The line goes silent for a moment, and then she shrieks. “What?! Theo Pearson, as in tall, dark, and popular Theo Pearson? In your house? Why are you calling me? You should be all over him.”
“Because I’m freaking out.” I twist onto my belly. “His family’s staying with us until they fix some broken pipe at their new place. He’s down the hall in Maisie’s old room.”
Stephanie laughs, her voice brimming with excitement. “Girl, you’ve got to take full advantage of this. Make some moves!”
“Are you insane? This is already too complicated. What if Paige finds out?”
“Oh, please,” Stephanie says. “Forget her. She doesn’t matter, anyway. When are you going to stop letting her dictate how to run your life?”
“Uh, maybe when I’m not in her crosshairs.” I roll over and stare at the ceiling. “I hope Theo doesn’t blab about this to anyone at school.” I can almost feel the shiver-inducing, cold stares from all the girls if they find out about this.
“He might not,” Stephanie says. “He seems like a decent guy. He’s the only one who stepped in in the lunchroom. But who cares what others think? Just have fun with this.”
“Certainly, let’s invite total disaster into my life, why don’t we?”
“You’re too dramatic. It could be like you are living in your own personal rom-com. Boy moves in with girl. Boy falls for girl’s quirky charm—“
“Yeah, right,” I interrupt, though I can’t help but grin at her enthusiasm. “That’s never going to happen.”
“Fine,” she relents with a sigh. “But promise me you’ll at least try to get to know him. Not every popular guy is evil.”
I pause for a moment. “Okay, but if he messes with me, he’s getting the cold shoulder.”
“Good luck with that, girl,” she says, laughing. “You’re gonna need it.”
I shake my head. “I’ve got enough to worry about, Steph. Especially, the wrath of the Queen Bees? No, thanks.”
“Fair point. But still, keep me posted. This is the most exciting thing to happen in like . . . ever.”
We hang up, and I turn on my side.
Anticipation ripples through me, sending a mix of nerves and excitement. It’s strange—I’m not used to feeling this way about anyone, let alone him. He’s everything I’m not: popular, confident, with that effortless charm everyone seems to fall for. And he is right down the hall—yep, I’m definitely in trouble.
I mean, I know I’m invisible to popular guys—just the quiet girl who prefers books to parties and sarcasm to small talk. But part of me can’t help wondering what it would be like if he looked past all that for a brief moment. What if he actuallysawme? The thought is ridiculous—impossible. And yet, here I am, wishing for it.
I toss onto my back again. The undeniable truth is that we belong in different worlds, and I’ll do what I must to keep our new living arrangement a secret.
***
The next morning, I’m determined to keep things as if nothing has changed. I peek my head out the door to make sure Theo’s room is closed.
So far so good.
I tiptoe past his door, successfully reaching the kitchen without alerting him, where I get to work on a quick breakfast—a toasty bagel. It’s Saturday, so my parents are out on a grocery run.
“Morning!”
I jump like Noah has just popped out from behind a door, scaring the bejesus out of me. “Are you trying to give me a heart attack?” I say, turning to find Theo smiling at me.
“Sorry,” he says. “Didn’t mean to frighten you. Breakfast is included for guests, right?”
Who does he think I am, his maid?
“Oh, sure.” I grab a piece of plain toast and slide it over to him. “Here you go.”
Theo picks it up, eyeing it like it could be worse. “Plain toast, huh? How luxurious.”
“It’s gourmet,” I say, trying not to laugh. “Exclusive of this establishment.”
