“You know what, Phillip? I do think I wanna get out of here. I'll see you at home later. I shouldn't have come here today. And I've been lucky, I haven't run into Jake.”
“Uh, yeah. Danny might of had something to do with that too.”
I arch an eyebrow at him.
“Fine.” He rolls his eyes at me. “He invited Jake to the meeting and told him, under no uncertain terms, to leave you alone. That's the other thing the guys are supposed to make sure of.”
I sigh. I need to get out of here.
“I'm gonna sign out.”
I almost get out of school without being seen by the faculty, but when I round the corner, I run smack dab into Principal Mazer.
Crap. I suppose I'm going to get in trouble for my insubordination to a substitute teacher.
But Mazer surprises me by giving me a hug. “JJ, I'm surprised to see you here. We didn't expect you until Monday. Everything going alright so far?”
“Um, uh, there was a little incident in AP English. I want to apologize in advance and when you hear about it, um, just know he pushed me.”
Principal Mazer looks confused by my statement, but I don't elaborate. I just say, “If it's alright, I think I am going to leave now.”
“Sure honey, feel free to come and go as you please for a while, and if there is anything you need, let us know. All of us around here care about you.”
“Thanks, that means a lot to me.” My standard funeral response, but I can't seem to come up with anything better.
Phillip tells Mazer that he's leaving with me.
“Follow me,” Phillip bosses me, as I get in my car.
I follow Phillip's car in a daze. Pretty soon we are at the Westown Park. We park and get out of our cars. Phillip grabs my hand and leads me to the swings.
I sit down on a swing and am pleasantly surprised when Phillip starts pushing me.
I close my eyes and enjoy swinging. I love how swinging makes my stomach feel all fluttery. Then I remember once when I was little, telling my mom that I'd been swinging so high I thought my feet had touched heaven.
I swing higher and point my toes upward.
I hope they still can.
Phillip is swinging beside me now, and I realize this is exactly what I needed. I don't know how he does it, but Phillip always seems to know exactly what I need.
Come to think of it, enjoying a ride on a swing is very much like stopping to smell the roses.
I hope my parents are proud.
![That Boy _57.jpg](https://litlife.club/books/254112/read/images/_57.jpg)
Because I grew up around Danny and Phillip, I discovered the truth about the male language very early in life. What I learned is there are three basic responses that most guys will use when shouldered with the major task of having to answer the question, How do I look? by the fairer sex.
Although I have never confirmed it, I am convinced that boys are taken aside in school, probably in fifth grade when the girls watch the film about getting their periods, and are taught the following three responses:
You look like shit. (Translation: You look bad. Just go back to bed and start over tomorrow. I really shouldn't be seen with you like this.)
You look fine. (Translation: You look good enough to be seen with.)
You look hot. (Translation: I want you.)
They also must teach them there is only one acceptable variation to these responses and to use it sparingly. The variation is simple. They just throw a REALLY into the sentence. The following are examples I have witnessed:
JJ, you REALLY look like shit. (Translation: You must be very hung over, or sick, or having an extremely bad hair day. I really don't want to be seen with you.)
REALLY, JJ, your hair looks fine. (Translation: Your hair looks the same to me as it always does, even though you spent an hour fixing it, so stop messing with it and lets go because you look good enough to be seen with.) And…
(Insert cheerleader's name here) looks REALLY Hot. (Translation: I REALLY want her.)
So when Danny shows up at my door and says these five simple words, you would think with my inside knowledge, I would have expected them, but I'm truly surprised!
“Jay, you look REALLY hot!” he exclaims, looking me over from perfectly done hair to perfectly painted toe.
Now normally, I would be excited by this compliment because it's not something I typically hear.
But what I'm thinking is, MY GOD, I have spent, like, the following:
$400 dollars and months of shopping, which is still not a pastime I find enjoyable, on a fabulous halter dress in a beautiful, stretchy coral fabric with coral and silver beading. This dress actually makes me look like I have hips.
$60 on a special bra, so I'd show no straps.
$120 on a pair of high-heeled, strappy silver sandals with rhinestones. (And yay, even in 5 inch heels, Danny's still taller than me, unlike my previous date, Mr. Unfaithful.)
$78 on a silver clutch, that is only big enough to hold some lip gloss and a cell phone.
$60 on a silver gossamer wrap, in case it gets chilly. (Okay, so I have absolutely no idea what gossamer is either. But Lisa said that's what it's called and she should know. All I know is that it's a very sheer fabric that has no chance in hell of ever keeping me warm.)
$240 plus tips, to get my nails, toes, hair and makeup done.
And all Danny can say is Jay, you look really hot?
You'd think that maybe he could come up with something a little more original like, Wow, that color dress looks amazing on you. Or, Your face looks flawless. (which incredibly it does) or I love how your toenails are the exact shade of coral as your dress, and my aren't they painted perfectly.
But no, I am HOT.
Still, coming from Danny, it does make me feel good. For two reasons really.
One. It is the second time in a week, no less, and the first time really, that he has used my name and hot in the same sentence. Except for something like, Jay, it's REALLY smoking HOT out here, why don't you go grab us some drinks?
And two. I think it's the only time I've ever heard him say those words not being used in reference to a supermodel, cheerleader, or playmate.
The boy really does need to broaden his horizons a bit.
Did I mention how handsome Danny looks? He's wearing a black tuxedo with a cool silver and black patterned vest and tie. I love the way his shoulders look so broad when he wears a suit.
Danny grabs my hand and kisses me. “So, are ya ready?”
Um, I have been like, getting READY for the last 6 hours.
HELLO?
Can't you tell?
But I don't say that because I know he's wondering if I'm ready to face everyone at the dance.
“Okay with all of this?” he asks again.
“Yeah, and by the way, I'm glad you're forcing me to go.” I grin.
“Ah,” he says, holding his hand to his chest like I have just stabbed him. He flashes an infectious smile and winks at me. “We've gotta run over to my house. Mom wants to take some pics.”
Just as we finish pictures, Phillip is at the door.
Phillip, my articulate, sensitive, linguistic, emotional man, what do you have to say about how I look tonight?
“Wow,” he says, “you look …”
Okay, here we go. He's searching his brain for the perfect word. I know, come on, you can do it! How about perfect shoes?
“ ..hot, really hot.”
Oh for God's sakes, what is it with BOYS!
Phillip leaves to go pick up his date, and Danny and I head to dinner.
A lot of our friends are going out to dinner in big groups, but because Jake wanted to be ALONE with me, Danny and I are going out alone. Of course, Jake, Mr. I Can't Plan Ahead, wouldn't make any plans for prom, so I had arranged everything.