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Carter cocks his head to the side. “I call bullshit.”
“What?”
“Not into you? Matt, there aren’t many girls in this school who,” he makes air-quotes, “aren’t into you. You’re gonna tell me you like a girl, and she’s one of the few that don’t like popular, starting wide-receiver, class president types? Who goes out of his way to watch out for friends?” He motions to Micah’s empty seat. “And dances with girls that get ditched by their dates at homecoming?”
Jen gasps. “So that was true? I heard something about that. You went to dance with a junior when her date ditched her? That’s a big plus.”
“Really?” Emma stares at me like I’m a superhero who rescued a kitten out of a tree.
“Dude.” I look over at Carter. “It’s not that big of a deal.”
“Right.” He laughs. “Because Janet wasn’t all over you at the after party, falling in love with your heart of gold. Hey, you never told me if you guys hooked up that night.”
“Oh, you don’t kiss and tell. That’s another plus,” Jen teases.
I frustratingly blink at Carter as Emma and Jen both wait for my answer.
“I’m not talking about this right now.” I grit my teeth.
“My point is, if you’re gonna tell me Izzy Jacobs isn’t into you, then I’m calling bullshit.”
“Carter’s right.” Jen smiles, and I can still hear the teasing in her voice. “You’re like a white knight, Matt. You’re practically flawless.” Emma leans over to her, whispering something. “Oh, yeah. We saw you a couple months ago in the gym, during one of your guy’s practices.”
Carter raises an eyebrow at Emma, who looks away embarrassed, while Jen giggles. “You’re rocking a pretty hot six pack too.”
“No, no, no.” I shake my hand at all of them, before slapping Carter in the arm. “Okay, starting wide-receiver sure, but speaking of basketball, hello? Benchwarmer.”
“That’s only because I asked you to play,” Carter counters. “You may not have started, but you lettered. And you were honoring bro-code, giving support to your best friend. And,” he raises a finger in the air. “Don’t think people didn’t notice you sticking by my side when half the team deserted me. That means you’re loyal. Girls like a guy who’s loyal.”
“We do,” Jen says. Her smile and tone make it painfully clear how much fun she’s having, contributing to the discussion.
“Oh, my God.” My hands find my face, palms rubbing my eyes. “I’m done with this conversation.” I shove my soda in my backpack, getting up from the table.
“Oh, come on, Matt,” Carter calls out, still a bit of laughter in his voice.
I wave my hand and walk away. I’m not really mad at any of them for what they’re saying. It’s all pretty true. But it just makes me more aware of how much of a secret I’ve been hiding. Everyone in school has this pristine image in their head of who I am. Liking comic books or video games wouldn’t dirty that image, but it just isn’t part of it. School is nearing completion, why would I mess it up now? I’m not hurting anyone by keeping that stuff a secret. And I’m not hurting myself.
Heading to the other side of the quad, I’m fully intent on heading to my next class and just waiting until the bell rings. I force myself not to look over at Izzy’s table as I cross by the student lounge. Coming out from the lounge are two girls I’ve seen with her. One is about Izzy’s height and same black hair, but curly. The other, I think her name is Cindy, is petite with shoulder length brown hair.
The curly haired one looks at me and flashes a quick smile. “Oh, look, it’s Hottie McFanboy.”
“V!” Cindy scolds her.
“Sorry,” Curly Hair whispers, a hand in front of her mouth before Cindy quickly drags her away.
What the hell? I stand there for a moment, analyzing the weird encounter. What’d she call me? Hottie McFanboy? Fanboy … wait a minute. My face drops as I turn on my heels and follow them around the corner.
“He’s coming; he’s coming,” Curly Hair whispers loud enough for the table behind them to hear.
Izzy looks up at me. “H-hey, Matt. What’s up?”
“You tell me?” I narrow my eyes at her, before looking over at her friends.
“Not much,” she answers, pointing to her laptop. “Just doing a little editing. You know, for my YouTube videos. About all that nerd stuff. You ever seen it?”
My mouth gapes at her. Twisting my head to the side, both of her friends look like they’re about to faint.
“No. Never.” I cross my arms.
