Part 21 (1/2)
”Oh, please,” Sylvia drawled. ”If we didn't prank our Ellie, how would she know how much we love her?”
”I've got an idea. Why don't we really prank her?” Carolyn suggested.
”You mean, something stroke-inducing? Like our masterpiece with Hazel?” Megan asked.
”Yes! The ultimate prank!” Sylvia nodded. ”It's the perfect way to get Ellen's mind off that loser. So-everybody think about it, okay? I want your best ideas on Monday.”
Back in the gym, Hazel found a much bigger crowd. The band had kicked it up a notch and the dance floor was filled. Everyone seemed to be in high spirits, dancing and singing along.
Through the crush, she caught a glimpse of Matty. Anxious to rekindle the mood, she shouldered her way across the floor.
”Hi, Hazel!” someone squealed. It was Lakshmi. She was wearing lavender chiffon-probably in hopes of resembling a PLD.
Sadly, she looked more like a bridesmaid. Hazel gave a quick wave and kept moving.
She had nearly reached Matty when she froze.
A girl's hands were wrapped around Matty's neck. He was locked in an intense kiss.
Hazel felt like she'd been punched in the stomach. He was kissing another girl. But who?
When the two pulled apart, Hazel saw the girl's face.
Breona Wu.
She was wearing a low-cut red dress and had drowned her face, chest, and arms in iridescent sparkles. She was so drunk she was stumbling, and her lipstick was severely smeared.
Matty turned and found Hazel. She stared at him-immobilized, like a deer in headlights.
”Hazel,” he began.
”Hey, baby,” Breona slurred, teetering back on her red heels. ”Happy homecoming. Give your date another kiss.”
She grabbed Matty again, and his face contorted with anger. ”Leave me alone, you psycho!” He grabbed her by the shoulders and pushed her down, hard.
Breona slammed to the floor.
”What the h.e.l.l are you doing?” she screamed. Everyone in the gym turned to face her.
”Stay away from me. Not only are you a s.l.u.t, but you're a whack job!” Matty continued, his voice mean and low and scary.
Hazel searched his face. His rage made him unrecognizable-like that day on the football field.
”Matty, c'mon, baby,” Breona slurred, pawing toward him.
”Matty?” Hazel asked.
Breona seemed to notice her for the first time.
”You b.i.t.c.h!” she shrieked at Hazel. ”You PLDs! You think you're all so hot! But all you do is steal people's boyfriends and do s.h.i.+t that gets them arrested! You are so freaking evil! All of you!” She lunged toward Hazel.
Matty stepped between them. He grabbed Breona by the arm and squeezed-hard. ”You touch her and I swear to G.o.d, I'll kill you,” he growled before letting her go.
He took Hazel by the hand. ”Let's get the h.e.l.l away from here.”
”Don't you turn your back on me!” Breona shrieked. ”I'll tell her everything! Does she know about us, Matty? Huh? Does she?”
”What is she talking about?” Hazel asked.
”Nothing. Someone should just put her out of her misery,” Matty muttered.
He strode out the back entrance of the gym, dragging Hazel with him. When he got outside, he put his hands on his knees and sucked in big, deep breaths.
”G.o.d.” He shook his head. ”This is unreal.”
”Matty, what happened in there?” Hazel demanded, her body vibrating with worry. ”Why was Breona calling you her date?”
Matty stared at her for a moment, then began. ”I didn't think I should tell you. I didn't want you to worry.”
”Worry about what?” Hazel urged.
”When I first got here. Breona and I. We kind of fooled around,” Matty confessed.
”What?” Hazel asked, incredulous.
”It was way before you and I hooked up,” Matty clarified, ”before school even started. It wasn't a big thing. It lasted, like, a week. I told Breona it was over, but she just wouldn't let go. She started calling my house at all hours, hanging up. I couldn't exactly prove it was her, but who else would it be?”
Hazel studied Matty. She peered deep into his eyes, searching for even the hint of a lie. He gazed back-nothing but honesty.
His story, Hazel thought. It sounds so much like Sylvia's. Breona being psycho, unable to let go.
It couldn't just be a coincidence. Could it?
Matty loosened his tie. ”Let's get out of here for a while,” he suggested. ”Get some air. Maybe go for a drive?”
”Fine by me,” Hazel agreed.
At that moment, Sylvia, Carolyn, and Megan burst out of the gym.
”Hazel!” Sylvia called. ”Are you okay?”
”I'm fine,” Hazel snapped, whirling around. ”Not now, okay?”
”Okay.” Sylvia stopped short. She held up her cell. ”Just...keep in touch.” She shot a glance at Matty. Obviously, she didn't trust him.
After that display, Hazel couldn't blame her.
She nodded, said her cell was in her evening bag, and followed Matty to his car. He opened the door for her and helped her pull in her skirt.
He climbed in. Before starting the car, he took Hazel's hand. ”I'm sorry you had to go through that,” he said.