Maybe Me

by Rachel Kiss

His best friend, Lily.

  Lily!!!

  I screech out in disbelief, “You left me a headless doll!!!!!”

  She wipes at endless flowing tears. “You were supposed to think it was from Jonah.”

  I blink at her. “I did. For a second.” I squint. “Wait—why did you want me to think it was Jonah?”

  She shrugs and lets out a breath of resign, like the jig is up—you know, since I came home unexpectedly and caught her in the midst of her deviant (strange) ruse.

  She lets out another hitch-y breath, “I know you think Jonah is psycho. He told me you think that. I was just helping you to keep thinking that. Because … I love Jonah. I think he has feelings for me too. But—but after he hit you with his car, he turned all obsessed with you again. I mean, he was always obsessed with you. But it was under control—pretty much. But then when he crashed into your car it got him all crazy over you again. Only even worse. Way worse.”

  She gulps down a strangled breath, “I—I just wanted you to be more firm with him. Make him leave you alone—so he can finally get over you.” She sounds all desperate (duh), “If you force him to leave you alone, he will. I know you think he’s crazy, but he’s not. He’s just … crazy about you.”

  I lean against the wall, trying to absorb all of this. She broke into my room … to make me think my stalker is a … stalker.

  Wow. They deserve each other. They are both seriously cuckoo.

  I let out a breath. “Lily … can I give you a makeover?”

  CHAPTER 23

  For the next forty minutes, instead of wallowing with Xander and Pop Tarts over my destroyed friendship with Luke, I give Lily a full-on makeover—doing her hair, face and nails.

  “You look gorgeous!” I tell her when I’ve finished my magic. (I’m truly amazing.)

  And forgiving … right?

  I just hope Luke can be as forgiving. I mean, I guess my kiss surely put a serious slam in his already plunging relationship with Gia. Sure, I hate her. But … if she’s what he wants, then I suck.

  That knowledge keeps me focusing on Lily, just so I don’t have to think about it. Because it kills. So bad.

  “Here, I have the perfect shirt for you,” I tell Lily “—hurry and put it on.”

  I direct her to the bathroom, handing her the ‘perfect’ shirt. You know, the semi-erotic one that Jonah left me in my mailbox.

  Once she has it on, she comes out of my bathroom looking shy. “I—I don’t know about the top.”

  “I do,” I tell her. “Jonah will love it.”

  She blinks. “Jonah?”

  “Yeah. You’re going to go see him tonight. You have to hurry though, it’s almost eleven.”

  She blinks again. “What happens at eleven?”

  “Jonah serves you a romantic boat-cooked meal—and totally drools over you.”

  “Oh!” She smiles shyly. “I like the sound of that.”

  “Well, he’ll LOVE the look of you. I promise, you look amazing. Just show up and surprise him. And TELL him how you feel about him.”

  She bites her lip, like she’s nervous to do that. Hesitantly, she glances back in the mirror. “You did somehow make me look … pretty.”

  “I know right?” I fluff her hair a bit—though actually, it’s perfect. (I’m so awesome.) “You can keep the top. I know for a fact Jonah loves it.”

  I smile at her, so pleased with myself. (Well, as long as I block out the fact I kissed my best friend and ruined everything I hold dear.)

  I try to act cheerful, “Jonah is going to die when he sees you.”

  And I’m going to die of heartbreak … because I’m pretty sure I lost Luke.

  CHAPTER 24

  Twenty minutes later, I get a text from Jonah. “Lily ‘surprised’ me by showing up here, looking all hot.”

  I text him back, “Really???”

  A minute later he texts more, “Look, I know you’re behind it, alright? I bought you the sexy top she’s wearing. I bought it for you. Not so much because I thought it was sexy, but because I knew it would look hot on you. I bought it to see you in it…. But I can tell you want this—me with Lily. And I can tell you’re not ready for me—yet. To give me a chance. Yet. So I’ll give you your way—I’ll give Lily a chance. If you’re sure that’s really what you want. I know she’s screwy … but I like her. Just not as much as you.”

  ‘Screwy’—yeah, that sounds about right. For both of them.

  I text him back: “Enjoy your soul-mate, Jonah.”

  Sigh. Sadly, I will kind of miss him—in a ‘screwy’ way.

  (I’m very messed up.)

  Right after my farewell to Jonah, I get a text from Luke. Seeing it, my heart aches. “Look, I’m not the kind of guy that cheats. I mean, I know I have that reputation. But it’s not true. I go through girls fast—but I don’t cheat on them.”

  I know.

  That’s one of the reasons I love him.

  Well, one of the millions of reasons why.

  Sigh.

  Where’s my Pop Tarts?

  CHAPTER 25

  There’s a knock on my front door. It’s really soft. And hesitant. I know just from that it’s Luke, hesitant to face me and the awkwardness that is suddenly going to be between us—because of me. And my stupid (amazing) kiss.

  Wiping my sweaty hands on my jeans, I take a deep breath and open the door.

  Luke looks tortured.

  “Look, you just kind of sprang the kiss on me,” he says. “I have a girlfriend. Well, I think I do. I have to like, break up with her before I can get something going with you.” His eyes look uncertain, but hopeful, “I mean if that’s what you want?”

  I blow out a breath, feeling like a dork. “Well, I kissed you.”

  “Yeah. But you’ve had ten million boyfriends, Jazz. It’s not like you’ve been pining for me.”

  He tilts his head, like it’s just occurring to him, “—have you?”

  Oh brother. Boys are so dumb!!! And, in his case, also deaf and completely BLIND!!! The only reason I’ve had ten million (and fifty) boyfriends is because the only one I really, truly ever wanted was him. Basically, what I couldn’t have in quality, I tried to make up for in quantity. So, ‘pining’ for him? Yeah, I guess you could call it that. Or dying for him.

  I give him a dubious look. “Would it make a difference?”

  He nods slowly, like he’s holding his breath.

  Now I’m holding mine. “Would it make you want to be my boyfriend?”

  His eyes flicker with surprise.

  Slowly, he raises his eyebrows. “Try me.”

  I blow out another breath. Then ground out, “Yes, I’ve been pining for you.”

  A smile spreads over his lips. A gigantic one. “Then give me a second, okay? Let me break up with Gia. I mean, if we’re not already broken up. Which, you know, I never know with girls. Am I still in a relationship, am I not? See, that’s what’s scary. I never know. You were my only sure thing, Jazz. I was always in a relationship with you. Because we were always just friends. To tell you the truth, I was glad Ally left. So you would give me your time again—be my best friend again.”

  “Whatever,” I scoff playfully. “You only used me for video games.”

  His lips curl up. “Jazz, I don’t even like video games. If you haven’t noticed, I suck at them. I just wanted to be with you—but you always had a guy. And Ally.”

  “Because I couldn’t let you mean so much to me,” I explain with a huff, in total frustration, though I know he can’t get it. (It’s quite possible it makes no sense to anyone but me—I realize that.)

  He tilts his head and pauses, like he’s trying to understand my reasoning. He gives the tiniest shake of his head, like ‘Okay, girls are weird and I need to just let it go.’ But what he says aloud is, “Well, I’ve always wanted to mean more to you. Then after you went into that coma, I was so afraid I lost my chance. It made me think, if I have another chance, I’m going to make her mine—all the way. But then you wok
e up … and I chickened out. Jazz, my sudden deep feelings for you scare me. Feelings scare me.”

  I nod. I totally get it. “Me too,” I whisper.

  He touches my hair. Playfully tugs it lightly. “Okay, so I’m going to go break up with my girlfriend—if I have one. I’m a little hazy on that. But then, I’m going to have a new one?” He raises his eyebrows hopefully, “—you?”

  My heart soars. I smile, “Maybe. If you ask me nice.”

  ***

  In the end, he did ask me nice. The next day over a comic strip. He finished our book with the two robots. The boy one got down on his knee and asked, “Will you be my girlfriend?”

  Reading it, I laughed and glanced over at Luke … to find him on one knee. (!!!!!!!) He grinned, “Jazz, will you be my girlfriend?”

  My heart ricocheted off my ribcage, in the most delicious way possible. (Though still extremely painful.)

  Ignoring the stars now in my vision, I cleared my throat, trying to keep from fainting or whatever was happening to my spastic insides. Instead, I tried to sound, you know, non-exploding.

  “Hmm. I don’t know. I have to read my line,” I answered teasingly, turning the page of the comic book.

  On the next page was the girl robot. From the boy’s question, she got huge hearts for eyes, and her real heart burst out of her chest. Just like mine.

  The girl robot simply gushed out one word, “YES!”

  So, I did the same.

  Luke’s smile grew. Huge. “Awesome. Now my best friend is my girlfriend.” He took my hand, linking his warm fingers through mine. “Just promise not to go into a coma again—please. Because then I lose everything—my best friend, my girlfriend—everything.” He gently kisses my hand, “But right now, I have everything.”

  His eyes search mine, looking completely awed. But they twinkle. “I know you think I’m this tough guy. But I’m not. I can get my heart broken pretty easy—by you. That’s why before—always—I was hanging back, just enjoying being your friend. But then you went into that coma and it was like—‘no way, I can’t lose her.’” He says it again, “You’re my everything, Jazz. You always were—the coma just made me realize it for sure … that I love you.”

  “I love you too,” I whisper.

  He smiles, his eyes drinking me in like they’re dying of thirst. Purrrr. “I guess feelings aren’t so bad,” he relents with a grin. “Not when the person you feel them for feels them back towards you. Then everything gets all sparkly. Or, hey, I don’t know … maybe I’m going to pass out.”

  I laugh. “Well, if you do, I’ll catch you,” I tell him. “Because that’s the kind of stuff best friends are for.”

  He grins. “And what are girlfriends for?”

  “This.” I give him my very, very best kiss … and now I’m about to pass out. (He’s an AWESOME kisser!!)

  Still kissing me, he laughs softly in my mouth as I go all wobbly. “I don’t know if my heart can take this,” he murmurs, “—us being able to do this now.” I can feel him smile huge, “but I’m enjoying giving it a shot.”

  “Me too,” I whisper, dizzy and breathless and soooo in love.

  Then we kiss some more. More and more.

  Because, you know, he’s my boyfriend.

  We’re allowed.

  ********

  Update: There is now Luke’s version of this story included as a bonus in the author’s new book, Please Love Me Back. (It’s only a dollar right now.) Jazz’s friends, Ally and Griffin, from this story are from the author’s book, His Kiss.

  The next page has book information, then there is a peek at the author’s newest book (Jane’s Air). After that, there is a list of dollar books by this author.

  A note from the author, Melanie Marks

  I hope you liked the story.

  There will be more to their story in the future.

  Luke’s version of this story is included in my new book:

  Please Love Me Back

  It is just a bonus story added to the book

  (Please Love Me Back is available now and only costs a dollar)

  ***

  Ally and Griffin—Jazz’s best friends (the heart-broken separated couple in this story) are from Melanie Marks’ HIS KISS series. (Jazz is in those books as well.) This book (‘His Best Friend’) takes place during the time period of the books: GRIFFIN and GRIFFIN #2. (But read His Kiss; HER Kiss; and High School Boys before you read those.)

  His Kiss is only a dollar right now.

  His Kiss

  by Melanie Marks

  Summary:

  Ally’s world was totally on track: the right boyfriend, the right school activities, the right plans. But then she is bribed into kissing the school “bad boy.” (Griffin Piper.) Now nothing is right. Nothing! Because all she can think about is … His Kiss.

  http://www.amazon.com/His-Kiss-Young-Adult-Romance-ebook/dp/B00631JXEO

  My website is:

  ByMelanieMarks

  My Email:

  MelanieMarksA (at) Comcast (dot) net

  Peek at: Jane’s Air

  Note: Below is a peek at Melanie Marks’ newest novel: Jane’s Air.

  Summary of Jane’s Air:

  Seventeen year-old Jane becomes an orphan and is pawned off by her aunt to work (and live) at the home (slash mansion) of the most handsome boy at Jane’s high school—Hunter Rochester. Hunter takes Jane’s breath away. But the handsome flirt is a mystery to Jane. Why did he persuade his mother to hire Jane to care for his little brother? And what other secrets is he keeping? (Jane has a secret of her own: she’s fallen hard for mysterious Hunter Rochester.)

  JANE’S AIR

  By Melanie Marks

  CHAPTER 1

  I go into my bedroom and—whoa! There’s Hunter Rochester.

  I’d just heard he was dead, so seeing him in my room (which he broke into, by the way) doesn’t have the same impact on me that it normally would … you know, since I’d thought he was dead.

  … yet here he is, standing in my room!

  Quite alive, I might add.

  I blink and blink at the beautiful boy, a strangled noise escaping my astonished lips. All I can do is stare. Because—because he’s not dead!

  Hunter grins weekly at my stunned expression. “Surprise,” he murmurs.

  Surprise?!

  Yeah, you could say that. After I heard he was dead, I’d run up to my room sobbing and full of agony that I hadn’t spoken a civil word to him all this year. That he left this world thinking I hated him. Which, okay, I thought I did … until I heard he was dead. Then all my warm feelings for him that I had kept buried deep, deep inside me had risen to the surface and exploded in my shattered heart, crushing me with unbearable pain.

  So now, wondrously seeing him (alive!!) my first impulse was to run to him and throw my enraptured arms around the gorgeous boy that I’d once loved with all my heart. Hug him tight, and forget that we are now total enemies.

  Seriously.

  Attack him with a hug—that was my first impulse. It was violent and intense.

  But now that I’m over the shock—that he’s alive—the rest of the situation (reality) crashes down on me.

  The dude has broken into my room. He obviously climbed in through my window while I was downstairs, getting the news from his friend that he was dead. Now he’s staring at me, his gorgeous long-lashed eyes glued to me like they always are these days. It’s unnerving. And I don’t get it. And it really sucks that it gets me weak in the knees.

  I growl. “I thought you were dead.”

  He winces slightly.

  But a tiny grin quirks at the corner of his delectable lips as he says, “You have to admit though Jane, you still have feelings for me,” he says softly. “I mean, you were crying—” he raises his eyebrows, “—pretty hard, I take it from that mess on your sleeve.”

  I glance down at my sleeve and wince. It’s covered with snot and tears. Groan.

  I flush a bit since it is kind of proof I wasn�
��t dancing a jig at the thought he was dead. It’s annoying.

  I shrug and try to act chill. However, it’s harder than you’d think, since my heart is still so full of inexpressible joy because he’s not gone from this earth that I can barely breathe. Let alone speak. Or be chill.

  Still, I go for chill anyway … because that’s just me, and Hunter and I have a hostile past. And I’m embarrassed that he caught me not dancing a jig at the thought of his demise.

  I mutter sardonically, “I’m glad you’re not dead … but I can’t honestly say I’m glad you’re alive.”

  He tilts his head. “So … you’re saying you wish I was a zombie?” His gorgeous eyes twinkle as he says it (since he knows I’m thrilled he’s not dead). Ugh!

  I roll my eyes. Without mustering much heart in it, I go for hostile/bitter, with—I admit—a large dollop of immaturity thrown in, “No, I was wishing to never see your face again, actually.”

  This only makes his smirk grow. “Yet you were glad to see it a second ago.”

  I grit my teeth. “What makes you say that?”

  He shrugs, his amused grin twitching. “The fact you didn’t punch it when you saw it in your room.”

  Yeah, okay, the unexpected sight of his face in my room had not made me want to punch it—at the time. Yet now I’d love to punch it. Smack that grin right off his face. (Too bad it’s absolutely adorable and has my heart yearning.) (Grrr!)

  Wishing I felt as mad as I know I should, I grumble, “You know it’s against the law to break into a person’s room—even if you’re a zombie.”

  “Right. I know. That’s why I had Jake tell you I was dead, so you could realize you didn’t really, truly, actually want me dead—though I know you were under the misimpression that you did.”

  I grumble, “It wasn’t a misimpression.”

  He raises an eyebrow. “Your sleeve says otherwise.”