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“Your pecs aren’t half bad either.” Penelope shook her head. “How . . .”
I shrugged because I never noticed, nor did I put much stock into my physical appearance. “I have this telescope. It weighs, like, one hundred fifty pounds, and I have to cart it around sometimes. You can break it down, but I usually hate taking the time, so.” I shrugged.
“You’re telling me those arms are from lifting a telescope?”
“Yeah, I guess? I mean, I usually lug it around several times a week. Between that and helping my mom load her car every morning and afternoon and doing anything involving heavy lifting in the house, I suppose . . .” I trailed off because they were still staring, and it was making me feel self-conscious.
“What does your mom do?” Scarlett asked.
“She’s a photographer. She usually has a bunch of crates with her equipment, and then one with props. Depending on what they are, they can get pretty heavy.” I remembered the time she had me lift this ridiculously huge boulder into the back of her SUV so that her subject at the park could “lounge” on them for photos. Or like the time she bought all new kitchen appliances on a whim and I had to move them myself. Perks of being a boy and the only child of a single mother.
A small smile ghosted the corners of my lips at the memories before I lifted one arm to see what Penelope and Scarlett saw that I didn’t. Because I wasn’t athletic and didn’t work out, I never thought of myself as having muscle, but now that I was staring at my arms in the three-way mirror outside the fitting room, maybe they were on to something. I wasn’t chiseled like Thorne or cut like the jocks at our school, but I definitely had definition.
“Dude, I bet if you worked out just a few times a week, you could be seriously ripped.” Scarlett’s voice broke through my thoughts.
“Really? You think?” The thought of having a body to rival the Royals and jocks kinda thrilled me. I’d love to give them a run for their money.
“Totally. If you want, Thorne could show you a few things. But no pressure. You look great as is.”
“I say we go a size down in some of these shirts,” Penelope interjected as she sprang into action. “One size down will give you a more fitted look and show off your arms more, even in long sleeves.” Then she paused and nudged me in the side as she grinned and said, “Barry, Glick, you’re full of surprises. What other secrets do you have up your sleeve?”
Chapter 13
BARRY
ThoughIhadn’tplannedto roll out my new look until after the masquerade ball, I thought it might be wise to test it out. So, when I pulled into my driveway and saw Bat Man’s work van parked in his usual spot, I smiled to myself. He was the perfect test subject.
I grabbed the dozens of bags piled inside my trunk and looped them around my arms like a pack mule, so I didn’t have to make multiple trips, then stacked and held the shoe boxes against my chest as I made my way down the walkway. Somehow I managed to juggle everything and push my way through the front door, pausing to drop a few of my packages in the foyer.
“Barry?” My mother paused in the hallway when she saw me, her eyes flickering over my purchases with wide-eyed interest. “Wow. You really made up for lost time.” She laughed.
“You could say that.” I shrugged, fighting the blush that threatened to rise to my cheeks. “Scarlett and Penelope helped me out.”
“Well, that’s . . . amazing.” Stepping forward, she took my hands and held my arms out, taking in my appearance–the dark blue chinos and pale blue, untucked button down rolled at the sleeves at Penelope and Scarlett’s insistence. “You haven’t gone clothes shopping in years. It’s about time.” Then her gaze drifted back up to my face, to the new glasses Scarlett demanded I buy because they brought out the flecks of green in my eyes. “And your frames, they’re different.”
“Good different?” I asked, wincing, because in my experience, different was never a good thing.
“Amazingly different. They’re perfect. I love them. But how did they get them back to you so fast?”
“They helped me pick out frames that fit my lenses, so I just had to pay to have them pop the new ones in.”
“Amazing.” Then she turned and called out, “Dan! Come look at Barry.”
A minute later, Bat Man emerged from the hallway and sauntered into the room, a beer gripped in one hand while his gaze traveled the length of me and he grunted.
“Doesn’t he look amazing?” Mom gushed.
“They’re just new clothes, Mom,” I said, slightly embarrassed at how enthusiastic she was. Had I known she’d be so excited for me to update my wardrobe, I’d have done it years ago.
“Well, I think they look great,” she said.
“Takes your eyes off the hair at least.” Bat Man belched for emphasis, and I knew it was the closest to a compliment I would get.
On Friday, I walked into school, sporting new glasses and jeans, along with my newfound confidence. More than ever, I couldn’t wait for the masquerade ball. It felt like years of my life had passed waiting for Ella to be single and for my chance, and though I planned on wholly sweeping her off her feet at the ball, I still had a lot of work to do if I wanted her to fall for me. And tomorrow night would be the perfect opportunity since it was Friday and we were supposed to hang out at The Broken Record.Withouther sister.
I walked into chemistry class, forcing myself to keep my shoulders back, head lifted, but JT must’ve taken a day off from spreading misery because he was surprisingly quiet. Which was just as well since my confidence was a work in progress.
Sinking down into my chair, I turned to find Ella staring. “What?” Paranoid, I reached a hand up to my cheek.Did I have something on me?
