Page 47 of Kissing is the Easy Part
“She’ll be mad if she finds out I’m your partner instead of hers. It’s best if we all work together. Besides, this has gone on long enough.” She gives me a pointed look. “This assignment is a perfect opportunity for you to get over yourselves and be friends.”
Part of me wants to remind Josie that Flora and I were never friends. But I’m already running late for my next class, so I let it go. Hers’ll just be one more name on the project I’ll end up doing myself.
What a way to kick off senior year.
The other unfortunate thing is that my kid sister has officially started freshman year as my sidekick. At lunch, we stand in line together while she rattles off reasons why she should keep sitting with me.
“I’m only hanging out with you for now. If I’m seen with seniors, I’ll look cooler.”
“Being a senior isn’t an achievement. Stick around long enough, and you’ll get here.”
“They get hotter every day.” She steals a glance at my usual table, where Jake and Dylan are waiting. Conversations between us are usually like this, where she ignores whatever I say and brings up a new topic. “Do you think they’d be into me?”
“My friends aren’t exactly boyfriend material, and you’re seriously too young for them.”
She shrugs. Her high-school fantasies consist solely of parties, dating, and falling in love, which will all turn out to be bad surprises, if my own experience is any indication. I don’t tell her that. She has four years to figure it out herself. “Anyway, if you don’t start being nice to me, I’ll tell Mom and Dad you’re mean.”
“You tell them whatever you want because I don’t care.”
She reaches for a plate of Tater Tots, and someone cuts in line. A subtle trace of jasmine perfume drifts past.
“Lindsey! I can’t believe you’re here and didn’t say hi.”
We both turn. Flora Morgan, bane of my existence, stands there in a ridiculously short skirt.
“Hi! I was looking all over for you,” my sister says. Traitor.
Flora drapes one arm around Lindsey’s shoulder, leading her away without so much as a glance in my direction. Now that my knee’s recovered, she’s back to treating me like radioactive waste. “You must be so excited to start school! Care to join me for lunch? I brought my own today. Do not try the chicken rice from the cafeteria, it’s blasphemy.”
Before I know it, they’re halfway across the room, and Lindsey is nodding at everything Flora says.
I grab Lindsey’s tray, stack it on mine, and get my spaghetti before heading to my table.
“Congrats on finally ending your babysitting job.” Dylan takes a loud sip of his Coke.
“I don’t mind having your sister around.” Jake smirks at me. “I forgot how cute she is.”
He’s only saying it to get a reaction out of me, but it works. He knows exactly which button to press. “Jacob. Don’t even think about it.”
“What are you gonna do, threaten me with your friendship? Tough choice.” Jake holds out both hands like a scale, pretending to weigh the options, then lets one drop. “Sorry, I choose your sister.”
Dylan snickers. “Lighten up, Seany. Jake’s a real catch. If I had a sister—”
“Stay away from Lindsey. Both of you.”
“Chill, broski. I’m kidding. She’s way too young,” Jake says. After a beat, because he can’t resist: “But give it a few years—”
Dylan chokes on his drink. “Dude. Stop.”
Jake shrugs. “But give it a few years, she’ll be older, wiser, and I’ll still be here, maintaining appropriate boundaries with non-creepy behavior, and treating her with the utmost respect. As I always do.” He grins, pleased with his bait-and-switch of the day.
“And I’ll bury you in the backyard if you ever forget that,” I say.
Jake bows in musketeer fashion. “Yes, my good sir. I shall not bring shame upon her name.”
My eyes travel across the cafeteria to where Lindsey sits with Flora’s squad. I guess she’s in good hands. Flora can be charming when she wants to be, and I thank her silently for taking care of my little sister.
Flora’s text comes through.Josie says we’re partners for history. What a JOY. Literally jumping up and down right now.
