Pippa park crush at firs.., p.17
Pippa Park Crush at First Sight, page 17
“Poor boy, he wasn’t feeling well,” Pastor Oh said. “I hope he’ll be better in time for the show! But even if he’s not, I have confidence that you can hold the show together, Pippa.”
“Thanks,” I said, trying to sound like I meant it. Part of me was relieved that I didn’t have to face Marvel yet, but the other part of me wished I could see him and just get it over with. And another part of me just wanted to see him, with his messy hair and his ever-present headphones.
Now it was showtime, and Marvel was here but doing an excellent job of avoiding me. When I was onstage, he made sure he was backstage. When I was backstage, he was out front, checking the lighting. He seemed to know exactly where I’d be and made sure that’s exactly where he wasn’t. And somehow, he had gotten out of being a shepherd onstage during the performance.
I was sure it was because of me.
Trying to shake that thought away, I focused on nicer things. Like how I had spent the last five hours with Buddy and Helen in Mrs. Lee’s apartment. Even though we were only cleaning, I had more fun than I’d had in weeks.
“It’s starting!” Annie whispered, interrupting my wandering thoughts.
The house lights went down and the audience grew quiet.
The kids murmured in excitement, and even my own stomach did a little backflip. Unable to resist, I sneaked a glance around the rising curtain. My eyebrows shot up. There were way more people in the audience than I had expected. Not an empty seat anywhere!
I searched for Mina and Jung-Hwa in the crowd, but before I could spot them, Peter stepped out onto the stage, and I quickly ducked back behind the curtain.
“Our story begins a long, long time ago,” he announced. “We start with a woman called Mary…”
The next hour passed in a blur. Before tonight, we hadn’t made it through a single rehearsal without at least three kids forgetting their lines. But tonight, no one messed up—a true Christmas miracle. A couple of the angels did lose their wings, and one of the Wise Men tripped over a cow. We weren’t perfect. But when the whole cast emerged for the grand finale, the audience erupted in cheers. Especially Jung-Hwa. Even though he was sitting in the back, I could hear him yelling, “Go, Pippa!” all the way up on the stage.
After the cast took three consecutive bows, Pastor Oh climbed up on the stage with his wife. He was in his usual religious attire, but Mrs. Oh was dressed like she was going to meet the president or something. She looked like a princess in her ice-blue gown, with her black hair braided in a crown around her head.
“Now, wasn’t that an amazing way to celebrate Christmas?” Pastor Oh asked the audience. His face was ruddy red with happiness. “I’m so proud of all the hard work that these children have put into this performance, and I am very grateful that so many of you have come out to show your support.”
As the audience started to clap again, I caught a slight movement from the opposite side of the stage. I locked eyes with Marvel; then he ducked out of sight. My heart lurched.
“Before we wrap things up here, I want to extend my sincerest gratitude to a few people in particular,” Pastor Oh announced, and I tried to focus on his words to distract myself from the sinking feeling in my stomach. “First, a huge thank you to Mr. Marvel Moon. Marvel was the first volunteer to sign on with the pageant, and when he wasn’t hiding backstage, listening to music, he was very helpful and always put a smile on our faces.”
Pastor Oh paused to let the audience laugh before continuing. “Next, I need to extend my sincerest gratitude to Ms. Pippa Park. In addition to being a positive role model for the other children, without Pippa, this pageant might have never happened! You see, every great performance takes hard work and patience, but last week, when that patience started to run thin, Pippa stepped up and reminded us that we were all team players. We were all in this together!”
Pastor Oh turned so that his eyes met mine, and I looked down with a blush.
“Before I let you go, I wanted to give one last shout-out,” Pastor Oh declared. “This time to our very own parish member, Ms. Mina Kim. Ms. Kim owns the Lucky Laundromat, and she has graciously partnered with the church to help wash the costumes after tonight’s performance. I can’t recommend her services enough—and in exciting news, starting now and leading up to Seollal, we’ll have a box in the parish to drop off receipts from Lucky’s. When you drop one off, you’ll automatically be entered into our Lunar New Year’s raffle—and you really don’t want to miss this year’s prize: a brand-new kimchi fridge!”
At this, the audience let out an even bigger cheer. I couldn’t see my family from here, but I had a feeling Jung-Hwa was hanging onto Mina and going wild. As Pastor Oh finished his speech, I led the kids to the dressing room, and we all changed. Then I headed out to find Mina and Jung-Hwa.
Halfway there, I spotted Marvel slipping through a side door.
Now or never. I dashed after him.
When I caught up to him, I grabbed his shoulder, and he twisted around, surprised.
“Pippa!” He blinked. For a brief moment, his eyes were wide and vulnerable. Then he shook his head, and they seemed to harden. He took a step back. “What do you want?”
His voice didn’t sound as angry as I had expected—more wary. But the emotional distance between us made my chest ache. I shifted from one foot to the other, trying to decide how to answer his question. I knew I had hurt him pretty badly. And if he never wanted to talk to me again, then really, there was nothing I could do to change that. But I had to at least try to make things right. And at the very least, I needed to say one thing.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “I know canceling our date to hang out with someone else was selfish and wrong of me. And I really did like you! Do, I mean! A lot.” My voice dropped lower. “But, well, I was still kind of crushing on this other guy when I met you, and I was trying to get over it because I didn’t think he liked me back… but then it turned out that he maybe did, and, oh, I don’t know… it’s not even that I liked him more than you, it’s just that I was so used to wanting him….”
I shook my head, feeling like I was doing everything wrong. I wanted Marvel to understand that I hadn’t hurt him on purpose, but I didn’t know if talking about Eliot was a good idea. And Marvel’s expression definitely wasn’t helping. His eyes were as hard as flint and as unreadable, too.
“Anyways.” I took a deep breath. “That stuff doesn’t matter. The thing is, I shouldn’t have canceled on you, no matter what the reason. It was terrible of me. I know we don’t really see each other outside of rehearsals, so if you don’t want to see me again, then you don’t have to. Obviously. But I wanted to let you know that no matter what you think, I really don’t have a boyfriend. And I’d still really like it if you came to my party. So… um, yeah,” I said, running out of steam. “It’s tomorrow afternoon at one, if you decide to come.”
I waited for Marvel to say something, but he just shrugged. Since there was nothing more for me to add, I just swallowed.
“Right. Well, I guess I’ll see you around,” I said. “Or not.”
And because every second I stood in front of Marvel felt like I was standing on burning coals, I made my escape.
He hadn’t responded exactly how I had wanted him to. He hadn’t thrown his arms around me or confessed his undying love. Well, I guess I hadn’t really expected that. But still… it would have been nice….
Oh well. At least I had told him everything that was on my mind—with a hundred-percent honesty.
And as I rejoined my family, the weight on my shoulders was finally gone.
22 A PERFECT PIPPA PARK PARTY
Christmas Eve (And All’s Well!)
“Five minutes until one, girls,” Bianca announced. “Everyone ready?”
“Almost,” Win said. “I just can’t get this bowtie clipped.”
“And I need one last coat of lip-gloss,” Caroline added, popping open her purse.
As Helen helped Win fasten her green-and-red bowtie, and Caroline tested out different lip-gloss flavors in the bathroom, I smoothed my hands down the silky fabric of my dress and tucked a tendril of hair back into the fancy updo Mrs. Lee had helped me with. It was hard to believe that after a month of sweating about this party, the big day was finally here. A spike of nerves shot through me, and I gazed around Mrs. Lee’s apartment, searching for any last-minute improvements before the party officially began.
I couldn’t find one thing I’d change—which was honestly impressive, considering that three days ago, not even Marie Kondo could have salvaged this place. But with the help of Helen and Buddy, all the old newspapers had been boxed and stored under Mrs. Lee’s bed, it smelled like the Vanilla Sugar Cookie candle flickering on the coffee table, and we had a space heater in the corner that warmed up the room nicely. The numerous photo albums showcasing Boz had been carefully tucked away, and it was Buddy’s idea to tape tiny Santa hats on the photos on the walls.
But that wasn’t all. Although Bianca’s decorations were beyond saving, she and Mina had teamed up to make new ones. Now, a cascade of silver paper snowflakes drifted down from the ceiling on invisible threads, and a dozen different pillows with golden velour pillowcases dotted the living room, giving the impression that the floor was made of plushy gold.
But what was happening in the kitchen was the best part of all.
I peeked in, and my stomach rumbled at the sight of the feast waiting for us on the Formica countertops. Since the catering businesses in town were already booked by the time we tried to find one, the Royals had all pitched in for grocery money, and Jung-Hwa had gone to town. There were crispy kimchi pancakes, savory dongtaejeon, and enough Korean fried chicken to feed the entire girls’ basketball team—and we could eat a lot. That alone would have been enough reason to salivate, but the make-your-own bibimbap bar was my favorite by far. Jung-Hwa had made a huge batch of white rice and set out all the necessary accoutrements—bowls of bean sprouts, fernbrake, carrots, shiitake mushrooms, and spinach in sesame oil, along with a huge vat of vivid red bibimbap sauce on the side. Win and Helen had baked two cakes, and Bianca had brought some sugar cookies and gingerbread men that she’d made with her mom.
“I know what you’re thinking, Park, but fair warning: I’m pretty sure your friends would kill you if you mess up that spread before they snap any pics.”
I glanced over at Buddy and laughed. “You’re probably right.”
Still, I sneaked a chicken wing when he wasn’t looking.
The doorbell rang just as I finished wiping the sauce from my mouth. As the first few Lakeview kids trickled in, I anxiously watched their expressions, searching for a sign that my party setup didn’t measure up to the previous Royals’ party. But all I could see were smiling faces and lots of hugging.
“Mmm! It smells so good in here!” one girl exclaimed as another one oohed and aahed over the paper snowflakes.
At the sound of their voices, Caroline hurried out of the bathroom, ready to play the glamorous host. And although I was used to seeing this side of Bianca, this was the first opportunity I had to see her shine.
“Welcome, everyone!” she said, her voice sweet but somehow still commanding. “Long time no see, Richie! I love your dress, Venus. And Jackie—that purse! Is it vintage?”
She sashayed from guest to guest in her golden A-line dress, laughing, tossing around compliments, and basking in their praise. It was a facet of Bianca that I didn’t see on the basketball court or in class, and it was another equally impressive side of her.
As more kids arrived, I headed over to Buddy and Helen, glad to leave the social side of hosting to Bianca and Caroline. They were both grooving out to a playlist Win had made, and within a few minutes, they weren’t the only ones. I hadn’t come up with any special entertainment, but nobody seemed to mind.
Still, despite the fact that everyone looked like they were having fun, there was an uneasy fluttering feeling in my stomach that wouldn’t go away. As the clock ticked past two, my eyes kept darting to the front door.
I hadn’t heard anything from Marvel, but that didn’t stop me from hoping it would be him every time the doorbell rang. I glanced down at my dress and sighed. It was the most luxurious thing I had ever worn. Wouldn’t it be a shame if nobody special saw me in it?
“… and that’s how Pippa’s long-lost grandmother swam across the Pacific Ocean. But wait until you hear how the dolphins helped her. It’s hilarious. Right, Park?”
“Right,” I mumbled. Then I did a double take. “Wait, what?”
Buddy and Helen giggled.
“See?” Buddy said. “I told you she’s not listening!”
“Yeah, she’s too busy checking out the front door,” Helen said. “Waiting for somebody special.”
My cheeks flushed. Trying to maintain some dignity, I straightened my shoulders and held my chin high. “What? No way! I am not waiting for anybody! Everyone who matters is here.”
“Aww, Pips! That’s so sweet,” Helen said. “So you really don’t care who just walked in?”
I whipped around and watched as Eliot pushed through the crowd, scanning the room. He met my shocked gaze and gave a small wave. As he made his way toward us, I smiled at him, but internally I was freaking out. And not just because he looked mind-scramblingly good. I was used to seeing him in his Lakeview uniform, but tonight he wore a pair of dark jeans and a striped button-down shirt, and his hair was a little damp from the rain outside, and—that is so not the point, I reminded myself. I hadn’t spoken to him since our not-quite-a-date at the mall. I had estimated there was about a zero-point-five percent chance of him showing up tonight. Much less to be headed my way….
“Hey, Pippa. Hi, Helen.” Eliot nodded at us.
“Eliot! Good to see you,” Helen said casually.
I wanted to be casual, too. But I was pretty sure if I spoke right now my voice would come out as a high-pitched shriek. So, to keep it safe, I simply bobbed my head.
There was an awkward moment of silence, and then Eliot whistled. “Wow,” he said, glancing around Mrs. Lee’s apartment. “You did a great job with the decorations, Pippa.”
“Oh, well, it wasn’t just me,” I said, finally finding my voice. “I mean, I had a lot of help from my family, and trust me, without Helen and Buddy, this place would still look like something from Hoarders.”
Helen and Buddy laughed, but Eliot stiffened a little.
“Buddy?” he asked.
“Present!”
Buddy set down one of the kimchi pancakes he was munching on and wiped the excess grease on his pants before sticking his hand out. Eliot gazed down at it like he’d been offered a dead fish.
“Buddy’s one of my oldest friends,” I explained. “He’s also Helen’s boyfriend.”
“Helen’s… boyfriend?” Eliot repeated.
As his eyes widened, someone coughed behind me. I turned—and nearly choked on my own spit.
“Marvel!” I said.
He was standing only a foot away, looking adorably nervous in a dark hoodie with his best pair of jeans.
“That’s me,” he said.
“You came!”
“Yeah, well, you know me. I couldn’t let your party flop.”
Marvel’s words were teasing, but his expression still looked a little uncertain. His gaze darted between me and Eliot, like he was wondering if he had made a big mistake coming. But before he could change his mind and leave, I grabbed him by the sleeve and tugged him closer.
“I’m so glad you made it. Everyone, meet Marvel,” I said. “He’s a… a friend from church. And, Marvel, meet everyone. I mean, you kind of already met Eliot. But this is my best friend, Helen, and my other best friend, Buddy.”
“Ah, so this is Buddy,” Marvel said. I was relieved that his tone was warming up, even if his gaze was still wary. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Yeah? All good things, I hope!” Buddy said.
Marvel gave a strange smile, but before he could reply, “All I Want for Christmas Is You” came on, and Helen squealed.
“I love this one! Dance with me, Buddy?” She grabbed his hand and led him to the center of the room.
Spending time with Eliot or Marvel one-on-one was exciting, but having them both here? I gulped. Without Helen and Buddy as a buffer, I had no idea what to say. Eliot liked to talk math and grades, but Marvel had never shown any interest in that. And Marvel enjoyed bad puns and K-pop music, but Eliot probably didn’t even know who BLACKPINK were.
But before I could figure out what to do, someone called out, “Oh, there you are, Pippa!”
I recognized Bianca’s sugary-sweet, Eliot-is-within-hearing-range voice. But this time, instead of setting my teeth on edge, I actually felt a shiver of relief.
“Oh, and Eliot! You made it—I didn’t even see you come in.” She twirled a brown curl around her finger and batted her long eyelashes at him.
“Um, yeah.” Eliot shrugged. “I said I would.”
“Well, we’re more than happy to have you.”
When Eliot just smiled, she glanced over at Marvel. “And who is this? Wait, no, don’t tell me—Marvel, right? Pippa’s told us so much about you!”
Bianca flashed her gracious-host smile at him, and for a moment, my back muscles stiffened. I didn’t want Bianca giving anyone the idea that Marvel and I were a couple. It was way too soon for that.
“I spotted one of your friends in the kitchen, and he looked a little lonely.” Bianca looped her arm through Eliot’s. “Plus, you have to try these watermelon popsicles Pippa’s uncle brought. Caroline’s on this forever-diet thing, and even she’s had three tonight.”
“Oh,” Eliot blinked. “Um, sure, I guess.”
He turned toward me and opened his mouth like he wanted to say something. Before he had the chance, Bianca tugged him away. I waited for the usual Bianca-Eliot angst to hit me, but my reaction surprised me. I still had a lot of complicated feelings for Eliot—feelings that I knew weren’t going to be resolved overnight. But right now, I was just happy to be here with Marvel.
