Page 45 of Wallflower

"Okay," Dare said. "What can I do?"

"Do you have some Polyjuice potion or a skin suit because I'd really like to be someone else right now," I said.

It sounded like he was fighting back a laugh as he said, "No Clarice, I don't have a skin suit. No Polyjuice either, sorry. If you give me a second, though, I'm sure I could find an invisibility cloak somewhere."

I swallowed past the lump in my throat. "Did you just make a Harry Potter joke?" I asked.

Dare smiled. "Never heard of the guy."

Oh yes, he had, I thought.

"Being invisible sounds pretty good," I said, frowning down at myself. Whingrid couldn't have planned this better if they'd tried. "I can't believe I'm wearing the same shirt."

Dare's brow furrowed in question.

"The one from the video." I sighed, straightening from my slouch, gesturing to my top so he could see. "It's my favorite, was supposed to be good luck. So much for that, huh?"

Dare eyed my face and then my "Must Love Dogs" t-shirt.

"I have an idea," he said.

"You already spared me from the initial embarrassment," I said and gave him a small smile. "Thanks for that by the way. But now, I have to walk out there and face the music."

"No really," he said. "I can help."

"How?"

"Like this."

Before I could blink, Dare had reached down, pulled his shirt up and over his head. He stood before me now completely shirtless, his chest and abs on display. My first thought?Thank you, soccer.

"What are you doing?" I gasped.

"Getting naked," he said.

"What?!?"

"Jeez, relax. I was kidding, flower." He laughed, the movement making the muscles in his stomach contract, and I could do nothing but stare. "You should've seen your face."

My eyes flashed back to his. "Did I look stunned and appalled? Because that's what I felt when you ripped your clothes off in front of me like that."

He tsked. "Funny. The only thing I saw was appreciation."

Ugh. Any "appreciation" I had quickly flew right out the window with that comment.

"Again, I repeat, what the heck are you doing?" I said.

"I may not have a cloak of invisibility," Dare said and held up his shirt, "but I have this. You can wear it if you want."

"That's actually kind of sweet," I said, feeling a flutter in my stomach at the kind gesture. "But my face and voice are clear as day on that video, Dare. It's not like people won't recognize me. The shirt just adds insult to injury."

"Still," he said. "You should take it. This might help with the gossip, make it end faster."

I eyed the proffered shirt again. "And you'll just what? Walk around half-naked all day?"

Dare gave me a grin. "I could. That would definitely take some of the attention off you. I'm sure some of the girls would like it."

"Hmm, thoughtful," I said, "if not a little conceited."

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