Cash
What I’m trying to say is…
Cash
I think we should see other people.
Sure that I’ve heard him wrong.
There’s no way he’s doing this.
Not in the cafeteria in front of all of our classmates…
And definitely not TWO WEEKS before prom.
Ruby
You’re seriously breaking up with me?!
Cash rolls his eyes, then shoots his buddies a look.
I do my best to ignore their snickering.
Cash
We’ve been dating since we were freshmen, Rubes.
Cash
Don’t you want to…I don’t know…branch out?
His eyes flick to a nearby table.
And my gaze lands on Maria.
Maria, who got very large, very conspicuous breast implants over break.
Not because I’m sad or angry…
But because I’m completely blindsided.
Humbly speaking, Cash and I are South Shore High’s “It Couple.”
A shoo-in for prom king and queen.
And I know for a fact he enjoys that status as much as I do.
Thinking of the ramifications, I try to reason with him.
Ruby
Cash, don’t do this.
Ruby
Let’s just wait until after prom—
He sighs loudly, interrupting me.
I stiffen when he reaches out to pat my shoulder.
Cash
Shh. Don’t beg, babe.
Cash
You’ll make a scene.
His hand shifts to tug playfully on my long hair.
Something he’s always done…
Because he says he loves my hair so much.
Now, it just makes me feel sick.
This time, I can’t ignore the laughter.
I look around, noting the dozens of eyes keyed in on our drama.
My cheeks burn with mortification…
And I reach a hand out to steady myself.
I’m in serious danger of losing it.
I dig deep, thinking of my family’s number one rule.
Indifference is an art form…
And it’s one that I’ve perfected.
My parents made sure of that.
So, I feign a blank expression…
And look directly into Cash’s handsome face.
Ruby
You know what? You’re right.
Ruby
Things WERE getting a little stale between us.
Ruby
If you know what I mean.
And the people around us burst into laughter.
Satisfied that I somewhat gained the upper hand…
I paste a smile on my face…
Then turn to walk back to my seat.
I smooth my skirt as I go.
Not because it’s wrinkled—
— My clothes are never wrinkled—
But to cover the fact that my hands are shaking.
I can’t believe he’d do this to me.
Trade in nearly four years for a pair of fake boobs!
Cash and I weren’t exactly in love…
But we made sense, and that was enough.
What am I supposed to do now?
Trish’s high-pitched voice interrupts my inner torment.
Trish
Ouch, that was harsh.
I sit down and meet her concerned stare.
It’s filled with the appropriate amount of sympathy…
But I can sense the hint of smugness beneath.
Trish may be my best friend…
But sometimes our relationship can get a bit…competitive.
Jolene
I can’t believe him!
I turn to Jolene, the third girl in our trio.
Her anger is, at least, genuine.
I force myself to take a bite of salad…
Even though my stomach is in knots.
Ruby
Whatever. It’s for the best.
Trish rears back in shock.
Trish
You just got dumped in the cafeteria by the hottest guy at school…
Trish
And all you can say is “whatever”?!
I manage to swallow my salad…
Then dab my lips with a napkin.
Don’t let them see you break.
Ruby
Guys, I appreciate the concern…
Ruby
But I’m fine, I promise.
Trish still looks incredulous.
Trish
But he just humiliated you!
Trish
I mean, look at him!
She throws a hand out behind me…
And I turn just in time to see Cash whisper in Maria’s ear.
Gut churning, I look away.
Trish
He left you for MARIA!
Jolene grumbles around a mouthful of apple…
Then gestures to her chest.
Jolene
She’s not exactly a no *body* now.
Surprising them both, I choke out a laugh.
Jolene and I share a grin…
But Trish still looks disgusted.
Trish
You’re being way too casual about this.
My frustration with her mounts…
Everyone will be talking about this for weeks.
Even now, I can feel their eyes on my back.
I’m used to being the center of attention…
Ruby
What does Cash have going for him anyway?
Trish looks at me like I’m stupid.
Trish
Let’s see. He’s smokin’ hot, filthy rich, and his parents practically run this city.
I wave those things away as if they’re inconsequential.
Ruby
And you’ve got a D-student whose only real skill is tossing a ball into a net.
Jolene
Truth. You can do so much better.
I cross my arms, still glaring at Trish.
Ruby
I picked out his clothes.
Ruby
Helped with his homework.
Ruby
And in 9th grade, I brought him into our circle when he transferred here.
Ruby
I’m the one who made HIM popular.
Trish seethes in silence.
But just when I hope we can put an end to the conversation…
Trish
So then who are you going to take to prom?
Trish
A girl gunning for queen can’t show up alone.
Jolene
Yeah, your mom is going to kill you when she finds out you don’t have a date.
I don’t even want to think about it.
I’ve been looking forward to prom all year.
Envisioning myself wearing the crown.
I know Trish has been doing the same…
And our unspoken rivalry is growing by the day.
Trish makes a noise and picks at her nails.
Trish
No one as good as Cash.
I grit my teeth as my anger boils over.
Ruby
For the last time, Cash is nothing special.
Ruby
Totally replaceable!
Her eyes suddenly alight with mischief.
She slowly leans toward me…
Placing both palms on the table between us.
Trish
If Cash is so replaceable…
Trish
You said it yourself, you made him popular.
Trish
Do it again with someone else.
She leans back and gives me a wicked grin.
Jolene groans and drops her forehead to the table.
Jolene
Not another one of your stupid bets!
Trish and I have been making bets since elementary school.
And we both hate backing down.
I steel myself, leaning back in my chair.
Trish
And you have to make him just as popular as Cash by prom.
That doesn’t seem so hard.
Trish rubs her hands together.
Trish
Popular enough to be prom king.
Jolene and I gape at her.
Ruby
You want me to dethrone Cash?
My thoughts must be running across my face…
Because Trish’s eyes brighten with victory.
Trish
Unless you’re not up for it…?
Her words set off all the emotions I’ve been trying to bury today.
I’ve risen to every single one of her challenges in the past…
And that’s not going to change today.
I reach my hand across the table.
Trish squeals with glee as we shake on it…
And I can’t help but smile.
Trish is a pain in my butt…
But this is just the distraction I need.
And a little revenge on Cash won’t hurt either.
Jolene
I just wanna say for the record, I think this is a terrible idea.
Jolene’s words barely register…
And I keep my eyes on Trish.
Ruby
So, who’s the lucky guy?
I watch as she starts scanning the cafeteria.
I wonder who she’ll pick.
Ted Gains and his horrible dandruff?
Or Gerald Hopkins — science geek extraordinaire?
Harder, but still doable.
When Trish suddenly sits up straight in her seat…
A huge grin splashed across her face…
Nothing good ever happens when she smiles like that.
I nervously follow her line of sight.
She’s staring at the table tucked back into the far corner of the cafeteria…
And when I see WHO is sitting there…
My whole body runs cold with horror.
