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“I’m not sure if Jaron is still going to want to come with me now anyway. I’m pretty sure I got him kicked off the baseball team, since Brody’s parents want to press charges.” I blow out a deep breath.
“I’m kinda done with this topic. Do you mind if we talk about something else?”
“You brought it up again,” he says. “I was perfectly happy discussing private things with you.”
I smile. “Yeah, I’m sure.”
“Actually, there really is something I wanted to talk to you about.”
“Hang on,” I say, pulling out my phone and holding it up. I push record, aiming it at Ethan. “I think your followers deserve to see the serious side of you.”
“Are you actually posting that?”
I shrug. “Maybe. After all, we’re living in the 21st century. Everything needs to be recorded, right? Isn’t that what you said?”
Ethan chuckles. “Fine, but you might want to hear me out before sharing.”
“Oh, I’m listening.” I wave my other hand beneath the phone. “We’realllistening.”
“I just want you to know up front, that I’m not the boyfriend type.”
I’m not sure where he’s going with this. Suddenly my bit doesn’t seem funny anymore.
“I didn’t ask you to be my prom date because I have a secret crush or because I want to be your boyfriend.”
I never assumed Ethan liked me, but hearing it from his own lips feels a little like a slap in the face. “If you’re trying to convince me to go with you, you’re not doing a very good job,” I say, trying to salvage my bruised ego.
“Sorry,” Ethan says. “Is that too harsh? I just wanna be honest. I asked you to be my date because there was a lot of buzz around your snap.”
“I didn’t post that,” I say. “Tessa did.”
“Either way, did you know because I’m an SBO, I can’t be nominated for prom king?”
“Really? Ew.”
“Yeah, I guess it’s in the school’s bylaws or something. Totally dumb. But since we already won one election, then it wouldn’t be fair to compete again. Cause obviously I’d win.”
“You want to use my nomination to boost yourself?”
“Yeah…I mean, I guess…is that okay?”
“I literally don’t know how I feel about it,” I say.
“I’ve got a couple sponsors on the ropes, who might be willing to sponsor me if I can just get a few thousand more followers. With the buzz surrounding you and your surprise nomination, I think if I put my name in with yours, I could get those extra followers.”
“Why don’t you just take Taylor?” I ask. “She’s rich and gorgeous and probably has the best chance at being crowned. Wouldn’t that increase your following?”
“No, that’s too basic. I want to shock people. Plus, you’re like the underdog. Who doesn’t wanna root for the underdog?”
“Why are you telling me this?” I ask.
“Because I think your cool, Emma. And I am going to do everything in my power to win this competition. But I’m not in it for you, I’m in it for me.”
I squirm a little in my seat. I’m honestly not sure how to feel about this. “What happens if I tell you no right now, and I choose Jaron or Austin?”
“Well first I’d say you’re crazy, cause I’m clearly the best choice. I think we would legit have the best time. That’s just facts. But if you want to take Jaron or nerd boy instead, then I bet you’ll have a boyfriend by the end of the week. They’re definitely both into you.”
“What’s in it for me?” I ask. “Why should I keep you as a possibility?”
