“Come.”
Part of me really wants to know why she lied to Jen Jen and Kayla like that, but the other part is determined not to get all bogged-down in the details. It’s like, we all spend so much time competing for Kristi’s attention, that I have to admit it feels really awesome to be chosen. It’s like winning a silver medal or something. (I mean, you can’t win gold, because that already belongs to Kristi.)
I’m wearing one of her bikinis and we’re relaxing in the Jacuzzi. My eyes are closed and I’m loving the feeling of the hot water bubbling all around me, when Kristi goes, “You know, I didn’t quite know what to make of you when you walked into English that day. But you turned out to be pretty cool.”
I open my eyes and she’s looking right at me, smiling. “Thanks,” I say, reaching for my water bottle.
“It’s really nice to hang with someone new for a change,” she continues. “I mean, don’t get me wrong, I love Jen and Kayla, and I’ve known them
forever,
but sometimes, I don’t know, I guess, you and I have more in common, you know?”
She looks right at me waiting for me to agree, but I’m not exactly sure what she means, since most of the time hanging with her feels like a balance beam routine, like I’m always in danger of a really humiliating, unscheduled dismount.
“Jen and Kayla are cute and all, and they really do a lot with what they’ve got. But you and I are way better-looking, right?” She takes a sip of her Diet Coke and stares at me, but I’m not sure what to say to that, so I just kind of nod in semiagreement.
She places her Coke on the edge and rolls her eyes. “Oh, please. It’s just us, so why can’t we admit the truth? It’s not like they can hear us. Face it, Rio, everyone at school wishes they were us.”
“I’m not so sure about the seniors. They seem pretty happy with themselves,” I say, taking another sip of water.
“Get real. Why do you think they’re so bitchy? It’s because their guys are always checking us out and they feel threatened. I’m telling you, next year that school is
ours.
You and I will totally own it.” She smiles.
“It kind of seems like you already do,” I say.
“True.” She shrugs. “Anyway, I’m just really glad you decided to move here, because I finally feel like I have someone I can totally relate to. It’s like Jen and Kayla are kind of limited in
every
way, don’t you think?”
I know I probably shouldn’t say anything bad about them because they’re my friends too, but I can’t explain how great it feels to hear Kristi say all these nice things to me. I mean, she thinks we’re on the same level! And she’s totally
confiding
in me! I know for a fact she doesn’t do that with just
anyone.
So I go, “Well, they’re not in any AP classes, and they’re all wrapped up in cheerleading and stuff.” I stop in a panic.
Oh, god, Kristi’s a cheerleader. Why did I say that? And who cares about AP classes?
But she just laughs. “Totally. You should have seen them at cheerleading camp last summer, they were all practicing and asking questions, and paying attention.” She rolls her eyes. “I had to hang with some girls from another school, just to have a little fun. Anyway, don’t tell them you were here today, ‘cause they’ll get all jealous and I so don’t have time for that. Deal?” She looks at me.
“Deal.”
As we’re climbing out of the Jacuzzi and reaching for our towels, some old guy I’ve never seen before walks into the backyard and goes, “Hey, Kris, who’s this?”
His gray hair is all puffed up and folded over like he’s trying to hide some major baldage, and he’s looking at me in a way that totally gives me the creeps. I mean, gag, he’s probably older than my dad.
I wrap my towel completely around me, while Kristi glares at him and motions for me to follow her.
“Does she have a name?” He’s right behind us.
“None of your business,” she says, picking up
Part of me really wants to know why she lied to Jen Jen and Kayla like that, but the other part is determined not to get all bogged-down in the details. It’s like, we all spend so much time competing for Kristi’s attention, that I have to admit it feels really awesome to be chosen. It’s like winning a silver medal or something. (I mean, you can’t win gold, because that already belongs to Kristi.)
I’m wearing one of her bikinis and we’re relaxing in the Jacuzzi. My eyes are closed and I’m loving the feeling of the hot water bubbling all around me, when Kristi goes, “You know, I didn’t quite know what to make of you when you walked into English that day. But you turned out to be pretty cool.”
I open my eyes and she’s looking right at me, smiling. “Thanks,” I say, reaching for my water bottle.
“It’s really nice to hang with someone new for a change,” she continues. “I mean, don’t get me wrong, I love Jen and Kayla, and I’ve known them
forever,
but sometimes, I don’t know, I guess, you and I have more in common, you know?”
She looks right at me waiting for me to agree, but I’m not exactly sure what she means, since most of the time hanging with her feels like a balance beam routine, like I’m always in danger of a really humiliating, unscheduled dismount.
“Jen and Kayla are cute and all, and they really do a lot with what they’ve got. But you and I are way better-looking, right?” She takes a sip of her Diet Coke and stares at me, but I’m not sure what to say to that, so I just kind of nod in semiagreement.
She places her Coke on the edge and rolls her eyes. “Oh, please. It’s just us, so why can’t we admit the truth? It’s not like they can hear us. Face it, Rio, everyone at school wishes they were us.”
“I’m not so sure about the seniors. They seem pretty happy with themselves,” I say, taking another sip of water.
“Get real. Why do you think they’re so bitchy? It’s because their guys are always checking us out and they feel threatened. I’m telling you, next year that school is
ours.
You and I will totally own it.” She smiles.
“It kind of seems like you already do,” I say.
“True.” She shrugs. “Anyway, I’m just really glad you decided to move here, because I finally feel like I have someone I can totally relate to. It’s like Jen and Kayla are kind of limited in
every
way, don’t you think?”
I know I probably shouldn’t say anything bad about them because they’re my friends too, but I can’t explain how great it feels to hear Kristi say all these nice things to me. I mean, she thinks we’re on the same level! And she’s totally
confiding
in me! I know for a fact she doesn’t do that with just
anyone.
So I go, “Well, they’re not in any AP classes, and they’re all wrapped up in cheerleading and stuff.” I stop in a panic.
Oh, god, Kristi’s a cheerleader. Why did I say that? And who cares about AP classes?
But she just laughs. “Totally. You should have seen them at cheerleading camp last summer, they were all practicing and asking questions, and paying attention.” She rolls her eyes. “I had to hang with some girls from another school, just to have a little fun. Anyway, don’t tell them you were here today, ‘cause they’ll get all jealous and I so don’t have time for that. Deal?” She looks at me.
“Deal.”
As we’re climbing out of the Jacuzzi and reaching for our towels, some old guy I’ve never seen before walks into the backyard and goes, “Hey, Kris, who’s this?”
His gray hair is all puffed up and folded over like he’s trying to hide some major baldage, and he’s looking at me in a way that totally gives me the creeps. I mean, gag, he’s probably older than my dad.
I wrap my towel completely around me, while Kristi glares at him and motions for me to follow her.
“Does she have a name?” He’s right behind us.
“None of your business,” she says, picking up
Similar Books
