Page 12 of One Little Kiss
I can’t help but smile back even though I’m still a little annoyed with him. This is my favorite of his smiles. It reminds me of the enthusiastic, nerdy little kid he used to be. Back then he was just as geeky as the rest of us when it came to video games and computers. And he was always the first one out to recess, so he could make up the craziest games. We’d follow along, not caring how stupid we looked.
As he got older, his love of all things technology grew, but he somehow outgrew the nerdy part. Right now, though, his enthusiasm is contagious and for a second I feel like we’re back on the playground.
“Individual events,” he says. “I’ve got a whole list going.”
I blink and my smile fades. I get exactly what he’snotsaying. He’s adding individual events so people like me can’t win.
People who don’t deserve it.
I swallow hard and look away, telling myself I’m overreacting all the while.
I am overreacting. I’m putting words in his mouth. But there’s no stopping this churning sensation in my gut.
“There’s a whole list of them,” he says as the principal keeps talking. “I’m gonna release one a week and then end with a grand finale.”
I know he’s waiting for a reaction but I refuse to play along.
Maybe I won’t even participate in the scavenger hunt. I should just let Mara have the win and forget about it.
“Don’t worry, the first one is perfect for you,” he says. “You just have to find a guy to kiss you, so you know…you got off easy on that one.”
I turn to face him, anger making my skin burn. “What does that mean?”
He blinks in surprise. “Just that it won’t be hard for you to find someone to kiss, that’s all.”
“Why? Because I’m just so easy?” I sound like an idiot, but I can’t bring myself to care.
I know Elijah knows that I don’t get around nearly as much as people probably think. I’m not totally chaste but I am still a virgin, and I don’t just make out with every guy I meet.
“You’re the one who’s made a sport of hooking up,” I point out.
“Hey!” He holds his hands up in defense. “I wasn’t saying that…”
“Then what are you saying? Why is this challenge so easy for me, in particular, huh?”
His chin jerks back and he’s looking at me like I’m crazy.
Probably because I have gone crazy. This is Elijah. My friend. But all I can hear in my mind is my parents’ latest comments about my looks and how I need to use them to my advantage, and so Elijah’s next words feel like a knife to my chest.
“Because you’re hot, dude,” he says with a huff of laughter. “Isn’t it obvious? I don’t think you’ll have to look hard for a mark.”
I can’t respond because my pulse is pounding in my ears. Logically I know he doesn’t mean to be cruel. He doesn’t know that he’s basically pouring salt on a wound.
This much is obvious when his expression shifts from baffled amusement to one of concern. “Hey. What’s up?” He lightly touches my elbow, his voice gentle and devoid of laughter.
For a second I think about telling him. Everything. All the crap with my parents and the fact that they don’t think I need to go to college, and that it would be a waste of money. But before I can, the principal makes an announcement that gets everyone’s attention.
“The student council has decided that if the team wins, there will be a victory dance—”
He’s cut off by excited chatter.
“Oh God,” Elijah groans.
I turn to him, all my anger forgotten as we share a moment of misery. “Another one?”
He flinches. “Didn’t we just have homecoming?”
It’s kinda funny, because he’s Mister Popularity and loves any excuse to party. But in this we are on the same page.
