Page 22 of Wallflower

"Nerds love libraries," he went on. "I'm surprised you didn't know that already."

"Seriously, what the heck is up with you?"

"Don't know what you mean."

I held up a finger. "First, you've been acting really strange. Being all nice and considerate instead of cocky and conceited."

Dare arched an eyebrow at that. "Trust me, flower. I'm still cocky as hell."

"And you always have been," I said. "It's usually your default setting for goodness sake. But now it's like you had a personality transplant."

"Go on," he said.

"Second, you sit with me at lunch and in class. You even speak to me between classes."

"And that's a problem?"

"Well, you never did it before. Why now?"

He just stared.

"Then there's the whole getting the door for me thing."

"Told you already. I've always done that."

"Yeah, but it's so polite. And that's just not you," I said.

His eyes narrowed. "Glad to know you think so highly of me."

"No, I didn't mean it like that," I said backtracking. My suspicions were running high, though. I needed answers and wouldn't stop until I had them. "I'm just trying to understand. How did I even end up driving you to school in the first place? You have so many friends."

"Not really," he said.

"Come on, what about Tyson? He's your BFF. I know he would've taken you."

Dare shrugged. "The trip was too far, and he has a lot going on with the move. I didn't want to inconvenience him."

"Aha!" I said. "My dad told me all your friends refused, but I knew Tyson would never leave you hanging. He's too good of a person for that."

"Hm," he said. "Sounds like you like him."

"Why wouldn't I? He's great."

Dare nodded. "Something going on with you and Ty?"

The question caught me by surprise. "No, nothing," I said, hoping Dare didn't notice the heat rising to my cheeks.

"It didn't look like nothing when you were waiting for him that day after practice."

"What…you—"

How dare he bring up the day of my failed confession. I shook my head, getting back to the task at hand.

"Listen, this isn't about me," I said. "This is about you, Dare, and your crazy-odd behavior. Like stepping in just now in front of Penn and those guys."

"You expected me to sit back and do nothing?" he said.

I tilted my head from side to side. "Kind of. I mean, I figured you might be friends with them. Being athletes and all."

---