I wondered what Alicia Bardua would be wearing and I pictured her dancing with Preston, swirling around the floor. What a beautiful couple they’d make: her in a prom dress—turquoise, I thought, no, deep blue—and him in a tux.
I picked up my feet, beginning the walk, trying to tell myself I didn’t care at all what they’d look like together, but the vision in my imagination caused a sharp ache of hurt and I closed my eyes on a groan.
I wondered who Cole was taking. Shouldn’t I have felt that strange ache thinking of Cole with someone else? I didn’t. Couldn’t.
Before now, I’d never allowed myself to picture Preston with other girls. Although I knew he must date. Preston and Cole were among the most popular boys in school and I assumed he must have girls throwing themselves at him. But now I knew specifically who it was, I couldn’t help the picture that formed in my mind.
A feeling of desperation filled me and I picked up my pace, walking through the tall grass of our yard, and turning onto the dirt road in front of our house.
The walk to the Laundromat on the edge of town wasn’t too far, but under the weight of the laundry, it took me almost thirty minutes when I could usually do it in fifteen.
The familiar fragrant mugginess of the space brought a smile to my lips and I hefted my laundry bag onto the counter, separating the clothes into two loads. I’d have liked to separate it into three, but I only had enough money for two cycles and one box of Tide from the vending machine.
I stuffed the washers full and slid the quarters into the slots, adding detergent and starting the machines.
As my clothes began washing, I took a seat in one of the light blue, plastic bucket chairs by the window and opened my book, switching my clothes over to dry when the washers stopped.
A little later, I was snapped out of my novel by the buzzing from the dryers indicating my loads were dry.
There was a folding table near the back and I unloaded my clothes into a laundry cart and rolled it there to begin folding, humming softly to “Time After Time” as I worked.
Awareness suddenly made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up and I paused, bringing my head up in mild alarm.
When I heard the soft sound of footsteps on the linoleum floor behind me, I dropped the shirt in my hands, whirling around and letting out a startled squeak at the sight of a man standing near the door.
Preston.
A loud whoosh of breath escaped my mouth. “Oh my God. You scared me,” I said, putting my hand over my heart.
He gazed at me steadily, taking a few steps forward. “Sorry.”
I furrowed my brows, shaking my head slightly. “You’re supposed to be at the prom.”
“No, I’m not.”
“What? Why?”
“I broke the date with Alicia after the way she treated you.”
I gaped stupidly at him, dread sliding down my spine. “Why would you do that?”
“Because I don’t want to hang out with someone who’s that much of a bitch.”
I closed my eyes briefly. I couldn’t deny the relief I felt at the knowledge Preston wouldn’t be with Alicia tonight, and I appreciated the sacrifice he’d made on my behalf. But I felt panic knowing what he’d done had ensured I’d have an enemy for life. Thank God she was leaving soon. I hoped she’d never be back. “Preston—”
“The basketball team decided to go as a group and Cole’s with them, but I decided I’m just not interested.” He stuck his hands in his pockets and shrugged.
The knowledge that Cole hadn’t asked me to his prom didn’t bother me. He understood enough to know there would be no way for me to go. I couldn’t afford a tube of lipstick much less a dress and shoes and whatever else . . . It was a kindness that he hadn’t put me in the awkward position of having to come up with an excuse why I couldn’t go when we’d both know the real reason.
I stared at Preston for a moment. “So . . . what are you doing here? ”
“I came to see if you were okay.”
I furrowed my brow, pressing my lower back against the high table. “How’d you know where I was?”
He looked to the side with interest, glancing at the dispenser mounted on the wall that sold miniature boxes of laundry soap as if he’d never been inside a Laundromat before. God, he probably hadn’t been. When he looked back at me, he said, “I stopped by your house. Your mom told me you were here.”
What? A feeling of horror moved up my spine. I swallowed. “You . . . stopped by my house? How did you . . . know where I live?” Oh God, I didn’t even want to know how my mama had greeted him. I actually couldn’t picture it. What would she have done when opening the door and finding Preston Sawyer standing there? Had she been nice to him? Had he seen inside? Oh God.
“I’ve known where you live since we were kids.”
“Oh.” I swallowed. “Does . . . Cole know, too?”
There was a small tic in his jaw and he suddenly seemed to be watching me more closely than usual. “Not that I know of.”
I nodded, thankful for that. “My mom, she . . . she doesn’t speak English. I mean, hardly at all.”
“She knows the word Laundromat.” He let out a breath, a look of annoyance passing over his features. He shook his head slightly as if we’d gotten off track somehow. “You haven’t been at school.”
I paused, trying to get my bearings. “No. I didn’t see any reason.” I frowned, gripping the table behind me. “You came all the way here just for that? Just to see why I hadn’t been in school?” Despite my embarrassment in him being anywhere near my house, a sudden warmth moved in my chest. It felt good to know he’d worried over me.