Page 59 of Something Rad
“I have to put in serious effort if I want serious results,” I continue, on a rant now. “Serious time for a serious–”
Robbie holds up a hand, stopping me. “That’s it,” he whispers.
A grin slowly creeps its way on to his face, and I find my eyebrows raising in response.
“What’sit?”
fourteen
ROBBIE
“What’sit, Robbie?” Cooper pushes when I don’t respond.
My hand stays raised between us as I process the epiphany I just had. As I allow the thought that just popped into my mind to take form. As I work through the idea that just came to me.
The idea that’s so ridiculous and insane…that it might just freaking work.
Cooper’s gray eyes continue to widen and darken with every second I don’t answer her.
“Robbie, I swear–”
I hold up a finger, quieting her. “Just hold on,” I say, lowering my voice to a hushed tone. “Just…just hear me out.”
“It’s a little difficult to hear you out when you’re not saying anything.”
“Cooper,please.”
She presses her lips together and crosses her arms, letting out a deep breath of resignation. “Fine,” she says. “What is this about?”
“Serious,” I say, letting out a breath of my own.
“Serious,” she echoes. “Seriouswhat?”
“Beingserious,” I say. “Being takenseriously.”
“What about it?” she asks, raising one brow.
I shake my head, running a hand through my hair. I don’t miss the way Cooper’s eyes sharply follow the movement in the same way an animal's eyes stalk its prey. It makes me wonder if she’s going to pounce.
Especially after what I’m about to suggest.
I think it through for a moment, wondering if I should forget it all together. But I can’t. It’s just too perfect. For both of us. Cooper will see that. She’s too smart not to.
“Robbie?”
My gaze flicks up to meet Cooper’s, and her expression seems to soften slightly.
“Just say it. Whatever it is,” she insists.
Well, here goes nothing.
“Nobody takes me seriously,” I say. Cooper opens her mouth to interject, but I carry on before she can. “Not my friends, not my teachers, not Principal Whileyman, not my family, and…especially not Denise.”
Her brows pull together, her head tilting to the side.
“They all just see me as thecooldude,” I continue. “The rich kid. The popular jock. The brainless womanizer. The life of the party. The fun guy that everyone wants to be friends with but…nobody really wants tobeat the end of the day.”
I swallow, shaking my head.
