Page 60 of Ask No Questions

Twenty-Five

I knew it was wishful thinking, but I was really hoping the awkwardness would be over when I saw Luke at school. No such luck. I didn’t see him until lunch, and all I got then was a small wave. I guess he could be bummed over not being included, but he wasn’t really friends with the people that were over.

And what was with that Mike comment? I told him Mckayla planned everything, but it somehow came down to Mike being there. How did I manage to get involved with the three boys who hated each other most at our school? On the surface they were nice enough to each other but get one of them alone and they gossiped worse than anyone I knew! They were melodramatic and held grudges like nobody’s business.

I was seriously over the whole situation by the time Chemistry rolled around. I decided it was necessary to be the ignorer rather than the ignoree, thus eliminating the risk of Luke disappointing me again. I spent the whole class enthralled, or at least appearing to be, in what Mr. Steen was saying about atoms, or ions, or whatever he was discussing. By the end of class, I was exhausted. Pretending to be interested really took it out of you.

It was worth it, though. My tactic worked. As I was walking out of class, Luke caught up to me to apologize. Victory.

He promised to call me later and mentioned hanging out just us two, soon. I felt a little better being on speaking terms with him.

I was still debating if I was being overly sensitive to his mood swings, or if he was actually the flakiest person alive as I entered the dance studio and began stretching.

I thought about bringing it up to Cassie, but I didn’t want to accidentally reaffirm the fact that I was an obsessive loon. All thoughts of boys were pushed out as I focused on stretching and moving for the next several hours.

I was so tired after dance that I didn’t bother to change back into my school clothes. I threw on an oversized shirt over my leotard that almost covered the tiny dance shorts I was wearing over my tights. I didn’t think anything of my appearance until I walked through my front door and saw Carter standing in the kitchen.

I watched as he took in my lack of clothing before he looked me in the eyes.

“Is this normal?” He gestured up and down at me.

“You letting yourself in and helping yourself to our food? I’m beginning to think it is.” I raised a brow mockingly at him as I walked past him to get to my room. I dropped off my backpack and dance bag before meeting him again in the kitchen. I grabbed a bottle of water and turned to him.

“So what are you doing here?”

He laughed at my bluntness, blushing ever so slightly. I couldn’t believe it when I saw the red reach his cheeks. I did that? I could embarrass him?

“Brandon called and asked if I wanted to go to dinner with you guys.”

“Hmm, I didn’t know we had plans tonight.” I took a seat at one of the stools and leaned forward placing my elbows on the counter.

“I just realized it might be awkward for you that I have a key. Does that bother you?”

I studied him for a minute, narrowing my eyes as I took him in. “Are you going to kill me?”

He looked startled but shook his head.

“Kidnap me?”

“What? Of course not! What are you talking about?”

I ignored his question and continued my interrogation.

“Finish all the milk and put the carton back in the fridge?”

“Never.”

“Leave the toilet seat up?”

“Why would I use your bathroom?”

He had me there… I shook my head, trying to come up with anything else.

“As long as you don’t do any of those things, or anything else I come up with later you are free to come and go as you please. But one wrong move, and that privilege is gone. Got it?”

He gave me an adorable grin and I knew he was on the verge of losing it and laughing at me, but he straightened up and played along.

“I promise, Aubrey. I will remember those requirements and do my best to live up to your standards.”