Page 14 of I Dare You
Dandy makes me smile.I don’t ever remember smiling this much.
He sees me sitting askew.
I attempt to shift, but it’s too late.“What happened?Why are you sitting funny?”
My cheeks heat, and I cast my eyes downward, ashamed.
Any other person may press, or excuse themselves, never to return.But Dandy does nothing of the sort.
He splits his cheeseburger and gives me half.“Wanna have a sleepover?”
Of course I do.But I won’t be able.My aunt and uncle would never allow it.Dandy senses my apprehension.
“My mom can call your aunt and uncle.She can be persuasive when she wants to be, and I’m in the mood forDirty Dancing.”
I press my lips together, puzzled.“I don’t know how to dance.”
Dandy laughs, but it isn’t at my expense.“After tonight, you’ll know how.”
Who am I to argue?
Dandy was right.His mother is incredibly persuasive when she wants to be.Not only am I staying the night but I’m actually staying the weekend.This is incredible—I’ve never had someone ask me for a sleepover, and my family has never actually allowed me to do something fun.
There’s a catch, and I’ll undoubtedly have to repent for my fun when I get home, but it’s worth it because I’m having a blast.
When Dandy and I got home from school, I was touched beyond words to find his mom had gone to the shop and bought me a few things.I didn’t have a change of clothes, so Mrs.Rivers got me everything I needed.
I can’t remember the last time I had something new.I’ve made do with everything I brought with me when I moved.
So this was truly special.
Mrs.Rivers cooked the best mac and cheese, which we ate in the tree house.Once we were done, Dandy set up the projector, and I was finally introduced toDirty Dancing, which is actually a movie.
I’d feel silly for my earlier comment, but nothing mattered except watching Baby and Johnny Castle fall in love and express that love through dance.I felt free viewing it.My aunt and uncle never let me watch this in their house, so it felt almost scandalous to be here seeing something they would have deemed sacrilegious.
This is the best weekend ever.And it’s only just begun.
“This is my favorite part!”Dandy jumps up from his sleeping bag to get into position.
It’s the third time we’ve watched it back-to-back, but I don’t mind.I mute my laughter behind my palm, watching him mimic every move Johnny does.He curls his finger at me, hinting it’s my turn to join him.
I shake my head, but Dandy yanks me up, and before I know it, we’re dancing in his tree house without a care in the world.I don’t know the steps, but it doesn’t matter.Dandy is the lead, twirling me around and dipping me while singing the infamous song.
Dancing in his tree house is the most fun I’ve had in…forever.
Watching a movie via a projector onto the tree house wall feels like we’re actually there.We dance and laugh for the entire scene, and when the credits roll, Dandy dips me dramatically.
“One more time?”he asks, lifting me back up.
“Is that even a question?”
Dandy smiles, and before I know what he’s doing, he hugs me.“You’re my bestest friend, Hallie Holiday.Promise me we’ll leave this town together and be best friends forever.”
I hug him tight, pressing my cheek into his shoulder.“I promise.”
And I mean it.
We break apart, and Dandy sets up the projector, ready for round four.
