Page 30 of Don't Love the Boy Next Door
Whines? In our two years together, I never once thought of her as a whiner. But that’s probably because I’m tired from practice and that intense game. The only thing I want is to grow closer to Charlotte and get back together with her.
Then why do my eyes keep darting to that computer?
Chapter Eleven
Phoenix
I hardly got any sleep last night, which is probably why I can barely open my eyes. I was up to the wee hours playing game after game after game. LiamC logged off early, but I stupidly thought he might be back.
Really stupid.
I mean, the guy is like my virtual knight in shining armor, but so what? It’s not like he’s attached to me or owes me anything. Heck, he probably wanted to play with me to see if I’m at his level and now he’ll ditch the streams. It’s not his type to do that—he’s way, way too sweet. But you never really know.
Not that it matters, anyway. He’s just a stranger.
A stranger I can’t seem to get out of my head. Last night, I lay in bed for about an hour replaying the conversation we had just a few hours earlier. He’s so fun to play with, and it’s like we share one brain because we meshed so well together as a team. He said I was good? When was the last time he checked himself out?
Oh, whatever. I’m being silly thinking about him. He’s from Kansas and eighteen, so he’s probably in college. He wouldn’t be interested in a high school girl. Not that I’m interested in him! He’s just a good friend.
A friend that maybe one day could turn into something more?
No! What the heck am I thinking? Phoenix doesn’t do online relationships. It’s weird, since half my life is online, but I guess I don’t trust who’s behind the screen.
Why does it feel different with this guy, though? I’ve never been as curious and giddy about an online guy as I am about him.
He doesn’t gain anything by sticking up for me. Then why do it?
My alarm blares and I shoot up in bed, my heart beating a million miles a minute. Darn it. I’m so caught up with what happened last night that I’m like in another world. I have no idea how much sleep I got, maybe three hours. I’m so tired I have no idea how I’ll make it through the day. And the presentation. Shoot. I totally forgot about it.
I’mnotgoing to think about my jerk of a partner. After today, I’ll never talk to him again.
I sluggishly get dressed and find my parents and siblings in the kitchen. The place is a madhouse like every morning, with Mom cooking breakfast and Dad making sure all the kids have their school stuffed packed.
I’m like a zombie as I sit down and force some food down my throat.
Dad glances up at me from where he’s helping the kids get ready. “You look like you hardly got any sleep last night.”
Stifling a yawn, I try to eat, but I’m too tired even for that. Which is weird because I love food.
“Phoenix?” he says.
I yawn again. “Yeah, I didn’t really sleep much.”
Mom comes to join us at the table, while my siblings chase each other around the house, spilling their breakfast everywhere. Mom doesn’t even react because she’s used to it.
“That’s something we want to discuss with you,” she tells me.
I look from one parent to the other. Both have identical strict expressions on their faces. Why does it feel like they’re ganging up on me or something?
“Okay?” I say unsurely, poking at my food with a fork.
“We know you were up late last night playing with your computer,” Dad says.
I want to roll my eyes. Not this again.
Mom bends close. “It’s very irresponsible of you not to get a good night’s rest. You’re sixteen and you should be focused on school, not playing your games that are a waste of time.”
I’m trying really hard not to lose my cool.
