“Yeah.” I pull away. “Okay, go. Hurry up.”
She drives away, and when I look back, I see Principal Edwards is still watching us. Were we not convincing enough? Does he think I was lying? He’s the one who assumed I was dating Shayla, but maybe he only did it to see what I’d say.
“Okay, what’s going on?” Shayla asks. “No offense, but I’m not attracted to you. Or any girl.”
“Sorry about that. Principal Edwards showed up and saw I had flowers and cupcakes and assumed it was for my date. I’d already told him I was waiting for you to pick me up, so he assumed you were my date.”
“You brought me flowers and cupcakes?” She laughs. “That’s so sweet.”
“Actually, Iamgiving them to you. I can’t take them home.” I set the sack by my feet. “So anyway, then Jackson shows up,assuming I’ve already left, and runs into Principal Edwards and me. I went along with the story so he wouldn’t put it together I was with Jackson.”
“Why was your principal even there?”
“He said he goes there to relax.” I take a deep breath and let it out. “I need to calm down after that. Lying really stresses me out.”
“So how was your actual date?”
“Perfect.” I smile just thinking about it. “Jackson was so sweet. He apologized and then we talked and straightened everything out.”
“You just talked?” she asks, raising her brows.
“We might’ve done more than talk.”
She glances at me. “Just be careful, okay? I know how much you like him, but I still don’t trust the guy. And I—” She chews on her lip.
“Shayla, just say it.”
She sighs. “It’s the thing with Andrea. With the cops looking into it again, it makes me thinks maybe he—”
“He didn’t do anything. I’ve asked him about it and I know he’s innocent.”
“You only know what he tells you. You weren’t there that night.”
“Just let it go, okay?” I say with anger in my voice. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
When we get back to the house, I turn to her. “Thank you for doing this. I know you don’t want me dating him, but he makes me really happy. And I need that right now. After everything that’s happened I—”
“I know,” she says with a sad smile. “You don’t have to explain. If you want to do this again, just give me a call.”
I get out of the car.
“Oh, and Rumor?”
“Yeah?”
“Thanks for the cupcakes and roses. You’re an awesome girlfriend.”
I laugh as she drives away. Guess I have a girlfriend now. That should stop any suspicion that I’m dating Jackson, not that anyone suspects that, but still.
“How was the driving lesson?” Brock asks as I walk through the living room. He’s on the couch reading what looks like a script.
“It was okay,” I say, continuing to my room.
“Wasn’t I supposed to sign something before you started?”
I turn and walk back to him. “They thought you already had. When I was leaving, they noticed you hadn’t signed the form. Can you sign it now?”
“Of course. When is your next lesson?”
