Woke Up Like This(50)
I found an off-the-shoulder little black dress in the bowels of my closet. I texted a picture to Nori, who said I looked like a tired middle-aged woman on a once-a-month date with her husband to keep things “fresh.” Precisely the look I was going for. Very teacher appropriate. Besides, it was either this or my wedding dress—a simple, yet elegant lace A-line with a drop sleeve—still in a fancy plastic garment bag.
I contemplated ditching prom after finding out about Dad, but I couldn’t leave Renner in the lurch. And if anything can take my mind off devastating news, it’s prom.
The beat of a fast, bass-heavy song vibrates under my feet as I approach the gymnasium. A man in a navy suit is casually leaning on the doorframe, chatting up a table of formally dressed students taking tickets at the door. It stops me in my tracks. See, I have an Achilles’ heel. Guys who lean on things (preferably pensively, with muscly forearms exposed). I can’t exactly explain why, but there’s something about that pose that gives me the flutters.
This mystery man’s relaxed, überconfident stance reminds me of a dashingly handsome A-list celebrity on a red carpet. Who is this relaxed, confident man, and what is he doing in the likes of Maplewood? It’s only when he turns his head that I realize: it’s Renner.
He’s smiling that wide Mr. Congeniality grin that makes me want to scream into my pillow. He looks like the Bachelor in front of the mansion, eagerly awaiting a limo of women vying for his affection. This isn’t ninth grade Renner, who attempted to eat a Kinder chocolate egg whole like a pelican on a dare. Or the Renner who rode a bike off Ollie’s roof into the lake for a TikTok.
I curse the fact that Adult Renner looks this dapper in a suit. Either that, or I’ve caught some severe virus on the train and am venturing into delusion.
“Hey, beautiful,” he says smoothly, eyes literally sparkling. I’m waiting for him to laugh and yell, Just kidding! But he doesn’t.
The students next to him aww in unison, staring up at us with wistful doe eyes. “You guys are so perfect,” says a girl in tortoiseshell glasses.
“I want a marriage like that one day,” the other girl says to her friend.
Renner’s ears turn pink. He’s watching me, silently encouraging me to play along. We are supposed to be getting married, after all.
I force a smile and pull him in for a brief hug. All for show, of course.
“I was beginning to think you were leaving me to the wolves tonight,” he whispers in my ear as we head into the nearly empty gym. Prom only officially started five minutes ago.
The room is entirely transformed. The lush purple drapery, glittery streamers, and balloons make it feel like we’re really in New Orleans. Mardi Gras feathers and beads drape the tables, along with fancy masquerade masks of varying colors and designs.
I tilt my head. “Oh, trust me, I considered it.”
“I know you did.” He playfully nudges me in the ribs and gives me a rueful smile.
Maybe it’s the suit, but looking at Renner is making me nervous. “So what exactly is the job of a chaperone?” Tasks are the best distraction.
“According to her”—he points to Hedgehog Lady, who’s waving from the other side of the gym—“we’re on watch for students who are drunk or sneaking in booze. Oh, and apparently making sure no one’s crashing without a ticket.”
I can’t help but giggle at Renner. He’s so earnest. “Glad to see you’re taking your duties seriously.”
“So how was the city?” he asks.
“The city was . . . interesting.”
His brow shifts and I can tell he wants to prod. Instead, he nudges me with his elbow. “Ah. Did you do a little adult indulging while you were there?”
I contemplate telling him about Dad right then and there. But the last thing I want to do is ruin prom with death news. “Oh yeah. I went wild,” I say sarcastically.
“You went to see strippers, I bet.”
I choke back a laugh. “That’s what any responsible person would do the moment they reach adulthood.”
“It’s only logical.”
“How did things go with you?” I ask. Before I left, he mentioned he was going to go to his mom’s for dinner.
“Good. My mom made lasagna, so I can’t really complain,” he says good-naturedly. “Met her boyfriend, Jared. Honestly, he’s a cool dude. Apparently, he and I go for beers every Thursday. And he helps me coach the junior track team.”
I feel much lighter knowing he’s feeling better. Before I can tell him that, Hedgehog Lady sidles up next to us. “Charlotte, thank god you’re here. None of the other chaperones will listen to me.” She points to a white-haired man in the corner, head down, arms folded over his chest, napping right next to the DJ booth. His face is familiar. It’s Mr. Kingsley, our career-planning teacher. Just a little older.
“All he’s done is drink all the strawberry punch and sleep,” Hedgehog Lady says. “And the parent chaperones are just gossiping and eating all the snacks.”
I crack my knuckles, ready for the challenge. Delegating is my superpower. I was born for this. “I’ve got this. Don’t worry.”
“Need help?” Renner asks, taking my hand as I head to the small kitchen attached to the back of the gym.