Rumor Has It: The Complete Series

by Tucker, RH

  When he walks over to me, my head is spinning, and my body is in a frenzy as he leans closer. He somehow worms his arm under or around my hooded sweater, putting his hand on my back. Or maybe he’s magic and magically did it because at that exact moment I feel like someone from Hogwarts hit me with Petrificus Totalus and I’m frozen in place. Only I’m not cold. I’m on fire.

  I still have my top as a barrier between his skin and mine, but it doesn’t matter. My tank top—my entire wardrobe—might as well be burning up. And when he leans closer to me, it isn't like he’s normally done in class. I still feel his warm breath, but his entire body is closer. I catch much more of his scent than normal, making my breath hitch. And when his cheek lightly brushes against mine, I’m done. I clench my fingers tight as he whispers, "Hottest. Edward. Ever."

  And that’s all she wrote. Or, he, in this case. In this moment, he could ask me to the prom again I’d say yes in an instant. He could start making out with me, tear my clothes off, or any other r-rated ideas that are popping into my head at the moment, and I wouldn't bat an eyelash. I’m like putty. Clay. Matt could shape me however he wanted, and I'd happily oblige.

  "All right," someone else starts on the microphone, but I’m not sure who.

  I see Natalie walk in front of me and look to the side. Everyone else on the basketball court is starting to walk away, and I have no idea what is going on.

  "You okay there, Nerd Girl?" Matt whispers, still close but not close enough.

  "What?"

  "We're good now. You can head back to Cindy and Veronica while we announce court week stuff."

  "Oh.” I blink for a moment, looking at him. I lick my bottom lip and see him smile.

  "Got something on your mind?"

  "What?" God, I’m repeating the same one-worded question.

  Putting his hand on my back again, I swallow nervously. His hand is on the outside of my sweater this time, but it doesn't matter. I’m surprised I’m not a walking mound of ashes, with how hot I feel.

  I walk back up the bleachers and Cindy’s beaming, as she continues to record.

  “Cindy, you can stop now.”

  “Oh, no.” She laughs. “Your fans need to see a hot and bothered Nerd Girl.”

  Veronica joins in on the laughter.

  “Okay.” I reach for my phone, turning it off.

  “What’d he say down there?” Veronica asks, leaning over Cindy.

  “Nothing,” I mutter, fidgeting with my fingers.

  “Mm-hmm.” Cindy nods but grins at me with disbelieving eyes.

  They quiet down, listening to the rest of the pep rally. I try to pay attention, since being on the court means I’m going to have to partake in next week’s activities leading up to prom, but everything is buzzing. The gym, the air, my skin, my brain.

  I thought I had these feelings under control, and maybe they would stay that way if we’d keep our distance from each other. But every time he gets close to me, it’s like I go into overdrive. Not that I don’t like overdrive, but I’m trying to convince myself that it isn’t a good idea. I’m trying to convince Matt of the same exact thing. But I still feel his breath against my ear. The slight stubble rubbing against my cheek. His words, calling me hot. As much as I know it’s not a good idea; I’m in real danger of falling for this guy.

  “Come on.” Cindy bumps my knee with hers.

  I look up and see her and Veronica standing. Looking around, everyone else is up and starting to leave the gym, and I haven’t even noticed.

  “What happened? Did the bell ring?”

  Cindy smiles, shaking her head and looking over at Veronica, before back at me. “Wow, your brain’s mush after whispering words from him. The pep rally ended fifteen minutes early, and Mr. Garrison said we could leave.”

  “Oh.”

  We make our way out to the parking lot. Cindy usually gives Veronica a ride to school, and I’m parked next to her.

  “I know you don’t have any, but I say you buy one and wear a teddy on Monday,” Veronica says with a smile.

  “What?” I come to a sudden stop, mouth agape.

  “For pajama day.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  Cindy laughs. “V, I don’t think she heard anything after McFanboy had his tongue in her ear.”

  “He did not have his tongue …” I can’t help but pause, the idea flickering to life. No, get a hold of yourself, Izzy. “In my ear.”

  “Look at her.” Veronica points. “She totally wants to ravage him. Or maybe she wants him to do that to her.”

  “Would you two just shut up and tell me what you meant about a teddy.”

  “Izzy.” Cindy rolls her eyes. “Monday is the first day of prom court week, and it’s Pajama Day. Everyone on the court has to come to school in some kind of pajamas.”

  “Oh, right.” I act like I remember them talking about it at the pep rally, but they’re right. I didn’t hear a thing after Matt’s lips met my ear.

  “We’ll come over this weekend and help you decide.”

  “Yeah, okay.”

  Yup, real danger.

  * * *

  By the time Monday comes along, I’ve decided on what pajamas I’m going to wear. True to their word, Cindy and Veronica did come over, and both tried to get to me buy a revealing nightgown at the mall. When I vetoed all their choices, they bombarded me with loads of boy shorts and camis. I’m not opposed to those per se because I actually have a few that are super comfortable. But walking around all day at school, in tiny little shorts, didn’t sound like something I wanted to do. In the end, I choose some pajamas that I actually use as pajamas—a pair of old scrub bottoms and a Justice League tank top.

  I don’t get much attention from anyone for my pajama choice, other than the usual high fives I’ve been getting from people I barely know. I still want to know about the vote count.

  As I’m heading to my second class, I see Sarah and Yvette walking down the hallway, both dressed in skimpy, silk, black laced negligees. I silently thank myself for not succumbing to Veronica’s teddy request.

  Woodbridge High doesn’t have a dress code, other than the usual ‘nothing too revealing or provocative’ kind of rules for the girls, but both of their wardrobes certainly cross that line. I’m surprised they got past first period, but then again, they are both the popular girls in school. I’m sure they gave their teacher their best innocent looking expression when they were questioned on their attire, most likely using prom court as an excuse.

  Leaving my third period class, I see Sam down the hallway. He’s wearing sweats as he smiles and nods to me. The front of his sweatshirt has a picture of a chessboard. Below the image reads ‘I Got Game’.

  I don’t know if he knows he’s the joke vote or not, but Sam’s a smart guy. I’m sure if he didn’t know it at the time, he’s figured it out by now, but he seems to be enjoying himself still. I’m not sure Natalie feels the same. She’s in my second period class and kept complaining about being coupled with Sam, even though we really only had to do a few things with our couple on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday during lunch. Everyone on prom court is supposed to meet after school today and go over the events in a little more detail than at the pep rally.

  As I head to sociology, an arm drapes over my shoulder. My muscles freeze as I smell the same crisp scent from the pep rally.

  “Those are the pajamas you picked?” Matt says.

  I fully intend to keep walking, no matter how many goosebumps prickle over my skin, but as I turn to look at him, my feet freeze.

  “Those are the pajamas you picked?”

  “What?” He frowns, looking down at himself.

  He has his backpack slung over his shoulder, but other than that he looks like he rolled directly out of bed. Which doesn’t help my already flustered brain, because now I’m picturing him in bed.

  He’s wearing socks with no shoes. But they’re ankle socks, revealing his calves. If you would’ve asked me if calves were attrac
tive yesterday, I would’ve said I don’t know, but now I know. They are. But it doesn’t stop with socks and calves because he’s wearing basketball shorts, revealing his tanned legs that practically scream at me for attention.

  My eyes continued to roam over him and scan over the tight gray tank top. His fit frame seems so much more muscular than usual, with no sleeves on his shoulders, and his chest filling out the top. The only thing that seems somewhat normal is his hair, which is usually a little messy. It’s just on the cusp of being out of control, but not in a bad way. In a way that makes me want to run my fingers through it.

  “I didn’t have the shirt on when I got here,” he says, lifting the hem of the tank top, revealing his abs underneath.

  I involuntarily let out a stifled cough. “Oh.”

  “But Mr. Garrison said shirts are required.”

  “Yeah,” I answer but can’t peel my eyes away from his chest. “Yeah, definitely required.”

  “Right.” He lets out a light laugh. “I figured as much, which is why I brought the tank top.”

  “Okay,” I reply, and he’s still holding the shirt up, scratching his stomach.

  I reach over, pushing his hand down with the shirt because if I keep staring at his stomach, I might just tear his whole shirt off. But I quickly realize that’s a mistake, because now my fingers tingle, my entire body feeling like I’m suffocating under my pajama wardrobe.

  “I, uh …” I shake my head, forcing myself to look at his eyes and nothing else. “I guess you took the whole pajama day thing literal.”

  He smirks. “Yes and no. I couldn’t exactly wear my actual pajamas. I mean, I could, but I probably would’ve been sent home.”

  “Sent home?” The words are so soft, I barely hear them myself.

  Matt arches an eyebrow. “Yeah, I usually just wear my boxer briefs.”

  I don’t say anything. I literally can’t. I bite my lip so hard I think I might draw blood, as I will every ounce of energy to keep staring at his eyes and not glance down at his shorts and start imagining him in tight, little boxers.

  As my eyes stay on his face, I notice he’s shaven. I have a way to get out of the pajama discussion, because anymore talking about Matt in underwear is certainly going to fry my brain, so I jump at it.

  “You shaved.” I nod, not daring to touch him.

  “Yeah.” He rubs his chin. He takes a step and nods to me. “We better get to class, or we’ll be late.”

  “Yeah, right.” I turn and follow him, careful to keep a safe distance between us. Mostly to just keep myself in check.

  Chapter 26

  Matt

  To say I’m laying it on a little thick would be an understatement. After school, when we meet up to review the events that are happening Tuesday through Thursday, Yvette shoots more than a couple dirty looks at me as I sit next to Izzy and shamelessly flirt with her. I can’t help it. And I don’t care if Yvette is jealous or not. I know Izzy’s given me the ultimatum to wear the Spike costume in order to go to prom with her, but I’m really trying to win her over without having to do that. I understand why she wants me to just be myself, but I can still be myself without letting everyone know I’m an uber geek.

  After the meeting is over with Mr. Garrison, I walk with Izzy to the parking lot.

  “So, what are we wearing tomorrow?” I ask. Tuesday is Twin Day. Prom court couples are supposed to match.

  She keeps her eyes focused straight ahead. “What kind of nerd shirts do you have?”

  “I got a couple, but not many. Why?”

  “Why don’t we just wear jeans and matching T-shirts? You got a Star Wars shirt?”

  “Okay, sure.”

  Her eyebrow shoots up, as she finally looks at me. “You’d wear a Star Wars shirt? To school?”

  “Yeah, it’s twin day. We have to match.”

  Pursing her lips together, she lets out a sigh. “Right. Twin day.”

  “Iz, why can’t you just drop it? It’s not that big of a deal.”

  “Yes, it is, Matt. I don’t know how you can be so comfortable, being someone you’re not.”

  “Whoa.” I hold up a hand, stopping just as she reaches her car door. “I’m comfortable with who I am.”

  “Really?”

  “Look at me, Izzy.” I tug at my tank top, and motion to the shorts I’m wearing. “Do you think I’d parade around in this stuff if I weren’t comfortable? You know, girls aren’t the only ones who get objectified for their bodies.”

  “Matt, this isn’t a sexism argument.”

  “Good, because Yvette couldn’t stop undressing me with her eyes this morning.”

  “Yeah, she was doing the same thing in that meeting. She definitely has a thing for you.”

  “Oh.” I smirk, the annoyance over keeping my secret alleviating. “Sounds like someone’s jealous.”

  “No!” she snaps at me a little too quickly, making my smirk turn into a full-blown smile. “Whatever. Anyways, back to my point. You’re fine parading around like this, living up to the expectations of everyone around you, except your own.”

  “I have no expectations for myself.”

  “Whatever, not expectations for yourself then. Just …” She shakes her head, letting out a frustrated growl. “Just be yourself. That’s all I want, Matt. The real you. Not the fake one.”

  “Fake? You think I’m fake?”

  “Fine, not fake. I don’t know,” she grumbles. “Just honest. True. Be true to yourself, Matt.”

  I really don’t want to argue. I’ve made it a goal this week to try and get her to go to prom with me without that stupid condition and getting in an argument will not help that.

  “What kind of Star Wars shirt?” I ask bluntly.

  Shaking her head, she lets out another sigh. “I just got one. It’s black and has the Empire Strikes Back poster on the front.”

  “Hot Topic?” I ask, and she nods. “Okay, I’ll swing by and pick one up.”

  I want to say something to ease the tension that’s formed, but there’s nothing I can say. Because no matter what, she’s still going to bring up the fact that she thinks I’m not comfortable being who I am. Which I am. I’m comfortable being the popular, class president. I know that role, and I play it well. And I enjoy playing it. But being the other me, the nerd side of myself just doesn’t connect with all of that. So why even bother?

  “Yo, Matt!” Carter calls out to me from across the parking lot.

  He’s coming out of Coach Hallinan’s office, along with Lucas, Franco and Jeremy.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Yeah, okay,” she answers back but doesn’t look at me. Instead, she gets into her car and drives away.

  “Hey.” I catch up with the guys.

  They aren’t walking together—since Jeremy still resents Carter—but there’s only one entrance by Coach’s office, so they’re all still close.

  “Okay, I gotta ask,” Jeremy speaks up, giving me a douchebag grin. “You hitting that or what, Hillard?”

  “Excuse me?” My head snaps towards him, scowling.

  “Dude, we all saw that tight ass top she was wearing at the pep rally, with those jeans hugging her ass. Who knew nerds could be that hot.”

  Franco starts to chuckle, but I look over at him, and he stops. “McCormick, I got an idea. Why don’t you shut your mouth?”

  “Whoa.” He holds up his hands, acting affronted. “Calm down. Just pointing out the obvious.”

  “Yeah, well keep the obvious to yourself.”

  “Oh, is someone a little sprung over a nerd?”

  I drop my bag, stepping to Jeremy. Now mind you, I’m wearing shorts and a tank top, with only socks and no shoes, because I thought it’d be funny to walk around in socks all day. I match McCormick’s height, though he probably outweighs me by ten or fifteen pounds, but right now none of that matters as I stare at him.

  “Come on.” Carter puts a hand on my chest. “Back off, dude. He’s not worth it.”

>   “Bite me, Dixon.” He pushes Carter in the shoulder, making him collide into me.

  Carter spins around, swinging a right hand at Jeremy but he sidesteps it. He moves to throw a punch at Carter, but both Lucas and Franco jump in the middle of them. It’s hard to believe we were all friends at the beginning of the year and now it seems more lines are being drawn, as Lucas holds back Carter and Franco tries to calm down Jeremy.

  A door swings open behind us, making us all turn around, and we see Coach Hallinan leaving his office. His eyes find and study us all. He pauses, looking at each one of us, giving us a sideways glance, before moving along.

  “Let’s go,” Jeremy tells Franco and Lucas, giving both myself and Carter the stink-eye.

  Lucas looks over at Jeremy, then back at us. “I’m good.”

  Jeremy stops as Franco looks back at us, unsure what’s happening. “Lucas, what the hell?”

  Lucas stares at me and then at Carter, taking in a deep breath, before looking at Jeremy. “You’re kind of a dick, dude.”

  “Fuck you,” Jeremy spits out. “Fuck all of you.”

  “Good riddance,” Carter says, giving Lucas a fist bump as we all watch Jeremy and Franco leave.

  “Yeah, but he was my ride home.” Lucas scratches his neck.

  “I got you, man.” Carter slaps his shoulder. “Before that drama, I was going to say I’m starving. Want to grab some In-N-Out or something.”

  “Yeah, sure.” I nod. “What were you guys doing, anyways?”

  “Coach wanted us to meet with some of the freshmen he thinks can make varsity next year.” Carter looks me up and down, giving me the same expression he gave me at lunch. “I still can’t believe you came to school like this.”

  “You’re just jealous I have a better tan than you.”

  “False.” He laughs.

  Lucas laughs at the joke but looks back at Jeremy, who’s in his truck. As he pulls away, I can see Franco looking at us, while Jeremy flips us the bird. Lucas looks like he isn’t sure what he just did. He’s known Jeremy longer than either Carter or myself, but he also knows how much of a prick he is. I guess there’s only so much douchebaggery a person can take. Even so, I’m sure Lucas has to be feeling some kind of way, basically ending a friendship. He’s all but choosing us over Jeremy. He’s trusting Carter and me as friends. Maybe it’s time I trusted them.