What's Your Status? (41 page)

KitKat → the crew
Really? I can handle it.

Shy Time → the crew
No, it’s something I need to do. It’s important to me.

KitKat → the crew
Roger that. Abercrombie is standing by.

Marcus → the crew
Good luck! God save the prom!

Shy Time → the crew
Mark, text me her digits, okay?

Marcus → the crew
Righty-o!

promgirl → the crew
I’m in position. Good luck, everyone!

I made it back to the area outside the Putnam ballroom just in time, beyond thankful that the checkpoint table was still deserted. I threw myself into one of the high-backed armchairs that faced away from the area where the main event would be taking place. For this to work, it was imperative that Isabel not see me, but I still wanted to be nearby, just in case things went horribly wrong.

I slipped my shoes back on and pulled my legs up underneath me, hoping that I was totally hidden by the sides of the armchair. I looked to my left and saw that the door to the service stairs was pushed open slightly. I saw a flash of silver from the serving cart and knew that Dave—and Lisa—were ready and in position.

“Fine,”
I heard Isabel snap. I fished a compact out of my purse and held it in front of me to get a glimpse of what was going on behind me. Isabel was descending the staircase, clutching her purse, talking on her phone. “I’m coming down now. Okay?”

The hotel employees on the stairs and in front of the Putnam ballroom were gone, probably figuring they weren’t needed anymore now that the proms were getting close to ending. So there was nobody to question
Isabel as she stopped in the middle of the room. I slid down farther in my armchair, even though I knew there was no way that she could see me.

“Darling,” I heard a plummy British accent say from above me. I looked up and saw Mark leaning over the railing. “Where are you going?” he asked Isabel. “Shall I come as well? I can be down in just a mo!”

“No,” Isabel snapped. “Just stay up there, okay, Marcus? I’ll be back in a minute.”

“All right, darling, as you wish,” Mark said. “I shall count the minutes until you return!”

I saw a look of irritation cross Isabel’s face, and she rolled her eyes dramatically. Clearly, Mark was beginning to wear on her nerves. Which suited our purposes perfectly.

“I’m here,” Isabel said, closing her phone and crossing her arms. “What do you want?”

I turned the compact to the side and saw Schuyler standing in front of her. Schuyler looked terrified and seemed to be trembling slightly. But she also looked more determined—and more angry—than I’d ever seen her before.

“Isabel,” she said. It came out as a squeak, and I saw Isabel smirk. Schuyler cleared her throat, and when she spoke again, her voice was steadier. “What you’re doing to me and my friends is not okay. And you’re going to regret it.”

Isabel’s smile just widened. “What is this?” she asked. “A last-ditch effort to get me to give your crown back? Well, it’s not going to work, so you can just stop now and
save yourself the embarrassment.” She folded her arms and looked around theatrically, causing my heart to start beating extra fast as I slid down even farther in the armchair. “I’m surprised
you’re
doing this,” Isabel said. “Where’s Madison to fight your battles for you?”

“Your problem is with me,” Schuyler said. “This isn’t about my friends.”

“That’s what you think,” Isabel said, and I frowned, wondering what she meant by that.

“You never should have hurt my friends,” Schuyler said, sounding fiercer than I’d ever heard her. “This was about you and me. But you crossed the line.”

“Your
friends
,” Isabel said scathingly. “I’m sure, Schuyler. I’m sure you have supertight
best
friends at Putnam. And they’d do anything for you.”

“Actually,” Schuyler said with a smile, “I do. And they would. In fact, they are. Right now.”

Isabel seemed thrown by this, and she narrowed her eyes slightly. “What is that supposed to mean?” she asked, looking around.

“Oh,” Schuyler said, taking a step closer to Isabel, forcing her to take one step back, then another. While she was moving her backward, into position, she’d taken out her phone, her finger poised on the screen. “I think it’ll hit you soon.”

“And just what do you mean by—”

My phone vibrated.

Shy Time → the crew
GO NASCART!!!!!

I held up my compact to watch as Dave burst out of the service entrance and ran full speed behind the cart that he was pushing with a great deal of effort. He was heading straight for Isabel and Schuyler, and I saw Isabel’s eyes widen in shock, as it looked like a collision was imminent. At the last moment, Schuyler grabbed her arm and yanked her out of the way, with enough force that both she and Isabel hit the ground, and Isabel’s purse went flying. Dave wheeled the cart in front of the purse, and I saw an arm—Lisa’s—reach out from the tablecloth that covered the bottom. She pulled the purse underneath for a few seconds, then tossed it out again, and Dave wheeled the cart away.

“I’m so sorry,” he gasped at Isabel as he pushed the cart toward the main lobby. “I think there’s a problem with the wheel. My bad…”

“Wow, that was weird,” Schuyler said, a little too loudly. She pushed herself off the ground and dusted off her dress, then looked down at Isabel. “I just wanted to tell you how I felt. I’m not scared of you anymore. And you’re going to regret doing this for a long, long time.” Then she headed into the Putnam ballroom, head held high, and I had to bite my lip hard to keep from cheering.

“WTF?” Isabel muttered, pushing herself up to her feet, which apparently took some doing in her skintight dress. She grabbed for her purse just as someone else picked it up. I smiled. Abercrombie had come through for us.

I angled the mirror and saw Justin giving her the smile that had made me almost fail gym.

“Hi there,” he said. “Is this yours?”

Isabel’s expression softened, and a blush colored her cheeks. “Um, yes,” she said with a high-pitched giggle that made me wince. “Thank you.” She held out her hand for it, but if Justin noticed this, he didn’t let on, and continued to hold on to the bag.

“Are you okay?” he asked. “That looked like quite the accident.”

“Oh, I’m fine,” Isabel said, a little breathlessly. “Thank you for asking.”

“Can I help you carry this somewhere?” Justin asked, lifting the bag slightly. “I don’t want you trying to lift anything too heavy.”

“Oh,” Isabel said, giggling again. I saw her look at Justin with a smile of contented calculation. “That would be
so
sweet of you. I actually need to drop it off backstage.”

“Then why don’t we go there together?” Justin asked. “May I ask your name?”

“Isabel,” she said, straightening her bangs.

“That’s beautiful,” Justin said, holding eye contact with her for just a moment too long, causing Isabel to blush and smile again.

“Isabel? Dearest?” I heard Mark call from above my head.

“Someone calling you?” Justin asked, raising an eyebrow.

Isabel shook her head. “Just this silly English boy who’s been following me around all night,” she said dismissively. “Don’t worry, I’ll get rid of him.”