Chapter 83 - PEACE

Immediately I got into school this morning, I ran into Mrs Finley and she reminded me that I still haven't seen her to follow up on our last meeting about colleges. She asked if I had read the college brochures and I said yes. Now, I have to see her in her office first thing tomorrow morning.

''The Sadie Hawkins dance has been scheduled for February.''

''Ah, no wonder the school is buzzing.''

If it's the Sadie Hawkins dance, then the pressure is definitely on. This is the one time when girls get to ask the guys to be their date and to say they take this to the next level would be an understatement. Last year, Macy, a colleague of ours bought her boyfriend a Rolex just so he'd go with her to the dance.

''Yea. We were supposed to celebrate it in November, but you know, we were all preparing for exams, so Grande postponed it.'' She hands me her books to hold.''Aren't you excited?'' Paris asks, giddy as we prepare for what is going to be a long school Tuesday. 

''Not really if I'm being honest. That tradition is so sexist.'' 

I stopped attending the Sadie Hawkins dance when I found out it's origin. Of course, I wasn't even too keen on attending it in the first place because I had no one to ask but reading about the history and how the tradition became engraved in American highschools is a little unsettling.

Sadie Hawkins was actually a comic strip character created by Al Capp in 1937. Sadie was the daughter of the wealthiest man in town and she was 'ugly'. Her father was afraid that she wouldn't be able to bag a husband (she was thirty-five at the time) and would end up being an old maid so he took matters into his own hands.

He called all the eligible bachelors in town and ordered a race: Sadie would chase after the eligible bachelors and whoever she caught would be her lawfully wedded husband. The comic was not just a hit in the newspapers for over forty years, it became a hit in real life because over a thousand high schools celebrate Sadie Hawkins.

Don't even get me started on the man who created this craze. Al Capp has quite the reputation for being an alleged misogynist, a womanizer and an accused rapist.

I wonder why this isn't taught in American history. You don't need to have a degree in Women's Studies to know that celebrating this is sexist and demeaning to women.

''No, it's not.'' Paris objects. ''I think it's liberating for women.'' I roll my eyes. ''We get to ask the guys.''

''It's not liberating. My advice is you Google the history of this dance.''

She slams her locker shut. ''Maybe you can ask Jason. I'm sure he'd love that,'' she teases. My face turns bright red as I remember Mariah's confession.

He likes you. He has always liked you and I could never compete.

''No, she won't be asking him,'' Theo scowls. ''Not as long as I'm here.''

Paris narrows her eyes. ''Quit the big brother act, Theo. Don't you see that she likes him.'' My eyes widen and I smack her on the arm. ''What the hell! You're not meant to blurt out something like that!'' I haven't explicitly told Theo that I like Jason and for good reason. He doesn't like Jason and he has made his position known on more than one occasion. 

''I'm not going so it doesn't even matter who I ask.'' I shrug. Theo visibly relaxes and I shoot him a glare. ''Or, I may change mind.''

''If you do, I'm going with you and you're not dancing with anyone.'' 

''Um, no.''

''Um, yes.''

''You don't own me.'' I say stubbornly. ''I can do what I want.''

Theo narrows his eyes but doesn't say anything because my statement is false. I actually can't do whatever I want as long as I have a target on my back.

''Hey, Melody.'' We all pause our conversation and turn to face Mariah, clad in her cheerleading outfit. She looks brighter, happier than yesterday and I'm relieved. Her face is completely makeup-free and she's actually smiling and no, it's not a sinister smile. It's actually a warm one.

I guess she really is serious about turning a new leaf.

''Mariah!'' Paris mouths gapes open. ''Mariah Laughlin?'' She turns to me. ''How are you not finding this shocking? This can't be Mariah.''

''I can assure you, it's me.'' Mariah affirms, giggling. ''Do I look that different?''

''What happened to your hair?''

''This is my natural hair colour,'' she weaves her fingers through the sandy-blonde waves. ''All the rest where extensions.''

''Why are you conversing with us and not hurling an insult?'' Paris asks, still in shock. ''How is anyone not finding this strange?''

Theo shrugs and I slowly shake Paris. ''Mariah and I made up recently. Now it's all kumbaya and roses.'' I explain slowly so she'd understand. ''The feud is dead and buried.''

''Wait, really?''

Mariah and I nod and she snaps out of her shock. ''That's unbelievable.''

''Best believe it,'' Mariah says, being her new, cheerful self. ''Melody and I made up and I'm sorry that I've been horrible to you both these past four years.'' she apologizes. ''I guess this is my way of extending the olive branch. Again, I'm sorry.''

''I guess you're forgiven,'' Paris says wearily. ''Although, I don't know whether to believe you or not if I'm being honest.''

That's understandable. I admit, when she said she wanted to make peace, I thought it was another one of her many games and schemes. But, after she told me about her abortion and she and Jason's strained relationship, I figured she was being genuine. She wouldn't have told me all these things if she was feigning sincerity.

''I don't expect us to be friends right away,'' Mariah says. ''And you have every right to hate me, but maybe we can be civil?'' she asks hopefully, looking at both of us. ''Civility it is.'' I declare.

''Alright then.'' Paris seconds.

Theo just looks amused at this whole situation. I don't blame him. A grown man should not be involved in teenage girls drama.

''Awesome. I actually wanted to know if you three would be willing volunteers for the Sadie Hawkins dance. We are low on volunteers this year and we need all the help we can get in decorating the gym, getting supplies, buying the snacks, hiring the DJ, excetera, excetera.''

I open my mouth to object but Paris shoots me a glare. ''We'd love to.''

''No, we won't,'' I whisper harshly. ''I'm not going.''

''You should, '' Mariah encourages. ''Trust me, it would be a lot fun. I even have an idea of who you could go with.'' she winks. I shake my head and prevent a blush from creeping up my face. ''I highly doubt I'll be able to make it.''

''Bummer,'' Mariah pouts. ''Would you be there, Theo?''

''I'm not sure either.'' he says flatly.

''Give me that.'' Paris says as she grabs the sign-up sheet from Mariah's hand. ''We would love to volunteer.''

''But I just said-'' I object.

''Exactly, we just said-'' Theo seconds.

''I heard what you both said.'' Paris deadpans. She hands the sheet back to Mariah. ''But we're still doing it.''

Paris smiles up at Mariah but I have no idea if it's fake or not. ''We'd be there.''

''Cool. So we have a meeting once school closes and official preparations begin mid-January.'' She tucks the sign up sheet into her chest. ''Looking forward to seeing you all and Melody, reconsider, yea?''

I nod. ''Sure.''

With that she leaves and Paris looks at me. ''What?''

''When did you and Mariah make up? Why did you and Mariah make up? Did you suddenly develop amnesia or do you have Alzheimer's? She's horrible!''

I look at my watch and motion for us to start walking or we'd all be late for AP Biology. With our lab coats in tow, we move towards the Biology lab. ''Mariah and I made up yesterday and no, I don't have amnesia or Alzheimer's. I believe her. She's being real this time.''

Paris turns the door handle. ''How do you know that? Don't you remember how she put tampons in your locker? And how she called you ugly in front of everyone? Need I remind you that she is dating the guy you like.''

''Dated,'' I correct. ''She dated.''

''They aren't together anymore?''

''Mariah said they aren't.''

''Oh.'' Paris and I say a hello to Mr Willis in front of the class and he smiles back at us. ''Regardless, she has humiliated you. Why would you forgive her?''

I shrug and take a seat on the stool. ''Because that's how I am. I forgive people easily. Plus, like I said, she is being genuine. All those stuff she did is all water under the bridge and I would like to forget it.'' Mariah was hurt. She saw me as a threat to her happiness and although it's not an excuse or a justification. I'm willing to not hold every horrible thing she said and did against her.

Mr Willis clears his throat, commanding our attention. ''Alright, class. Settle down. We're about to begin.''