by RH Tucker
I turn and look at Emma, who’s eyes dart away from our table, off to the distance.
“Guys, what’s going on? Come on, he’s totally hot and he likes me.”
Matt glances at Carter again, who looks at Emma, as if he’s getting permission to tell me something. She bites her lip and nods.
Carter shakes his head, not making eye contact. “Jen, are you sure this thing you guys have is … for real?”
“Carter! Emma!” I snap to the side, staring at her. “Come on, you guys, you know I like him.”
“I know, Jen.” Emma cringes. “It’s just that … well, Franco hangs out with Jeremy, and you know how that circle is.”
“Ugh!” I shake my head. “I can’t believe you guys.” Pointing at Carter, I wrinkle my brow. “You guys are going out and in love. And you?” I point to Matt. “You got your nerd love, or whatever, going on.”
“Hey,” Matt counters.
“It’s cute, Matt. It really is. I’m just calling it like I see it. Don’t I deserve to be in love, too?”
“Of course you do!” Emma wraps her arms around me, squeezing me tightly.
“Jen, you’re cool. I like you a lot.” Carter offers me a half-smile. “But Franco, I mean, he’s not on McCormick’s level of douchiness, but—” He stops and looks away, before staring at Matt. “How do I put this?”
Before Matt can answer, I speak up. “Just put it.”
“He can be a player,” Carter answers while Matt nods, staring at the table. “I mean, don’t get me wrong, he can be cool at times. Like earlier this year when McCormick and I got into it, he had my back a couple times. But, more times than not, he tends to think the way Jeremy thinks.”
“What’s that mean?”
Carter gives a worried look to Emma, as if he doesn’t want to say it in front of her. Then he takes a breath and let’s it out. “He’s a hit it and quit it type of guy.” Emma scoffs. “Sorry, babe, but it’s true. Franco likes to have fun, and when things get real, he gets gone.”
I cringe because even though Emma is my best friend, I still haven’t told her what happened after prom on Saturday night. I’ve hooked up with boys before, but only had sex once, and Emma knows about it. The first time wasn’t special. I just wanted to get it over and done with. But I didn’t tell her about me and Franco. What happened between us is special and I want to keep it to myself for a little while longer.
I can’t bring myself to believe what Carter’s saying. Franco was the perfect gentlemen at prom. And he didn’t even pressure me to have sex with him afterward. Yeah, we were fooling around at the hotel suite he and a couple friends got for the night, but every step of the way he was checking with me. Making sure that’s what I wanted to do. And I did. And it was perfect.
“Jen?” Matt stares at me, and I’m not sure when Carter stopped talking and if Matt added to his less-than-favorable description of Franco.
“Maybe he was like that before, but this is different, you guys.”
“I don’t know,” Carter says, giving me a worried expression, before smirking at Emma. “He’s got a little bit of the dark side in him. See, I used it correctly there, right?”
Emma giggles and nods, as Carter smiles proudly.
“Awesome, you got him to watch all the movies?” Matt asks Emma.
“Dude, I’ve seen Star Wars before,” Carter complains.
“Yeah, but only Return of the Jedi.” Matt gets a worried expression on his face, his hand coming across Carter’s shoulder. “Hold on, please tell me you started with Episode Four.”
“Why would I start with Episode Four?” Carter says. “What is it with you guys and these movies? Why wouldn’t you start in chronological order?”
Matt’s face drops as he stares at Emma. “Emma … no. You did not let him start with Episode One?”
She shrugs her shoulders, averting her eyes. “I tried to tell him, but he wouldn’t listen.”
“You guys are insane!” Carter nearly screams. “Logic dictates you start with the first number, correct?”
“No,” Emma and Matt answer at the same time.
“I can’t be your friend for the rest of lunch. I’m gonna go sit with Izzy.” Matt grabs his bag and gets up.
“Hey.” Emma waves him to stop. “You should invite her over to sit with us. I’d like to get to know your girlfriend a little better before school ends.”
“I’ll tell her, but she’s with her friends. Plus, she does a lot of video editing during lunch. I’ll let her know though, thanks.” Matt smiles, before looking back at Carter. “You disappoint me, Carter. I find your lack of faith disturbing.”
“What?” Carter shoots him a confused look.
Matt shakes his head and walks away to the other side of the quad, while Emma giggles. “The force is strong in that one.”
“Oh my God.” Carter rolls his eyes. “I’m surrounded by nerds.”
“Hey.” Emma gives him a playful scold.
“Nerds who I love.”
“As long as one you love more?” Emma singsongs.
He grins. “Of course, Matt’s my best friend. I love him the most.”
“That’s it, we’re breaking up.” Emma laughs, while Carter gives her kissy faces.
“Okay, if you guys are done being adorable.” I stop them. “And talking about Star Wars … I just want to make sure you guys are cool with him.”
“Jen,” Emma groans.
“I’m serious, Emma. Carter, you’re cool, but I seriously wanted to punch you in the nuts when you were still mystery texter-baller-whatever.” Carter cringes. “And Matt’s become our friend, and we don’t really hang out with his girlfriend, but that technically just happened, and I talked to her when she was on court. She seems cool.”
“Jen, where are you going with this?” Carter shakes his head at me.
“What I’m saying is, me and Franco are for real. And I want you guys to give him a chance.”
“Of course,” Emma answers quickly, giving me another hug.
Carter shoots a distrustful look at me but lifts his shoulders. “Fine.”
“Oh, speak of the devil.” I can’t help the smile that forms over my lips as Franco walks over to our table, coming up behind Carter.
Giving him my most flirty smile, I push my hair over my shoulder. “Hey.”
“Hey, you.” He smiles back at me and I melt. Literally, melt. “Sup, Carter?” He taps him on the shoulder.
“What’s up, dude?”
“Not much. Jen, I was hoping we could talk for a minute?”
He can’t see Carter’s face as Carter sends a worried gaze to Emma. Emma in turn looks at me, unsure herself. I, on the other hand, know exactly what I’m feeling. This is the moment. We didn’t really talk much afterward, and we certainly haven’t discussed our relationship status, but this is it. I know it. We’re going to become official.
“Sure.” I bounce up from the table.
