“What?” Jake and I ask, annoyed.
“The look on your faces!”
“You knew about this?” Jake asks Riden.
“Well, no, but this is hilarious.” He laughs some more. “Seeing that the girl of your dreams is also the only girl in the world who can’t stand you.”
“Girl of your dreams,huh?” I smirk.
“Uh…” He’s speechless. And for the first time since I got here, he looks at me and looks amazed. My smirk only grows larger.
“Take a picture, it’ll last longer.” I tease. He gets back to reality, and he’s about to respond when Allison says, “I wouldn’t be so cocky if I were you, Madelaine. Weren’t you the one who saidThe boy plays guitar and reads! Who can be more attractive?” She quotes with the same dreamy expression I had when I said this, and I shove her to the side.
“Attractive?” This time, he smirks. Miss Patty, who has been quiet, seeing the scene, finally says something.
“It looks like you two already know each other.”
“Well, yeah, unfortunately for way too long.” I say, side-eyeing West.
“Good. It will be a lot easier when Jake starts to work here, since you already know each other.”
“He’s going toworkhere?!” I turn defensively to Miss Patty. “Are you even sure he knows how to read?”
“Maddie!” Miss Patty scolds me and then informs me. “Starts this afternoon.”
“It looks like you will have the privilege to spend time with me, Madiekins.”
“Don’t. Call. Me. That.”
I could actually burst out in anger right now.
“Yes, captain.” He salutes, surrendering, and winks.
“I’m leaving. Allison?”
“Right after you. The smell of books was giving me a headache anyway…” She excuses, and I sigh.
“See you after lunch.” I tell Miss Patty.
“I can’t wait!” Jake responds with an amusing tone.
“Wasn’t talking to you, Tweedle Dumber!”
“I’mTweedle Dumber?”
And I only hear Riden laughing.
I start to exit when I hear Allison say to Riden, “See ya, Tweedle Dumb!”
“See ya, Ally!”
Once we’re far enough from the library, I cross my arms and stare at her, an eyebrow raised.
“Ally?”
“Yes, cupcake?” She responds, clearly pretending not to know what I’m talking about.
“Oh, come on, don’t pretend!”
