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it."
"No, it doesn't. And that's what's so great. It's pure magic." I peer up at the shiny tinsel
stars hanging from the ceiling.
"I don't get it." She turns to Rob. "This doesn't make any sense."
"It is what it is, Delilah. Let it go." He looks at me and smiles. "Besides, I think they make
a great couple."
I look over at Gavin and grab his hand. Listening to my mom whine must be so awkward
for him, but he doesn't say a word. Smart guy.
"You would rub it in." Mom nudges Rob.
"You've got a great voice, Gavin," Rob says.
Mom's face softens. "Yes. You sure do."
Gavin smiles. "Thanks. I really appreciate it."
I lean forward and hug Mom. I have to realize she'll always be,
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well, Mom. I can only take her in small doses, and right now I've had enough.
But before we run off, there's someone else who really deserves a hug. I wrap my arms
around Rob. "You don't know how much being on the radio has changed my life," I tell
him. "You've done so much for me. And for Mom."
I glance up at his cleanly shaven face. His eyes are wet. "You deserve it, Tere. You've
earned every second of it. I'm proud of you."
"That means a lot." I sniff. "Now go have fun," Rob says.
"We will." I take Gavin's hand. "Don't wait up for me, guys-- the limo will bring me
home." Oh, I love saying that! Even if it turns into a pumpkin after midnight, I'm happy
to be Cinderella for one night.
I don't wait for Mom's answer. I don't need one. I leave her and Rob standing there
while Gavin leads me onto the dance floor. The chance to be alone with Gavin is what
I've been waiting for. I'm not letting anyone ruin our night. The song playing is a
fast-paced Maltese hit, "Random Night," from a couple of years ago, so we both try to
keep the beat. Gavin doesn't seem to mind that all my dancing lessons consist of me
"shaking what my mama gave me" around my room with my iPod.
Toward the end of the song we lace our fingers together. I imagine being this close to
your crush is how true bliss feels.
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You don't care about anyone else around you. You don't care if you dance like an
android. Okay, maybe just a little.
Out of the corner of my eye, I spy something that looks like a flying object. I do a
double take. Stacy's charging toward us. Hasn't she bothered me enough for one night?
One lifetime?
"What is it?" Gavin asks.
I eyeball Stacy, and Gavin glances to his left. "Don't worry. I'll deal with her."
I let go of his hands. "No, I've got this one." The flames are bursting from me like a
grease fire on a gas stove.
When Stacy's less than a foot away, I put my hand up to her face. "I've had enough of
your crap. I don't know what you've got up your butt, but it's old." At this point I have
no idea what I'm saying, but I don't let that stop me. "And another thing, your attitude
sucks. I don't know what I did to deserve your abuse, but get over it!"
Stacy's jaw drops and she takes a step back.
I cross my arms and let my eyes burn holes in her skin. She's not escaping.
She blinks. "I just wanted to tell you that you've got balls. To go on the radio and all."
"Huh?" Is that a compliment? An attempt at an apology? Is she that wasted?
"That's all I wanted to say. Have fun, beyotch!" Stacy stumbles off, nearly tripping over
her three-inch heels.
Gavin and I are so dumbstruck that we stand on the dance
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floor like statues for a few seconds. Could Stacy possibly have a conscience?
"What was that?" Gavin finally asks.
"I don't know. Is there a full moon tonight?"
"You bet." He grins.
It takes a Shrinking Violet tune, "Freeze-dried Love," for us to start moving again. This
time Gavin draws me closer until our bodies touch. The heat of his chest soars through
me like a rocket. We are fused together and sway back and forth for the entire song.
He whispers in my ear, "That was incredible how you handled Stacy. I'm impressed."
"Me, too." Maybe I do have a little of my mom in me. Scary thought.
I look up at Gavin. At his rich, cherry lips. He pulls me in even closer, slipping his hands
around my waist. Our lips touch, and I open my mouth slightly. He slides his soft tongue
inside and warms up my whole body. I try not to wonder if I'm kissing right and just
wrap my arms around his broad shoulders.
I've never tasted anything so good. I am in heaven.
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chapter TWENTY-SEVEN
Good morning, Miami, this is my first early bird broadcast. I feel like I've been running all
weekend, but this tune couldn't wait. It was just released and is already number one on
the Billboard charts, "The Moon Stops for You" by Gavin Tarn. It's the kind of song that
melts in your mouth and lingers on your tongue, leaving you wanting more ...forever.
***
Prom was two days ago, but I'm still walking on air. As soon as I wake up, I pull the
photo out from under my pillow. Me and Gavin, bleary-eyed, dancing to the last song,
Juice Box's "Spill
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Proof." I'm glad I have evidence that the night existed, that and the SLAM webcast.
Otherwise I still might think it was all a dream.
I check the call list on my cell. Gavin's name is listed between Domino's Pizza and Mom.
We're two and a half weeks away from Graduation Day. I'm not sure if I want it all to
end. It's funny; in the beginning of the year, I was terrified about being the third person
to walk onstage to receive my diploma. Now even if Allison Abel and Phillip Abraham
were absent, I wouldn't mind going first.
I'm finally getting used to being in high school. Maybe this yearning for more leaves me
at a good starting place for college, even though Gavin and I will be three hours away
from each other. I know we'll see each other on weekends, talk on the phone ... but I'll
still miss him.
Mom's not up when I get to the kitchen. She went out with an old friend from high
school last night, one she hasn't seen in ten years. I wonder if ten years from now
everyone at Ridgeland will only be a distant memory. Not Audrey and Gavin, of course.
It's weird. You see certain people practically every day for four years and then, just in an
instant, you never see them again. Then and now is only separated by one day.
I make a couple slices of toast and grab my bag. I've got some unfinished business to
take care of at SLAM.
"Take my car; I don't need it today," Mom calls from the top of the stairs.
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