Page 26 of Wallflower

"Now that you mention it"—Dad sat up, unable to hide his excitement—"how are things between you and him? Everything okay?"

"Yeah," I said begrudgingly.

"And he's treating you alright?"

"Yes, Dad. Dare's been a total gentleman, even opens my door every day—though I've told him not to a thousand times." Dad looked relieved, and I couldn’t resist adding, "And you know, he sits with me at lunch, him and a group of his friends."

"Oh really." Dad smiled. "You don't say. That must be nice."

"Yeah," I said, "it's weird, though. Dare and I never talked before this year."

"Really?" Mom asked.

I nodded, watching my dad. "We don't have much in common, but now it's like he's always around."

"You're beautiful, funny, intelligent and genuine, Viola," Mom said. "Maybe he just enjoys your company."

"Maybe," I said.

"And do you enjoy being with him?"

"Oh yeah. Dare and I are getting along great. It's almosttoo good to be true."

My Dad's eye twitched at that, but he said nothing, holding his secret bargain tight to the chest. If I had any doubt that he needed to be taught a lesson, it was dispelled in that moment. Now, I just had to figure out my own plan—whatever that ended up being—and how best to put it in motion.

"You know," Mom added, "I wouldn't be surprised if something more develops between the two of you."

Dad grunted. "Sal, come on. They wouldn't be good together, not like that."

She just smiled. "Sometimes opposites attract."

"I'm telling you," he said, "nothing is going to happen. Not between my baby girl and Dare. No way."

"It would serve you right if it did." Mom shot me a wink as my father scowled. "Just think. They could fall in love, end up getting married years down the line, have a whole bunch of soccer-playing babies, and it would all be thanks to you."

Dad groaned, and I couldn't help but laugh.

Even with the screwed up situation, the thought of Dare and me? Together?

That would make anyone giggle.

Even on Monday as I was getting my books out of my locker between classes, the memory of dinner, Mom's words and the look of horror on Dad's face had me smiling.

"You know, nothing's changed."

My expression dropped as I turned to find Whitney, standing at my side. Her long brown hair hung in waves around her shoulders, the makeup she wore accentuating every feature but especially playing up her tiny nose and flawless skin—which I knew she thought was her best feature. How she'd managed to slither over without me noticing I didn't know. But she'd always been sneaky like that.

"Dare has to be nice to you since you drive him to school now," she said then ran a hand through her hair. "But everyone still thinks you're a loser."

It was hard, but I stopped myself from rolling my eyes.

"Awesome," I said. "Is that all?"

"Yeah, also, you're so not on Tyson's level." My stomach clenched as she went on. "It's really sad, but guys like him and Dare, they have standards. They really value a girl's appearance and how they take care of themselves."

Whitney's eyes traveled the length of my body before she once again met my eyes.

"That's just how guys are."

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