'm just that forgettable. Or maybe invisible. Lovely.

“I'm Valine and I
know
we haven't met before,” she said tossing her dark blond hair.

“Actually, you met her the same night — at my friend Peyton's,” India said. “Remember? We went over there and they were having a sleepover?”

“Oh right. You were the girl wearing the sleepy puppy pants, right?” Valine said.

Kill me now. So embarrassing. “You know, I can't remember what I had on. It was so long ago,” I said.

“You guys, Landry did a TV interview recently,” Devon said.

“Wait, you went on TV? Like that?” Valine asked.

“Well… it wasn't today… and I—I had a different outfit on,” I said. My voice sounded so small.

Kendall shifted. “So what were you on TV for, Landry?” she asked.

“This modeling competition thing,” I said, not wanting to get into details. “It's no big deal.”

“You model?” Valine asked, her upper lip curling.

“Landry, you should try this new bronzer I just got,” Kendall said. “Here, sit down. I'll put some on you.”

“Yeah, you could use some color,” Valine said.

The doorbell rang, India said it had to be Peyton, and Valine followed her out of the room. Devon was fixing her eyeliner in the mirror, and Kendall leaned over to put the makeup on me.

“Valine knows who you are. I told her you were coming and that you were Vladi's girlfriend,” Kendall said.

I shifted. “So she has it in for me because she likes him?”

“Kind of. I know this is going to sound weird, but don't take anything she says personally because it's not.”

“Um, that comment about my outfit and me being pale seemed pretty personal,” I said.

“I know it seems that way, but she's just trying to make you feel insecure by pulling out anything she thinks might work.”

And it was working. Liv came back into the room then. I wondered if she hated me on sight, too.

“Your outfit is super pretty, Liv,” I said.

She stared at me. At first, I was worried she would say, “Great, if a loser like you likes it then I better change,” but she just blinked and thanked me.

Peyton came upstairs and handed me the sweater, and I went in the bathroom to change. I pulled on the sweater and even though it had a wide neck, it still managed to give my hair major static electricity. Oh man, this was not good.

“Devon?” I called out through the door. “Can you hand in some hairspray and my purse?”

“Devon's downstairs,” Liv said. “Which purse is yours? The navy one?”

“Yup.”

She brought my purse to the door, but Valine pushed past me to get into the bathroom.

“What happened to your hair?” Valine asked.

“Well, the sweater had to go over my head, so—”

She did a fake laugh and I felt my cheeks get hot. Then she all but pushed me out of the bathroom and shut the door behind me saying she had to pee.

I walked over to India's vanity and tried to tame my flyaways. Great, going to a dance club with a bunch of mean girls where I was already out of my element, and now my hair couldn't even cooperate. I should be walking in with confidence. I mean, I had just done a TV interview about my modeling career a week ago, and instead, I was trying to shrink and be invisible so I wouldn't catch more crappy comments.

As I sat there trying to salvage my hair, Liv came up behind me.

“Here,” she said. “I got a dryer sheet from Mr. Allen. These work wonders on staticky hair.”

She gently touched it to my hair and then smoothed it with her fingers. It was starting to look less like a mad scientist's.

“You know what might be cute? A thin braid on top,” Kendall said.

Liv nodded and Kendall came over and braided a small section of my hair.

“There, that looks pretty,” Kendall said.

“You guys, are you ready to go?” India yelled. “We're taking two cars. Who wants to go with my dad?”

Kendall glanced over at the bathroom door. “Valine's not ready yet, so why don't we go with Mr. Allen and the rest of them can drive over together?”

I nodded. Liv, Kendall, Peyton, and I walked downstairs where India and Devon were waiting.

“Okay, why don't you guys ride with Valine and my mom,” India said, adjusting her hair over her shoulder.

“Actually, I think Valine wants to ride with you, India,” Kendall said. “Why don't you and Devon wait with her and the four of us can go with your dad now.”

India shrugged. “Whatever.”

I shot Kendall a grateful look, and she gave my hand a squeeze. We followed Mr. Allen out to his car. Liv, Kendall, and Peyton got in the back, and I sat in front.

“Okay, girls, I'm sure this goes without saying, but do not give your emails and phone numbers out to strange boys.” Mr. Allen said. “Don't drink anything out of a cup that you didn't see come out of a soda dispenser, bottle, or can. Do not take gum or candy from anyone you don't know, and if things get iffy, call me or one of your parents to come get you.”

I had the car visor down and I saw Liv roll her eyes. Mr. Allen pulled up to the club. The girls started to get out, but he put his hand on my arm.

“Landry, here's my business card. If anything happens and you want to get out of there, but don't want anyone to know, just call and hang up. Don't say anything and I will call you back, and you can pretend I'm one of your friends. If you say, ‘Hi, how was the party?,' then I'll know to come get you guys, okay? No questions asked. I will just show up.”

I nodded and slipped the card into my bag.

“Okay, have fun, don't talk to strangers, and if you see India doing anything I'd have a stroke over, call me,” he said.

I giggled and nodded.

“I figure you're the one I can count on. I'll be here at ten to pick you guys up,” he said.

I got out of the car and Liv asked me what Mr. Allen said.

“Oh, just wanted to remind me where he was picking us up,” I said.

She nodded. “He's hot for an old guy.”

Peyton's eyes almost fell out of her head.

“Yeah, for a dad, he's not half bad,” Kendall said.

Mrs. Allen pulled up then with Devon, India, and Valine. I texted Ashanti that we were there, but she didn't respond. Devon told me it was probably too loud inside for her to hear the phone. We started to walk to the doors of the club, and I took a deep breath. What was I getting myself into?