Page 45 of Heartthrobs Don't Date Wallflowers

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Yeah our wall is still dented from the last time you tried

Eggo

She punched the wall over a cookie??

Ni-Ni

No she TACKLED FI INTO IT

Sharky

We don’t need to re-live this

I still have trauma

Ni-Ni

Oh come on it can’t be the last time she’s tackled you

Sharky

…

I don’t even want to ask what you mean by that

Ni-Ni

You know when you’re kissing…

Sharky

WHAT KIND OF WEIRD KISSING DO YOU AND GRACE DO??

I cheer you cheer

Please do not answer that

I don’t want to know

“Miss Wade?”

My stomach dropped as myname was called. I dropped my phone onto the desk and looked up, trying to act casual and not like I’d been completely ignoring Mrs. Miller for the last twenty minutes.

“Yes?” I asked.

Mrs. Miller gave me a look. One of those teacher looks that clearly said,I know exactly what you were doing.

“You were following along, weren’t you?” she asked, crossing her arms.

I nodded way too enthusiastically. “Oh yeah, totally. I’m just, uh, reflecting on it. You know? Internalizing.”

She looked me over, then sighed, softening a little. “Look, Miss Wade, you’re not the only one who’s zoning out in here. But just try to stay with me a little longer, alright? The period’s almost up.”

My eyes flicked toward the clock on the wall and I realized she was right. There was only ten minutes left. I nodded again.

“And that goes for you too, Mr. Turner!” Mrs. Miller called in her strict voice again. There was a loud clatter as Jude’s phone fell onto the desk and he practically jumped out of his seat. Everyone broke out in giggles.

He smiled good-naturedly, probably used to having all the attention on him, and said, “Yes, ma’am.” I wasn’t sure he even knew what he was saying yes to.

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