Page 29 of All of You

“Hey Langdon, what’s up?” I sidle up to Mom and stand.

“I came to pick you up.” He grins at me, revealing his dimples and my ovaries nearly combust on the spot.

Confusion wrinkles my brow. “For what?”

“The party.”

Why does he do this? Talk to me like I’ve lived here my whole life and know what he’s talking about. I jam my fists on my hips. “What party?”

“There’s always a big party the Saturday before school starts. Thought you’d wanna come. You know,” he says, eyeing my mom, “make some new friends before the first day.”

“That sounds fun,” Mom says. Her smile stretches ear to ear.

I push some dirt around with my toe. Langdon wants to take me to a party. A flutter of excitement ripples in mybelly at the same time a healthy dose of social anxiety hits. I don’t really do parties. It’s not my scene. I like small groups. Intimate conversation over loud screeching and kids stumbling around smashing into things. I like campfires and board games and chill smoke sessions with music playing not blaring.

I shrug. “I don’t know. I’m still trying to finish the summer reading for English.”

Mom nudges my shoulder with hers. “Go. Have fun. Live a little,” she says quietly.

“Please,” Langdon says while trying to give me his best puppy dog eyes.

“Ugh. Fine. But when I say I’m done and we’re out…we are out. Understood? Also, I don’t do drunk idiots. If you drink and try to drive me home, I’ll kick you in the dick, take your keys and leave you there.”

Mom laughs, pats me on the back, and says, “That’s my girl.” While Langdon stares at me like I’ve grown a goiter the size of a watermelon from my neck.

“That’s oddly specific,” he says.

Smirking, I shrug. I glance over my shoulder at the fire Mom’s made and feel a pang of disappointment. I was looking forward to hanging out and watching the fire burn tonight. I look to Langdon and notice he’s also entranced in the flames. He looks weary, though I don’t know why.

“Let’s go,” I say. Langdon snaps his eyes from the dancing flames to me and smiles.

Mom tugs my hand forcing my attention to her. She’s shaking her head, a look of bewilderment on her face.

“What?”

“Not like that. You should change.”

“What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?” I huff. “Mom, kids don’t dress up for parties.”

Langdon chuckles before covering his mouth with his big strong hand.Ugh, brain, why’d you go there?

“Langdon, give us five minutes,” Mom says tugging me away. She all but shoves me inside the van and immediately starts throwing things at me. My favorite jean skirt, a different tank from the one I have on, and heeled sandals.

“This is ridiculous,” I sigh. Fighting with her never got me anywhere though, so I change my clothes, but keep my flip-flops. She turns on our little lamp and motions for me to give her my face. I suck in a deep breath and jut my chin at her.

“It’s not ridiculous. This is your first impression for most of your classmates. Just let me put a little makeup on you.”

“I don’t want to go. You always force me to do shit I don’t want to do.”

“I’m not forcing you.” She chastises. Mom proceeds to do what she does best. She dabs pink pigment on my lips and swishes gold-hued powder on my cheeks before drawing lines around my eyeballs so everyone will know where they should be focusing their attention.Her words not mine.When she’s done she hands me a microscopic comb gooped with black and I coat each eyelash until it makes my eyes pop. She sits back and admires her work.

“Gorgeous. You are a stunner.”

I roll my eyes. “As if.”

“You better not keep your boy waiting. Go! Have fun.” She pushes a section of blonde hair over her shoulder.

“He’s notmyboy,” I say.