Unveil by Amber Garza Page B

really had a birthday party before.
    As the fantasy unfolded, I realized there was one thing that would make my birthday perfect.
    If Isaac could be there.
     
    Later that evening, Haley and I sat cross-legged on my bed with green masks covering our faces. It felt like I had wet cement plastered on my skin. I could barely move, let alone breathe. She wore a pair of pink flannel pajamas and I sported my usual t-shirt and sweat pants.
    Attempting to speak, I asked her when I could wash the goop off, but it came out sounding like, “ref I cnn wsh a goorfump.”
    “What?” She narrowed her eyes and the mask split, causing a giant crack across her cheek.
    That was it. I had to take the stuff off my face before I cried. I knew it sounded crazy but it was making me feel claustrophobic. Racing into the bathroom, I turned on the faucet and splashed water on my face. Lime green swirled in the sink, disappearing into the drain.
    The feeling in my skin returned and I breathed deeply. Haley came in right after me and washed hers off, too. Both our faces were red and shiny.
    “Do you think it worked?” she asked, appraising her reflection.
    I shrugged. “We look shinier than before.”
    Haley giggled. “Is that what we were going for?”
    “I don’t think so.” I chuckled. We made our way back to my room. I sat on my bed and dove into a bag of chips. The saltiness danced on my tongue as I took a bite.
    “That’s so cool that your mom’s throwing you a party.” Haley stuck her hand in the chip bag and rooted around.
    “Yeah.” I smiled. “It should be fun.”
    “So, who are you inviting? Other than me, of course.” She winked playfully.
    “I don’t know. I was thinking of Tanner, Janna and Rick. I really don’t have any other friends.” I bit into a crunchy chip. After swallowing, I added, “I wish Isaac could come, but I know that’s a long-shot.”
    “Oh, really?” Haley’s eyebrows bounced clear up to her forehead. “I guess I just assumed you were over him now that you’re spending all your time with Tanner.”
    I shook my head. “It’s just so complicated, Hales.”
    “Sounds like it.” She rolled her eyes. “Man, I wish I had your problem.”
    I swatted at her leg. “Oh stop. It’s not that great, believe me.”
    “You’re never going to make me feel sorry for you, Kenzie. You have two hot guys after you. It’s every girl’s dream.”
    Leaning my head against the bed frame, I let out a long sigh. “I know. It wouldn’t be so bad if I could just pick one. Why can’t I just go with one and forget about the other?”
    Haley wiped her greasy fingers on the thigh of her pajama pants. “I don’t know. I mean, you must have stronger feelings for one of them, right?”
    I bit my lip. “I’m not sure. I mean, I thought I did when I chose Isaac. But then when Tanner and I kissed-”
    “Whoa,” Haley interrupted me. “Time out. You and Tanner kissed? You didn’t tell me that!”
    I blushed. “Yeah, it was the same day my dad took me. I guess everything else that happened that day sorta overshadowed that.”
    “Yeah.” Haley reached out and squeezed my hand. “It’s okay. I get it.”
    “But that day when he kissed me, I really felt like I only wanted him. Then again, I was in a pretty dark place and he was there to comfort me.”
    “What happened after that? I mean, has it happened again?” Haley leaned forward, her eyes wide.
    “No. In fact, he kind of pushed me away afterward.”
    “Why?”
    “He said that I only choose him when he’s rescuing me, but that the rest of the time I choose Isaac.”
    “Is that true?”
    “I don’t know. Maybe. All I know is that it would be so easy to just choose Tanner. I mean, he lives here. I see him every day. Isaac is all the way in California. Tanner seems like the logical choice.”
    “But is he the one you want?”
    I pondered that for a moment but came up empty. If only it were that easy. “I wish I could have them both.”
    Haley