“Why, hello there beautiful,” a deep voice rumbled in my ear.
I had an eerie sense of déjà vu, but this definitely wasn’t Pete. I turned to give them a piece of my mind.
Dylan stood there with that dimple-inducing smile of his. “Scared ya?”
“Oh, yeah, I’m so scared.” Again, there was something…off about him. I couldn’t place my finger on it. Yes, he was nice to look at, but I didn’t like the way he acted toward me. Oh, no…what if he thought I was flirting with him?
“What’s the special of the day?” He motioned with his head to the empty tray I held.
“I’m thinking a burger and fries.” I rushed over to the grill, hoping he would get the hint and leave me alone. No such luck.
He followed. “Sounds good to me. I’ll have the same.”
While we waited for our food, he pulled his iPhone out of his jeans’ pocket and started typing.
“Who are you texting?” I asked.
He didn’t seem to mind my nosiness. “My brother. He goes to NYU.”
“Wow. That’s an expensive school.” Realizing what had come out of my mouth, I shut it in embarrassment. “Ah, crap. I shouldn’t have said that. My parents did raise me to have manners.”
He let out a booming laugh. I checked to see if anyone heard. Eyes were on us, or rather on Dylan, and they were all female.
Even one of the cooks behind the grill snickered and gave us our lunches. She shook her head and took the next order.
I lowered my head to cover my face that must be beet red by now.
“I’m not offended. NYU is crazy expensive. My brother, Derek, is a junior theater major.”
“Really? He wants to be an actor?”
“No, either a director or producer. He’ll have no problem finding an internship or getting a job because of my parents’ connections in the industry.”
“Must be nice,” I said, but this time without the attitude.
When we reached the cash register, he stopped me before I could pay. “Here, let me get it.”
“Oh, no. You bought me a drink yesterday. If anyone should pay, it should be me.”
His mouth pinched tight. “You talk about your parents bringing you up right. Well, my dad taught me to pay for a woman. Stop arguing.”
“But this isn’t a date. You don’t have to pay for every girl who stands in line with you in the school cafeteria.”
“I would listen to him, dear. Not many men pay, especially the boys around here.” The woman with a bad blonde dye job behind the register gave her opinion. She smiled at Dylan. Did he have most of the females at school under his spell?
“See, you’re outnumbered.” He handed over his money.
“Fine,” I grumbled.
I grabbed some napkins and utensils. He did the same.
“Next time I pay,” I said.
“I guess I have no choice because you look like a woman who shouldn’t be messed with. How about Friday night?”
I almost dropped my tray. “F-Friday?”
“Yeah. You can show me around town and take me out for dinner.”
“Um….” I didn’t know what to say.
“Listen, I need all the friends I can get. You don’t want me to be too pathetic and have me hanging out with my cousin and his girlfriend every weekend.”
We had wandered near the quad, and I spotted Pete. He sat talking to Kyle and didn’t see me at first.
“What about your big barbeque on Saturday? Don’t you have to rest up for that?”
“I think I can handle dinner on Friday and a party on Saturday. Come on, what do you say?”
I stood there, unsure how to respond. I’d never been on a date, even with a guy who said he only wanted to be friends.
“Let me think about it. I might have plans.” I glanced over at Pete. He saw me and waved.
Dylan’s charming smile vanished, and the look he gave Pete made me very uncomfortable. I shivered even in the humidity. Oh great. He’s going to end up like the other guys in our class who give Pete problems.
“Is he your boyfriend?” He tilted his head in Pete’s direction.
“He’s my best friend,” I responded. “You’re going to hear horrible things about him—”
“Wendy, I don’t go along with everyone else. I’m a leader who makes my own rules. People end up following me.”
Wow. He’s a cocky one. “I don’t know what to say to that.”
He smiled again and leaned down. “Don’t question,” he whispered in my ear. “It’s a fact.”
I stepped back. “I’ll keep that in mind. Anyway, Pete, the guy over there, is my friend I’ve told you about. He’s waiting for me. To sit with him.” I was rambling—a first for me.
“So you say. I guess you’re not eating with us?” Dylan pointed at the table that had about twelve people sitting around it including Toby and Pam.
“I’ll be over before next period starts.”
“Promise?” He gave my shoulder a squeeze.
I shrugged off his hand. What was up with him and his touching? “I don’t make promises.”
He snorted. “Maybe I’ll be your first. I’ll figure out a way to get you to go out with me on Friday.”
“Oh really?”
“Yeah. I want a free dinner.”
My mouth dropped open at his audacity. He snickered and strolled away, whistling as if he didn’t have a care in the world.
I sighed and sat next to Pete.
He didn’t appear happy.
“It took you long enough.” He frowned and tapped his fingers on the tabletop.
“Sorry. I got sidetracked.”
“I could see that.” He bit into his sandwich and wouldn’t look at me.
This was new to me. He’d never acted this way before. If we’d been alone, I would have asked him what his deal was, but since we had someone else at the table, I didn’t.
“Hi, I’m Wendy.” I held out my hand for Kyle to shake.
Kyle put down his can of soda and shook my hand. “Hi, I’m Kyle. Pete tells me you go by Wonder Woman.”
“Oh, did he?” I bit into a French Fry and nudged Pete’s leg with mine. He didn’t say anything. I wouldn’t let his hissy fit upset me. I gave Kyle’s hand a healthy pump. “So, Kyle, how are you enjoying your first day of high school?”
His face lit up. “It’s been great. I can’t believe I’m hanging out with two juniors!”
I smothered a laugh.
Pete let out a grunt and finished his sandwich. Again, I poked his leg. He acted like I wasn’t there.
I was ready to rip into him when he glared over my shoulder. I peeked from the corner of my eyes. Dylan watched us, or rather me. He smiled and held up a hand. I almost ignored him but nodded instead. I didn’t want rumors to start that I was rude to the hot new guy. Anthony, who sat between Conner and Dylan, noticed and let out a few high-pitched monkey cries. Conner started coughing as he laughed, and Anthony slapped him on the back. I turned away. Pete stared straight ahead. I placed my hand on his arm.
“Ignore them,” I said softly.
He gave me a small smile.
“Oops, I’m gonna be late for my next class. Thanks, Pete, for letting me hang out with you at lunch. It’s great to meet you, Wendy Wonder Woman. See ya later.” Kyle practically jumped out of his seat and ran inside the building.
“That boy has way too much energy.” I bit into my hamburger.
“He’s a sweet kid. Don’t rag on him.”
I dropped my burger and turned toward my best friend who acted like he had something up his butt. “What’s the problem? Why are you acting like a jerk?”
He pushed his tray away to lean his arms on the table. He still wouldn’t meet my gaze. “You’re pretty chummy with the new guy.”
I stopped myself from glancing to where Dylan sat. “I met him yesterday when Pam and I visited Toby at his job. He’s Toby’s cousin who moved from New York City.”
“I know all about Dylan Ma
yone. While in English class, Toby and Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum talked about Dylan’s bash on Saturday and how the entire junior class is invited. Toby said he was going to get you and Dylan together.”
I took a sip from my soda can and laughed. Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum was the perfect label for Anthony and Conner. “Oh, really? What else did the three lame Musketeers say?”
He shrugged. “Toby noticed I was listening and told me to mind my own business. Then Anthony and Conner started with the names. Finally Mrs. Garmin came in before I lost it.”
“Don’t listen to them. I thought you didn’t care—”
“I don’t care what they say about me. But when they talk about you, it makes me angry.” He traced the tabletop with his finger.
I set my hand on top of his. “Oh, Pee-Pete. I can handle them. Did they call me a whore or something worse that made you upset?”
His face became a darker shade of red. “No,” he mumbled.
“Then what is it?”
He held my hand and squeezed. “Jeez, Wendy. Sometimes you can be so oblivious.”
Now I was really confused. I hated when everyone around me knew something I apparently didn’t. “I’m at a total—”
“Never mind. You better finish up your lunch because Miss Peppy Cheerleader and her friends are on their way over here. I have some things to take care of before my next class.” He grabbed his tray and bolted.
I mouthed his name. I wasn’t sure what just happened. Did we have a fight?
Someone hit the back of my head, and I twisted around to curse them out. It was Susie, my other good friend.
“Hola, chica.” She sat down and snatched one of my fries. Pam sat across from us along with Jessica, Christina, and Megan, who were all on the cheerleading squad.
“Monkey boy didn’t seem too happy,” Megan sniped. She was such a bitch, and nine times out of ten in a foul mood. I think it was because she had an eating disorder and was always hungry. She eyed my hamburger and licked her lips.
“Megan, shut up.” I pushed my half-eaten burger toward her. “Maybe if you eat this instead of thin air, you wouldn’t be such a snot.” She flipped me the bird and then rooted through her purse.
Pam held up her hands. “Girls, please. We have more things to worry about than hurling insults at each other. We must decide what we’re wearing on Saturday for Dylan’s awesome party.”
Jessica, a perky blonde, clapped. “He’s so gorgeous! When he smiles…oh my God. I could just die.”
Susie finished off my fries. “Being a bit overdramatic, Jess? You’re out of luck ‘cause I think he only has eyes for Wendy.”
I gawked at her as if she had smoked something funky. “Please. I could never get a guy like him interested in me. Anyway, he’s annoying and all in your space like he owns it.”
Susie and Christina shared a smile. “You like him,” they said together.
I tapped my fingers on the table. “He’s nice eye-candy but acts pretentious and spoiled.”
Pam shook her head. “Wendy, Wendy. I saw the way you stared at him. He couldn’t take his eyes off of you. He kept asking the guys questions about you.”
“Like what?”
“If you give good head,” Megan piped up.
Pam held up a finger and wagged it. “Megan, chill. Wendy, the only way you’ll have access to this top secret information is if you sit with us tomorrow at lunch.”
“And not with Pity,” Megan added.
“Megan, don’t make me come across this table and tear your cheap-ass hair extensions out.” I threw a ketchup packet at her.
She stuck her tongue out, and Jess giggled. The bell rang, and we all stood up from our seats.
Pam glanced over at where Toby talked to a few of his friends on the soccer team. She pulled me away while the other four girls chattered on.
“We need to talk. What are you doing after school?” she asked in a low voice.
“Pete and I have plans to go bike riding—”
She crossed her arms “Really? I’m getting really pissed off here. Can’t you take a break from Preiss? I need advice on something, and all you care about is riding your bike with the biggest loser in the school. I thought you hated biking.”
I grabbed my bag and gave her a not so subtle shut up look. “You keep insulting him like that and I’m not doing anything with you. How would you feel if I overheard Susie or Megan making fun of you? You know better than to say those things about Pete in front of me. I told you about the whole biking thing in confidence. It would kill him if he found out. Why are you throwing that back in my face?”
She sighed loudly. “I’m sorry. It’s just…shoot. I think I’m getting my period. You know how weird I get around this time.”
Did I ever. I curved my hand around her waist, and we entered the building. Susie, Christina, Jess, and Megan still talked and giggled. I kept my eye rolling to a minimum.
“How about Friday after school?” I hoped she’d say yes. I would have the perfect excuse not to go out with Dylan.
“I’m down with that.” She stopped and snapped her fingers. “I have an excellent idea. You can sleep over at my house, and we’ll figure out a way to get Dylan to ask you out.”
I started to say no, but the girls overheard and surrounded us.
“Yes, let’s have a slumber party!” Susie and Christina screamed together.
I covered my ears. Damn, their squeals were loud. Pam joined in, and soon, we
huddled together in a group making plans for Friday night.
Chapter Seven
The afternoon grew so humid the back of my shirt was covered with sweat. All I wanted to do was sit in my air-conditioned house and watch TV, but I’d promised Pete I would bike with him in the park. I waited for him on the front steps of the school. I wasn’t sure if he still wanted to meet up with me because of the way he’d stomped off at lunch.
He hurried out of the building with his head down. “Come on, let’s get out of here,” he said, and stomped ahead.
I stood there with my arms crossed. I didn’t like the way he spoke to me. He kept peeking over his shoulder, waving for me to come.
Oh, no way was I doing that.
“Screw you!” I marched in the opposite direction—moving even faster as he came up behind me.
He jumped out in front of me. I wanted to give him a piece of my mind, but I stopped and covered my mouth in shock instead.
“Oh, Pete, what happened?” I went to touch his face, but he moved away.
His lip was cut, and a yellow-colored bruise marked his cheek. “Anthony and Conner cornered me in the bathroom. Anthony shoved me and slapped me in the face. I got away before they could do any more damage.”
“More damage?”
“I told you I can take care of myself. Before it went too far, some other guys came in. I got out of there fast, but Conner clipped me in the mouth with his book bag. My lip split.”
I turned his head to get a better view. “We should put some ice on this. Let’s go see the nurse.”
He grabbed my arm to stop me. “I’m okay. If we go to the nurse, she’ll want to know the story.”
“If those two jerks keep harassing you, you need to tell Dibley or your dad.”
His empty chuckle broke my heart. “Hello, Wendy, we’re not children anymore. I can handle those guys.”
I punched him hard in the arm, and he yelped. “What’s that for?”
“You’re such a jerk sometimes. Can’t you see they won’t stop?” My voice cracked, and tears formed in my eyes.
“Whoa there.” He pulled me against him and gave me a hug. “Shh.”
“You shh.” I punched him again, but not as hard this time.
“I’m sorry.” He kissed my forehead.
I sniffed and wiped my eyes. “Sorry. First day of school drama and all that.”
“Yeah, tell me about it.”
“I think I will.” I poked him in the side and started walking again. “Why were y
ou rude to me at lunch?”
He made a funny face. I would’ve laughed, but I was too upset. “I was jealous.”
“Huh?”
“I didn’t like the way the guy touched you. You were staring at him like he’s some celebrity.”
“I’ll admit Dylan is a cutie, but he’s irritating. He knows he’s the shit, and because I don’t fall all over him like he wants, he’s trying to get on my good side for some reason. He’s harmless.” I batted my eyes at him. “You know you’re the only man in my life who matters.”
He mumbled something I couldn’t catch.
“What’s that?”
“Nothing.” He rubbed his face and winced.
A slight breeze whipped my hair around. Before I could push it out of my eyes, he tucked a few strands behind my ear. His hand stayed there. I licked my lips, and he studied my mouth. When his hand dropped away, he had the strangest expression on his face.
“What?” This day would go down as one of the weirdest of my teen years.
“Never mind. It’s not important.” He squeezed the back of his neck and gave me a shy smile. “Still up for a ride in the park?”
I wiped a bead of sweat sliding down the side of my cheek. “What about putting ice on your cut first?”
He grasped both my arms and rocked me from side to side. “You sure this isn’t your way of getting out of going riding?”
I acted insulted. “Of course not. How can you think that?”
He raised an eyebrow and shook his head. “Okay. We’ll go home first, and I’ll clean the cut so it doesn’t get infected. It’s bad enough I’m gonna have to come up with an excuse for my parents.”
I gave him a loud kiss on his uninjured cheek. “We’ll come up with something. Now, lead the way.”
He couldn’t stop beaming as he dragged me home to get our bikes. Like countless times before, he was the only one I couldn’t refuse anything, even if it included biking in the horrible sticky heat.
***
“Hurry up, slow poke,” Pete shouted, flying down the street, circling the inside of the park. We’d been riding for almost an hour. I was worn out and could barely move my legs. All I wanted to do was soak in a bath and coat my entire body in aloe.
What If Page 4
