The Best of Fools (Jane Austen Book 2) Read Online Free Page A

date," I said.
    "Nope, I'll have two dates."
    Mom walked back inside.
    "Come on," Donovan said. "We can be the weirdos of senior prom."
    "Just what I always wanted, but you don't have a ticket."
    "Yeah I do. I can get it before we go. I got two to have an extra if I found a date."
    "You couldn't find a date?" Autumn said. "Why not?"
    "Guess I forgot about it."
    "What would you have me wear?" I said. "If I decide to be weird with you, that is."
    "How about I wear the dress and you wear my clothes?"
    "No way. Next choice."
    "Okay. Let's dress like homeless people."
    I laughed.
    "Now, get your naughties in there and change before the wind gets frisky on you." He pushed me toward the door. "I'll go get ready too and be back to pick you ladies up within ten minutes."
    "Well," Autumn said, "Things are always unusual when you two are involved."

    Donovan drove to the beautiful hotel in downtown Philly and pulled up in front near the valet parking sign. Autumn stepped out first and Donovan and I just looked at each other. Smile on his face, nervous twitch on mine. What was I thinking ? It wasn't too late to turn around and go back home.
    He wore an oversized sweater from the eighties. Complete with holes and stains he probably created before he left his house. His pants were equally as nice and his hat was a rather interesting multi-colored hat—ketchup stain prominently placed on the bill—with a spinning helicopter on top.
    "Ready, gorgeous?" Donovan opened his door and stepped out, then walked to my side and opened. "Come on, dahling."
    I took his hand and revealed my lovely outfit to the valet who seemed to get his words caught in his bow tie. He readjusted the bow, cocked his head, and took the keys from Donovan. What was probably more alarming than my oversized, sloppy clothing was the hair Donovan insisted on giving me. He teased my hair with a comb, sprinkled flour in it, then stuck a toy bird inside. It was funny, absolutely hilarious, until I stepped out of the car and got a few sideways-turned-full-on-awkward glances. At least I didn't have that many friends at school. I probably just solidified that even more. But that's okay, the few friends I did have would laugh their asses off. Donovan and I always managed to swim upstream and those close to us loved us for it.
    We walked inside with Autumn and it took all I had not to laugh or turn red.
    Donovan held my hand. "Be serious. Play the part."
    A girl from history class stopped in her tracks. "Did you bring homeless people to prom?" She said to Autumn as her finger hovered in the air at us.
    Autumn smiled. "Just doing my charitable duties."
    I turned my face to hide my snicker.
    "Man," Donovan grumbled like an old man. "Any food up in here? I'm steerved."
    Autumn linked her arm with his. "Right this way, fine fella."
    A group of classmates stared at us as we walked toward the steps. I thought I'd feel ridiculously stupid, but Donovan and Autumn made it so funny that I almost forgot I was part of the act.
    "I don't even think they recognized us," I said.
    "Think we'll be voted king and queen tonight?" Donovan said.
    "Maybe." I scratched my head. Flour was getting to me. "We definitely have a good chance, I'd say."
    "What would British lover boy think of you like this?" Autumn asked.
    "Why do you guys call him that? He's not my lover boy."
    "He'd like her best like this," Donovan said. "Especially the bird in her hair. That's mint."
    I sighed. "This is never going to end, is it?"
    We finally made it to the hall where our classmates gathered around tables. Some sat down already, but most people were still standing and talking. So many gorgeous girls with perfect hair and dresses and shoes. Autumn fit in. Donovan and I ... didn't.
    So funny.
    When we entered the room that became pretty obvious. About seventeen faces gawked at us, while seventy more whispered and laughed. Autumn held her head high and played the charitable card well as she introduced us to people who should've