Crushing on the Geek(7)
“He's not my hottie.”
“Not yet.”
“Tamara and Hayden,” Amber sang.
“Hayden and Tamara,” Josh joined in.
“Shut up! Both of you!” Tamara tossed a fry at them.
“Hey, Tamara,” Hayden said, taking the seat next to her.
Amber and Josh fell quiet and walked away, leaving Tamara to explain their behavior. She opened her mouth to tell Hayden that they were just giving her a hard time, but he spoke first.
“Are you coming to chess today?”
“Yeah, I sort of have to, don't I?”
“I guess. See you there.”
By three-thirty Tamara still wasn't sure what Hayden had wanted at lunch. She also still didn't know if he had heard Amber and Josh singing.
“Sure you don't want to skip?” Amber asked.
“Positive.”
“I'll think of you while I'm sipping my coffee and buying some cute new earrings.”
“And I'll remember you while I sit across from the hottie.”
“That's okay, I have my own,” Amber wrapped her arm around Josh's waist.
“Have fun guys!”
“You too.”
Tamara was later than she had been on Friday. The stairs were still crowded with students trying to escape their daytime prison. Greg and Cindy were ahead of her.
“Glad you decided to come back,” Greg said.
Tamara shoved her hand in her purse, pretending to be looking for something.
“Don't worry about her,” Cindy said leaning her head on Greg's shoulder, “She's embarrassed to be seen with us.”
Tamara rolled her eyes.
“Hey,” Hayden said, appearing beside of her.
“Hi.”
“Rough day?”
“It's Monday.”
“Fair enough.”
“Oh!” Greg turned back to Hayden, “Did you hear there's going to be another Darkness Lies movie?”
“What? Are you serious?”
“Yeah!”
Hayden pushed past Tamara and the others so he could talk to Greg without shouting over everyone's head. She frowned and shook her head. What the hell was she doing with these people? That's right, her mother was making every attempt to ruin her life.
Monday's practice was nearly as enjoyable as Friday's had been. Mrs. Kelly was back and she insisted on working with Tamara herself.
“You used to play with your grandfather, didn't you, Tamara?”
“I don't really remember much about my granddad. He died when I was little.”
“He taught you, though. I remember he always brought you to our lessons.”
“I don't remember.”
“Selective memory!” someone called out from the group.
“I hope I still have it,” Tamara rolled her eyes, “because I want to forget that I'm part of this club.”
“Manners, children,” Mrs. Kelly said, “All of you.”
“Sorry,” Tamara mumbled.
“I think that will be enough for today,” Mrs. Kelly said, “You guys are free to stay and finish your current matches if you like.”
Tamara glanced around the room looking for Hayden. He was playing with his back towards her. The pieces on the board looked like they had barely been moved at all.
“Oh, that other book I loaned you; it's movie comes out next month,” Greg bounced on his chair.
“There's already a movie for it?”
“Well, not until next month, but then yes. Although, movies are really for people too lazy to read the book, but it gives us something to make fun of and rant about. Some of the books to movies turn out okay though.”
“Most of them suck though. Isn't it like the first in a series of four?”
“Yeah, I have the first three, but the I haven't been able to pick up the forth one yet.”
This wasn't much different than listening to Amber ramble on about books. Tamara wondered if she could catch up with the others at the mall? She decided against it, because she didn't want to be the third wheel. Tamara glanced at Hayden again and almost grinned. How could anyone be that excited over a movie? She wasn't sure, but Hayden wore it well.
“Have you got your ticket yet?” Hayden asked.
“Of course! I always buy them three months in advance. The first night is sold out all ready!” Greg nodded.
“That so totally sucks!”
“Do you want to finish this?”
“Not really,” Hayden shook his head, “We didn't really get it started.”
Greg packed away the board and pieces and Hayden's eyes did a quick sweep of the room. Tamara pretended to be putting away the board she and Mrs. Kelly used.
“What are you doing this evening?” Hayden asked her.
“I have homework.”
“What about tomorrow?”
“Homework.”
“You're really serious about this scholarship stuff, aren't you?”