TWINSANITY

Chapter 10: Bittersweet

KALISIA

“OH wow.” I jumped, completely startled and faced the guy speaking to me. I just stared in response, utterly embarrassed and wondering how much DID he actually see. “Sorry, it took me so long. Sometimes, Ashlee gets to talking and she won't stop.”

I felt so nervous, my chest felt heavy and I gasped for air as if I'd been holding it since he had walked up. “It's okay, I understand.” There that smile was again. Oh those dimples. “So, what did you want to talk about?” All I could think about was running my hands through his smooth short curly blonde hair.

“Um, so the school lets us seniors bring anyone in the high school to prom. I was just wondering- if maybe- you'd like to go with me?” He was so hot I couldn't handle it. Why am I completely ridiculous around him?

I could fill my heavy warm breath, and all I wanted was our lips together. “It's next weekend. I know it's close, but would you?”

It was awful strange for this guy I know nothing about to ask me to prom on my very first day of school. Right? I was dumfounded. I didn't know how to respond. I didn't even know how dad would react to this news. Would he even let me go?

I looked down at my black painted toes poking out of my huge wedges. Even with 4 inch heels on me, Devon was still a good 8 inches taller than me. I loved it when guys were so much taller than me. I was rather short myself, though, about 5′4".

I slowly lifted my head up and gave him this wicked smile. ‘Guys like you to play hard to get' my mother always said, so I'll try that approach.

I didn't want to seem too into him or he'd think I'm a freak. But, my mother was alone her whole life, so should I really trust the words of a loner? Oh well, here goes.

“But what about Ashlee?” I crossed my arms like an angry jealous girlfriend. He seemed taken aback by the question. I felt like it was a legit question seeing as those two have been attached at the hip since I first met them.

“I promise. Ashlee and I will never be more than just friends.” He seemed really worried and honest with his response.

I couldn't have been any happier, but I kept my stance. “Okay, I will think about it.” He looked shocked that I didn't blurt out yes right away. This was either a good thing or a bad thing. I guess I'll find out later.

I waved goodbye to him and just like that walked away towards dad car. He stood there, empty, confused, silenced. I could tell he was struggling over what had just happened.

I giggled hysterically as I walked to my dad's car, but gasped for breathe once I hit the seat and shut the door. I had to try everything to not faint right in front of him.

I have no experience with boys, whatsoever, and I don't want it to be obvious. I went over our entire conversation in my head and over-analyzed everything I had just said, pointing out to myself what to not say again and judging myself over some of the dumb things I'd shared.

Great, now I had to think of what to say to dad. If I wanted to go to the prom with Devon, I was going to have to ask dad permission. My first day staying with him, and I already have a huge question to ask him.

But what's the worst thing he could say other than no? I'd probably be fine with that. A prom shortly after my mother's death doesn't sound too fun to me.

Then I started thinking about my mom again. She'll never see me in a prom dress, never get to sit there and take millions of photos, won't be there for me to pick out a dress. I could feel the pain creep into my chest.

I was deep in thought when dad sat next to me, shut the door, and started up the engine. He couldn't have a louder vehicle than he does or make himself seem older driving around this old beat up station wagon that popped and growled when you first started it.

I've seen his house; I know he makes a lot, so why drive this horrible thing around? I guess that will be a question for another day.

The ride home was silent, it was a short trip, only about 15 minutes, but the silence was still awkward. We were only about a couple of minutes away, when I decided to break the silence and say anything, but he spoke first, “so, how was your first day of school?”

I thought on it for a moment. Should I mention the horrible Amber girl or the awful Ashlee chic? I wonder what he knows about them? Could he dig into them for me and help me get dirt on them? So, I could blackmail them into not being horrible to me and giving me such a hard time?

That pulled me into Devon saying something about Ashlee earlier. Her identical twin died? I wonder what happened there?

But, I knew the answer to that. He would never tell me anything, no matter how hard I tried. “Not too bad I hope,” he said.

“No, not bad at all.” He seemed satisfied with this response, so I left it at that. I was just too tired. I wanted to go home, change, shower, grab pictures of my mom, and then cry myself to sleep. While I was so overwhelmed and happy to have a guy's interest and to be possibly going to prom with said hottest boy in school, nothing was bringing my mom back, and I was not taking it well.

I wanted to share all of this with her so bad. Even though, alive, this would never be happening. How long would I have been with her before even getting to go on one date with a boy?

It was all bittersweet.

Dad pulled into the driveway, and started to say something, but I darted out of the car too fast for conversation. I needed to see my mom, and I needed to see her now.