Part 19 (1/2)

Mark nods, ”Yeah, like tissues, totally. And maybe a ride home, 'cuz it would be lowly of me to make you walk.” He ducks his head to the side and tries to catch my eye. I glance at him and give a weak smile. ”That's better. Wait 'til you see the tissues. Prepare to have your mind blown.” He moves around to the driver's side and comes back with a box. I thought he was kidding, but when he holds them out, I can't help it.

My jaw drops and I grab for one. ”Wow. These are really tissues?” I feel the soft tissue in my hand, but the thing is glowing. I dab my brow and my neck. My body is covered in little beads of sweat. It's so frickin' hot.

”Yup. I got 'em off the internet. The only horrible side effect is that your nose, or wherever, will glow green for a while when everyone shuts out the lights.”

I stop and stare at him. ”What?”

There must be knifes shooting out of my eyeb.a.l.l.s, because he holds up his hands and says, ”Just kidding, pretty lady. I just wanted to see you smile again.” Mark b.u.mps his shoulder into mine. I can't help it, I grin. ”There it is. You made my night. Please sit on my car anytime you want. It's usually unlocked. Feel free to sit inside, if it's raining or what-have-you.”

I nod. ”Thanks, Mark.”

”No problem, babe. You want a ride somewhere?” He's so sweet. The guy has been around me all semester, but this is the first time he's really talked to me. During cla.s.s, I've caught him looking my way, but I thought I imagined it. He's too cute and way too popular to be talking to me. I can see why there's always a group of people around him.

I look back at the gym. This guy is my age and he's really sweet, but...

”No, thanks. I need to head back in. But thanks for this.” I hold up the tissues. ”By the way, if my b.o.o.bs glow green tonight, I'm gonna hunt you down.”

He laughs so hard he nearly falls off the car. ”Totally didn't expect that from you. But, feel free. Green b.o.o.bs or not, you can hunt me down anytime.” He smirks at me before ducking into his car. I watch him pull away, then head inside.

CHAPTER 17

I'm sitting on the bleachers when Peter sees me. He walks over and sits next to me. ”I thought you ditched me.”

”I thought about it, but I didn't want to make you look bad in front of all these kids. Millie p.i.s.sed me off. Well, it's not Millie. It's everyone. They're talking.” I'm picking at my nails as I'm speaking. When did I start telling him every little thing? I look at Peter out of the corner of my eye. He's your friend, stupid. Of course you tell him stuff.

Peter looks puzzled. ”They're talking about what?”

”About us. I've heard everything from you knocked me up, to you're doing me in your office, and that TA means something else entirely. Get it? T and A? Har har. It's hysterical.” I make a face and watch a couple of kids trying to dance in front of us. Another couple b.u.mps into them.

Peter gives me a strange look and then laughs. He runs his hands over his head, rumpling his hair. ”d.a.m.n. I finally have a platonic relations.h.i.+p with a woman and look where it gets me.”

”I know right? You scoundrel, you.” I'm leaning on my hands, with my elbows on my knees. There are more people here tonight. The music is blasting and the air is warm. Someone propped open the back door. The night air drifts in slowly and smells sweet, like honeysuckle.

”So, what'd you tell them?”

”I told one person that I have a mad crush on you. I kind of freaked out on her a little bit when she told me what people were saying. I needed a diversion. And Millie, well, I just bit her head off. No explanation.” I stare straight ahead.

Peter clears his throat. I look at him out of the corner of my eye. He's grinning. ”You defended me? And what, my honor? I thought I was supposed to do that for you?”

I smirk and turn toward him. Peter's face is glistening from dancing. d.a.m.n, it's hot in here. The no air conditioning thing is rough. My eyes drift to his shoulders and down his chest. Peter's s.h.i.+rt is sticking to his chest and is very wrinkled. He looks good. There's more color in his cheeks, more life in his eyes than when he first got here.

I b.u.mp him with my shoulder. ”You're a dork, you know that?”

”Is it because of the dancing?” Peter asks, seriously, trying to figure out why people would say that about us. He looks baffled. Peter pushes his hair out of his face. It's damp and curling at the ends.

”Are you kidding?” I ask and he shakes his head. I smirk at him. ”It's because you're hot. There'll be rumors about anyone you talk to unless they see you dating someone, and even then... well, people are stupid. They talk even when there isn't anything to talk about.”