Page 26 of The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back

His car smelled new and leathery and Jake-like. I got in, sat down, and my knees folded up into my chest. The seat was way too far forward, as if the last person who sat there had been tiny and delicate, like Ella. I fumbled around for the release in the front to scoot it back, trying not to think about who had sat there last. I snapped my seatbelt into place and looked over at Jake. He put his arm behind my seat and turned toward me. Every sense snapped to attention and I held my breath.

He gave me a small smile and then looked over his shoulder. Oh. He was just backing up. Not making a move.

I was so stupid.

I usually only felt that dumb when I was doing calculus.

Oh my Buddha, calculus!

The events of the last twenty-four hours had totally distracted me. I had calculus homework due first period and I had totally forgotten about it.

I started mentally cursing as I dug through my backpack, looking for my math folder.

"You okay?"

"Fine, just forgetful." I'm pretty sure I started saying some unkind things about calculus's mother under my breath because Jake raised one eyebrow and looked over at me. "Jeez, what did calculus ever do to you?"

"Here's the thing. Math and I broke up two years ago, and now whenever we get together it's just weird and awkward for both of us."

He laughed. Laughed and laughed and I couldn't believe that I'd made him laugh like that. It made me feel all bubbly and warm inside and suddenly I didn't want anything but to make Jake Kingston laugh over and over again. His laughter was contagious and I started laughing along with him.

Calculus, shmaculus. How could I ever need math when Jake's laugh existed?

When his laughter finally died down, he glanced over at me for probably a tad bit longer than was safe considering he was driving, and said, "You have a nice smile, Mattie. I never noticed before."

Probably because it had been obscured by a sea of metal, but I wasn't about to remind him. What was that thing Ella always said about compliments that I ignored because I knew no guy would ever compliment me? Oh yeah. I was supposed to just say thank you instead of trying to talk him out of it by convincing him that my appearance was in fact heinous and he was obviously delusional. "Thanks," I croaked out. I couldn't believe it. Jake Kingston had just given me a compliment. He thought I had a nice smile! We would have such beautiful babies with his eyes and my smile.

No, I had to focus. Had to finish this up. I couldn't be that girl. Even though I totally already was that girl.

I managed to concentrate just enough, but I won't lie, it was really hard. I didn't realize just how distracting he could be in close quarters.

All too soon the ride was over. Jake turned his car off, undid his seatbelt and looked at me. I saw a lot of kids in the parking lot, but not the one I most wanted to see me at that moment. I stayed put.

"Are you, uh, getting out of the car?" I could hear the amusement in his voice.

"Can we just wait one minute?"

"For what?"

How do you explain the delicate and crazy intricacies of teenage mean girls? "For…Mercedes Bentley to get here."

I kept scanning the parking lot, refusing to look him in the face. When he looked at me, I sort of wanted to spend the rest of the day just staring into his eyes. Which was both weird and time-consuming. I couldn't afford the distraction. I had a mission.

"Again I say, why?"

Did he honestly not know about the Riding in Jake Kingston's Car Award? He had to know. Or maybe he wasn't full of himself like another guy would be and it wouldn't even occur to him.

I sighed. He was so amazing. Focus! We were talking about Mercedes. I had to explain myself.

"Let's just say it'll wipe that perpetual smirk off her face."

"Okay." He sounded like he thought I was crazy. I realized that this was, for lack of a better word, his friend. But I was sure Mercedes was very careful not to show Jake her true self. I tried to think of a diplomatic way of telling him how awful she really was.

"She's not always so nice."

Jake let out a chuckle. "You don't have to tell me. She can be kind of a witch sometimes."

"I'm pretty sure if you look up the word witch on Wikipedia, Mercedes's picture will be there." I did not tell him that I was the one who posted it.

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