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Chapter Four
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“There you are.” Luluslides up next to me as I make my way into the cafeteria. “I tried calling you last night but you never answered.”
“Sorry, I went to bed early.” The truth is, I was up later than I’d like to admit stewing over how Lulu’s little outing with Alec went.
“Well.” She follows me into the lunch line, grabbing a tray right after I do.
“Well what?” I grab a salad and plop it onto my tray.
“Aren’t you going to ask me how yesterday went?”
No.
It’s what I want to say, but not what ends up coming out.
“Of course I do.” I keep my gaze focused forward, grabbing a fruit cup and water before setting them on my tray next to my salad.
“It was amazing,” she sings, plopping a lunchmeat sandwich and bag of chips onto her tray.
“Oh yeah.” I try to keep my voice even as we move further down the line.
“He is... perfect.” She sighs, leaning into me.
“Sounds like you really like him.” I swallow the hard knot in my throat.
I knew this would happen. I knew it yesterday as I watched them walk away together. I knew it last night as I stewed and obsessed over what they were doing. And I knew it this morning when I caught sight of them walking in together before I turned and went the other way.
“I really do.”
I punch my lunch code into the keypad and wait for her to do the same before making my way toward our usual lunch table.
I spot Gretchen and Bella sitting there as we approach. I’m immediately relieved to see them. They usually sit with us but chose to spend their lunch period in the library yesterday to study for today’s History test. A test I most likely failed as I couldn’t keep my thoughts straight long enough to concentrate.
I take the seat to Bella’s left, leaving an empty chair between us, and Lulu slides in directly next to me.
“So, Lucy Lu,” Gretchen smiles at her the moment we’ve sat down, “rumor has it you were seen at Joe’s yesterday afternoon looking quite cozy with the new hottie.”
For Christ’s sake. Can a girl get no reprieve?
“He’s seriously so hot,” Bella chimes in. “And those dimples. Lord.” She fans herself. “He’s in my Spanish class.”
“He’s amazing.” Lulu smiles so wide I wonder if her face might split apart. “Not only is he gorgeous, but he’s funny and smart and so freaking sweet. Normally guys that look like him are not that nice.”
“Maybe they just raise them to be nicer in California,” Bella offers, shoveling a bite of yogurt into her mouth.
“I don’t know what it is but I’m telling you, girls. He might be it.”
“Wait. What?” It’s my turn to join the conversation. “You went out for ice cream. Isn’t it a bit early to be making such predictions?”
“Oh relax, Hope. It’s not like I’m going to marry the man. But I think he just might be lucky enough to earn the title of my firstrealboyfriend.”
“Seriously?” Gretchen squeals. “Are you telling me Lucy freaking Brown might actually be off the market?”
“It’s not official or anything.” Lulu holds her hands up in front of herself. “But it’s definitely looking like it might go in that direction.” Her gaze locks on something behind Gretchen and I look to see what’s distracted her.
My heart physically aches when I see him. His eyes are locked on Lulu as if she’s the only one sitting at the table.
