Page 70 of Bookworm

"I heard he never smiles," Aspen put in.

"Yeah," Mya said, "he's so intimidating. That's what makes Iceman a killer on the soccer pitch."

"That and those abs," Sierra said, and the three of them laughed.

Aspen sighed. "He's too good forLoser Lottie."

There was a pause.

"Do you think that kiss was staged?"

"If it was," Sierra said, "that was some good acting."

"Definitely made me blush," Mya put in.

"Me too," Aspen admitted then added, "but there are ways to make it look like you're kissing someone when you're really not. We learn them in drama. Maybe Bo was just faking it."

Making sure my smile was at 100, I stood and stepped out of the stall.

The three girls watched me, open-mouthed, as I went to one of the sinks and washed my hands. I took my time, making sure to scrub really well and dry each finger off beforeballing up and throwing away the paper towels.Then I turned to face them.

"Hey Lottie," Aspen said with feigned pleasure, as if we were old friends. "We didn't know you were in there."

"I gathered that," I said.

Her smile faltered then got even wider. "Ah, you know how we girls like to talk. It's all in good fun."

"Hmmm."

Sierra hesitated then said, "Congrats on winning the bet."

"And on that kiss," Mya said while fanning her face. "I liked the part where he picked you up."

I lifted a brow. "Thanks, I liked that part too."

Sierra and Mya laughed, but Aspen wasn't smiling anymore.

"It must be nice, always getting things you don't deserve," she said.

"I don't know about that," I said. "I think everyone decides what or who they deserve, in life and in love."

I shrugged.

"Also, I wasn't trying to win any bet. The kiss was real. I don't mind you calling me Loser Lottie—I'm a fan of alliteration. My family is middle-class, but we aren't poor. Half the people in this town will probably end up working for my sister. Scarlett is a freaking superstar. Oh, and weirdo isn't a good insult. Calling someone weird just means they're passionate about something you don't understand.Weirdos are the ones who make life interesting."

"Wow. That was deep," Mya said, and Aspenpoked her in the ribs.

"Sorry for all that, Lottie," Sierra said.

"No problem," I said.

The bell rang, and I moved to the exit.Pushing on the handle, I stood in the open doorway a moment and then turned back to face them.

"My smiles aren't fake, you know. I just choose to be happy."

I shook my head.

"Oh, andthe rumors aren't true.I've seen Bo'ssmile.It's gorgeous."

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