Page 93 of The Kissing Booth
It was Rachel who carried on talking. ‘Lee’s going to be pretty torn up if you do get back with his brother. I can see how it’s weird for him; and if you get hurt, you might not want to see Lee anymore – he’d miss you and I know he’d hate to lose his brother too, and...’ She trailed off, biting her lip and looking away.
‘Did Lee say all that?’
She smiled guiltily. ‘You know, he sounded ready to cry when he called me yesterday. He doesn’t want to lose you. You guys are practically twins.’
I broke off a blade of grass and twirled it around my index finger. ‘Most of his other girlfriends have been threatened by how close we are. They’ve always said they’re suspicious that, you know, it’s one of those things where you fall for your best friend. Which is just ridiculous and way more than a little weird, you know? Anyway. My point is, I’m glad you’re not like that.’ I laughed wryly. ‘I think you’re actually the first of his girlfriends who hasn’t hated me.’
‘You’re peas in a pod. I couldn’t imagine you guys being in a relationship like that.’
‘Finally,’ I exclaimed, ‘someone who sees that other than Cam and Dixon.’
‘Although... the way you’re talking, it is a little unnerving how many girlfriends he’s had.’
‘Not that many actually,’ I said. ‘But I’ll tell you a secret.’
‘Ooh, I’m listening,’ she said, making both of us giggle. ‘Shoot.’
‘You’re the first girl he’s ever ditched me for. So it must be pretty serious with you two.’
‘I hope so,’ she said. ‘I really, really like him.’
‘You’d better! Have you seen the way he looks at you?’
Her whole face brightened up. ‘It’s not just my imagination then?’
I shook my head. ‘You guys are so cute together.’
‘Thanks.’
We sat in silence a little while, watching the boys throw the ball around in front of us.
‘So what do you think you’re going to do about Flynn? I mean, Noah. God. Lee keeps telling me to just call him Noah, but it’s so weird, you know?’
I sighed. I thought I’d managed to steer her away from that topic. ‘I don’t know. I shouldn’t do anything, but I want to, and... I’mconfused. And Lee...’ I sighed again. ‘I don’t know.’
‘Well, you’d better figure out quick.’
‘Why?’
‘He’s coming over here right now.’
I sat bolt upright, spilling my soda in the grass. ‘Shit,’ I muttered, clambering to my feet before it spilled onto my pants too. I dusted myself off and looked up to see Noah striding across the football field, coming straight toward me with a purposeful expression. All eyes were on him – or me, in the case of some extremely jealous girls.
‘Elle! Where are you going?’ Rachel cried after me.
I ran off to the girls’ bathroom like I was running from fire. I locked myself in a cubicle and despite several girls – Rachel, Lisa, Olivia, Jaime, Karen – trying to get me to come back out, I refused.
I didn’t come out until someone started bashing the door in and I heard Lee shouting, ‘Shelly, get your ass out here now.’
I threw open the door. ‘You can’t come in here! This is the girls’ room!’
‘Who gives a shit. Now come on. Get yourself together.’
‘Lee Flynn! What on earth do you think you are doing in here?’ cried a teacher, suddenly appearing from nowhere – Miss Harris, one of the math teachers.
‘Uh... women’s troubles? Really bad cramps, you know.’
‘Get out of here right now, young man, before I give you two weeks’ detention!’
