Just Like the Movies (26 page)

I always thought that when I went to my senior prom, it would be like one of those movies where the dance is held in some kind of fancy space. A ballroom or something. There'd be a punch bowl, of course. I mean, what prom would be complete without a spikable punch bowl? The girls would be glamorous and the boys would be dapper. Inexplicably, that school would be able to afford a semifamous band to come play.

But this prom? Well, it's a little more rooted in reality. There's a DJ—the same lame DJ we had for homecoming. We're in the gym, where they hold all the dances, pretending that crepe paper and dimmed lights hide the basketball hoops. And the punch has been ditched in favor of bottled water, since the school board banned sugary drink distribution last fall.

But the way my date is looking at me right now, the way his arms are wrapped around me as we sway to the music—well, it makes any movie prom pale in comparison with my reality.

“Have I told you that you look amazing tonight?” Joe whispers close to my ear. I smile up at him.

“Yeah. A couple dozen times, I think.”

“Good.” His lips spread into a smile. “I don't want you to forget it.”

“Hey Joe!” A junior guy—I think his name is Ben—punches Joe on the arm as he passes with his date. “Hey Lily.”

“Lily, I adore your dress! It's totally amazing,” his date sort of squeals. I have absolutely no idea who she is.

“Uh, thanks,” I say, looking down at the beading on my black, spaghetti-strap gown. Joe sort of smirks at me.

“See—I told you so. You're beautiful.”

I scoff. “Please. She was talking about my dress, not me.”

Before he can argue, Courtney taps my shoulder.

“Hey Lily. Can you check on the junior volunteers? I think they should go ahead and replenish some of the refreshments. I've got to go get ready for the coronation.”

I guess it doesn't surprise me that the SGA president is also nominated for homecoming queen. Still, I really hope Marijke wins it.

“Sure.” I pull back from Joe, and Courtney grins at me, then him.

“Have a great night, guys.”

Joe curls a hand around mine as we weave across the dance floor toward the back of the gym. Every few feet someone stops to say hello to one of us or to compliment me on my dress.

“Well, aren't you Little Miss Popular.” Joe grins at me.

I can't help but laugh. The meaning of irony has never been so obvious as it is right now.

“I'm going to go find Marijke. I want to wish her luck.”

“Okay, I'll take care of the food. Want me to beat the juniors into submission if the chips are too low?”

I laugh again.

“How about you just have them refill the bowls?”

“You take away all my fun,” he says, pouting a bit in the most adorable way. Then suddenly he's pulled me close.

“Hurry back, okay,” he murmurs. When he leans in and kisses me, it feels like a promise. I've never felt so much potential in my life.

“I will,” I say breathlessly once he releases me. He winks and turns me around, steering me toward the stage.

It takes a few minutes to locate Marijke, but when I do, I'm struck by how happy she looks. She's practically glowing in her ice-blue dress and silver strappy heels. Tommy is
standing next to her, holding her hand and whispering something in her ear.

When she sees me approaching, she grins and runs forward to hug me.

“You look great, Lil,” she says, pulling back to look me over. “At least some of that makeover managed to seep into your psyche.”

I laugh. “Don't let it go to your head. Are you nervous?”

Marijke shrugs one shoulder and waves a hand. “Nah. Piece of cake.”

Then she looks me in the eye and I know she's lying. And she
knows
I know she's lying. That's the kind of friends we've become. The kind who can read each other with just a look.

“Good luck,” I say, hugging her once again as she heads toward the stage steps. I smile at Tommy before walking back to find Joe.

When the crowds part, I live a moment eerily similar to the scene in
Sixteen Candles
—the one where Samantha is outside the church and the cars drive away in both directions, leaving Jake and his red race car in full view. Joe is leaning against the wall, and he watches me as I approach.

“Come here,” he says.

I move into his arms as the amp buzzes to life behind me. Principal Campen clears his throat and taps the microphone.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it's the moment you've all been waiting for.”

The crowd gets quiet as he unfolds a paper in his hands.

“This year's prom king and queen are . . . Tommy Lawson and Marijke Monti!”

I can see from a distance as Marijke bounds up the stairs, then turns and runs back down them straight into Tommy's arms. He lifts her up and spins her around while everyone laughs. Then they hurry back up the stairs together. Marijke grins at Mr. Campen, and Tommy takes a sweeping bow. The audience cheers, and I clap right along with them.

“You know,” Joe says in my ear, “if I were in charge, I would have made you prom queen.”

I smile up at him. “Nah. That's Marijke's happily ever after, not mine.”

“So then, what's your happily ever after?”

The music begins again, a slow, low melody, and I see Tommy leading Marijke out to the middle of the dance floor. Other couples are joining them, so I tug Joe's hand and we move closer to the center. Once we're surrounded by dancers, I turn and wrap my arms around his neck. He settles his hands at my waist and pulls me close.

“You didn't answer my question,” he reminds me.

I take a deep breath, then lean into his chest. I let the scent of his cologne and the lights of the DJ booth
and the flutter of the streamers combine into a ball of something that could only be considered cinematic.

“So what's your happily ever after, Lily?” he repeats.

If this were a movie, cameras would be zooming in on me right now. I lean back again and smile up at Joe.

“This.”

No writer is an island. I have so many people to thank:

First, to the filmmakers, actors, and production staff who made all the movies mentioned in the book possible. This book literally would not exist without the genius that is the romantic comedy. I'm indebted.

My agent, Suzie Townsend, is the best—her support, savvy, and talent are all qualities I've benefited from and continue to admire. Likewise, my editor, Mary Kate Castellani, gave this book room to grow and manifest into something special. She is the best possible person for me to work with. I'm one lucky writer.

Hannah Brown Gordon and everyone at Foundry Literary + Media, Joanna Volpe and everyone at New Leaf Literary, Bridget Hartzler and everyone at Bloomsbury Children's Books—I am so incredibly fortunate to have so many people in my corner.

In high school, Marijke Morris was one of the nicest, loveliest, happiest girls I knew. When I started writing this book, I thought a lot about Marijke—and, with her mother's blessing, decided to use her name for my main character. The world lost Marijke far too soon. I owe a debt of thanks to Frannie Sherwood and the rest of Marijke's family—especially her two beautiful little girls. She has left behind a beautiful legacy.

My family has earned a huge thank-you, especially Mom, Dad, Ryan, Kitty, Cassie, Kristy, Laura, and Danny. Also, my husband's extended family, both in Florida and in New York, who have always been so welcoming. I am intensely proud to be a Fiore.

Suzanne Klinejohn-Jones and Heather Templeton are former colleagues and friends who have been invested in this journey with me since very early on. Thanks for your support, ladies. You gave me someone to talk to and share good news with, and I love you for that.

I don't have biological sisters, but I'm fortunate enough to have these girls: Katie, who might still own every Disney movie on VHS; Lauren, who watched
Heathers
with me more times than I can count; Carly, who cried with me in the theater when we saw the
Sex and the City
movie; and Trisha, who can probably still recite every line from
Love & Basketball
. I owe each of you a dozen sleepovers, a thousand cupcakes, and all my love.

And my boys—always my boys. Matt and Max, you are my greatest inspiration. Thank you for loving me enough to get behind this crazy writing life. I never knew how happy I could really be until now.

Taste Test

Copyright © 2014 by Kelly Fiore

All rights reserved
You may not copy, distribute, transmit, reproduce or otherwise make available this publication (or any part of it) in any form, or by any means (including without limitation electronic, digital, optical, mechanical, photocopying, printing, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the publisher. Any person who does any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages

First published in the United States of America in July 2014
by Bloomsbury Children's Books
E-book edition published in July 2014
www.bloomsbury.com

Bloomsbury is a registered trademark of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

For information about permission to reproduce selections from this book, write to
Permissions, Bloomsbury Children's Books, 1385 Broadway, New York, New York 10018

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Fiore, Kelly.
Just like the movies / Kelly Fiore.
pages   cm
Summary: Pretty, popular Marijke Monti and overachieving nerd-girl Lily Spencer have little in common—except that neither feels successful when it comes to love. Now they have a budding friend-ship and a plan—to act out grand gestures and get the guys of their dreams.
[1. Love—Fiction. 2. Friendship—Fiction.] I. Title.
PZ7.F49869Jus 2014    [Fic]—dc23    2013046922

ISBN: 978-1-61963-335-1 (e-book)

Visit
www.bloomsbury.com
to find out more about our authors and their books
You will find extracts, author interviews, author events and you can
sign up for newsletters
to be the first to hear about our latest releases and special offers