Also, since I broke up with Shane, the two-timing, back-stabbing, sleaze ball, my weekends have been pretty pathetic. So, I’d kind of like to go to Cammy’s slumber party. Only I can’t. I’m grounded. I’m not allowed to leave the house for the entire weekend.
So when I get home from school I just mope around the house. I can’t forget how Matt kept pounding on that poor creep. I kind of feel sorry for him. (I think his name’s Garth.) He looked so stunned, and then he was bleeding all over the place. Still, I guess he won’t be messing with me anymore, not while I’ve got my bodyguard Matt lurking about.
Around eleven I break down and tell Mom about the slumber party. I haven’t seen Jenny for a long time. We used to take Karate lessons together. I want to see her. Mom gives me a reprieve on the grounding. So, yay.
When I get to Cammy’s her house is dark. I stand outside wondering what I should do. I’m cold, and kind of scared. I feel kind of like I’m dreaming—like this moment isn’t real. For a second I contemplate turning around and going home, but then I try the door and it’s unlocked, so I go in. It’s really dark, but I find everyone in the den. They’re all in their sleeping bags, huddled together. The only light is a single candle. It casts eerie shadows on their faces as they talk in hushed voices. It’s spooky.
“Nicole, yikes, you scared me!” Cammy clutches her heart.
Everyone is excited to see me since they thought I wasn’t going to be able to make it. It’s kind of nice. Jenny looks different. I would have never recognized her. She rushes over to me, and I’m suddenly hugging this blond goddess. It’s weird.
I start to strip down, when Cammy says, “Uh—Matt’s here,” and then I notice him.
“Hi Nicole,” he says, and I quickly pull my shirt back down.
In middle school Matt was the only boy on our block, so yes, in a sense he’s as much a part of the “group” as any of us. Only, he never came to any of our slumber parties back then, so I’m more than a little surprised to see him now. In fact, you could call me amazed.
“I found him sitting on the curb outside Denny’s.” Cammy laughs. “He looked so pathetic, I invited him to the party. He’s not spending the night though—my mom would die.” She throws me a pillow. “So, go change, and we’ll squeeze you in.”
When I get back they’ve got my sleeping bag all laid out next to Jenny’s, which is nice; only it’s right across from Matt.
I lay down wishing I hadn’t come. It’s kind of weird seeing Matt wedged between Cammy and Nina. Back when we were kids he would have definitely been next to me.
Everyone goes back to what they were doing before I came, which is asking Matt about things they want a guy’s outlook on. Like, Megan asks him why Bobby Folton is so nice to her when they’re alone, but treats her like crap around his friends. All year I’ve been trying to tell her it’s because Bobby is a jerk, but as soon as Matt says it, it’s suddenly gospel—Bobby’s a jerk.
Actually, Matt is somewhat helpful with his advice. He seems to be completely honest, and it’s slightly interesting hearing a guy’s perspective on things. But it’s irritating that as soon as a boy comes to our party he’s the center of attention—like how’d we ever manage a slumber party without him?
And I cannot believe this, but Jenny asks him his favorite way to kiss, and suddenly, he’s showing her. I mean, they’re practically kissing, and everyone’s watching. It’s stupid. And then, Nina says she wants a turn learning Matt’s moves. Okay, Nina has a huge crush on Matt, so I can kind of see why she would do this—act like she needs kissing lessons. But still, it’s dumb. This is a slumber party, not a make-out party, right?
“It’s to cheer him up,” Cammy explains.
“Cheer him up?” I scoff. “Why does he need to be cheered up?”
“Oh,” she says, sounding surprised. “Didn’t you hear? Matt got suspended today.”
I look over at him. “You did?”
He sets his jaw, like he doesn’t want to tell me. “Well, yeah. But only for three days. No big deal.”
My heart sinks. “Didn’t you explain what happened? Why you were fighting?”
“Yeah, but I kind of got carried away on the guy. I mean, he was all bloody, and I broke his nose. I didn’t mean to get so violent. I just … did.”
I don’t know what to say. I feel horrible. I feel like it’s my fault. “I’m really sorry Matt.”
“No, it’s okay. Really. It’s just three days.”
Cammy sits up. “Yeah, but then Jade dumped him right after he got suspended.”
Instantly my self-loathing quadruples. “Why?” I ask, barely able to speak.
“Because of you,” Cammy states with satisfaction. “She broke up with him because first he says you’re the most important person in his life, then he gets in a fight over you.”
“He didn’t get in a fight over me. The guy was assaulting me.” I turn to Matt. “Do you want me to talk to Jade? Do you want me to explain?”
“No,” he says. “I tried. She won’t listen.”
“She might listen to me.” I jerk up. “I’ll explain—”
“No. Don’t, okay?” He sounds so despondent it makes me want to cry. “She won’t listen to you. She’s like, insanely jealous of you.”
“Oh, come on,” Cammy snorts. “You can’t blame her. You and our dear friend Nicole here have the hots for each other—just get together already and give us all a break.”
There’s an awkward silence. “You know what?” I say. “I need to go.”
***
Thursday Matt’s back at school. All week I’ve thought about him getting suspended and losing his girlfriend all in one day. Of course in a way he deserved both, but still, I feel really bad.
After College Writing I go to my locker and a note falls out. The handwritten “Nicole” scrawled on the front lets me know it’s from Matt. I read the inscription, then squeeze my eyes shut, letting the words sink in, then read it again.
“Okay, Nicole,” it says, “This is it, me spilling my guts out. You have to know I’m sorry. I’ve never been so sorry about anything in my whole, entire life. What’s weird is, I didn’t even mean it. You weren’t even crowding me. If anything, after the night I kissed you, you backed away.
And the crowding—well, I felt crowded. But it was me, in my head. It was my fears. After I kissed you I got really scared. It was like suddenly I couldn’t hide what I was feeling for you anymore. It spooked me.
So, when I saw you at Graff’s that night I was really messed up. What I should have said was I’m scared. Not just because I’ve never felt like this before, but because it’s you I’m feeling it towards. I mean, you’re my best friend. Did you know that? See, it’s not the same for you—you have Sara. But for me, you’re it. I mean, you’re the one—the only. When I have a problem, it’s you I talk to. And so if suddenly we become a couple—which at this point I want (if you do)—then suddenly you are my everything: my girlfriend, my best friend, my whole life. That gives you a lot of power Nicole. I’m not saying I don’t trust you with it. I do. I’m just saying be careful—you could blow me away.”
Seeing Matt leaning against his locker, his eyes closed like he has a massive headache, I go over to him and put my arms around him, and without opening his eyes, he smiles, and hugs me back.
*********
Note From the Author, Melanie Marks:
I hope you liked the story.
My standalone novel, HIGH SCHOOL BOYS, is based off this short story.
It is available now.
Also, as of interest, the novel that comes after High School Boys is Finn’s Fall. It follows what happens after High School Boys. (It’s available now as well.)
Also note: Though HIGH SCHOOL BOYS is a standalone novel (200 pages), the book also includes as a bonus, the sequel to Melanie Marks’ book, His Kiss (which stars tough, hockey playing Griffin and his girlfriend, Ally). (The first pages of His Kiss were included earlier in this book.)
Summary
of:
Melanie Marks’ book
FALL FOR ME
(Right now this book only costs a dollar)
http://www.amazon.com/Fall-For-Young-Adult-Romance-ebook/dp/B005GYEF4M
When Zoey Jones’ long-time boyfriend, Finn, cheats on her—kissing a girl he “just can’t resist”—he gives Zoey a “free pass,” telling her she can kiss any guy she wants. Finn is so cocky and sure of their relationship that the arrangement seems perfect. He’s not worried Zoey will fall for another guy, and he’s itching to get rid of his feelings of guilt. But the thing is, Zoey knows exactly who she wants to kiss—longs to kiss—Finn’s best friend, Riley. But, she wants the kiss too much. She knows that. So, she resists the “Free Pass.” Still, she’s pushed into it when Finn loses a bet to Riley, and Riley wants his payment—a kiss from Zoey.
Excerpt from the book, FALL FOR ME:
“Don’t worry Riley,” I growled, “I’ll stay out of your way. I wouldn’t dream of getting between you and Ava.”
Riley blinked, then tilted his head, like he was trying to figure out what I was saying. “Get between us?” He blocked my way as I tried to storm past him to the door. “Jones, I broke up with Ava.”
“Oh.” My heart started doing a strange flutter thing. “You did? Oh. Well, that’s good.” I breathed—tried to breathe. I choked out, “I mean, the way you two were—it seemed like it would be hard to …”
Riley raised his eyebrows, waiting for me to go on. But I didn’t wanna.
Still, he waited, watching me.
“—I mean, in case someone else, better for you …”
He tilted his head. “What?—you mean if my true love ever comes along?” His lips quirked. “She did, Jones. Just unfortunately, my best friend saw her first.”
Kissing Kade
Below is a peek at Melanie Marks’ newest book: Kissing Kade
(It’s available now)
Summary of
Melanie Marks’ book
Kissing Kade
To get back at her cheating ex-boyfriend, Leah Hanson impulsively kisses the hot new guy at her locker, only to discover when roll is called that the dreamy boy she just kissed is in her first period class (yay!) but then she discovers he isn’t just any boy. (Gasp!) She just kissed her childhood ex-stepbrother. Face-palm. Not going to lie though, the kiss was smokin’ hot!! However, Leah only kissed those fantasy-inducing lips to (metaphorically) stab her ex-boyfriend, not to SWOON over a steamy kiss ... from an ex(sort of)relative. She really can NOT catch a break. (Or stop thinking about that kiss.)
However, her sexy soul-mate of an ex-stepbrother hasn’t just turned into delicious eye-candy … he has secrets. Big time. He had warned her not to kiss him. She should have listened. There’s a cost to kissing Kade.
Kissing Kade
By Melanie Marks
CHAPTER 1
“Hi … do you need help with those?”
The husky (sexy) voice makes me glance up, away from my combination lock that I’m trying to work while holding a bunch of books—books that I used to keep in my boyfriend’s locker. But now he’s my EX-boyfriend (as of like, two minutes ago), so my eyes are welling, and my hands are trembling … and yes, I could definitely use help.
My lip quivering, I look up at the helpful boy. Whoa! My heart thumps—hard. ‘Cause the guy? Dead. Sexy.
I’ve never seen him before in my life; he’s gorgeous. Insanely so. Tall, with dark hair, and his (gorgeous) lips are forming the most adorable smile.
I. Think. I’m. In. Love.
Well, anyway, his sexy smile makes me feel that way, and his eyes glued on me like that—all interested. And the way he shoves his awesome hair out of his eyes, like so he can get a better look at me. (I love his hair, by the way.) (And his eyes.) (And his smile.)
Yes, I’m in love.
Especially because my ex-boyfriend (as of two minutes ago) is watching us from across the crowded hallway with his eyes narrowed, like how in the heck did I pick up a new guy so fast? Ha!
“Yes! I need help,” I tell the new guy, though he’s already being all helpful and taking my stack of wobbling books from me.
“Thank you,” I tell him, then lean into him super close and whisper, “Actually, I need more help than just with the books.”
I whisper, “I need to kiss you.”
The guy’s lips part slightly. (He has gorgeous, red, perfect lips.) It gives me tingles thinking about kissing him—though I’d only made the request to rile up my ex (Chad, The Cheater).
I whisper urgently, “Please?”
Indecision flickers in the guy’s eyes. Oh man! I hold my breath, seeing his hesitation. But his answer is a slow nod.
My heart flutters. Big time. Happiness! “Okay, I’m going to put my books inside, then I’m going to do it.”
I tell him this—my plan—like to give him warning.
“Yeah, okay,” he murmurs huskily, sounding reluctant, but at the same time sort of pleased.
“I should maybe warn you though—” he says as I open my locker and stuff my books inside.
“What? That you have a girlfriend?” Of course he does (sadness). I go on quickly, “It doesn’t matter, okay? Just tell her it was a job. ‘Cause I’ll totally pay you—tons. I’m only doing it to get that back-stabbing jerk over there to see how it feels to have your heart stomped on right before your eyes.”
The guy nods slightly, looking sympathetic. “Okay, but I don’t have a girlfriend. It’s that—”
I don’t let him finish. I grab him by his collar and pull him to my face and plant my lips on his. As I do that he immediately stops talking. I feel his intake of breath.
For a moment it’s like he’s trying to fight a real kiss, but sorry, Sexy Guy. I need some serious PDA.
… Then suddenly I’m getting it. He stops trying to fight me, and his hands tangle in my hair. Instantly we ignite like the friggin’ Fourth of July. Holy smokes!! The guy can kiss. I mean, whoa!!! I’m on fire.
His talented velvet tongue entwines mine, making me dizzy and breathless and (embarrassingly) moaning in his mouth. I go completely weak in the knees. I swear. He has to hold me up. But he does, like he’s used to this, girls going weak and swooning from his passionate kiss. But it doesn’t distract him even slightly, he just pins me against the locker, holding me steady and keeps on, hungrily driving me wild with his hot, passionate kiss, his hungry hot mouth seducing mine, exploring it like it’s heaven and he will never get enough of me and my enraptured mouth.
Holy smokes!
When the bell rings, he finally drags his mouth from mine with a tiny groan, sounding like he doesn’t want to stop. (Hey, I know the feeling.)
His seductive eyes on mine, he reluctantly pulls away from me, slowly releasing my hair from his gentle grip, like it’s somewhat torture for him to do it.
He stuffs his hands in his jacket pockets as though to keep them from reaching back for me (which I’d love for them to do).
I’m dizzy and swooning, and for a moment forget that this was all to get Cheating-Chad spun up, and not to get me spun. Since, you know, I’m quite spun.
Hot Kisser gives me a tiny grin. “I think your ex-boyfriend is securely heart-stomped.” He adorably raises his eyebrows, “—he’s stomping over here.”
“My—? Oh, Chad,” I stammer out in a dizzy, breathless daze. Then totally change the subject since my brain has floated away. All I can think about is this yummy kisser, and how I want to kiss him some more. “You said you don’t have a girlfriend, right?”
His eyes flash with something I can’t read. He nods, “Yeah, but—”
“Here,” I snatch his phone from him quick as lightning, since Chad is storming over to us and in a moment all the world will explode—well, that’s the way Chad’s making it look. (Scary!!)
I quickly punch my phone number into Hot Guy’s cell phone. “Call me later,” I tell him. “But right now run—hurry, before Chad gets here.”
Hot Guy lifts his brow
, like he’s not afraid of Chad and has no intention of running away, which is sweet, really, but … not wise. Chad is a huge football player and likes to get into fights. Well, he’d like to get into them. But I don’t let him … only I don’t think I can stop this hazard. Hot Guy is extremely built, exquisitely, but no one needs this on their first day of school—a violent fight—especially not when it’s with one of the most popular seniors in our whole school.
Gah! Since Hot Guy just stands here, clearly not going to run, just staring at me—sort of dazed (yay!), yet being defiantly brave (foolish) I yelp at him, almost pleading, “Go!”
He shakes his head slightly. “I need to tell you something.”
“Tell me later—call me,” I instruct over my shoulder as I dash away from him to detour Chad and his angry fists.
CHAPTER 2
I make my hasty dash away from Hot Guy and grab angry Chad by the arm, leading him in the opposite direction, though he wants to keep bulldozing towards Hot Guy.
“No-oo,” I say pulling him by the arm. “It’s not his fault. I kissed him. He doesn’t even know me.”
Chad growls and looks up at the ceiling. “Why did you do that?”
“Because you kissed Sonya.”
I say it like ‘duh.’ Because well, Duh!
This skanky cheerleader, Sonya, sent me a video of Chad making out with her. She sent it to me this morning as Chad and I stood at his locker, snuggling like we do.
Of course the video made me stop snuggling, and practically start bawling. Watching it, I couldn’t breathe. I felt like I’d been slugged in the stomach. But of course really, I’d been stabbed in the back. (As the video proved.)
Heartbreaker Hanson Page 18
