Page 34 of Wallflower

My eyes went round. "Do you think she'll do something?"

I asked the question but already knew the answer. Whitney was vindictive, mean down to her marrow. Plus, she already hated me. Of course, she'd do something terrible.

"Wouldn't be surprised," Estelle said, her tone thoughtful. "I've been to a lot of schools, and there's always a Whitney. I feel kind of bad for chicks like that. They're so petty and insecure—but it's also hard to feel bad for them because…well, they're jerks."

And that solidified it. I was officially an Estelle fan.

"You know, I think you were right," I said. "We should be friends."

"Well, duh!" she said. "Also, you should've seen the aura around you and Dare just now during that kiss. So much passion."

"You could see that?"

"Yeah, I'd be blind not to. Everyone saw."

At that, my eyes shot to the field—but it was empty.

"When you say everyone…?" I trailed off.

Estelle caught my meaning. "Just us four. The soccer team had already gone into the locker room, so they didn't see the fireworks you two created."

Thank goodness for small favors, I thought.

If my father saw me kissing Dare… I shivered. I didn't even want to think about the mayhem that would cause.

"Bye Viola," Estelle called over her shoulder as she walked away. "Let me know when you want to schedule that double date!"

I was left standing there alone, my mind reeling with thoughts of Whitney, what she might do and having to watch my back. But scattering them to the wind were even more thoughts of Dare and that kiss.

What the heck was that?

Why had he left so quickly?

And why were my lips still tingling?

CHAPTER 7

"What's on your mind?" Dad asked.

My eyes went to his. "Hmm? Oh, nothing," I said.

The lie spilled easily from my lips, and all thoughts of Dare evaporated.

"Nothing, huh?" My father sat back and crossed his arms. "Your mom was talking about doing a Harry Potter marathon this weekend, and you didn't even get excited."

Was she? With my thoughts so focused on a certain guy, everything else had become background noise. I hadn't heard a thing.

"Oh sorry, Mom," I said and gave her a smile. "Of course, I want to binge HP with you. Can we do it when I get home from the shelter?"

Mom nodded. "Absolutely, I'll get the popcorn, chocolate frogs and butterbeer ready. We'll even make your dad watch the deleted scenes with us."

Dad feigned a groan, making me and my mom laugh.

"Sounds good," I said.

"But seriously," Dad repeated, "what were you thinking of? You suddenly got this dreamy look on your face. Must've been something nice."

If he only knew, I thought.

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