"Best Friends"

Chapter Thirteen

“Ugh!” I throw another dress over my bed. “How is a redhead supposed to get dressed for Valentine’s Day? I will not succumb to the Pretty In Pink bull s**t and I mean, as much as I adore Nicole Kidman and Satine in Moulin Rouge, I just don’t think red works! What the f**k am I going to do?”

Hands behind his head, legs long with ankles crossed, Jonah chews his gum slowly with eyebrows raised. “This is what I’m saying,” he smiles. Then a soft chuckle, “Okay but seriously… mmm what about that sweetheart, off the shoulder, white tea-length one? With the red roses?”

I frown but then remember the dress I had to wear as a bridesmaid to my cousin’s wedding. “Isn’t that a bit much?”

He throws a hand down his outfit, “I’m in a fuckin’ tux, Candi. Most of the guys are wearing the same suits from Homecoming or Prom with the right colored tie and, like, heart cufflinks. That dress is very nice but it’s not like it’s a Cinderella gown.”

Chewing on the inside of my cheek, I turn back into the closet. All the way back next to my dapper Homecoming dress it’s there in its garment bag. Bag off, holding it out, I bring it into my bedroom. “You really think? I mean, I still have the matching red pumps.”

“I know your closet as well as my own, that’s definitely what you should wear tonight.”

I step in front of the antique full-length mirror, holding the dress against my torso. “You already thought of this when you did my hair, didn’t you?” I shoot a look over my shoulder.

Slight frown, head back and forth, then a smile. “I knew that was really the only option this year.”

“With the ‘Pure Romance’ theme you picked? Obviously. This is almost like a French or Italian look.”

He pushed off the bed now and comes over. “Alright missy, let’s get that corset tied. You have just about enough time to double-check your makeup and for us to get pictures.”

After all the pictures we could possibly need, I pull over my white peacoat. With snow-boots on, I tuck my heels into my overnight bag. “Ready?”

“You got it chickadee, let’s go!”

Without my heels I’m quick moving through the house, but Jonah does offer to carry my bag on his tall shoulder, so it doesn’t scrape against the snow and get wet. Through the back door, into the kitchen, I stop and go to take off my boots. Jonah keeps on and yells behind him that he’s going to drop my bag in his room. I realize too late that he has my heels.

“Crap,” and I go after him. “Jonah!”

His door closes when I’m halfway up the grand stairs. Getting in without knocking, I see the bathroom door closed and the bag on the pull-out. Right as I pull out the second pump, he opens the door, toothbrush in his mouth. He up-nods and walks over to his charging phone. Unlocked, scrolling, a smile.

“Justin?”

He nods and goes to spit. Mouthwash, cologne, then he flips off the light. “He sent me a picture of his outfit for approval, he’s adorable.”

“Two tuxedos?”

He slips his hand under the red with pink hearts tie, “Matching, of course.”

With a pleasant laugh I give an exaggerated gesture, “Of course!”

His phone rings, he rushed to snatch it. “Hey babe! Oh, you are? Yes, of course, be right down.”

Eyeing the bathroom, I wave him on. “I’ll be down in a minute.”

I wasn’t able to lose as much weight as I needed, to get me back down to normal – to where I was when I needed this dress last year, so the tight waist is doing wonders on my bladder. Drinking is now off my table, and I am going to have to be careful with soda. Tonight is not the night to be running off to the bathroom every twenty minutes. Coat ditched, relieved, clean, makeup and hair in checked, I finally slip on my pumps and head out.

Holding for a big breath before conquering the stairs in heels, there’s a “Funny meeting you here,” over my shoulder.

A huge smile, I turn to him, “Hey Clark, wanna help a girl out?” and I hold out my arm.

Even with how much time we’ve been spending one-on-one privately and publicly, the butterflies still soar in my stomach, my chest flutters as my heart races, my eyes can’t dare leave his handsome face. Looking similar to New Year’s Eve, though this time with a red shirt and a white tie. I giggle softly as his arm slips undermine. “Jonah dressed you, didn’t he?”

“Mhm, I think he may be scheming.”

“He’s always got a few things up his sleeve, your brother.”

He chuckles and nods and we start down the stairs. “I must say though, you look absolutely beautiful.”

“Thank you. And you look quite handsome yourself.”

Bottom step and he leans in again, “Ready for this, Candice?”

I laugh a little and stare up at him completely amused, “Only if you are, Clark.”

Flashback to New Year’s Eve and we turn to seeing plenty of faces and cameras. I’d very consciously left my phone in the messenger back but now am anxious to see how the photo turned out. Clark is in full band mode though and is doing his thing on the way to the game room. I watch him thoughtfully, loving how much passion he has for music and feel an odd sense of pride in sticking with in and doing all he’s accomplished (even if he says time and time again it’s only for fun). The girls bring me out of my clouded mind and start ushering me into the game room, making sure we’re there before the band even starts.

TV boarded up, all furniture moved, the band sent up against the entertainment system, the room is packed wall-to-wall with shoulder-to-shoulder students. And yet, somehow, I manage to be pushed to the dead center of the front row. Yes, it did seem like Jonah and party were scheming something.

Erik comes to the vintage-looking mic, “Hey y’all!” There’s a small set of hoots, hollering, and clapping. “We’re here tonight to celebrate the ever so lovely Valentine’s Day. We’ve got a mix of our own songs you might have heard over the years, some requests we’ve asked for over social media and in about an hour we’ve got a very special surprise. Y’all ready for this?”

Stronger, louder, forceful set of hoots, hollering, cheering and clapping now. They start up and I recognize an original song I hear them practicing for a gig last Summer. That was followed by another original, a request of “Drops Of Jupiter” by Train. Singing along to that, it’s hard not to fall in step with the atmosphere of the room.

After that’s over Erik drinks some water and takes a deep breath, “Alright y’all, this was another request! I now regret singing this in the parking lot after the championship game…. we’re going to have fun with this….” Beat, beat, and it takes getting to the chorus for me to realize it’s “Teenage Dream” by Katy Perry. Laughing so hard I snort I give an encouraging cheer. Clark’s eyes meet with mine and he winks.

A few more original songs and at about twenty-five minutes after they started Eric clapped a few times, jugged some more water and said, “Okay y’all. It’s time for us to take a little break, but! We have the ever-wonderful female star of the Spring Musical, Eveline Deveroux, and the rap-tastic, Andrea Michaels, here to sing another few requests. Don’t forget to check back in fifteen minutes when we have our very special surprise.”

The boys all stepped down from the little platform and started weaving through the crowd. I took this time to head to the bathroom, hating that I only had two cups of Sprite and yet this dress was already getting to me. Having no idea what the surprise was though, and just as eager to find out as everyone else in the house, I rush and try to get back to my central spot.

Back and ready to go, Erik slips in front of the mic again, “Hey y’all, you ready for your Valentine’s Day surprise?” An eruption of noise behind me. “So! For the first time ever in public, our boy C.J. has agreed to sing lead with me! He’s picked a song special, I might add, and we spent weeks getting the timing just right between us. Let’s give him a round of applause.”

Hand over my mouth a stare as Erik backs into the usual back-up mic and Clark steps in front of the vintage one straight ahead of me. He lifts a hand, “Hey everyone. I can’t deny that I’m a little nervous here, but I’ve been working on some original songs I hope to sing one day, so I thought I better start somewhere, right?” Very encouraging cheering and clapping from the crowd and he looks over to Erik with a nod.

The music starts and my eyes can’t leave his face. Staring straight at me, a faster beat and with more gusto than my birthday song but still just as magnificent a voice,

“Cross my heart and hope to die,

Burn my lungs and curse my eyes,

I’ve lost control and I don’t want it back.”

“I’m going numb, I’ve been hijacked,

It’s a f*****g drag,” Erik continues.

Holding the mic like a lounge singer, Clark’s gaze doesn’t leave me, “I taste you on my lips and I can’t get rid of you,

So I say damn your kiss and the awful things you do,

Yeah, you’re worse than nicotine,

Yeah, you’re worse than nicotine.”

A beat and Erik’s up, “It’s better to burn than to fade away,

It’s better to leave than be replaced.”

“I’m losing to you, baby, I’m no match,” Clark cuts in.

“I’m going numb, I’ve been hijacked,

“It’s a f*****g drag,” from Erik.

Mic ready, Clark’s goes for it, “I taste you on my lips and I can’t get rid of you,

So I say damn your kiss and the awful things you do,

Yeah, you’re worse than nicotine,

Yeah, you’re worse than nicotine.”

Clark eases back for a breath and Erik’s in, “Just one more hit and then we’re through,

‘Cause you could never love me back,

Cut every time I have to you,

‘Cause your love’s a f*****g drag.”

“But I need it so bad,” Clark chimes.

“Your love’s a f*****g drag.

“But I need it so bad,

Yeah, you’re worse than nicotine.”

“Yeah, you’re worse than nicotine,” they finish together.

I split moment of silence and then there’s a roar louder than I’ve ever heard before. Everyone is instantly in love with Clark’s voice and how can they not be? Erick’s the Patrick Stump, Clark’s the Brendon Urie – the voices are similar enough, but the difference is so clear. After posing as a band for a few pictures, Clark comes straight for me, holding me close and leaning down to whisper in my ear, “Meet me on your balcony.”

*

I slipped away soon after I asked her to meet me, being quick given I left my snow boots and coat by the backdoor in preparation. I would have liked our spot on the roof better, but the snow is in the way. At least I had time to clear off her balcony a bit, wiping down the railing as well, as I wait for her patiently. Knowing she needed to get through that crowd, get her snow boots on and her coat, all without being followed, she should be here soon.

One of the French doors opens softly, I turn from the stars to see her. “Hey you.”

Her white peacoat is haphazardly wrapped around her, when she comes to stand next to me, it opens slightly. Her stunning dress and her locket show as she grabs my hands. Her green eyes twinkled with the reflection of the string-lights around her doors. Her smile is broad, and her expression is truly genuine. “You were phenomenal. I am so proud of you.”

Heart pounding, my breath puffs white before I ask, “You really liked it?”

Her hands squeeze mine, “I loved it! I love your voice.”

I slip one hand back and push at my hair. ‘I love you’, I think but don’t say. “So how was your Valentine’s Day? You get anything?”

My other hand drops when she goes to button her jacket. “Oh, you know, the beautiful daisies I’ve been getting for my birthday and Valentine’s Day for a few years, a little card for Jonah, some Galentine’s Day gifts from the girls, Dad let me stay home today, but that’s all. Nothing romantic or anything. Didn’t go on a date either - just watched Fantastic Beasts, The Greatest Showman, French Kiss, and The Tenth Kingdom of course.”

“All your o-t-p’s,” I chuckle.

She brings her hands flat under her chin and smiles with a head tilt. Laughing she then nods, “Of course. Did you get anything?”

“Eh, some social media ‘Happy Valentine’s Day’s’ but no gifts, no romantic anything, no date either.”

Candice nibbles on the corner of her lip then says, “Well, I do have something for you.”

Instantly feeling on fire even in the freezing night I lift my brows, “Oh?”

She reaches into her coat’s pocket. “So, no allowance ‘cause of the car, but…,” she holds up the R2D2 thumb drive I gave her, “I wrote you a short story.”

I delicately take it, “Really?”

Her fingers drop to her locket, moving it back and forth on the chain. “I took that creative writing class last semester and really loved it. I just… got inspired and thought of this for you.”

Right out of my mind, that’s exactly what I thought when I presented that song on her birthday. Feeling just so much comfort throughout my mind and body, there’s just such an easiness with her. “Candice…”

“Clark?”

I smirk, “I can totally use your computer right now and read this, right?”

She bursts laughing and tries to snatch the thumb drive back, “Oh Hell no! That is for you, and only you, back in your room – far far away from me.” Even in the soft light from the string-lights, I can see her cheeks pinken.

“Well that just makes the curiosity worse.”

She steps forward and pokes my chest. “Curiosity killed the cat.”

I grab her hand, “But satisfaction brought it back.”