Page 40 of More Than Chemical
At the same time, Priya flashed Sandra a look of death.
Neither Priya nor Emma knew that the elusive hoodie girl was me, and being the friends they were, they were trying to protect me. Even Emma, which was strange, given her present stance on Dallas. Maybe she regretted spilling my private information.
“I’m not sure why you think that’s interesting,” Emma said to Sandra. “When you first told me about him, it was amusing. Now it’s just getting old.”
“But that’s the thing—before, his conquests didn’t live here.” Sandra sat up in her chair. “This girl must. She had no coat, no mittens, no hat. I just hope she doesn’t get an STD. You know, Dallas must be like a petri dish.”
I pushed away from the table.Enough.I went to go grab a tray and a bowl from the stack. Seriously. Dorm people were insane.
Next to me, Emma grabbed a plate. “I’m sorry about last night,” she said softly.
I glanced at her.
“I didn’t mean to tell Jay or Luke. It just came out before I could take it back.”
My heart warmed. “It’s okay.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, sure.” I mean, I was going to get laid any day now, so really, my lack in sexual experience was moot at this point.
After pouring cereal in my bowl, adding milk, and filling a glass with apple juice, I looked back at the table. Sandra was still there. But now so was Jay.
An image popped into my brain. Dallas coming through the doorway into the dining hall and stopping to talk to me while the entire room gawked and whispered.
No way could that happen. I needed to set those ground rules, and right away.
I set my tray down on the counter and pulled out my phone.
If you see me in public, ignore me.
A few seconds later.
DALLAS
Have you done your homework for physics yet?
What?
No… Please confirm, will you ignore me?
I tapped my foot on the floor, waiting for his answer.
DALLAS
You want to meet in Lund Hall tonight and work on it?
Omigod.
DALLAS
Pretty please :)
I stared hard at that last text. He wasn’t acknowledging my request. As I stood there in turmoil, I felt the heat of eyes on me, and I looked up. Dallas stood there in workout clothes, watching me, a cup of coffee in one hand and his cell phone in the other. He smiled with an amused glint in his eyes.
The noise in the dining hall grew in volume, assaulting my ears. He’d gotten the message. That was for sure.
I went back to the table and slid into my chair.
