Homecoming week was one of the busiest, but also fun weeks of the year.
Monday was generation day, the freshmen were toddlers, the sophomore were teens, the juniors were adults, and seniors were senior citizens. Tuesday was superhero day, Wednesday was pajamas day, Thursday was middle school day, and Friday was Lion pride day - which just meant school spirit.
Friday was also the homecoming game, which meant the royal court was being announced which I was on, so was Scarlett, Juliana, and another girl named Tia. For the boys, it was Bryce, who was a pretty good football player, Xavier, a boy named Patrick who I knew was on the baseball team, and unfortunately, James.
Which was terrible because Ev couldn't come because of work. It was like me alone with my two worst nightmares.
Instead of my Lionette uniform, I put on a hot pink suit that had a ruffle detail in the back, it was also my Mom's when she won.
I put on my shoes and jewelry as my mom curled my hair.
"You look great. Just like me minus the blonde hair." My mom grinned
"I mean I did have blonde hair and then it just turned into this brunette, mess." I reminded her
She nodded as she sprayed hairspray on my hair, "I love your hair. It's the same color as your Dad's. Anyway, what time are you leaving and who with?"
"Five with Ev, Jude, and I'm pretty sure Aria. Jude is picking up Aria first, then Ev, and then me. You talked to Aria's dad, the girls are sleeping in one room and the boys in the other. Plus her Grandparents live right next door and I do not have romantic relations with anyone." I reassured her
"Alright, go line up with your Dad." My mom said patting my shoulder
I nodded, "He's gonna be all nostalgic, especially since they're retiring his number tonight."
"He sure is, ok, I gotta get back to the bleachers with the twins. God knows what they're doing. Good luck and I love you." My mom spoke
I gave her a hug as I stood up, "I love you too."
I fixed the hat one last time before I walked out into the hallway with the other girls who were lined up with their Dads.
Everyone began to walk out at halftime, boys going first, then girls by order of last name.
"Grier Johnson is the second nominee for Miss. St. Agnes High School. Grier is a member of the St. Agne's High School Lionettes, youth in government club, reading pals club, and student council, which she is the president of the senior class. Grier hopes to further her academic career at the University of Southern California or Universit of Los Angeles. She is escorted by her father, Weston Johnson." Someone over the announcer spoke as my Dad and I walked down the middle of the football field
My Dad stood at the right end of the field as everyone else walked down.
Scarlett still somehow got to me without saying a word, especially after I found out what she did to Everett.
"Mr. St. Agnes High School is, Mr. Bryce Diaz!" The voice boomed as everyone clapped
They put a sash and a crown on Bryce when he was in the middle of the field. They also gave him a plaque and a football.
"For the moment everyone has been waiting for, Miss. St. Agnes High School is the lovely, Miss. Grier Johnson." The voice spoke as I froze
I turned to my Dad and he hugged me.
"Congratulations, Gray." He smiled as he took off my hat
"Thank you." I mouthed as I walked quickly to the middle of the field
They placed a crown that had blue stones in it, for our school color, on my head, and a sash that read 'Miss. St. Agnes'.
We took pictures on the field and on the sideline as a group, pairs, and individuals.
Now all Holland had to do was win in her senior year and we could say every girl in our family won 'Miss. St. Agnes'.
I took a picture with my mom that I knew she would get blown up.
"Hey, stranger."A voice started as I turned around
"No way." I said in shock
"How long have you been here?" I asked walking towards Everett
He shrugged, "A little after the first quarter."
"I thought you had work." I bought up
"I did, but I got somebody to cover the rest of it. Congratulations by the way." He explained
I smiled, "Thank you."
"Well, I have to get home to pack, but I'll see you at five."He began
I nodded, "Thank you so much for coming, but I want a picture first."
"Mom!" I called out as I grabbed Everett's hand and started to walk towards her
"Csn you take a picture of us?"I requested
She nodded with a smile as she pulled out my phone.
We just took a few normal ones since it was awkward with people watching us, especially Scarlett, James, and Xavier.
"Text me when you make it home." I told him
He agreed, "See you later. Bye, Gray."
"Bye, Ev." I waved
The rest of my homecoming night was amazing, even if I wasn't going to the dance tomorrow.
I went home finished packing, showered, and it felt like I only slept for a minute before it was time to get up.
I exchanged my pajamas for a Panther's t-shirt, grey joggers, and a jacket.
Then I brushed my hair, brushed my teeth, and put on white slip on Van's that I stole from Holland.
I waited downstairs in the living room with my Dad and then I saw Aria's Highlander SUV pull up.
We walked outside as I saw Everett hop out of the backseat.
"Morning, Mr. Johnson and Grier." Everett said nervously
Aria rolled down the window, "Good morning."
"Morning everyone, Aria, open the trunk will you?" My Dad requested as he took the luggage out of my hands
She nodded as I peeked into the car to see Jude who was dead asleep.
My dad walked around to put my luggage in the back of Aria's car.
Everett gave me a look, "How's it going Miss. St. Agnes?"
"Oh stop it, it's going though. Tired." I answered
"Well you kids be safe, call me when you're halfway, and when you make it there." My Dad ordered
I gave him a hug, "Bye, Dad. I love you."
"Love you too, see you on Sunday." He said
I got into Aria's car and we drove off.
Around six, we stopped at Chick Fill A for breakfast and Jude started driving to give Aria a break. We listened to indie music that was perfect for a long drive and watching the sunset.
I looked over at Everett who was asleep like Aria.
"You know what I was thinking about?" Jude started
I shook my head, "Not in the slightest."
"Well, don't think that Ev put me up to this because he'd kill me if he knew what I was about to say but you two would be really cute together." Jude spoke
I looked up.
"Like as a couple?" I questioned him
He nodded, "As a couple."
That thought never ran through my mind.
Possibly due to the fact that we only been friends for a few short months and that's all that we wanted to be. Especially after we'd been with two rotten apples.
"I haven't thought of us like that. He's kinda too good for me anyway." I explained to Jude
"Everett, too good for you? Is that even possible?" Jude asked me surprised
I nodded, "Definitely, I was so nasty to him for years even when he was nothing but nice to me. Plus why would he wanna be with the girl who was friend's with the girl who destroyed him?"
"Because he knows you, he didn't know her like he knows you. I won't talk about it anymore, It was just something that was on my mind." Jude continued
Jude and I sat in silence for thirty minutes before Aria woke up and made it a little less awkward with her small talk.
We reached the beach around nine in the morning and Chris, Paisley, and another one of Ev's friends reached the beach about thirty minutes after we did.
The house was a bright yellow and impossible to miss.
"The festival kicks off at noon so we should probably start getting ready, we'll probably do better ubering there to cut down on parking time. Depending on what time we get back we can kick it in the hot tub and then tomorrow we can have a nice beach day before we drive back." Aria spoke
"Sounds fun." I said getting off the couch and heading upstairs
All the girls came into the same room and we started pulling out flat irons, curling wands, makeup, glitter, and out outfits.
I was wearing a white bodysuit that had spaghetti straps, high waisted mom jeans, and white Adidas.
I got Aria to straighten my hair and Paisley to do my makeup.
After that was done, I put on a choker and my festival bracelet.
We all decided to only bring our phone and cash.
The festival was packed, but no matter what it was still gonna be fun.
The first order of business was to go get food.
"Wanna go to the taco truck with me?" Ev asked as we stood in the line for burgers
I nodded, "Yeah, that line looks way shorter."
"We're gonna go to the taco truck, we can meet at the picnic tables." Everett announced to everyone
They all nodded before we walked to the other truck.
I studied the menu and I decided on getting a chicken quesadilla.
"What are you getting?" I asked Ev
"A chicken quesadilla with onions, and guac." He answered
I grinned, "Great minds think alike, I think I'm gonna get the same thing."
"What are you getting to drink?" Ev asked me
"Lemonade." I replied
The woman opened the window and had a notepad in hand.
"What can I get for you?" She started
"Can I get two chicken quesadillas with onions and guac on both and two lemonades." Everett ordered
I grabbed his arm, "Oh my gosh, no, you don't have to pay for me."
"Eighteen ninety-five." The lady announced
Everett handed her a twenty, "Let me."
When she handed him back the change, he just put it in the tip jar.
"I'm gonna pay you back." I assured him
He shook his head, "No you won't, I won't let that happen."
I gave him a look and he shot one right back.
We got our food, sat with our friends, and ate.
When we finished eating we listened to some of the smaller bands, played some games, took pictures, did fun things like the huge slides, went through a maze, and I was having much more fun here than I ever would at homecoming.
We stood in the grass waiting for Drake to come on the stage.
I texted my parents to let them know that I was fine and that I was having a ton of fun.
Holland sent me homecoming pictures and she looked absolutely gorgeous, she was my sister after all.
She had a strapless red dress and whoever did her makeup did great, it really made her blue eyes pop.
I showed Everett, who was standing next to me, Holland's picture.
"Isn't she so gorgeous? Little shit-head." I commented
"Nothing like sisterly love." He said lightly nudging my shoulder with his
I nodded as I slid my phone into my pocket, "Absolutely nothing like it."
Drake came on stage and the crowd went absolutely crazy.
I could feel an arm go around me, but so much was going on.
Drake was on stage, everyone was singing the song, and I was so exhilarated.
He stayed on stage for about an hour and half, when Drake finished we went to watch a few more artists and bands before we headed back to the house.
It was late and everyone was tired.
So we decided on watching a movie in the living room that we hoped would put us to sleep faster for our beach day.
"Today was a really good fucking day." Jude commented and everyone agreed as they began reflecting on the day
I sat on the same couch as Everett as Holland texted me.
I clicked off the texts and went to snapchat to watch Aria's story.
Majority of it was selfies of all of us or her singing along to songs, but one very specific snapchat was of Ev and me.
It was him putting his arm around me and us singing along to Drake then at the end Aria turned the camera and she had a smirk on her face.
I remembered it, but there was so much going on and I didn't fully absorb it.
There was a hand on my knee, "You good?"
I looked up and nodded, "Just texting Holland."
I turned off my phone and stared at Everett for a bit.
Jude was not going to let us live this down.
But also, we were pretty cute.