Finding Libbie Read Free Page B

drooling over little Miss Sunshine over there,” Myrtle Hill said.
    Jack turned his attention back to the girl he was dancing with. “Sorry, Myrt. I just wish I could sneak Libbie away from snobby Bill. Even for a few minutes. Just because he brought her doesn’t mean he’s the only one who can dance with her.”
    Jack watched as Myrt rolled her eyes. At six feet, Jack towered over Myrtle, who couldn’t have been more than five feet, even in heels. She had a little too much padding for her height, and those cat-eye glasses with the fake rhinestones in the corners made her face look wide. But she and Jack had made a deal. Myrtle was madly in love with his best friend, Larry Spencer, and Jack needed a date in order to come to the prom. So she’d agreed to come with him if he’d make sure to get Larry to dance with her, and then Jack could pursue Libbie.
    Jack glanced around the gym at the decorations and smiled. He’d spent the entire day yesterday with the other eleventh-grade volunteers, twisting and hanging crepe paper streamers and blue-and-white balloons from the ceiling. He hadn’t done it out of the goodness of his heart or because he’d wanted to make sure the seniors had a beautiful prom—he’d done it to be around Libbie. In their small school, it was traditional for the eleventh graders to host the junior/senior prom. He’d signed up to help with the decorations because he knew Libbie was supervising. From his spot high atop the ladder, he’d been able to watch her move among the other students, giving directions and approving of their work. Twice, she’d stopped under Jack’s ladder to look up at him with a grin and say, “Looking good, Jack.” He’d smile down at her and nod. He knew she was talking about the streamers, but he could dream she’d meant those words to be about him.
    The band stopped playing, and Jack led Myrtle over to the refreshment table for a cup of punch. As they stood sipping their drinks, Larry walked by with his date, Mary Beth Johnson. She was a pretty girl, tall and slender, with long dark hair and warm brown eyes. Larry and she looked well suited, since he also had dark hair and brown eyes and was nearly as tall as Jack. Larry winked at Jack, nodding to Mary Beth as if to say, Look who I’m with. Jack couldn’t help but smile. Mary Beth came from a devout Catholic family, so there was no way Larry was going to get even so much as a kiss from the pretty girl tonight.
    “Larry’s never going to notice me since he’s with Mary Beth,” Myrtle whined. “I shouldn’t have come here tonight. It was a waste of time.”
    Jack knew that was probably true, and he felt bad for Myrtle. He understood how she felt. Poor Myrtle had had a crush on Larry for years, just like he’d had a crush on Libbie since the first grade. But Jack was sure that with a guy like Bill at her side, Libbie would never look twice at him. Steeling himself, he decided it was time to put his plan in motion.
    “Don’t give up so easily, Myrt,” Jack said, taking her hand and leading her back onto the dance floor. The band had started playing a slow song, “This Guy’s in Love with You.” It was the perfect song for Jack’s next move.
    He danced with Myrtle slowly across the floor to where Larry and Mary Beth were. “Here’s your chance, Myrt,” Jack whispered. “Give it your best shot.” Jack expertly cut in between Larry and his date. “May I cut in?” he asked, handing Myrtle over to a stunned Larry and pulling Mary Beth into his arms. He moved her away as quickly as the slow tune would allow. He looked back only long enough to see Larry dancing with Myrtle—he’d had no other choice.
    “Having a good time?” Jack asked as he danced Mary Beth in the direction where Libbie and Bill were.
    Mary Beth was too nice to complain. “Yes, I am,” she said.
    Soon, they were beside Libbie and Bill. Jack took a breath. Here I go.
    “May I cut in?” he asked Bill. Just as he’d done moments