Page 5 of The Boy I Hate

Samantha laughed, staring out the window to the street below. “Yeah… Well, I’ll keep the doors locked.” She walked toward the closet and pulled more clothes from the hangers. “Besides—my mind’smadeup.”

“Sam…”

“I’ll be fine.Really.”

“Why don’t you drive with Tristan? He’s leaving tomorrow, and I’m sure he could use thecompany.”

“Ha!”

“What’s sofunny?”

“I am NOT driving with yourbrother.”

“Whynot?”

“Because I’d rather eat poop.” It was a gross analogy, but it was mostly true. “I can think of a million other things I’d rather do than be held hostage with Tristan. It’s bad enough you invited him to thewedding.”

Renee laughed. “He’s mybrother. Or course he’s going to be there. And he’s not that bad. He’s had a rough year—I think he’s finallygrowingup.”

“Tristan Montgomery, grow up? I’ll believe that when Iseeit.”

“Good. I’ll have him pick you up tomorrowatten.”

“No no no, that’s notwhatI—”

“I have to go.” Renee sing-song yelled into the receiver, “Be ready by ten! ILOVEYOU!”

CLICK.

Samantha looked at her cell, her eyes bulging with shock and terror before redialing thenumber.

The line went quickly to voice mail. “Hi, this is Renee. You know what to do.BEEEEEP.”

“Shit!” Samantha hung up the phone. An image of Tristan popped into her mind and she closed her eyes. “Like hell!” She moved across the room, pulled her chair from her desk, and sat down upon it. If Renee wasn’t going to answer, she’d be forced to send anemail.

Renee,

I’m sure you’re expecting this email. I mean, why wouldn’t you, after dropping that bombshell of a bad idea in my lap? Tristan? Really?REALLY?

And since when is he “Not that bad?” It’s hard to believe those words actually came from yourmouth!

Samantha paused in her typing,drumming her fingers on the mouse pad beforecontinuing.

Tristan Montgomery wasthatguy. The guy every girl wanted and every guy wanted to be. The boy who made even grown women blush when he walked intoaroom.

He was also the guy who was handed everything on a silver platter. The one who worked hard for nothing, yet had everything. Tristan was everything she stood against, yet girls used to befriend Renee just to get closertohim.

Everyone exceptSamantha.

In fact, Renee and Samantha’s relationship had blossomed over their mutual hatred for Tristan Montgomery. Samantha was the only girl outside of Renee who didn’t like him. No, correction, didn’tLOVEhim.

There wasn’t anything in particular about Tristan that left a bad taste in Samantha’s mouth, it waseverything. The fact that teachers turned a blind eye so he could stay on the varsity football team. The fact that he said nothing, did nothing, was no more than a high school jock, yet every girl in high school bowed athisfeet.

You’re worriedabout my safety Renee, and you think driving with Tristan would make things better? He had his license suspended senior year for too many speeding tickets. He jumped off your parents’ roof and into your neighbor’s backyard pool on a dare! This isn’t a guy who makes the best decisions regarding safety. He doesn’t think about how his actions could affect otherpeople.

She closedher eyes as memories flooded her. Tristan was a risk-taker and never thought about the consequences of tomorrow. He did whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted, without thinking about the future. And he was the only boy who held one of Samantha’s firsts outside ofSteven.

Shecringed.

---