Hey. His voice, drawling and deep, made me shiver. Terrified as I was, he was still gorgeous, with his damp blond hair falling in unruly waves and curls on his forehead. For some reason, he seemed nervous today, running his hands through his bangs and gazing around. Um He hesitated, narrowing his eyes. What was your name again?
Meghan, I whispered.
Oh, yeah. Stepping closer, he glanced back at his friends and lowered his voice. Listen, I feel bad about the way I treated you yesterday. It was uncalled-for. Im sorry.
For a moment, I didnt understand what he was saying. Id been expecting threats, taunts, or accusations. Then a great balloon of relief swelled inside me as his words finally registered. O-oh, I stammered, feeling my face heat, thats okay. Forget about it.
I cant, he muttered. Youve been on my mind since yesterday. I was a real jerk, and Id like to make it up to you. Do He stopped, chewing his lip, then got it all out in a rush. Do you want to eat lunch with me this afternoon?
My heart pounded. Butterflies swarmed madly in my stomach, and my feet felt like they were floating an inch off the ground. I barely had the voice to squeak a breathless Sure. Scott grinned, showing blindingly white teeth, and gave me a wink.
Hey, guys! Over here! One of Scotts football buddies stood a few feet away, a camera-phone in hand, pointed at us. Smile for the birdie.
Before I knew what was happening, Scott put a hand around my shoulders and pulled me close to his side. I blinked up at him, stunned, as my heart began racing around my chest. He flashed his dazzling grin at the camera, but I could only stare, stupefied, like a moron.
Thanks, Meg, Scott said, breaking away from me. See you at lunch. He smiled and trotted off toward the school with one final wink. The cameraman chuckled and sprinted after him, leaving me dazed and confused at the edge of the parking lot.
For a moment, I stood there, staring like an idiot as my classmates surged around me. Then a grin spread across my face and I whooped, leaping into the air. Scott Waldron wanted to see me! He wanted to have lunch with me, just me, in the cafeteria. Maybe my luck was finally turning around. My best birthday ever might just be starting.
As a silvery curtain of rain crept over the parking lot, I felt eyes on me. Turning, I saw Robbie a few paces away, watching me through the crowd.
Through the rain, his eyes glittered, a too-bright green. As water pounded the concrete and students rushed toward the school, I saw a hint of something on his face: a long muzzle, slitted eyes, a tongue lolling out between pointed fangs. My stomach twisted, but I blinked and Robbie was himself againnormal, grinning, unconcerned that he was getting drenched.
And so was I.
With a little yelp, I sprinted beneath the overhang and ducked inside the school. Robbie followed, laughing, pulling at my limp strands of hair until I smacked him and he stopped.
All through the first class, I kept glancing at Robbie, looking for that eerie, predatory hint on his face, wondering if I was crazy. All it got me was a sore neck and a brusque comment from my English teacher to pay attention and stop staring at boys.
WHEN THE LUNCH BELL RANG, I leaped up, my heart fluttering a hundred miles a minute. Scott was waiting for me in the cafeteria. I grabbed my books, stuffed them into my backpack, whirled around
And came face-to-face with Robbie, standing behind me.
I shrieked. Rob, Im going to smack you if you dont stop doing that! Now, move. I have to get somewhere.
Dont go. His voice was quiet, serious. Surprised, I looked up at him. The perpetual goofy grin was gone, and his jaw was set. The look in his eyes was almost frightening. This is bad, I can feel it. Jockstrap is up to somethinghe and his buddies were hanging around the yearbook department for a long time after he talked to you. I dont like it. Promise me you wont go.
I recoiled. Were you eavesdropping on us? I demanded, scowling. Whats wrong with you? Ever hear of a private conversation?
Waldron doesnt care about you. Robbie crossed his arms, daring me to contradict him. Hell break your heart, princess. Trust me, Ive seen enough of his kind to know.
Anger flared, anger that he dared stick his nose into my affairs, anger that he could be right. Again, its none of your business, Rob! I snapped, making his eyebrows arch. And I can take care of myself, okay? Quit butting in where youre not wanted.
Hurt glimmered briefly, but then it was gone. Fine, princess. He smirked, holding up his hands. Dont get your royal pink panties in a twist. Forget I said anything.
I will. Tossing my head, I flounced out of the room without looking back.
Guilt gnawed at me as I wove through the halls toward the cafeteria. I regretted snapping at Robbie, but sometimes his Big Brother act went too far. Still, Robbie had always been that wayjealous, overprotective, forever looking out for me, like it was his job. I couldnt remember when I first met him; it felt like hed always been there.
The cafeteria was noisy and dim. I hovered just inside the door, looking for Scott, only to see him at a table in the middle of the floor, surrounded by cheerleaders and football jocks. I hesitated. I couldnt just march up to that table and sit down; Angie Whitmond and her cheerleading squad would rip me to shreds.
Scott glanced up and saw me, and a lazy smile spread over his face. Taking that as an invitation, I started toward him, weaving my way past the tables. He flipped out his iPhone, pressed a button, and looked at me with half-lidded eyes, still grinning.
A phone rang close by.
I jumped a bit, but continued walking. Behind me, there were gasps, and then hysterical giggles. And then, the whispered conversation that always makes you think theyre talking about you. I felt eyes on the back of my head. Trying to ignore it, I continued down the aisle.
Another phone rang.
And another.
And now, whispers and laughter were spreading like wildfire. For some reason, I felt horribly exposed, as if a spotlight shone right on me and I was on display. The laughter couldnt be directed at me, could it? I saw several people point in my direction, whispering among themselves, and tried my best to ignore them. Scotts table was only a few feet away.
Hey, hot cheeks! A hand smacked my ass and I shrieked. Spinning around, I glared at Dan Ottoman, a blond, pimply clarinet player from band. He leered back at me and winked. Never took you for a player, girl, he said, trying to ooze charm but reminding me of a dirty Kermit the Frog. Come down to band sometime. Ive got a flute you can play.
What are you talking about? I snarled, but he snickered and held up his phone.
At first, the screen was blank. But then a message flashed across it in bright yellow. How is Meghan Chase like a cold beer? it read. I gasped, and the words disappeared as a picture flashed into view.
Me. Me with Scott in the parking lot, his arm around my shoulders, a wide leer on his face. Only nowmy mouth dropped openI was butt naked, staring at him in wonder, my eyes blank and stupid. Hed obviously used Photoshop; my body was obscenely skinny and featureless, like a dolls, my chest as flat as a twelve-year-olds. I froze, and my heart stopped beating as the second part of the message scrolled over the screen.
Shes smooth and goes down easy!
The bottom dropped out of my stomach, and my cheeks flamed. Horrified, I looked up at Scott, to see his whole table roaring with laughter and pointing at me. Ring tones echoed through the cafeteria, and laughter pounded me like physical waves. I started trembling, and my eyes burned.
Covering my face, I turned and fled the cafeteria before I started wailing like a two-year-old. Shrieking laughter echoed around me, and tears stung my eyes like poison. I managed to cross the room without tripping over benches or my feet, bashed open the doors, and escaped into the hallway.
I spent nearly an hour in the corner stall of the girls bathroom, sobbing my eyes out and planning my move to Canada, or possibly Fijisomewhere far, far away. I didnt dare show my face to anyone in this state ever again. Finally, as the tears slowed and my gasping breaths returned to normal, I reflected on how miserable my life had become.
I guess I should feel honored, I thought bitterly, holding my breath as a group of girls flocked into the bathroom. Scott took the time to personally ruin my life. I bet hes never done that to anyone else. Lucky me, Im the worlds biggest loser. Tears threatened again, but I was tired of bawling and held them back.
At first, I planned to hole up in the bathroom until school ended. But, if anyone missed me from class, this would be the first place theyd look. So, I finally gathered the courage to tiptoe down to the nurses office and fake a horrid stomachache so I could hide out there.
The nurse stood about four feet in thick-heeled loafers, but the look she gave me when I peered through the door suggested she wasnt going to take any teenage foolishness. Her skin looked like that of a shrunken walnut, her white hair was pulled into a severe bun, and she wore tiny gold glasses on the end of her nose.
Well, now, Ms. Chase, she said in a gravelly, high-pitched voice, setting aside her clipboard. What are you doing here? I blinked, wondering how she knew me. Id only been to the nurses office once before, when a stray soccer ball hit me in the nose. Back then, the nurse was bony and tall, with an overbite that made her look like a horse. This plump, shriveled little woman was new, and slightly unnerving, with the way she stared at me.
I have a stomachache, I complained, holding my navel like it was about to burst. I just need to lie down for a few minutes.
Of course, Ms. Chase. There are some cots in the back. Ill bring you something to make you feel better.
I nodded and moved into a room divided by several huge sheets. Except for myself and the nurse, the room was empty. Perfect. I chose a corner cot and lay back on the paper-covered mattress.