Pride & Popularity (13 page)

The doorbell rang and I ran to answer it.
Please let this be Blake.

“Hello. Come on in.” I smiled to hide my disappointment as I let Knight Rider and Batman in. They were both guys I knew from four-wheeling. Just like a proper hostess, I exclaimed over their costumes and pointed them to the back room. Before I shut the door I searched again for Blake’s truck.
Where is he?

“Chloe!”

I turned to see Alyssa hurry through the crowd. “What’s up?”

She stopped in front of me and looked around, then pulled me down the side hall and into my bedroom.

I frowned. “What?”

She gulped dramatically. “Ethan just told me that Blake’s not coming.”

“What? Why? Did something happen? Is he okay?”

“Apparently—” I had to lean over to catch her words “—Blake isn’t coming because of Taylor.”

“Taylor? What? Why? That’s crazy. What has Taylor got to do with anything?”

“Ethan said that Taylor stormed up to the front desk of the hotel where Blake was working and demanded that he tell him his name. As soon as Blake said, ‘Blake Winter,’ Taylor turned and stomped into his father’s office and told him to fire Blake.”

My jaw dropped. “Taylor wouldn’t dare! What gives him the right to do that?”

“Yeah, I guess Mr. Anderson talked to Blake for over an hour after Taylor left,” Alyssa continued. “Anyway, Blake found out Taylor was coming to the party and opted to work tonight to avoid him.”

All of a sudden I felt sick to my stomach.
Poor Blake.

“I just can’t believe Taylor would ever do that. It’s so weird,” Alyssa said. “Maybe Ethan heard wrong.”

“I doubt that. I can very well believe Taylor did just what Ethan said.” I was fuming. “He was totally hounding me a week ago, wanting to know who Blake was. If Taylor wants to bug me, then fine. But to hurt Blake? No way. Taylor Anderson has just crossed the line.”
It infuriates me the way popular guys think they can run everything! Just because he’s king of the school doesn’t mean Taylor needs to get into everybody’s business.

Right then the doorbell rang. I half smiled at Alyssa and walked out of my room toward the front door. As I stepped back into the party zone, I almost wanted to cancel the whole thing. I had looked forward to seeing Blake, and now he wasn’t even coming. Because of Taylor.

I opened the door and almost slammed it in Taylor’s face.
The nerve.
On second thought I figured if I did that, it would show Taylor how mad he had made me. I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of seeing how much he could affect me. I opened the door wider and pasted a smile on my face.

“Welcome.” My voice nearly cracked from the strain. “Wow, Kylie. You make a beautiful Jeannie.” I muffled a smirk at her no-brainer costume from the
I Dream of Jeannie
show. How many cheerleaders would’ve worn that exact same costume? Maybe it was a good thing I only had one coming to the party, or my house would’ve been be full of Barbara Eden wannabes.

“Thanks,” Kylie replied. Her beauty-pageant smile glowed as she passed me and entered the house. One look at her face spoke volumes. She was not happy to be around me and my ”little” friends.

“What do you think of my costume?” he asked as he brushed past me.

I tried to focus on his outfit but couldn’t. Still silently seething, I found the longer I stood in his company the angrier I became.

“It’s great,” I mumbled.

As I shut the front door, I took a deep breath and willed myself to remain calm. I knew it would be really bad if I made a scene in front of everyone. Even though I wanted a whole lot of questions answered, I knew now was not the time.

You know, it’s a real good thing I didn’t fall for the guy like everyone else,
I thought.
I knew something like this would happen.
Actually that wasn’t true. I didn’t know Taylor was
that
mean. What was with him? Seriously, what guy would maliciously try to get someone else fired? Especially since he knew I liked Blake. That’s what bothered me the most. He had no right to act the way he did, but it was like he was trying to purposely hurt me and Blake.

“Hey, Chloe, are you all right?” I turned to my right to find Taylor standing next to me.

“Oh, it’s you.” I went to brush past him and find Madison or Alyssa to man the door. I wasn’t feeling very hostess-y at the moment, and I needed a few minutes to myself to shake this mood. But Taylor was faster than I was and grabbed my arm before I could escape.

“Chloe, wait. What’s wrong?” He genuinely looked concerned.

How could a guy this intuitive not realize the last thing I wanted was to be next to him? “I’m not feeling that great,” I answered. Pointedly, I looked down at his hand on my arm. “Do you mind?”

“Sorry.” Taylor released me like he had been scorched.

“Excuse me,” I muttered as I walked away. I found Madison in the kitchen with a group of our friends. She seemed to be having a great time. The noise from the family room was happy and a bit boisterous. My mom was in there telling jokes with Alyssa and Zack until the rest of the guests arrived and the real games began.

“Hey, Chloe—er, I mean Lucy!” Madison called. “You’ve got to hear this idea.” She broke away from the group and moved toward me. I stopped and waited for her as she carved a path through six or seven people who were in line for the food. She was all smiles once she reached me, but after a quick look at my face she blurted, “What’s up? Is everything all right?”

“I’m not feeling too good. Would you mind watching the door for me while I sit out for a few minutes?” I asked.

“Sure.” I knew she wanted to ask more.

“Thanks,” I replied. “Just give me about ten minutes, okay?”

“No problem.” She looked at me curiously but didn’t say anything.

Without a backward glance, I escaped to my bedroom. With the door shut behind me I paced for a minute and then stopped. I really wanted to scream or something, but I was so afraid someone would hear me. The laughter and joviality of the party crept in my subconscious.
At least they’re all having fun. Ugh! Taylor!
I began to pace again, this time with no clear thought or direction as I fumed.

I jumped at the sound of a knock on my door. I couldn’t believe it had been ten minutes already. Quickly, I picked up the teddy bear on my bed and sat down.

“Come in.” I called, then waited for Madison to open the door.

“Is it safe?” Taylor asked as he peeked his head into my room.

CONFUSING CONFESSIONS

“You?” I was so astonished that I chucked the stuffed bear right at Taylor. Instantly, he disappeared. As the door closed, I watched my favorite bear smack it right where Taylor’s head had been. The bear landed in a heap on my bedroom floor. I could hear Taylor chuckle on the other side of the door.

“What do you want?” I marched over to save my bear. “I want to know if it’s safe to come in,” Taylor replied. “Uh, that would be a no,” I answered through the door. “Why?”

“Well, first off, you may lose your head if you come through

that door right now. Secondly, my dad would hogtie you quicker than you could say ‘help’ if he knew you were in my room.” Taylor laughed.

“I wasn’t kidding,” I warned through the door.

“I’m sure you weren’t.” I could hear the smile in his voice. “I can still think it’s funny, can’t I?”

“No.”

“Okay, look. I’m standing outside of your room during the middle of a party, ignoring my girlfriend, just so I can hear you sulk. I think I’m on the losing end here.”

“Of all the—” I yanked open the door and glared at Taylor. “I do not sulk!”

He had one arm leaned against the doorframe while the rest of him filled the doorway. He grinned. “I knew that would get you to open the door.”

“Oh!” I tried to shut the door once again, but he was quicker than me. His right foot blocked the entrance, and the door wouldn’t even budge.

“What are you mad about?” he asked calmly.

“Nothing. Now move.” I pushed against his chest to get him to shift enough so I could close the door. It didn’t work. I shoved harder.

“Chloe.” His voice above my head caused me to look up at him. “Don’t do that.”

“Why?”

“I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to touch me.” His blue eyes glittered.

I looked down at my hands and saw them splayed against Taylor’s chest. They moved up and down slightly with the rhythm of his breathing. Instantly, I removed my hands and placed them on my hips.

“Well, then move already,” I said defensively, refusing to acknowledge the awkward situation.

“I’m not moving until you tell me what’s bothering you. Besides, this is your party, the party you have been waiting for all year. Something has upset you. What is it?”

“Look, I’m really disappointed right now, and I don’t want to talk about it, okay? If I bring it up, I’ll harp on it the rest of the night and then possibly ruin this party for everyone else. If you don’t mind, I’d rather talk about something different.”

“What would you like to talk about, then?” Taylor asked as if standing outside my bedroom door while we chatted was a normal occurrence.

“What?” He chuckled. “Why do you have the look on your face?”

“I’m trying to figure you out. I hear so many different things about you. The problem is, they totally contradict each other.”

“Well, as I’ve said before, people like to talk about me,” he smiled ruefully. “I wouldn’t believe all you hear.”

“No matter who I’ve heard it from?” I asked.

“Well, if it’s from me, then you’re okay.” He grinned arrogantly.

I found I was more contemplative than angry, so in a way I was grateful Taylor had sought me out. It did help to ease my mood.

“Chloe,” Madison called as she walked down the hall. “The party’s ready to begin. Are you—oh!” She stopped as she turned the corner and saw Taylor and I having our little “heart to Hart.”

“Yeah, I’m ready. Thanks.” I smiled at her.

Her eyes were so huge it was almost comical. The look she sent warned me I better tell her everything later.

Taylor wasn’t even phased as he smiled and asked Madison how she was doing. He even commented on her Daphne outfit as we walked back up the hallway. I opted to walk in front of them. The hallway just wasn’t built wide enough for three people. Of course, I was more flabbergasted than anything when I overheard Madison ask about Taylor’s mustache.

Mustache?
I stopped and whipped around so fast I had to hold on to the wall. My action forced Madison and Taylor to stop as well.
Well, I’ll be! He does have a mustache.
“You have a mustache!” I was so shocked.
Why didn’t I notice it before?
“How long has that been on?”

He chuckled. “Since I left my house.”

“Really?” I gasped.

“Yeah.” His smile grew wide. “Do you like it?”

No. He looks like a total dork. On the other hand . . .
“Yes. It suits you.” I smiled back. “Who are you supposed to be, anyway?”

“Uh, you can’t tell?” Taylor looked surprised.

I looked at Madison to see if she knew. She shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know.”

“Come on, at least try.” Taylor turned so Madison could see all of him. She chewed on her lip. “Well, you kinda look like Luke Duke, except I didn’t think he had a mustache.” She turned to me. “Did he?”

Luke Duke? From
The Dukes of Hazzard
? Are you kidding me? Taylor dressed up like Luke, while Blake was supposed to be Bo!

“No.” Taylor laughed. “I was hoping to be someone a bit more unique.”

“Hey,
The Dukes of Hazzard
is unique.” I defended Blake’s choice.
Okay, so it’s not, but it’s definitely a classic.
If I was completely honest, though, it was about as original as
I Dream of Jeannie.

“Whatever,” Taylor replied. “You really can’t tell who I am?”

“Nope,” Madison said.

He looked at me.

“Not a clue.”

“Come on! I’m Magnum PI.”

“Who?” we said at the same time, staring back at him.

“You know, Tom Selleck. Blue eyes. Black hair. Mustache. Ring a bell?”

“Sorry. That must be a guy show,” Madison said. “That’s okay, though. You dressed up and that counts for something. Not to mention you went out on a limb with that mustache.” She giggled.