I know I don’t owe her anything, but I hate needless drama. Especially over stupid things like boys.
Especiallyboys who act weird, never say what they mean or throw fits. Or boys who secretly send you a flirty message and then drive off, never to be heard from again.
Tsk.Freakin’ babies. All these boys are babies.
Her eyes soften. “Thanks, Charlotte. I know we haven’t been the closest of friends, but to know you care about my feelings means a lot.”
“So, what do you want me to say to him? Have you guys ever really talked before or flirted you think? You’re going to have to tell me exactly what you want me to say because I’m new to all this stuff.”
She brightens with excitement at the prospect. “You’re the best! I really didnotexpect you to be this cool about it.”
I nod in appreciation, sitting back and waiting for her to tell me what she wants me to say.
“Okay, first ask him if he likes anyone on the track team. Then when he starts talking, say you have a good friend who would be perfect for him and talk me up. Like tell him that I love running, obviously, that I plan to run in college, and that you think I’m hilarious and cool to hang out with.”
Her plan doesn’t sound very convincing. I’ll have to come up with something before I talk to him. She’s cool and all, but I don’t know much about her that qualifies as awowfactor. I’m sure I can sway it to make it sound like he has to check her out if she’s right about how he feels about me. If anything, the effort’s worth it.
Maybe this will bring Shirley and I closer, dare I even say something resembling best friends? It’d be nice to have a girlfriend around, especially if things don’t resolve between Ben and me. A painful twang punches my stomach at the idea of Ben leaving my life.
The low-pitched bell rings, indicating the end of the day is here and high school’s officially over.
Shirley gives me a big hug and leaves the classroom. She bashfully smiles at Jared who barely glances at her before motioning to me to get under his arm like I was wrong for not being there already. Another twang stirs in my stomach; except this time, I’m not sure what causes it. I smirk, ignoring the sensation and snuggle in under him.
He smells even better than this morning. Did he put more cologne on before coming to get me? Is that normal for friends?
I shake the notion off, instead focusing on how to bring up the conversation about Shirley to him. Too in my head, I don’t realize we aren’t speaking until we get to my car, and he asks what’s wrong.
“Huh?” I say, pulling out of my concentration. This would be a good time to bring up Shirley, but I haven’t thought of exactly what to say yet. Guess I’ll just wing it.
“I said are you okay?” he says with an amused chuckle, removing his arm around me and standing in front of me as I lean against my car door.
“Oh yeah. I was just thinking—"
“Thinking about what?” he asks curiously, leaning closer to me, cutting me off mid-sentence.
“Well, I’d tell you if you let me finish,” I sass back with a smirk.
He rests his palm on the car door next to my left shoulder, half sealing me to my spot. My stomach flips from being this close, the suggested intimacy way more than what we’ve been doing thus far.
I clear my throat, trying to get rid of any noticeable anxiousness in my voice and redirect the vibes coming off him.
“I was thinking of something I wanted to ask you.”
His face lights up. “I love questions. Give it to me.”
“I was wondering if you liked any of the girls on the track team because I know of a great girl for you.” Shoot, that was rushed.
He pulls his arm away from me, studying me like he’s unsure about my question. Why’s he taking so long to answer a simple question? The awkward silence is killing me.
“Because Shirley is great for you, you know,” I blurt out, unable to stand the silence or his intense analytical stare any longer.
Crap. I blew it.
That wasn’t convincing in any way. I didn’t give him any of her strengths or make her sound unique at all.
“Is that so?” he asks, putting his hands in his back jean pockets, watching me intently like I’m an equation he can’t figure out.
“Mhmm. She loves video games and running, obviously…” She’s going to hate me. I am blowing this so hard.
