The One For Me(11)

I lie back down on the couch and try to remember the girl’s people have called hoes in the past. Heather Jenkins, Lauren Harrod…Brittany Ferrell. Those girls didn’t care. They flung themselves at every descent looking senior that came in the two double doors of the school. The problem is I do care. I don’t want that label; I’ve worked too hard for my grades and life.

I bite my lip and close my eyes. How did these girls get out of being called names? Most graduated and everyone forgot about them and others got boyfriends.

I shoot up. A boyfriend. That’s what I need. I need everyone to think I have a boyfriend. Which is a bust, because everyone is talking about me. I wouldn’t want to date me, like this. I roll my eyes. Shut up, Katy. You can’t just go get a boyfriend. They have to like you. And no one will like you now, not because of all the rumors.

I lie back down and close my eyes again. There has to be a way to fix this problem. That Jose kid always stares at me in class, maybe he would go out with me? Gross, Katy. I slam my head back into the pillow. This is ridiculous. Why is everyone so worried about my love life? It’s not like every girl in the senior class hasn’t already given up their v card, besides Jen. Although, she lies and said it was taken at Asian camp. I don’t even know if there is an Asian camp.

The fact is that if I were with Liam and we ‘slept’ together it wouldn’t even be a big deal. Besides the fact that he is a delinquent.

My words ring through my ears. If I was with Liam... A light bulb comes on in my head. Liam and I together seems like an idea that would go terribly wrong. He is…Liam. He is a self-centered jerk that thinks every girl wants him. It’s ridiculous. It’s a ridiculous idea. I lie back down. A ridiculous idea that just might work.

“Ah shit,” I say and grab my phone. I start to dial Jennifer’s number but then stop. Do I really want to do this? What could it hurt right? Everyone thinks I’m a hoe now; why not let them think Liam and I are dating?

I finish dialing Jen’s number. She picks up on the fourth ring. “I’m in class, what is it?”

“I need you to get me Liam’s cell number, stat It’s important.”

“You wanting to relive your smooch the other night,” she whispers, then makes a loud kissing sound. Good grief.

“Ms. Chang, get off the phone!” I hear someone yell. The phone cuts off and I shake my head. Maybe…maybe this could work out...right? I pace my living room floor waiting on Jennifer to get me his number. She is taking forever.

Thirty minutes later I get a text with his number and ‘get it on,’ written below it. Yea, right. I dial his number, my hands suddenly shaking. Can I do this? I have to do this.

The phone rings a few times and I’m about to hang up when I hear him answer. “Hello.”

“Hey. This is Katy. Um…your partner.” Silence. “From Science class.”

He laughs, low and raw. “Yes, Katy. I know who you are. Why are you calling me at school?”

“Because, I need you to come to my house. We need to talk.”

Silence.

Is he ignoring me on purpose? “Liam.”

“You’re home alone?”

“Don’t get any ideas. It’s nothing like that; believe me, over my dead body. This is much more serious. Can you come now?”

“Katy…are you asking me to skip class to come to your house? I’m appalled. Someone is living out their rebel side today.”

“Get your ass over here.”





Fifteen minutes later there is a knock on my door. I breathe in a calm breath and try to calm my nerves. Just ask him, the worse he can say is no. Oh God, what if he does say no? My life will be ruined. Liam knocks again, louder this time.

Liam is standing close to me when I open the door. His hands are resting on the doorframe and a smile creeping up his face.

“You’re blushing, what’s the matter?” Liam asks.

I bite my lip. “I’m not blushing. Just come in. We have to talk.” Liam cocks a dark eyebrow and walks in, going straight for the couch.

“So, what’s up, sweetheart? What is the emergency? Need some emergency sugar from Daddy?”

“Everyone is talking about us,” I blurt out.

“I thought we established that? What else happened?” I don’t answer. He looks over to me and purses his lips. “What did Hayden say to you?”

I gulp. “He said my nasty reputation is making him look bad.”

Hayden narrows his eyes and pops his knuckles. “That so? Well, screw him, Katy. Who cares?”

“Me,” I whisper helplessly. “And I think you can help me. Well, at least, I hope you can.”