The Secret Crush by Tina Wells Page B

her.
    â€œMy aunt gave it to me for my birthday,” Kathi explained. “I didn’t like it, so I thought you would—since I know you like used stuff.”
    Even when she was being nice, Kathi was Kathi. It was hard for her not to think about herself first. “It’s pretty,” Zee said. “Thanks.”
    â€œHey, Zee!” Chloe said, placing the bow on her cello strings. “Listen to what Jasper and I wrote for the musical this weekend.” As she started to play, Jasper joined in on his bass.
    Zee tried to listen, but she kept looking at the door. When is Landon going to get here? she wondered.
    Suddenly, the music stopped. “That’s all we have so far.”
    â€œThat was really good,” Zee said.
    â€œDid you really li—” Jasper began.
    At that moment, Landon walked into the room. Zee grabbed the card she’d made for him and hopped out of her chair.
    Chloe grabbed Zee’s arm. “Where are you going?” she asked.
    â€œTo thank Landon for his card.”
    â€œWhy?” Chloe’s voice sounded panicked now.
    â€œBecause it’s polite.”
    â€œUmmm…ummm…” Chloe desperately searched for words. “The card said it was from a secret admirer. Maybe he wants it to stay a secret.”
    â€œThat sounds exactly right!” Jasper chimed in.
    â€œIf he wanted that, he wouldn’t have made it so obvious.” Zee shook her head. “You guys are just worried about my mom. Don’t—I’m not breaking any rules.”
    â€œThat’s not it.” Jasper stood up next to Zee. “Maybe he’s shy. You don’t want to embarrass him.”
    â€œIf anyone is shy, it’s you,” Zee told Jasper and patted himon the back. She turned away and rushed over to Landon. “I got it!” she said to Landon.
    â€œGot what?” Landon asked. His face was blank.
    â€œThe card.”
    â€œWhat card?”
    Zee’s heart dropped. Could she have been wrong about Landon? “You have no idea what I’m talking about, do you?” she asked.
    Landon shook his head. Zee hid the card she had made him behind her back and slunk away to her seat.
    â€œWhat happened?” Chloe asked.
    â€œI’m not sure,” Zee said. “But I don’t think Landon is my secret admirer.”
    â€œDo you have any other ideas who it might be from?” Jasper asked.
    â€œNo,” Zee said, looking absentmindedly back at Landon.
    By the time Zee turned around, Marcus had appeared next to Chloe. “For you!” he said, and with a flourish handed her a rose. Chloe blushed and looked as if she might melt into a puddle right there. After a squeaky “Thank you,” she was speechless.
    Behind Marcus’s back, Zee gave her friend a thumbs-up.
    Then Marcus moved down the aisle where Jen andKathi were sitting. “For you,” he said. “And you.” He gave each girl a rose. Jen smirked and looked at Chloe.
    Next Marcus circled around to Missy, then back to Zee, delivering his last two roses. “Sorry, guys,” he said to the boys. “None for you. Please don’t be green with envy.”
    â€œDarn!” Conrad said, snapping his fingers. “I wanted a pretty flower, too.” The boys laughed loudly.

    Zee was relieved that everyone was watching the boys, because Chloe seemed embarrassed. She’d obviously thought Marcus had gotten a rose especially for her.
    But when Chloe saw Zee looking at her, she whispered, “Well, at least we know Marcus isn’t your secret admirer.”
    Zee giggled and glanced over at Landon.
    Â 
    When Zee arrived in French class, Jen was resting her head in her arms on top of her desk. Zee slid into the chair next to her. “What’s up?”
    Jen didn’t bother to lift her head. “I can’t decide which Ihate more—Valentine’s Day or Friends’ Day,” she said. “It’s