Miyu's Wish (23 page)

Marlene crossed her arms ponderously. “The most popular girl in school, not wanting to attend one of the biggest dances of the year. I don’t understand it. She definitely has changed.”

I nodded in agreement, wondering if she still really had feelings for Thad.

Marlene glanced suspiciously at me. “And what about you? You’re practically the
second
most popular girl in school. Why haven’t you committed to going yet?”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m
hardly
popular.”

She continued staring at me dubiously. “Oh no? And how many guys have asked you already?”

I bit my lip and turned away. “Not that many.” In truth, I had already turned down three such requests, and I hated myself each time.

“I know of at least two people,” Marlene continued pointedly. “And they were both good guys. If you’re holding out for a certain nerd, I think you may be waiting a long time for nothing.”

“He’s not a nerd,” I said irritably. “And I’m not going to go with just
any guy
. That wouldn’t be fair to either one of us.”

I began walking off, but Marlene grabbed my arm and reeled me back. I regarded her crossly. “What?”

She took a deep breath. “Miyu, please. I’m sorry. I just don’t want you to be disappointed. Don’t miss this wonderful dance just because of some boy who is too cowardly to make a move.”

I glowered at her. “He’s not cowardly. Just shy. And he’ll ask. I know it.”

“And if he doesn’t?”

“Then I won’t go,” I replied flatly. I marched off, but secretly worried that she was right. I just had to hope the dance would spur him into being the man I knew he could be.

And so I waited, expecting he would ask during Biology. Then I hoped. Then I wondered. Then I prayed. All throughout the week. But Friday soon came, and he still hadn’t even broached the subject with me.

“We have dates to the dance!” the Twins sang during lunch. “Their names are Ken and Steve, and they’re really nice!”

Everyone congratulated them while I nibbled my half-eaten sandwich.

“And still no luck on your end, Miyu?” Marlene asked casually.

I shook my head but didn’t answer, chewing slowly and thoughtfully.
What if he didn’t ask? What if he wasn’t even going?

Janet looked at me sympathetically. “Aww, Miyu. Have you even dropped hints that you like him? Do you compliment him? Make him feel at ease?”

“Yes, of course,” I answered morosely. “I’m always saying how smart he is, and how strong he’s getting. I’ve mentioned the dance several times, and I talk to him constantly. I don’t know if he’s simply not interested, or…”

“Afraid?” Marlene offered.

“An idiot?” Tamara suggested.

“Maybe,” I said simply, looking sadly at the table.

Kimberly cleared her throat. “I’m still not sure I’m going. We could, you know, just hang out that night if you’d like.” She had begun sitting at our table occasionally on different days, dividing her time between us and her other clique.

Tamara studied me intently. “I doubt I’m going. We could hang, too, if you want.”

Both girls seemed to peer testily at each other, but I barely noticed. “No, you all should go to the dance if possible. There’s no reason either one of you shouldn’t find dates. Anyway, I have to go.”

I heaved my backpack onto my shoulders, waved good-bye, and headed out the exit. I still had plenty of time before fourth period, so I decided to stop by my locker and switch out a few things. To my surprise, a blue sheet of folded stationery sat waiting for me as I opened the door.

Another poem?
I hadn’t gotten one in a while and assumed both my admirers had lost interest. I quickly dropped my bag and unfolded the paper, revealing more pristine, calligraphic writing. My heart thumped as I glanced back and forth, making sure no one was around. I then slowly began reading.

I should be taken to task


for waiting so long to ask.


But would you, by chance,


join me to the dance?


Sincerely, Clarence


My eyes gushed with tears as I wailed “Of course!” to the empty hallway. I then ran to the bathroom, cleaned myself up, and sprang back into the lunchroom. I stood on my toes and searched like a periscope for my admirer among the crowds. I zeroed in on him sitting in a back corner with two other guys I didn’t recognize. I ran forward, causing him to choke on his sandwich as I shouted his name.

“Oh! I’m sorry Clarence!” I exclaimed, pounding on his back as I took his hand. “But of course I’ll go! I’ve been waiting forever for you to ask. You were the one who wrote all those dear, precious notes? Oh, they were wonderful! You’re so sweet. Why didn’t you reveal yourself sooner? The semester is almost over. So what time did you want to go? How are we going to meet up? Who’s picking up whom?”

I went on and on, clutching his arm and patting his back as he finally swallowed his bite of food. He then stood up and gazed at me, his face glowing impossibly red.

“Miyu, you are an amazing, one-of-a-kind girl and…I’m very flattered you would go with a guy like me.” He paused and motioned slightly to his buddies gaping at us. “But do you think we could talk about this somewhere else?”

“Oh, of course! I’m sorry!” I said jovially, giving him a wink and squeezing his arm again. “But don’t stop eating. We’ll talk about everything later.”

I coaxed him back into sitting and then skipped away happily, turning a couple of times to wave good-bye at him. He waved
bashfully back each time, beaming me a lopsided smile, his face like a chubby tomato.
My tomato.

Clarence had finally asked me out to the ball!

After discussing the details with him, I spent the entire weekend deciding on a dress and chatting on the phone with everyone who was going. By lunch on Monday, both Kimberly and Tamara had also found dates.

“I wish I hadn’t waited so long,” Kimberly said haplessly. “I barely have enough time now to prepare.”

Tamara snorted, and the rest of us just sort of shrugged.

“Hey now,” Kimberly said reproachfully. “Six days is like nothing to me. I usually plan for these events several weeks out.”

Marlene sighed serenely. “I’m just glad we’re all going now.”

I agreed wholeheartedly. “Indeed! Even Mary and Lizzie are coming!” I had finally coaxed them into sitting with us, but they still seemed a little out of place as they glanced around the now very crowded table.

The Twins clapped. “Your new looks must really be paying off !”

Mary smiled hesitantly. “Yes, it’s been extraordinary.”

I laughed to myself. They had definitely taken their lessons from the spa to heart—both were styling their hair, wearing
fancier, brighter clothing, and were even using a little makeup. They didn’t look as glamorous as the night of my party, of course, but they looked as though they now cared about themselves—and that made all the difference.

Lizzie glanced at me and smiled. “And my grades in Art are up.”

No one understood the joke, but I giggled.

The week swept by, and darkness fell. A full moon watched from the heavens, casting everything with a glint of silver as I wandered through an abandoned park. It seemed familiar, but everything was eerily silent, and a foreboding chill rustled in the air. I was alone. But no, two figures could be seen playing and dancing in the distance—a woman and a child. I drew a little closer to watch them, but then froze in place, not wanting to disrupt what seemed to be an almost mystical ritual shared between the two of them.

And then I noticed him.
Keil
. Sitting on a bench and watching them from across the clearing. He didn’t appear to notice me, and I began edging myself around the scene, hoping to reach him without disturbing the others. I walked quietly—tiptoeing delicately like a ballerina—until I stood just behind him, his head like the red bud of an unopened flower.

I wondered what to say. As if hearing my thoughts, he shifted around. I gasped. It was Keil, but it also wasn’t; his face was distorted, sunken, like a jack-o’-lantern beginning to rot. He seemed almost skeletal.

“Please, let me have my life back,” he moaned softly.

I fumbled for a response, my voice faltering and cracking. “But aren’t we happier this way? Isn’t everyone happier?”

His hollow eyes watched me, reflecting the moonlight like small panes of glass. “It’s time,” he said tragically. “Please, it’s time to go. Please…”

And I awoke, feeling dried tears on my cheeks as I sat up in bed. My phone was playing a melancholic tune about good-byes and new beginnings, and Oogles was sleeping nearby. I stroked his chin as I pondered the day ahead. It was going to be a splendid evening, but my skin was crawling.

After breakfast, I helped Mom with all the Saturday chores. We vacuumed and mopped the floors, dusted the furniture, even raked the back lawn.

“I appreciate the help, honey,” she said as she dumped a handful of leaves into the bag I was holding. “But it’s starting to get late. You probably should be getting ready.”

I nodded listlessly. “I guess you’re right.” I waited for her to finish filling the bag, and then I sealed it tight and dragged it off to the garage. Not hearing her behind me, I peeked out through the back door. She was just standing there, alone in the yard as the wind blew her hair like a fluttering flag. I slowly returned to her, knowing something was wrong.

“Mom, are you OK?”

She gradually turned around; her eyes were red, her mouth quivering. “Daughter, you know that I will always love you, no matter what happens.”

I walked up, put my arms around her waist, and stared deeply into her face. “I know, Mother. And you mean everything to me, forever and always.” I buried my head into her chest, and we both wept—to each other and to the heavens above.

“Now go, sweetie. Get ready. You have a big evening ahead of you.” She gently pushed me away, and with a flit of her finger, intercepted a tear falling down my cheek. “This will be a happy night. So no more crying. Understand?” I smiled halfheartedly as she stroked my hair. “Go!”

I hurried back to the house, questioning whether I even wanted to go out anymore. But somehow I knew I had to.

“And Miyu?”

“Yes?”

“You’re still praying, right?”

I nodded. “Always.” I then headed up to my room, feeling a growing wave of doubt with each step I took.
But was there really any point?
If God was listening, he didn’t seem to be answering.

And then I thought of Mabel.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

I
 
spent the next few hours prettying myself up. I bathed, curled my hair, puckered, and applied just the right shade of lipstick—but it was all a joyless exercise. Even my beautiful holiday dress now seemed but a cruel reminder of a fate I still didn’t want to believe was coming.

But I forced myself to think of Clarence, the girls, and the wonderful night we would surely share. Sighing, I slipped into my gown and inspected myself in the mirror; it looked lovely, with an elegant, ruffled skirt trimmed in white fur that fell just past my knees. The sleeves were short, allowing me to accessorize with a pair of tight-fitting, white gloves that extended to my elbows, and I wore a black sash tied into a puffy bow at the back. It suited me well, and I allowed myself a small smile. But now it was almost time for him to arrive.
What if he was late? What if he didn’t like me? What if my friends didn’t accept him?