Vicky and Joe stride toward the window, then stop to face each other. They’re still wearing their jackets, cheeks tinged rosy from the outside chill, so they must have just gotten here. But why are theyheretogether?
I tuck myself back behind the desk.
“Where do you sit?” Vicky asks.
“Usually right here, next to Sara.”
I swallow. From beside me, Oliver peers at me through his eyelashes. He looks so uncomfortable hunched over like that. He’s probably gonna send me his chiropractor bill after this.
“Actually, Vicky, I brought you here because I needed to tell you something.”
“Oh.” There’s a note of surprise in her voice. “Okay, what is it?”
“Um, I know I don’t go to Brookside High anymore,” Joe begins. “But you’ve been the one I liked the whole time I went there.”
My cheeks flame, and I slap my hands over my mouth to withhold a gasp.
“I was too scared to approach you because your beauty is so intimidating,” Joe continues. “And I know we just officially met and you don’t know me that well, but I’ve always admired you from afar. So, I guess I was just wondering if you like me too?”
I close my eyes, mortified, as my heat plummets to my toes. This whole time Joe’s had a crush on my cousin? Gah, I can’t believe I didn’t see the signs. Is that why he’d asked if she was coming to the festival when I went over to study? Oh no—is this the only reason he cared if I passed my calculus test?
No, no, no! Don’t think like that, Sara.
Joe’s always been encouraging, even before he knew Vicky was my cousin. I know better than anyone that you can’t help you who have a crush on.
“I do,” Vicky blurts, but then immediately backtracks. “I mean—no! No, I can’t. I’m so sorry.” There’s a sound of footsteps rushing toward the door. “Sara’s not just my cousin. She’s my best friend, and I can’t do this to her. I mean,agh—she’s had the biggest crush on you since you transferred.”
I bury my face in my hands to avoid looking at Oliver, but I feel the heat of his gaze blazing into me.
“Sara?” Joe repeats.
“Oh gosh, what am I doing? I wasn’t supposed to say that,” Vicky says, flustered. “I’m sorry. I can’t do this.”
Her footsteps retreat, quickly followed by Joe’s.
“Wait, Vicky. Hold on—”
The door swings closed with a soft click.
From right next to me, Oliver shifts in place. I can’t look at him, because what do I even say? I can’t believe he heard all that! Why is my life one big catastrophe?
“This is so embarrassing,” I blurt, because I have to saysomething.My hands move to the sides of my face, pressing against my temples.“I can’t believe Vicky told Joe and—agh! I’ve officially lost the stupid bet with Patrick. Joe was my only chance to get a kiss tonight.”
From my periphery, I see Oliver reach out to pat my shoulder. His hand sort of lingers in the air, never coming into contact. “Hey—”
“I’m so stupid to have thought Joe liked me.” I stare at the floor, my blush deepening. “He liked Vicky this whole time, and not only that, but she likes him too. And who the heck am I to try and stop their love? How ridiculous would that be?”
“Sara—”
But I can’t stop the verbal onslaught of feelings that tumble from my lips. “I don’t fit into the picture anymore. All because of Lulu’s magical prediction, which led me to think I could have my first kiss tonight. How am I so gullible? I don’t think there’s any hope for me. I’m officially the dumbest person on the planet. And,ugh, you’re right.” I brave a glance at Oliver, who’s untucked his head from under the table and let his knees fall to the side on the floor. “I need to stop thinking about romanticizing my life and focus on my real problems.”
Suddenly, Oliver reaches out and places both hands on my shoulders. “Sara, stop—just, stop!”
He slides closer to me—not thinking about his floor bacteria facts right now, I guess—and latches his gaze on mine. We’re close, I realize. So close that I can smell his citrusy shampoo and the soft cotton fragrance that lingers on his jacket, probably from his laundry detergent.
“You’re fine. It’s all fine,” he says gently. “You’re not the dumbest person on this planet, okay? If anyone’s dumb, it’s my brother for not noticing you this whole time. I mean, he’s a great brother. And a really good person, but honestly? He can be so clueless sometimes.” He pushes his glasses up the bridge of his nose. “And you’re not stupid, either, okay? You’re pretty and smart—you just use your intelligence for things you like best, like newspaper! I mean, clearly that’s important to you besides whatever reason led you there to begin with, right?”
My eyes widen in surprise, because I’m not used to Oliver saying such nice things about me. Who is this boy and what did he do with the grouch that normally inhabits his body?
