Wild Crush

by Simone Elkeles

  It didn't feel like that at all when I was in his room.

  I'm sure it was just me being overly sensitive and reading into things that aren't there. With everything going on between me and Trey, it's no wonder my emotions are all over the place.

  While Ash is trying on another dress, Bree looks at her phone.

  "Damn," she says.

  I peek over her shoulder. "What?"

  "Looks like Cassidy's calling someone out for cheating on their boyfriend."

  My heart sinks into my chest. "Who?"

  Bree glances at me, then back at her phone. "It's kind of anonymous. You know she always posts those cryptic messages that keep the gossipers gossiping."

  "Isn't that what we're doing?" I say. "We're falling into her trap."

  Bree waves my concern away with a wave of her hand. "I fully admit that I love to gossip. Who doesn't?"

  Ash raises her hand. "I don't."

  Sitting up straight, Bree holds up her phone and reads Cassidy's post. "'If you're in a relationship, you need to stop flirting with other guys. I'm just sayin.'"

  "Who do you think it is?" Bree asks, her eyes wide with excitement.

  "I don't care," Ash chimes in.

  "You'd care if Derek started flirting with some girl behind your back," Bree tells her.

  "Well yeah, but..." Ash starts biting her nails until Bree slaps her hand away from her mouth.

  "Ash, Derek is not flirting with other girls," I assure her.

  Bree nods. "Yeah. If anyone has a solid relationship, it's you and Derek. How is everything with you and Trey, Monika?"

  "It's all good," I mumble.

  Maybe I shouldn't have gone to Vic's house. The way that Cassidy looked at me while Vic held onto my wrist was enough to make me step back and wish she wasn't in the room.

  I don't need anyone gossiping about me.

  I don't need anyone thinking I'm cheating on my boyfriend with his best friend.

  Even if I was swept up in Vic's strong, capable arms after I fell off the fence. And okay, I did have a little fantasy flash before my eyes of Vic's lips crushing down on mine... but I didn't let my mind linger on that image for long.

  So why am I still thinking about it?

  Chapter Seventeen

  VICTOR

  I don't ask for trouble. It finds me no matter what I'm doing or who I'm with.

  Hell, maybe I'm cursed.

  Rumor has it that I came out of my mother's womb kicking and screaming. I arrived into this world fighting, and I've been fighting ever since. It's probably why I'm good at football... Coach Dieter says it's the modern gladiator sport.

  On Monday, Dieter gave us the day off from practice. I'm playing basketball with Trey in front of the apartment building he lives in. I used to spend most nights at his place when I was in junior high, just to escape my dad. When Trey started dating Monika, we stopped hanging out as often because they were always together and I didn't want to be a third wheel.

  "So you were right. The roller coaster thing was a bad idea," Trey tells me as he aims the ball for the basket but misses. "Seemed like a good idea at the time, but it sucked."

  "She told me what happened at Wild Adventures with Bonk," I tell him after I do a layup and get a basket. "Listen, if you want to do the picnic thing on the football field with the band and everythin', let me know."

  "What, you got connections?"

  I shrug. "Maybe."

  Trey dribbles the ball down the court, and I'm on his ass the whole time. Today he's got some nervous energy that's making him shoot way too early. We've had this rivalry thing since we were younger--we're too damn competitive to give up that rivalry now, even if he's missing easy shots and seems too hyper to be focused.

  "If I win, you have to buy me McDonald's," Trey says in an overly confident tone.

  "And if I win, you have to buy me Taco Bell," I tell him.

  "Isn't that cliche?" he jokes. "The Mexican asking for Taco Bell."

  "Dude, Taco Bell isn't authentic Mexican food, but it is hella amazing." I knock the ball out of his hands and dribble the ball to the other end of the court. "For someone who's gonna be valedictorian, I thought you'd be smarter than that." I do a jump shot right over his head and make a basket.

  He fetches the ball. "Damn. I'm impressed, Vic." He holds the ball at his side. "So, uh, can you help me with the whole asking Monika to homecoming thing? She's kinda mad that I messed everything up."

  "Don't fuck up with her," I tell him.

  He dribbles the ball down the court. "My girlfriend is starting to be high maintenance."

  "Monika is not high maintenance, man," I say, defending her. "You ditched her freshman year durin' the homecoming dance when your sister wanted to leave early, and she never complained. She slept with her hand on your chest all night when you were passed out drunk at Jet's house last summer because she was afraid you'd choke on your vomit. Dude, I was there. She kept askin' for towels to put on your head because you were sweatin' like a pig. You spend one night with Cassidy Richards, and you'll get a taste of what a real high-maintenance girl is like. Monika is..."

  I want to say perfect.

  I want to say selfless.

  I want to say she's thoughtful and easy-going, but I'm afraid it'll reveal how I truly feel about her. I've already said enough.

  He pulls his phone out of his pocket and starts texting quickly, then slips it back in. "Tell me what to do."

  "Listen, if you want to do it right you've got to wow her," I tell him.

  "Wow her? Vic, I don't have money," he says. "I can get her a teddy bear or--"

  "Teddy bear?" Trey is way off. "You know she's got a thing for penguins. A teddy bear isn't the wow factor."

  Shut up before he figures it out, I tell myself.

  "Yeah," he says, shaking his head. "Penguins. I knew that." He makes a basket. "So can you help me with the wow thing?"

  "Yeah. Sure." Because friends do that... they help each other even when it kills them to do it.

  *

  Two days later Trey has it all set up.

  He's orchestrated an entire night full of romantic stuff, and he enlisted our friends to help. Trey was flaky about everything, so I planned most of it. I mean, the entire time we were arranging the night, he was on his phone or going to the bathroom.

  He's been a crazy mess.

  He claims it's nerves and stress. I don't question him, but I'm gonna tell Monika she's not off her rocker. Her claims of Trey acting weird are legit.

  I'm in charge of the cake tonight, which has HOMECOMING with a question mark written on it in blue frosting. It's dorky, but Monika will like it.

  I wear jeans and a button-down shirt and put on a stupid tie, which is about as dressed up as I get. The last thing I want to do is act as a delivery boy, but Trey is my homie and, well, I'd do anything for him. I might be an asshole most of the time, but I'm a loyal asshole.

  In the family room, Marissa is sitting on the couch reading The Odyssey.

  "That's what you're assigned to read?" I ask her, wondering how an incoming freshman would be assigned that book when I had to read it junior year.

  "No," she says, not looking up. "I'm reading this for fun."

  What the-- "You're readin' The Odyssey for fun?"

  She nods. "It's really good, Vic." She glances up. "You can read it after me."

  "Yeah, right." I don't tell her that I didn't even read it when it was assigned to me. I'm not about to read it for fun, that's for damn sure. I'm lucky if I can get through reading a class assignment without my mind wandering.

  I had to read The Odyssey last year and couldn't understand a damn word of it. I shouldn't be surprised my sister likes it though. She's so focused on being the best student and joining clubs that she has no interest in because she thinks they'll help her get into some Ivy League college.

  Dani practically runs down the stairs and rushes past me.

  "Where are you goin'?" I ask.

  "None of yo
ur business," she calls out.

  "You're my sister," I tell her. "It is my business."

  As she's about to leave the house, I block the door.

  She puts her hands on her hips. "Get out of my way, Vic."

  "Nope. Where are you goin'?"

  "I'm gonna be late."

  "I don't give a shit if you're late. Tell me where you're goin."

  My phone starts to buzz. Damn. I left it in the kitchen. It's probably Trey reminding me not to be late. "Wait here," I tell Dani. "Don't move."

  I grab my phone and head back to the foyer, but my sister obviously doesn't listen because I hear the front door open and close. Dani has already left. I look out the window and see that my sister is about to get into a yellow Jeep.

  Shit.

  A yellow Jeep can only mean one thing...

  Matthew Bonk.

  Bonk would pretty much do anything to ruin my life, even if it meant using my sister.

  He's got my sister in his car and they're driving off.

  I quickly grab Trey's cake for Monika and place it on the floor of my truck. I'm determined to get my sister back in one piece before the night is over.

  I'm not too sure about the cake though.

  Chapter Eighteen

  MONIKA

  Trey shows up at my house in the evening, all dressed up in jeans and a button-down white shirt. He's got a smile on his face. "I have a surprise for you," he says.

  I'm just so tired of ignoring all the problems we have. "Trey," I say. "We need to talk."

  "Can't it wait? I'm trying to do something special for you tonight." I hadn't noticed that he had one hand behind his back. He brings it forward, revealing a red rose. "This is for you."

  I take the rose and, careful not to let the thorns prick me, smell its beautiful fragrance. "Thank you."

  "I want to take you somewhere, but I'd like you to wipe that concerned look off your face first. I'm trying here. Give me a chance. We can talk about serious stuff tomorrow."

  I sigh. "Okay. I can do that."

  He takes my hand and leads me to his car.

  "Why are you hesitating?" he asks as I slow my pace the closer we get to his car.

  I don't know how to say this without him getting mad or annoyed. "Trey, did you take any pills tonight?"

  "Why?"

  "Because I'm not getting in a car with you if you did."

  He opens the passenger door. "I didn't take pills, okay? Trust me."

  I get in the car and wish I was looking forward to whatever Trey has planned.

  "Keep your eyes closed," he instructs as he drives me to some secret destination.

  "Come on, Trey, tell me where we're going. I promise to act surprised when we get there."

  "Nope. Keep 'em closed. I know you like to be in control and like your life all neat and organized, but I promise it'll be worth it this time around."

  This time around.

  Which means he's about to ask me to homecoming. For the second time.

  Anxiety races through my body when things aren't going right. I'm afraid of upsetting or disappointing Trey by ruining tonight. I just feel like we're going through the motions of being a couple but we're not actually feeling the emotions that couples are supposed to feel for each other.

  The way I'm starting to feel about someone else.

  I sit back in his car with my hands folded neatly in my lap and wait for further instructions. The radio is on and I can imagine Trey bobbing his head to the beat.

  A minute later the car comes to a stop, and I hear him turn off the ignition.

  "Don't open them yet," Trey says, excitement laced in his voice as I hear him get out of the car.

  The warm Illinois air washes over me as I step out. Trey picks me up effortlessly while I wrap my arms around his neck so I don't fall. We might be at the park by his house because grass crunches beneath his feet.

  "Are we there yet?" I ask.

  "Yeah." Trey sets me down and whispers in my ear, "Open your eyes."

  I have to blink twice to focus.

  My jaw drops.

  No way.

  We're standing in the middle of the Fremont High football field. A big blanket is on the fifty-yard line. Battery-operated candles surround the blanket, lighting up the area in a romantic glow.

  Trey takes my hand and guides me to the blanket.

  "This is amazing. How did you get permission to do this?"

  He laughs. "Who said I got permission?"

  I look at him sideways and wonder if he's telling the truth. "We're gonna get in trouble, Trey. The police will kick us out." It reminds me of something Vic would do.

  "Relax." When I hesitate he squeezes my hand. "It's all good. Vic knows the gardener who takes care of the grass. He said I could come here."

  "You sure?" I ask skeptically.

  His answer is a peck on the cheek. "Yeah. Trust me."

  We sit on the blanket and, out of nowhere, ten people from our high school marching band start marching down the field playing "Just the Way You Are."

  Trey sings along with the music in his smooth, deep voice.

  "It's our song," I say softly as the band serenades us.

  I try to soak up the night while the music and the flickering lights from the candles dance around us. It's like being in a movie where the guy tries to romance the girl and win her heart. Not long after we started dating freshman year, Trey left notes in my locker and texted me a cute quote every morning just to put a smile on my face.

  He hasn't done it in six months.

  When the song ends, the band marches off into the darkness and disappears.

  I sit gazing at Trey's flawless dark skin and chiseled features that have made more than a few girls try to steal him from me over the years.

  "Love ya," he says as he gazes into my eyes.

  "I love you," I say back instinctively.

  The sound of loud, obnoxious fake gagging makes me look up. "Okay, seriously, you guys are nauseating." It's Jet, wearing a white button-down shirt with black pants. He holds a plate of food as he stands over us.

  "What are you doing here, Jet?" I ask.

  "I'm one of your personal waiters tonight. Anything you need, just ask. Here," he says, holding out a plate filled with miniature, bite-size barbeque-beef sandwiches on little homemade buns like he's a trained butler. "My dad made these appetizers for you at his restaurant. It's an experimental recipe, so if you puke or die don't blame the chef. You've been warned."

  "Everything your dad cooks is delicious," I tell him as I reach for one of the sandwiches. Trey follows my lead and we both dig in while a very satisfied and proud Jet watches us devour the food.

  "Damn, Jet," Trey says. "Tell your dad this is the bomb."

  My mouth is stuffed full of mouth-watering tender beef, fresh homemade bread, and spices that blend together perfectly. "Mmm" is all I can manage.

  "That's just the beginning." Jet waves to someone in the announcer's booth on top of the bleachers. My brows furrow in confusion as I look at Trey, who rubs his hands together in pure joy like he did last Christmas right before he opened the watch I bought him.

  Ashtyn and Derek come walking down the bleachers and onto the field. They're both wearing the same attire as Jet. I can't believe Trey orchestrated this whole thing with our friends, the same people who have been with us since we started dating. Ash is carrying a big stuffed penguin, and Derek is carrying a basket.

  "Where's Vic?" I ask. He's the only one of our core crew who's not here.

  Trey shrugs and checks his cell. "He's supposed to be here."

  "I haven't heard from him," Jet says.

  "Me, either," echo Derek and Ashtyn.

  "Maybe he got in a fight with someone just for the fun of it," Jet jokes, but we all know there's some truth in his words. "Or maybe he's reeling over the fact that he's going to homecoming with his ex."

  His ex?

  "Vic is going to homecoming with Cassidy?" I ask.

  Jet no
ds. "Yep."

  A sinking feeling settles in my heart. Not that I care who Vic goes to homecoming with. He can go with Cassidy. So why is jealousy racing through my veins?

  Are they back together?

  Ugh, I shouldn't care. Vic and his love life have nothing to do with me.

  Ash says, "Forget about Vic and enjoy the food and this special night."

  Trey checks his phone again, then mumbles something about a cake and Vic and that the entire night will be ruined if he doesn't get here soon.

  "I can't believe you guys got all dressed up." I open the lid to the basket and am shocked with all the goodies inside: chicken and mashed potatoes and some kind of vegetable casserole. I pull out each item and place it on the blanket.

  "This is awesome, guys," I tell them. "Thanks so much. I love all you guys for being here."

  Trey takes the stuffed penguin from Ash and hands it to me. "Here," he says.

  "I love penguins. Trey, this is perfect."

  We start eating while Jet, Ashtyn, and Derek play music through the loudspeaker and act as our personal butlers. After dinner, the three of them leave so we can be alone.

  Trey wraps a blanket around us, then turns off the fake candles so we're almost in total darkness.

  But as close as we are physically right now, I feel like our thoughts and emotions are a million miles away from each other.

  I sit up.

  "What's wrong?" he asks.

  I don't want to tell him, but I don't want to keep up the facade any longer. It's not fair to either of us. I want to be in a relationship, but I suddenly realize I don't want to be in a relationship with him.

  "This seems so fake, Trey." I turn to face him. "Don't get me wrong. I love what you did for me tonight. It just seems so... forced."

  "I concur." He sits up. "Let's just make it through homecoming, Monika."

  "Why?"

  "Because I want to go to homecoming with you. Everyone knows you'll be voted homecoming queen..."

  "And you'll be king," I say.

  He runs a hand through his hair. "I just don't want to shake things up right now."

  "Then why are you obsessed with texting a girl named Zara? I think that's pretty much shaking things up."

  "You don't know anything about her," he says, defending her like he's her boyfriend.

  "Because you won't tell me! You pretend like there's nothing going on between you and this girl, but it's obvious. I mean, you're so preoccupied with texting her, it's like you don't even care about me anymore. On top of that, you taking those pills freaks me out. I'm not blind or clueless. I know what's going on."