She goes to get her clothes from the floor. "Evan Draper."
"What?" I ask, because she said it in a quiet voice. "Did you just say Evan?"
Her cheeks flush. "I don't know. Maybe."
I walk up to her as she gets dressed. "The tall skinny kid who takes all the AP classes?"
"He's not that skinny," she insists. "He's put on some weight since last year."
I smile. "You like, Evan, huh? I wouldn't have put you two together but hey, what do I know?"
"You think he'd go out with me?" she asks as she pulls her dress over her head. It's a tight yellow dress that looks great on her.
"Are you kidding? You're a cheerleader and he's kind of a nerd. If he had the chance to date a cheerleader, he'd be all over that."
"I don't want him dating me just for that."
"I'm not saying that's the only reason. I'm just saying he's not going to turn you down."
"But I don't want to ask him. I want him to ask ME."
"I don't see that happening. A guy like Evan assumes girls like you wouldn't even give him a chance. He'd be scared to death to ask you out."
"Not if someone convinced him to." She stops adjusting her dress and stares at me. "Someone who has a lot of influence over people?"
"Who? ME? You want ME to talk to Evan?"
"Would you?" she begs. "Please?"
"I don't even know the guy. And I think he's scared of me. He always runs away when I get near him."
"C'mon, Dean. It's the least you could do after turning me down."
"You didn't want to be with me. You like Evan. Why were you even doing this?"
"Because I wanted to know what it'd be like. Girls say you know what you're doing, which is rare for a guy your age. Most guys just stick it in and are done in two seconds." She rolls her eyes. "Guys are so selfish."
"I bet Evan wouldn't be," I say with a smile.
She blushes, and I see this whole other side of her I didn't know was there. This shy vulnerable side that's completely different than the bold confident girl I see at school.
"Would you talk to him?"
"I'll try, but I can't make you any promises."
She nods, reaching down to get her shoes. "Don't tell anyone about tonight."
"I won't."
"I mean, don't tell them we didn't do it. I don't want people knowing you turned me down. It's embarrassing, and I'm embarrassed enough having you see me naked and practically begging you to have sex with me."
"Don't be embarrassed," I say, taking her hand. "You're beautiful, and if I wasn't so out of it tonight, I would've been all over you."
"But now you'll be thinking about this when you see me at school." She looks down. "You saw me naked and I can't take it back."
She's right. It'll be hard to not imagine her naked when I see her at school, even if I only consider her a friend.
I pause, trying to think of a way to make her feel better.
