Unfriendly Competition by Jessica Burkhart Page B

she’s not here that means you can leave whenever you want. No one’s here to make you stay.”
    That made Heather perk up a little. “True. Very true.” She looked toward the drink table where Troy and Alison were almost at the front of the line.
    â€œI want to stay for a little while because it’s cool to be at a party with Troy,” Heather said. “And he’s having fun.”
    â€œDo whatever you want,” Brit said. “It’s your birthday. We’re going to let you hang with Troy and go find Jacob and Andy.”
    â€œOooh,” Heather said. “So Andy is here for you. I knew it!”
    Brit’s eyes looked around the room. “You’ve seen him? He’s here?”
    Heather and I giggled at Brit’s questions.
    â€œHe told me happy birthday a few minutes ago,” Heather said. “I think he’s probably chilling with Jacob, Ben, and some of the other guys.”
    I smoothed my dress when she said Jacob’s name. He hadn’t seen me in this dress before. I hoped he liked it.Brit did the same—smoothing her vintage black dress with a keyhole back.
    â€œSpeaking of Ben,” I said, sitting on the arm of Heather’s chair. “Where’s Julia? I haven’t seen her.”
    Heather shrugged, sighing. “I have no clue. She didn’t leave with Alison and me. She claimed she wasn’t ready yet, even though she clearly was. She kept changing her mind about shoes.”
    â€œWe’ve all been there,” Brit said. “I’m sure she’ll be here any second.”
    Troy and Alison, with champagne flutes and snacks in hand, returned.
    Troy handed a glass to Heather, giving her a kiss on the cheek. Heather’s face turned the same shade as her dress and she managed to utter a thank you.
    â€œHave fun and we’ll see you guys later,” I said.
    Alison, Troy, and Heather said bye to us. Brit and I started at the front of the room, looking for Jacob and Andy.
    â€œWe might have to BBM them,” I said, only half joking.
    â€œTotal possibility,” Brit said.
    We reached a semi-empty space of the ballroom, where we could finally see, and Jacob and Andy were with Benand a few other guys, just as Heather had predicted. I couldn’t wait to get close to him. But my feet felt rooted to the floor. All I could do was stare at him.
    I’d never seen him so dressed up. His black tux made him look beyond gorgeous. He had a crisp white button-down shirt on underneath and a dark green tie that made his eyes look even greener. He’d combed his hair, but still left it loose in that California surfer and Jacob–like way.
    â€œJacob looks so hot,” I said to Brit. “Whoa.”
    â€œHe looks great,” Brit said. “And so does Andy.”
    Reluctantly, I shifted my gaze to Andy. Like Jacob, he was in a black tux and white shirt. He’d chosen a red tie that popped.
    â€œAndy looks great, Brit. C’mon.”
    Brit was a half step behind me as we made our way over to the guys. Jacob was the first to see us. Immediately, he walked away from the guys and reached for my hand.
    â€œSasha,” he said. “You look beautiful.”
    I always believed it when he said it.
    â€œThank you. I love your tux.”
    Jacob ran his hand over the sleeves, grinning as he pretended to brush dust off them. “This old thing?”
    We smiled, looking at each other. I knew teachers were milling around as chaperones, but I didn’t care. Jacob puthis hands on my hips and touched his lips to mine. The kiss only lasted seconds, but it sent tingles through my body that lasted long after we weren’t touching.
    â€œI’m glad you’re here,” I said. “Doesn’t this place look amazing?”
    Jacob nodded. “It’s Mrs. Fox’s handiwork, that’s for sure. I’ve never seen the ballroom look like this.”
    â€œWant to get drinks?” I