Page 49 of Popular Boys Don't Fall For Geeky Girls

Getting to my feet, I sigh. “Here I go.”

“Good luck!” Chloe wishes.

I thank her and make my way to the table closest to mine. Putting on a wide smile, I glance from one kid to the other. Most don’t even see me standing there.

“Hey,” I say.

A few glance up at me, some don’t even bother. Several make faces like they have no clue why someone like me is standing there. These kids aren’t popular, but when I’m invisible, everyone is on a higher rung on the social ladder than me.

“So…I was wondering if you guys had a chance to download my app? Like I said at the assembly, it’s safe and secure and you don’t have to worry about your information being exposed. And it’s fun.” I push another smile on my face. “So can you please do me a favor and check it out?”

They glance at one another, shrug, and continue eating. I look from one kid to the other again, trying to determine if there’sanyonewho seems remotely interested. But they don’t seem to be.

Darn it. What’s wrong? I thought the students would be into it. An app that pairs you up with your perfect match? If I believed in high school romances, I’m pretty sure I’d be all over that.

Releasing another sigh, I go to the next table. And the next. Not one single person seems interested.

How in the world can I submit my app to the competition without any statistics and data?

As my eyes roam over the cafeteria and settle on the popular table, a thought hits me. Of course. All I need to do is get the popular kids on board and everyone will download it. Colton told me he downloaded it, so maybe it won’t be that hard to get his friends to do so as well.

With my head held high, I march over to their table, pushing another wide smile on my face. They’re close to the jock table, so I’m hoping the others will overhear my begging and agree to give my app a shot.

Colton sits at the head of the table, with Owen on one side and Vince on the other. He’s playing around with his food as he nods at whatever Owen is saying.

As if he feels me approaching, his head snaps up and eyes lock with mine. They fill with surprise, like he’s wondering why I’m headed their way. I catch the tiny grin on his face and, call me stupid, it looks like he wants to wave at me but is too scared to.

I don’t get the guy. Does he see me as a friend or something? Popular kids like him are supposed to pretend I don’t exist.

Which is why no one—not a single person—looks at me when I clear my throat or try to get their attention. Except for Colton. He gets to his feet and waves his hands around to shut everyone up.

“What’s up with you?” Knox asks with a frown as he dips his broccoli into ketchup, as if trying to mask the taste. He pops it into his mouth.

Colton nods at me. “Willow’s trying to tell us something.”

The kids look at me like they have no idea I’ve been standing there for the past two minutes.

One of the girls scowls at me like I’m scum. “What do you want?”

Their faces and glares don’t get to me. Because these kids might be the rulers of the school, but where will they be in ten years and where will I be?

The weird thing is, though, when I look at Colton, why does a part of me think he doesn’t belong there? Like he’ll make something of himself and not rely on his good looks to get him far in life like the others will.

“In case you forgot,” I tell them, forcing another smile. “My app, Your Perfect Match, is available for download from the school app. Can you please download it so I can start gathering the data for the coding competition?”

“What the heck is she saying?” another girl mumbles to her friend.

Her friend waves her hand. “She lost me at nerd talk.”

I grit my teeth. They’re really starting to get on my nerves. “All I’m asking is for you to download the app and help me. That’s all. You don’t have to do extra work. Just live your life and it will collect the data.”

They scoff.

“No, thanks,” another girl says, flipping her hair. “We don’t want any part of your stupid app.”

“Don’t you want to find your perfect match?” I blurt, cringing internally at how desperate I sound right now.

She shrugs. “I can find my match without an app or whatever the heck it is.”

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