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“He’s really going to ask Natalie to the school formal?”
I instantly recognise this voice. It’s the queen bee herself, Laura. And I think she’s talking about me.
“Is that the girl he’s been hanging out with recently?” This question comes from Kate and she sounds appalled by the idea of it.
“Yes,” Laura replies, equally disgusted. “I don’t get it.”
“She’s really pretty.” I recognise this voice as Lexie, the less popular but infinitely nicer member of their group. “You know, the natural pretty that takes no effort.”
Lexie is getting a Christmas card from me this year.
“Whatever,” Laura dismisses this compliment, sounding cross. “There’s no way Matthew, our Matthew, is asking her to the formal.”
I get stuck on the use of the word ‘our’ and almost miss the next part.
“…I heard that he’s doing all this as part of some sort of dare.”
My stomach plummets. He’s using me for a dare? Am I unknowingly the star of a remake of She’s All That? Glasses and all?
“That makes sense.” Laura’s voice sounds brighter at this explanation. “Why else would he be choosing to spend time with her?”
“I mean, did you see what she’s wearing today…?”
Their voices trail off as the bathroom door swings closed behind them, leaving me to sit in a puddle of self-doubt and recriminations. I count to one thousand again to ensure there’s no one else lingering in the bathroom, ready to complete my humiliation, and then tiptoe out of the stall. Glancing in the mirror, I try to see what about my outfit is causing so much offence. It’s a baby blue t-shirt and jeans, with no holes or stains. And the sad thing is, I’d actually tried to look nice this morning—and every morning when I know I’m meeting Matthew. All for nothing, apparently.
Bianca had been so wrong about all of it. I’m still a nobody at this school. A joke. A fool.
A dare.
I slink out of the bathroom, walking blindly towards the front of the building, attempting to make it outside without being seen—
Oof!
“New Girl!”
No!
I raise my head and skewer Matthew with my best glare. Which isn’t all that frightening, but it’s the best I can do with the word ‘dare’ still pinging around my brain.
“Are you OK?” He looks concerned.
The jerk.
I push away from him and continue walking towards freedom.
“Natalie?” He easily keeps up with me, peering around to catch my eye. “What’s wrong?”
I stop abruptly, and he bumps into my back. “Sorry.” His big hand holds onto my arm and I ignore how nice it feels.
“You should be,” I fire at him, my face flaming with embarrassment and hurt.
He crouches down to look at me closely. “What happened?”
Tears fill my eyes at his expression. How can he look like that, so genuine and kind, when this whole thing has been a game for him?
“I know what’s going on. That you never needed a tutor.”
Guilt flashes across his face, and I crumple inside. Part of me had hoped it wasn’t true.
