Page 37 of Bad Boys Don’t Date Clumsy Girls

Chapter Fourteen

I slam my locker door and jump a mile when I find Sam’s face smiling at me. My backpack falls to the ground, and everything slides out across the busy hallway.

“Did I scare you?” Sam drops to her knees to help scoop up papers before kids kick them down the hall. “Sorry.”

I force a smile.

“You didn’t respond last night. Did I text too late?” Sam looks at me expectantly. When I remain quiet, Sam presses me for more information. “How did day one of Embrace the Crush go?”

“I don’t know. It was okay.” I shrug as if it’s no big deal. “I don’t think I’m really good at the crush thing.”

“What do you mean? How can you not be good at it? You just look at a boy you find cute and swoon a little. It’s not that hard.”

“He’s pretty intense, you know?” My traitorous mind replays the image of his unabashed laughter, and my double-crossing stomach flutters with brand new butterflies. “Maybe it’s not me. Maybe he’s not crush material.”

Sam stops scooping and sits back on her high heels. “What happened?”

“Nothing.” I busy myself zipping the backpack before climbing to my feet. “There were a couple tummy flutters. I got him to laugh.”

Sam, who has fallen into step beside me, grins. “That’s great.” Then she sighs and looks up at the ceiling with a dopey look. “That’s the best when you can get them to laugh.”

I silently agree. What isn’t the best is getting the knowing look that says, “Now I know the pain you are dealing with.” And the look that follows that says, “You poor thing. I’m sorry.”

“Well, with all of his experience, I’m sure he’s very crushable.” Sam winks. “And you’ll get the hang of it. You didn’t let your heart get too invested, did you?”

I want to defend Dylan and tell Sam that he isn’t as experienced as everyone thinks, but for whatever reason, Dylan seems to like his reputation, so it isn’t for me to dispute. I suppose I should feel special or something that he opened up to me about everything, including the girlfriend situation. It doesn’t seem like stuff he tells just anyone.

“Aaaaaava?” Sam sings. “Are you in there?”

“Huh?” I roll my eyes. “Sorry, I didn’t sleep well.”

“Everything okay? Was it your mom?”

“I don’t know. I have a lot on my mind, I guess.” That isn’t a lie. I’m definitely worried about Joel moving out and leaving me alone with Mom and Grandma. I’m nervous about the possibility of getting a job and having to learn new things and fit it into my schedule. Would I still be able to volunteer at the shelter? Would I be able to keep up with my homework when senior year starts? It’s daunting. But what really kept me from sleeping was replaying the day with Dylan over and over in my head. I’m so mad at myself for saying something about having a crappy home life. I was quiet and awkward the rest of the day. His sympathetic look has been burned in my brain ever since. He felt sorry for me, and I hate that.

To change the subject, I ask, “Did you go out with Barista Boy?”

“I did.”

I scan my friend. “Trouble in paradise?”

“Nothing like that. We basically did the same thing as the first date.”

“Ate at Riverwalk and wandered the park?”

“This time we wandered Riverwalk and ate at the park.”

“A picnic?” I think that sounds kind of fun even if the weather is chilly.

“No, the hotdog stand.”

“Oh, that’s cute.” I eye Sam. “You like hotdogs.”

“It was just kind of strange to go to the same place. And I realized everybody knew him by name. Everywhere we went people were like, “Oh, hey Josh!” and “Josh, my man.” It was weird.”

“Well, he works down there, so it might be his comfort zone. Suggest a different place next time.”

“Yeah, you’re right.” Sam waves as she turns down a hallway. “I’ll see you at lunch. Say hi to Bek for me.”

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