Chapter 17: Going to Prom

The Next Day

Jason

4:08 P.M.

Things were finally getting back to normal! Tamia was her old self again, and even had Vie and Morrissa over at her house for a "girl talk". In the past I'd asked if they ever talk about me, but she would never tell. "I thought we told each other everything." I said to her. Her response was "but you didn't tell me that you talked about me to your brothers." And with that, I said "So you do talk about me!" And she said, "I didn't say that." But she said it with I huge smile on her face, so I figured she did. Tamia Wayne talks about me.

I was actually headed over to her house to do homework. Yep, everything was back to normal—well except for Penny. I'm not sure why, but ever since yesterday after lunch, she's been...different. I mean, she's been extremely nice (way nicer than she usually is), but she's also been flirty. Like more flirty than usual. And it's in a sweet, but definitely seductive, way. Hmm.

I finally reached Tamia's house. "Hi Mrs. Wayne!" I said to Tamia's mother.

"Hey sweetheart," she replied, "She's already in her room with Morrissa and Vie.

"Okay, thanks," I said as I headed towards her room. Right before I get to her door, I stop to pull out the rose I had bought for her. I knew she saw how Penny was all over me today, so I wanted to make sure that she knew that she was my number one girl. Her door was cracked open, so I tried to be as quiet as I could.

I heard her talking with Morrissa and Vie. "That girl can't be serious!" I hear Morrissa exclaim.

"Yes!" says Tamia's voice in a firm tone.

"I knew Penny was not a sweet girl!" said Morrissa.

Wait, what? I stop myself from knocking to listen a little bit longer.

"I called it first!" I heard Vie say. "So she seriously said that to you? I knew she wasn't nice, but wow!"

"I kid you not," Tamia said, "She said, and I quote, 'I don't know what you think is going on between you and Jason, but I'ma let you know right now, it's all in your head.'"

"It's all in her head," said Morrissa. "So wait, do you think she was lying when she said she knew Jason from before?"

Penny claims to have known me from before?

"Maybe, maybe not," said Tamia, "but either way it doesn't bother me. I've heard Jason say she's pretty before, but I know she's not his type."

"Yeah, she's nothing like you!" laughed Vie.

Wow, Tamia really does know me. Penny isn't my type, and I don't know if I've ever told Tamia that— or even what my type is!

"But back to the story," Vie continued, "If she really thinks that she'll have Jason in her bed after the prom, then she really doesn't know Jason. At. All."

"Yeah, even me and Vie know that he's not like that," said Morrissa. "Well, maybe with you," she giggled.

Okay, I was blushing now. Her friends are not subtle.

"And then she tries to tell you that you can't compete with her... because she's a model?" Girl, bye!" said Vie.

"A model with no class!" Morrissa chimed in, "The way she brought up Larry and Lanna! Is she for real?"

"You know, I couldn't even be upset with her," Tamia said. "I actually feel bad for her. And on top of that, she wants me to 'compete' with her for Jason!"

"So that's why she's been acting crazier than usual!" exclaimed Vie.

"Yep, she's pulling out all her best lines for Jason," said Tamia. "But you know what? I'm not even going to compete with her. I already know how Jason feels about me, and I don't need to play games."

"You need to tell Jason!" Morrissa said. "He'll dump her for sure! Plus, I'm pretty sure Penny's been saying some nasty things about you to him. At least what you have to say is true!"

"Maybe I'll tell him after prom," Tamia said, "I mean, I already know that he'd rather be with me, and she'll figure that out soon enough."



Wow. I was amazed at everything I just heard. Penny was just treating me like some prize—more than likely because I'm a singer. She wanted to prove that she can have me... and then there's the horrible things she said to Tamia... but I was so proud of my girl! She didn't let Penny phase her; I was so happy— she's been through enough already. And she doesn't want to compete against Penny, because she already knows how I feel about her. Again, wow. This is definitely not how some of the girls I've encountered in Hollywood would act.

At this point, I was seated on the floor. As quietly as I could, I pulled out a piece of paper and wrote a note:

I saw this rose and thought of you!

I have to go take care of something really quick, but I'll be back later to do homework.


Tamia

5:57 P.M.

Man where could Jason be? I wondered. I wanted to call or text, but he left me a note that said that he was taking care of something, so I decided not to interrupt. But I couldn't believe that he'd bought me a rose!

Morrissa and Vie had already gone home and I had eaten dinner, so I was beginning to think that he wasn't coming over. Just as soon as that thought entered my mind, Jason walked through my half-opened door.

"Jason!" I screamed, jumping up to hug him. Dang, I hadn't realized that I missed him that much. "You ready to do some work?" I asked, regaining my composure.

"Yeah, but there's something really, really important I need to tell you," he said, smiling.

"Okay, what?" I asked anxiously.

"I just got back from Penny's house. The plan is off!" he told me.

"Wh-what?" I stammered. I couldn't believe it. Penny's house? And he wasn't planning on faking sick anymore? I was so confused.

"Oh, no it's nothing like that," he said, taking me by the hand and sitting me down on my bed. Just like the first time he came to my house. He took a deep breath. "When I first got here, I heard you guys talking about what Penny said to you yesterday. I got so mad that I went straight to her house to tell her that I would not go to prom with her."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Jason heard what we said? I'm not too surprised— Jason does like to eavesdrop, but not to be rude. He's just super curious about everything. Now I took a deep breath. "Jason, I didn't want to tell you about that until after prom."

"Why?" he asked, confused.

"I don't know, I guess I wanted her to get dumped on prom night," I confessed. "I also had to figure out a way to tell you that..."

"That she could prove that she could hook up with the lead singer of a boyband?" he finished. "I kind of already knew that's the only reason she agreed to go to prom with me. Look, being a superstar, this comes with the territory. That's why... I want to be with you."

My heart fluttered at his words. He wants to be with me.

"You don't even care about my fame," he continued. Oh yeah, he is famous! I actually tend to forget that, and Jason knows it. "You care about me. Not Jason Draper the Rockstar, like everyone else, but Jason Draper, the person behind the fame."

Now, I couldn't hold back anymore. I leaned in to kiss him, and to my surprise, he pulled me to him. As our kiss grew more passionate, he pulled away. Ugh, not again! I thought. What now?

"I'm sorry, I can't," he said. It was like déjà vu. "I mean I can, I want to but..."

"Onise." I remembered. Jason may not exactly be single. "No, you're right," I said. "You need to find out exactly what's going on, and..."

"Break it off," Jason said quickly. "I want you to be my girlfriend." My heart fluttered again. He turned around and grabbed the rose he'd brought me earlier. He studied it for a second, and then said, "But, in the meantime, will you be my prom date?" as he handed me the rose.

"Yes!" I said excitedly. "Yes, I will!"

I couldn't believe it: I was going to prom with Jason.