Page 8 of The Kiss List

"What History project?" Iris frowns at Denton, then at me. She seems to have snapped out of her momentary shock.

"I'd like to know the answer to that too," Conrad says, confusion infusing his tone. "I didn't know there was a project."

"Oh, it's a special one. Right, Perry?" Denton winks at me.

Seriously? Of all the excuses he could think of, he had to choose that? Everyone at this table is in the same History class. It's been weeks since we were last given any kind of project. And Iris and Conrad know that.

Amateur.

"An extra credit assignment," I tell them. "Yeah, uh, for Denton. He asked for my help with that since he, uh, kinda sucks at History."

It's Denton's turn to narrow his eyes on me. "Oh, is that right?"

I shrug one shoulder.

What did he expect me to say? It was his fault for using that excuse anyway. I merely improvised. Besides, it wasn't exactly a lie. He wasn't that good at that subject.

"Uh, I think I'm gonna go back to my table now. I'm not even sure why I'm here," Conrad says, rising from the bench and taking his food tray with him. "Good luck on that extra credit, man," he tells Denton before walking away.

"Hey, wait," Denton calls out to his friend, but to no avail. Ignored by Conrad, he scowls and then swivels his gaze to me. "You didn't even try to stop him. That was your chance, and you blew it."

"Oh, really?" I glare. "Was I supposed to jump him here right here?"

"Jump who?" Iris interjects.

Denton and I ignore her.

He snorts. "Of course not. But I gave you an opening. You were supposed to take advantage of it."

"You're seriously calling that an opening? A'special project,'really? So lame."

"And your extra credit assignment was any better? You know, for someone desperate to get her first kiss, you're being annoyingly uncooperative."

"I had to improvise! And jerk, please. I'm not that desperate."

He laughs. "So you admit that you're at least a little—"

"Whoa, wait. Back up a bit." Iris holds up a hand to stop our bickering, then gapes at Denton. "You know about that?"

"Yeah. He knows about the kiss list," I confirm, blowing out an annoyed breath.

Iris quickly takes a sip of her Coke, as if she needs it to help with the shock of finding out the truth. I'm not even the least bit surprised when she nearly chokes on it. Coughing a little, she asks, "You told him about that?"

"She did," Denton answers just as I say, "He found my list. I didn't have a choice."

Iris turns to him. "And now you're…?"

"Helping her."

"Blackmailing me."

I snap my gaze to Denton, glaring at him.Helping me? As if.

The annoying jerk just flashes a mocking smile.

"Um, what?" Iris laughs, thinking we're joking. But when neither of us laughs with her, she shakes her head. "Can you please explain?"

"I'll explain later," I tell her, shooting Denton another glare. "It's kind of a long story."

---