Chapter 12

12

" H air up or down?"

A week later on the night of the homecoming dance, Libby perched on a kitchen stool in the small bathroom of Miss Orman's apartment. Hair and makeup paraphernalia cluttered the tiny counter.

"Both," she answered. "I want the front and sides up and then the back to fall in a bunch of curls. Can we do that?"

"We can do anything." Miss Orman studied Libby's long hair, determining how best to begin.

Sitting together in front of the giant mirror reminded Libby of the times she watched her mother get ready for special parties with her dad. She and Sarah would sit on the counter and laundry hamper playing with her mom's cosmetics. They laughed and teased each other as Mom artfully applied makeup, occasionally brushing blush on their faces or spritzing them with perfume. Libby smiled at the memory.

Miss Orman brushed through Libby's hair; her summer highlights still shimmered. Libby closed her eyes and imagined it was Mom who held the brush and hummed as she worked. Perhaps she peered down from the heavens to guide Libby through this memorable day.

"Have you decided which dress?"

Miss Orman had borrowed two dresses from a friend's daughter. Libby didn't care if she wore a used dress; she was ecstatic to be going. Plus, the dresses were beautiful.

"I like the pink-and-brown one." It fit close to her body and then flowed loosely over her hips and legs. The top tied behind her neck like a halter top and revealed her back. The front showed just the right amount of cleavage. She felt as if she had transformed into a beautiful girl when she tried it on.

"That's my favorite, too. I like how the patterns swirl together. Plus, you look amazing in it. Any boy would be crazy not to fall at your feet," Miss Orman said, using the curling iron on Libby's long locks.

"You think so?" Libby blushed, but for once it was out of excitement instead of humiliation.

She wondered what it would be like to spend an entire evening with Peter, dancing in his arms and letting the world see they belonged together. After losing her family, she gave up on her dreams, but now, with Peter in her life, everything had changed. He made dreaming possible again.

"The boys at school won't know who you are. Everyone is so used to shy, quiet you. I can just imagine how surprised they will be to see you. You are going to have a great time." Miss Orman tugged on a lock of Libby's hair and smiled.

They continued their preparations and chatted away the time. Libby and Peter wouldn't be going out to dinner. He couldn't get there until shortly after the dance started, but she didn't care. It was a miracle he could attend at all. Miss Orman offered to drive, since she was a chaperone for the night. Even Aunt Marge cooperated in allowing the night to happen. Everything fell perfectly into place.

After they split a pizza, and Libby put the final touches on her makeup, Miss Orman zipped her into the beautiful dress. Libby barely recognized herself in the full-length mirror. A gorgeous young woman stood poised and confident before her. Libby turned to Miss Orman in disbelief.

"You look stunning," Miss Orman said.

Libby flung herself into the woman's arms. "Thank you."

"It's all you." Miss Orman hugged her warmly. "And it's been there all the time. Now, when do I finally get to meet this mystery man?"

Just then Libby's phone rang. They looked at each other and laughed.

*. *. *

"I'm here! We just landed." Peter carried a small duffel bag over his shoulder and a bag with Libby's corsage of pink roses and daisies in his hand.

Roger walked ahead of him up the gangway as they exited the plane.

"Oh my God, I can't believe this is really happening." Libby's voice bubbled from his phone.

"I know, me neither. I told you we'd figure this out." His excitement rivaled hers.

"So how much longer?"

"About an hour if we drive the speed limit, forty-five minutes if I have anything to say about it." He wanted Libby in his arms. This long-distance thing was killing him, but she was worth it.

"Guess I better get going or you'll beat me there. I can't wait to see the look on everyone's face when you walk in. Good thing you have Roger with you."

"Roger loves his job so much right now. He can't wait to get there and try out his dance moves with the high school set. Wait till you see what he's wearing. "

Roger turned and growled at Peter. The only dress jacket they could find at the last minute to fit his large frame was dark purple velvet. He looked like a flashback from the disco era.

Libby giggled. "Well, hurry up."

Roger stopped him as they entered the gate area. A serious-looking airport official and security guard approached.

"Hey, I gotta go, something's up, probably some security thing. I'll see you in an hour."

"Hurry."

He ended the call and stepped forward to speak to the official.

The loud bass from the cover band pumped into the corridor.

"Are you sure you don't want to come in and enjoy the dance?" Miss Orman urged again, their earlier excitement long faded.

"No. I'll wait here." Libby refused to go into the gym with the other kids. When Peter arrived, she needed to be the first to lay eyes on him. No way would she miss the moment by standing alone in the darkened, Hollywood-themed gym.

"He must have had car trouble," her counselor offered .

Concern, even pity etched Miss Orman's face.

"Yeah, probably. Maybe a flat tire." Libby nodded with her lips pinched with worry.

Something had obviously happened. Everything seemed fine when they talked two hours earlier. If a swarm of fans was the holdup, she swore she'd strangle them all. Peter belonged to her tonight and no one else.

She paced the long hallway again, the click of her ill-fitted heels echoed with each step. She lowered herself onto a bench and checked her phone yet again for messages.

No power.

She'd been distracted all day and forgot to recharge it. Her only connection to Peter lay useless in her hand. Unfortunately, her phone charger was hidden behind books on a shelf in her room. She couldn't charge her phone without going back to the house, and then Aunt Marge would never let her out again. It was a big enough battle to leave the first time. She knew Miss Orman's was plugged into her kitchen outlet at her apartment.

Two girls in slinky, sequined dresses walked out of the bathroom and meandered down the hall. They eyed Libby. "Why's she sitting there alone?" the tall girl who wore super high heels asked.

"I think her date stood her up," replied the other with bright lipstick.

"I would totally die if that happened to me," said the girl, wobbling on her heels .

Libby slouched against the wall. Her once-beautiful curls drooped against her shoulders. Their words hit hard, but they were right. He wasn't coming. She knew it in her gut. Their perfect night, ruined. Peter would not show.

Tonight, she had planned to prove she was just like everyone else, even better. Instead, they would all witness her lonely wait for a boy who never arrived. Miss Orman's pity would be the worst. She'd probably call in a shrink on Monday to find out why Libby had invented Peter.

As more kids walked down the hall toward the restrooms, Libby exited through the double doors and stepped into the brisk night. Even though she felt certain Peter wouldn't show, she continued her vigil and prayed he was okay.

What could possibly keep him away when he was so close? A traffic jam? Not likely. Weather? He'd already landed, and the weather was fine, cold and windy, but nothing to stop traffic. A car accident? She shivered at the thought. Please let him be okay.

She checked her phone again. It didn't magically power on. She returned it to her handbag, next to her lip gloss and two tickets for the dance. She pulled out the beautifully printed tickets with the school emblem pressed into the shiny paper.

"Oh, Peter," she breathed, the wind cold on her skin.

Something was very, very wrong.