Page 46 of Ask No Questions

He acted like he had to think about it for a while then agreed with a nod.

“I was hoping since we were friends he would help me. I wanted him to find out information for me... about you.”

He looked shocked. “Me? What did you want to know?”

“Just if you were dating anyone or if you had a winter formal date already. Mike was such a jerk about it, though. He refused to tell me anything about you.”

Luke began laughing lightly and shook his head. “Aubrey, you should have just talked to me. I’m not a very private person. Did I give off a different impression on Sunday?”

“I honestly never thought about just asking you.” How dumb could I be? “Is there anyone else?” I looked down at my shake, hoping he wouldn’t notice how nervous I suddenly was.

“Not really. Well, there is this one girl. She’s beautiful but doesn’t seem to notice. She’s thoughtful and kind and makes friends with everyone she meets.”

This is my competition? No way would I…

“I’m talking about you.”

I looked up at him and saw that smile. The one that made my stomach flip and my heart race. “Really?” The smile grew as he reached and took my hand.

“Absolutely. I haven’t been able to think of anything but you since we hung out. I actually wanted to ask you to the formal, but its girls ask guys so I didn’t know if I could break the rules. I guess I don’t really care… will you go with me, Aubrey?”

I had been holding my breath, so I had to take a second to compose myself enough to not sound like a loon. “Yes, I would love to.”

Twenty

I was dreading school after the drama with Mike the day before. I sat in my car before the bell rang, contemplating ditching and going to the beach, or to the dance academy. I was in the middle of my inner debate when there was a tap on my window. I jumped and turned to see Talia and Alexis watching me. Rolling my window down, I noticed they were both smiling like they were up to something.

"What's up, guys?"

Talia's mischievous smile grew. "You might want to hurry to first period. I would hate for you to miss anything."

"Class doesn't start for another five minutes, why should I rush?"

Alexis now resembled the Cheshire cat. "Just get out and walk with us!"

They had never acted like this before. Something was up, but I couldn't think of anything. I had called them after my date last night, so it couldn't be anything about that. How could they already know something else? It had been eight hours since we talked.

I got out and grabbed my bag from the passenger seat and followed them through the parking lot.

Talia stopped suddenly and grabbed my arm. Reaching into her bag, she pulled out a lip gloss and handed it to me. "You should put this on... I just got it, but it’s more your color." As she was saying this, Alexis was fixing my hair, finger-combing through the waves.

"You guys are freaking me out! What's going on?" They giggled for a brief moment, then Talia winked at me and pushed me toward the math hall. I turned and saw them smiling at me. This was so weird. I waved then walked into class and took a seat as the bell rang.

Before Mr. Cox could greet the class, there was a beep as the morning announcements started. Our principal's voice came through the speakers.

"Good morning, students. I know most of you have been anxiously anticipating the results of winter formal court nominations, but the wait is now over." I rolled my eyes. This school was a tad dramatic. He continued to announce the senior nominees then moved to the juniors. "The nominees for junior king are Mike Thomas...” Cheering broke out in the class as Mike stood behind me and started waving. "...Tucker McLane, Ryan Philips, and finally, Luke Keller." There was some cheering in the class, and I could hardly contain my smile. I was going to the formal with one of the potential kings.

"The nominees for junior queen are Michelle Barnes, Sydney Hall…” There were only a few people that gave a courtesy clap for her, but she barely noticed when she stood to beam and gave her best princess wave to the class. "...Shelby Terry, and finally Aubrey Tate."

My mind froze. Did he just say my name? I turned to ask Nick if I heard correctly and saw him smiling at me clapping. I was so confused. I had been at the school for two weeks! Was this some sort of sick joke, like Carrie? Mike was rubbing my shoulders and saying something, but I couldn't hear. The other guys in the class were cheering for me and shouting things. I looked over to Sydney, whose face was beet red. Oh no, she was furious and focused on me. She screamed and ran out of class with her two minions behind her.

After a few minutes, the class settled down enough for Mr. Cox to give his lesson. I was barely paying attention and didn’t get any of the notes since my head was still spinning. He dismissed us with about thirty minutes left in class, and Mike scooted next to me, as usual, ignoring our mini fight from yesterday.

"Congratulations, my future queen!" I blushed at this. I still didn't understand what happened.

"You too, future king. I don't know how this happened, though. I didn't know there were enough people who knew me to get nominated."

"You're more popular than you think. I would try to stay away from Sydney though. She looks like she's on a war path." Yeah, that was another issue I would have to deal with.