Crushing on the Geek(6)
“Yeah, he said he played at his old school too.”
“And I thought Central Glade as the only school lame enough to have a Chess Team.”
“Apparently not.”
“When do I get to meet him?”
“I don't know. I don't think I'll be hanging out with him again outside of practice.”
“You've already hung out with him? What else are you hiding from me? Are you secretly related to Rihanna too?”
“No, if I was related to Rihanna I wouldn't be going to Central Glade. I'd be on the road touring with her. I could be one of her backup dancers.”
“You wish.”
“Actually, I do. Now are you going to shut up and let me tell you what happened?”
“Fine.”
“Was he serious? Was he teasing you or did he really call you a snob?”
“I’m not sure.”
“I don't think you should hang out with him again.”
“Like I said, I don't know that I will,” Tamara said, but they both knew it was a lie.
“This is worse than Doug. At least he only stood you up for his friends. He didn't call you a snob.”
“Amber, I think what Doug did was worse. Really, I do.”
“It's your heart and reputation.”
“You're one to talk. You the Missus of Mister and Missus BookWorm.”
“Shut up!” Amber said. Tamara had to hold the phone away from her ear to get some respite from Amber's high pitched bubbling laughter.
“I gotta go. I have some things to do before I go to bed.”
“Cool, I need to call Josh anyway.”
“Night.”
Chapter Two
“That's him!” Tamara said, bumping into Amber's shoulder causing her to mess up the combination to her locker.
“Him who?” Amber asked looking around, “It's Monday, Tam, I'm not awake enough for this.”
“Hayden,” Tamara whispered.
“Where?” Amber asked, her eyes opening wide and turning her head in every direction except the correct one.
“Talking to Greg.”
“Oh! Are you sure he's part of the chess club? He's hot!”
“I told you so!”
“So you did.”
“Remember you're taken!” Tamara poked Amber in the side without taking her eyes off of Hayden.
“You're crushing.”
“No, I'm not!”
“Yes you are!”
“No, I'm not!”
“Tam, shush for a minute,” Amber said turning her so that they stood face to face. “I'm the expert in this. You do remember how long I crushed on Joshua Nelson?”
“How could I forget?” Tamara pulled out of Amber's grasp. “You do remember that you're dating Joshua Kirk and not Joshua Nelson. You're so not the expert in relationships.”
“No, but I know a crush when I see one.”
“Says the girl who claims to have done a spell and had it backfire in a good way!”
“It really did happen!”
“Whatever,” Tamara said, turning her body slightly so that Hayden was once again in her line of sight.
“Ooh! Tamara has a crush!”
“Shut up!”
“Ooh! Should I go tell him?”
“You wouldn't dare!”
“Oh, yes I would!”
The chiming of the first bell sent both girls scrambling to shove their books into the lockers and sprint to class. Tamara's feet knew the halls leaving her mind free to wander.
“Watch it!” Tamara crashed into someone.
“Sorry, Tamara,” Hayden hurried past her, shoving books into his bag.
“Do you need directions or something?”
Hayden didn't answer or slow down. Tamara watched him until he was out of site. She wasn't the only one running late. Tamara sprinted through the last few corridors between her and her first period English class. The bell echoed through the empty halls just as she slid into her desk.
Although Tamara watched for him in the halls she didn't see Hayden again until lunch. She watched him join Greg and the others from chess club. Why? Why couldn't he play basketball or something? Hot and lame, were just two things that didn't go well together.
“Oooh!” Amber said, sliding into her usual seat at their table and pointing at Hayden.
“Shut up,” Tamara shoved her hand down, smashing it into the table.
“Ouch!” Amber shook her hand free of Tamara's and cuddled it protectively against her body, “Don't be such a bully.”
“Are you coming with us to the mall today?” Josh asked appearing on the other side of Amber.
“Can't.”
“What?” Amber asked.
“Yeah, remember Mondays and Fridays I have to go to chess practice now?”
“Oh, yeah.”
“Yeah.”
“At least you get to see your hottie!”