Finding Laila: Some Changes are Necessary (22 page)

A few weeks ago when I mentioned to Ree
that Haden asked me to prom, she told me that Bailey was upset because Joey
still hadn’t asked her. She never mentioned it to me, but I know how much Joey
likes her so it’s only a matter of time. But sitting here with him working on
our project for Tredway, I can’t help my curiosity.

Focus,
Lai.

The
government assignment places Joey and I on opposite sides of the assisted
suicide debate. Odd thing is, we both have the same stance on pretty much
everything, including this issue, so we had to decide who was going to research
the ideas for and against. Mr. Tredway gave the class a list of topics to
choose from and we have to present our case in front of the class with
statistics and strong arguments. Since
neither of us wanted
to be ‘for’ assisted suicide, we flipped a coin and
I ended up being the
‘for’ debater. We have yet to do a run-through of the debate because we want
the arguments to be spontaneous—so this could really end up backfiring on
us.

I
stare at the words on my paper and rapidly tap my pen to find the words to sell
it, but I’m still distracted.

“Stop,”
Joey finally says, and puts his hand over mine to keep the pencil from moving.

“Sorry,”
I sigh and sit back in my chair.

“Are
you having that hard of a time writing your argument?”

“To
much going on in here,” I admit and tap my head.

“Well
you better get moving, we have to present tomorrow,” he reminds me and I nod.

“I
know, sorry. It’s just I’m stressing about the meet—it’s two days away
and I need to get some laps in.”

“Why?
You’ll do fine,” he says with more confidence than I have. “You always place in
the top four.”

“Yeah,
four, but that’s not good enough for state. If I advance, I get to compete in
Austin. What’s an hour and half away?”

“Baylor,”
he answers. “You’re planning to go check it out again?”

“My
parents took me during football season and of course I want to go there. I
mean, I sent my application in already, but I want to see it again.”

“So
the only reason you want to compete in the state meet is so that
maybe
you can go check out the campus
again?” he laughs.

“Maybe,”
I shrug. “Not sure if I can convince Mom and Dad to take the detour
though—it’s not really on the way back home to Houston or anything like
that.”

“What
are you plans for Saturday, besides the meet?”

“Not
sure. Haden said he has something planned but won’t tell me what. How ’bout
you?”

“I’m
taking Bailey out tomorrow.”

“Did
you ask her to prom, yet?”

Joey
stops writing notes in his spiral and looks at me with a strange smirk.

“She’s
my girlfriend, of course she’s going with me.”

“So
you asked her already?”

“Why
do I need to ask her?”

I
lean forward and throw my arms on the table so I can bury my head, but then
look up at him and shake my head in disbelief.

“Joey
Parker the third, please
tell
me you are joking!”

“What?
Am I supposed to ask her?”

I
turn in my seat to face him and grab his shoulders so I can drive home my
point. “Yes. You are supposed to ask her, you can’t just assume anything. For
all she knows, you don’t want to go, so what happens when someone hot like
Galen Erikson asks her—she’s not sure you want to go. What if she
accepts?”

His
face grows pale as my words sink in and he starts to pack up his things. “I
gotta go,” he announces, zipping up his bag and tossing the last of his soda
into the trashcan. “I’ll call you later tonight to see what progress you made.”

“Don’t
worry about me.” I wave as he leaves my kitchen.

“Later,
Mrs. Nixon,” he says to Mom before shutting the door.

“Bye,”
she says slowly and then walks into the room and looks at me. “What was that
about?”

“He
still hasn’t asked Bailey to the prom.”

“Are
you serious? It’s only six weeks away. Does he not want to go with her?”

“He’s
a guy, Mom, he just assumed that she was going with him.”

She
laughs and sets her things on the counter before turning to face me. I know
what’s coming up, but I’m going to let her do the talking.

“When
are we going shopping for your dress? How about after your meet on Saturday?”

“I
have a date with Haden,” I answer.

“Any
plans for after school tomorrow?”

“Depends
on what you have planned.”

“All
right, tomorrow after school, I’ll pick you up so we can shop.”

“Quick
and painless, okay? I don’t want to try on more than, like, five dresses,” I
warn. I loathe trying on clothes.

“Then
it’s a date.” She winks and heads upstairs.

* * *

Last
night, I stayed up until almost midnight finishing my half of the government
project. I had already finished my research before Joey came over yesterday,
but organizing everything to make a strong argument proved to be tough.
Normally, I like to run my papers by my parents, but they were already asleep
when I finished so I guess we’ll see how it goes today.

“He
asked me.”
Bailey runs to my locker and leans against it.
“I have a date to prom.”

“Who?”
I question and she cocks her head to the side and looks straight-faced.

“Who
do you think?”

“I
really hope you say Joey,” I scoff.

“Of
course,” she says. “Are you ready for your presentation?”

“Not
at all,” I laugh and pull the necessary items from my locker before shutting
it. “But here I go anyway.”

“Good
luck.” She pats my arm and walks off.

Mr.
Tredway steps aside and allows Joey and I to set up for our debate as our
classmates file in. I know the basis of Joey’s argument because it’s much like
my own personal feelings, so I researched everything that contradicts my opinion—I
just hope it works. This debate counts for twenty-five percent of our grade.

“I
heard you finally asked her,” I say to Joey and watch him swallow hard from
embarrassment.

“Yeah,
I had no idea she’d been waiting. I’m glad you said something because I’m pretty
sure she was asked by a couple of guys, but she didn’t come right out and say
so.”

“I’m
just glad you actually listened to me, because we both know how much you hate
being wrong,” I laugh.

The
bell rings and the teacher
takes
a seat at Joey’s desk
and signals for us to begin.

We
worked on the introduction together and have our lines to deliver but soon we
begin the debate. Each of us takes turns presenting our side of the argument.
Since Joey is in opposition of assisted suicides, he goes first, providing a
compelling argument against—stating that it’s immoral and that it equates
to murder and that misinformation leads people to make decisions that have a
lasting effect.

He
finishes his debate and the class applauds his argument until I begin to speak.

I
start my defense of assisted suicide by listing statistics and places where the
option is available to people. I point out that many support the ability to
choose ending one’s life because they feel it gives them the opportunity to die
with dignity. As I continue stating more information and statistics about
assisted suicide, I can tell that Joey is impressed with what I have come up
with.

I
conclude with a solid defense of assisted suicide and feel as if I’ve won my
debate. I did what the assignment required, and for that I’m pleased.

Mr.
Tredway stands up and walks to the front of the room to ask the class if there
are any questions. One of the more popular girls in school, Fallon, raises her
hand and the portly teacher calls on her.

“Have
you ever considered assisted suicide?” she asks of me with a smirk. The class
tries to hide their laughter, but they fail.

“That’s
enough, Fallon—”

“That’s
okay, Mr. Tredway, I’d like to answer that question. No. I have never
considered assisted suicide. While I don’t personally believe it as an option
that should be available, there are places all over the world where it is
allowed—even here in the United States. I mean, how would you like it if
someone told you that you weren’t allowed to get that nose job you tell
everyone you want? Personally, I’d like to see you able to get a personality
change, but that’s just my opinion.” I finish and flash a fake smile at her.

Mr.
Tredway’s jaw is agape and the rest of the class laughs at my response while
Fallon continues to scowl. Joey does his best to keep a straight face, but I
can tell it’s getting tougher for him to do that.

“Any—are
there any other—questions?” the teacher manages but the bell sounds and
everyone files out in a hurry.

“Damn,
Lai,” Joey scoffs as he gathers his papers together. “Guess you got her to shut
up for once. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her that quiet before.”

“What
can I say? I have that effect on people.” I shove my papers into my folder and
wave to a stunned Mr. Tredway on the way out.

“What
happened in there?” Haden asks when I walk out of the room. “People were saying
that it was an interesting class.”

“You
know Laila,” Joey answers. “Never passes up an opportunity to put someone in
their place.” He walks off to meet with Bailey and leaves me alone with Haden.

“Do
you want to come with me to the gallery after school? I told Stefon that I’d
help him set up for his next exhibit.”

“I
can’t. I have plans.” I exhale and start to walk toward the cafeteria.

“Wait,
plans? With who?” He jogs to my side and wraps an arm around my waist before
kissing my cheek. “Better not cancel on our date tomorrow.”

“I’m
going to swim a few laps at the pool for the meet tomorrow and then Mom is
picking me up so we can go shopping.”

“You
hate shopping,” he quips.

“Trust
me, I know I do. But she wants to help me pick a prom dress. Have you gotten
your tux yet?”

“I’ve
been waiting for you to tell me what you want me to wear.”

“Black,”
I state simply.

“Black?
That’s it?”

“You
like black. You
live
in black. I’m
not going to tell you to wear something that isn’t you.”

“You’re
no help,” he laughs. “Do I at least get to see your dress?”

“I’ll
send you a picture, but you don’t get to see it on me until prom night.”

“See
what?” Ree asks from behind us.

Haden
walks ahead of me into the cafeteria and I stay back with Ree.

“He
wants to see my prom dress.”

“Did
you get it already? I wanna see!”

“I’m
going with my mom today after swim. Did you get yours?”

“My
dad gave me his credit card and told me to get whatever I want,” she says with
a sad smile. “Sucks not having a mom around.”

“You’re
welcome to come with us,” I offer, but she shakes her head.

“I
have a feeling this is something you two need to do alone, but how ’bout if you
help me next week?”

“Count
me in,” I agree.

“What’s
going on?” Bailey asks when we sit at the table with everyone.

“I’m
going shopping with Ree next week to find a dress.”

“Mind
if I come along? I have my dress already, but I need to get shoes,” Bailey says
with a smile directed at Joey.

“Does
next Wednesday work for y’all?” Ree asks and we both nod.

“Great.”
She grins victoriously. “I’ll see if my dad will let me drive his car that
day—ya know, because it’s way nicer than mine.”

“At
least you have a car,” I say, narrowing my eyes at her playfully. “I’ve had to
rely on these guys to take me everywhere.”

“Have
we ever complained?” Cole asks, feigning offense.

I
look at the guys,
who
are all waiting for my answer.
If I acknowledge that they have complained, there’s a chance they’ll try to cut
me off.

“Yes,
especially you.” I point at Cole and he shakes his head.

“I’ll
remember that next time you need someone to take you to practice,” he smirks.

“With
the way you drive, that’s a chance I’m willing to take,” I reply.

“He’s
not that bad,” Ree laughs. “I mean, sure I have a little bit of whiplash from
our date the other night, but it’s to be expected. Right?”

“Great,”
Cole throws his arms up. “Now you have her in on it. I give up.”

“Good
choice,” Braxton answers and pats him on the back. “You’ll never win that
battle, because I’m pretty sure we’ve all had a near-death experience with your
driving.”