I glanced at her over my shoulder and shrugged. “Why would I lie about that?”
Gina knocked on the door and shouted, “Open up, Miss Popularity! We have innocent boys to corrupt!”
I smiled and turned toward the door, but Jill beat me to it. Before Gina could even step into the room, Jill slammed her with questions. “Are you really riding with Troy Cameron tonight? Or is the psychopath lying to me again?”
Gina pushed past her by ducking under her arm. “She only lied to you one time. And that was for your own good.”
“How is telling me my blue eyeshadow causes cancer for my own good?”
Gina plopped down on my bed with a dramatic sigh. “Have you ever looked in the mirror with that stuff on? Believe me, it was for your own good.”
Jill was too worked up to take the bait. “Are you going with Troy Cameron tonight or not?”
Gina’s mouth spread into a wide grin. “Jealous?”
“Obviously not. Mark is coming over tonight and I’m not planning on him leaving.” She turned to me while I worked on lacing up my boot. “So don’t bother coming back after the show. You can crash with your friend.” Her lips pursed and then she added, “Or Troy Cameron since that’s like a thing now.”
“It’s so not a thing,” I assured her. “Just because I’m getting a ride from a guy doesn’t mean I’m going to give him a ride. “
Jill made a squeaky noise. “You’re so gross.”
“And you’re so…” I chewed on my bottom lip, deciding which insult to hurl. There were just too many to choose from.
A horn honked down below and even four stories up we were drawn to the sound. Gina and I rushed to the window just in time to see the upper half of Troy’s body lean out the driver’s side window so he could wave at us.
“Please tell me that’s not his car,” I laughed.
He honked again and waved fanatically.
“Pretty sure that’s his car.”
It was impossible to miss the rust orange station wagon taking up the entire drive down below. The car didn’t look like it could make it across campus, let alone all the way to Graffiti’s. But it was too late to take the bus now.
I stepped back from the window and checked out my hair one more time. I scrunched my thick hair in my hands and quickly applied some more eyeliner and mascara. Turning back around to Gina, I couldn’t help but ask, “How do I look?”
She smiled at me. “Sexy. That shirt is totally hot.”
I caught my bottom lip in my teeth again. This would work. This had to work! Jake Turner would finally notice me and we’d end the night by riding off into the sunset. Or go back to his apartment. Or with just a really hot makeout.
I wasn’t exactly picky at this point.
I just needed Jake. And it had to be tonight.
“And me?” Gina asked. I checked out her red plaid, pleated miniskirt with black, lace up, knee high boots and white tank top—the kind my brother wore under his shirts. My friend was a so slammin’. There wasn’t even competition.
“You’re hot, Gina. The boys will be drooling.”
“Then, let’s go, my friend. Our chariot awaits.”
We grabbed our purses and hurried through the door. Just before it closed I grabbed it and poked my head back through. Jill was still staring at is in horror.
“If you or Mark touches any of my stuff, I’ll make voodoo dolls of you both and give you crabs.”
She made that same squeaky noise again, but I didn’t wait around for her comeback. Having this image did come with certain benefits.
Like people assuming you dabbled in voodoo for instance.
At least my possessions would be safe.
For tonight.
“Ready?” Gina asked me as we hurried down the stairwell.
I smiled at her. “I’ve been waiting for tonight my entire life!”
“You’re going to slay him, Cass. He’s seriously going to fall over dead when he sees you.”
A laugh bubbled out of me. “Let’s just hope he at least kisses me first.”
