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Shit. I realize what I said and cover my mouth with one hand, but it’s already too late. I cannot believe I let that slip out. I will never hear the end of it. It’s not like I lied and told them about some imaginary ex-boyfriend I hooked up with—I’m not quite that desperate—but they’re all experienced, so I may have failed to mention that I’m… Not.
“Ever?” Daria presses. “Anyone, ever?”
I cross my arms defensively. “I’m only fifteen. Lots of people haven’t.”
“That’s true,” she says slowly. “Just not anyone I know.”
“You know I’ve never had a boyfriend before. I mean, you must have at least assumed…”
“I just never thought about it. Wow.” She shakes her head. “That’s crazy.”
“It’s not that crazy.”
She takes out a pack of gum and hands me a stick. “Is that what Chase was going on about with that whole Todd-will-wait thing?”
“I don’t know,” I mumble, focusing on unwrapping the gum and not blushing again.
“Chase knows?” She’s still looking at me sideways, a knowing grin on her face. “That explains a lot. About you, and about him.”
“It’s not like that,” I say quickly. “He has Lindsey, anyway. What would he want with me?”
“I can think of one thing,” she says with that same smirk.
“I don’t think so. He just likes to embarrass me because it’s so easy. I spend a lot of time with them, and he’s totally in love with her. He’d never risk hurting her.”
Was it just last night that he told me as much, that she’s fragile and going through a lot of family stuff, and she needs him right now?
“Hmph. Maybe,” Daria says, seeming satisfied with that answer. “You are pretty innocent. It doesn’t take much to embarrass you.”
I squirm, uncomfortable with her scrutiny.
Just then her phone rings. I could not be more relieved. I wave to her and go inside. I can hear the squeak of shoes on the gym floor, the hollow sound of basketballs being dribbled, the clank when they hit the backboard or the rim.
I stand in the hallway, trying to collect myself. Then I go out to the court, where Todd is waiting with a few people on the bleachers. I wave to Lindsey, and Todd gets up and lumbers over to kiss me quickly.
“Ready to go?” he asks.
“Yeah,” I say, smiling up at him and forcing myself not to look at the basketball players. But on our way out the door, I can’t resist looking back over my shoulder.
Chase is standing there holding a basketball against his chest with both hands, not moving, just watching us. Our eyes meet, and white-hot electricity shoots through me. I tear my gaze from his, turn back quickly, and let the doors close behind us.
ten
Now Playing:
“Kool Thing”—Sonic Youth
I’m an hour late for work, but David doesn’t seem to mind. He’d never tell me if he did anyway. At least creepy George isn’t working, as the mall is slow as hell on weeknights.
At around nine my phone rings.
It’s Chase.
I’ve been ignoring his texts all day, but I know he’ll keep calling until I answer, since he’s one of those weirdos who still talks on the phone.
We don’t have customers or anything to do, so I give in and answer.
David gives me a dirty look, but I know he won’t rat me out.
