I frowned, trying to guess Zack’s point to the story.
“Turns out he owns all the Dollars and Deals across the country, yet he didn’t act like he was better than me. After talking with him, I felt good about myself. It made me realize that truly decent people treat others with respect. That’s what makes them better. Not how many things they own or how popular they are.”
I tilted my head, hoping he wasn’t saying what I thought he was saying.
“They don’t go around acting like they’re superior and making everyone else feel like crap.”
“Oh.” I blinked, finally getting it. My mind reeled in outrage. “You mean like what you’re doing right now?”
Gina was a hundred times the snob I was — if I was one at all. Why was Zack nice to her? And if Zack was right about me, I wouldn’t be friends with John or Ashley.
But seeing him scowl froze the words in my throat. Next thing I knew, Zack had turned his back on me and lithely jumped into his Jeep. As he disappeared beyond the gate, my hands balled into fists.
I couldn’t let myself care what he thought.
After texting my mom, saying I was still alive, I hopped into my car and drove. I took the long way home, through windy roads that hugged the edge of the forest, until my anger dissipated.
Once at my house, I found my mom sitting in my dad’s lap on the couch.
“Hey,” I said. “Dad, were you at my school today?”
“No, why?” he asked.
I shrugged. “Thought I saw you from the back.”
My mom smiled. “He was home with me all day.”
So who fixed my flat?
After dealing with my ex, then putting up with Zack, I wasn’t very hungry during dinner. I ate anyway while doing my best not to think of radioactive spiders and exposure to toxic chemicals.
I couldn’t have been the only person in history to have strange powers. There had to be someone I could talk to or somewhere I could go for information. Other than a doctor.
After dinner, I quietly retired to my room and ignored the stream of apologetic texts from Daniel as I continued my research.
† † †
As I drove to school Tuesday morning and thought of Daniel, my blood boiled. His behavior yesterday made civil conversation with him impossible now. Little quivers of revulsion traveled my body at the thought of him ever touching me again.
Later, when I entered the cafeteria for lunch, he and Gina huddled next to each other at our table. As I made my way through the room, I saw her glance at me. I smiled, but she immediately averted her eyes without even a nod. Did Daniel tell her what happened or was she mad at me again? Whatever. All I cared about was avoiding more drama.
I snagged a tray and stood in the food line, leaning over to peer through the glass and see what they were serving today. My entire body went stiff, sensing who was behind me in line.
Vowing to ignore Zack, I continued to scan the food bins ahead. As I moved forward to close the space between me and the person in front of me, I felt him move up as well. He was so close, I could feel the warmth radiating from him.
I spun when he leaned into me and inhaled. “Did you just sniff my hair?”
His brows rose in innocence. “Why would I do that?”
“Never mind. Just give me some elbow room, would you?” Maybe some distance would silence the fluttering in my belly.
The corners of his mouth curved up. “Flatter yourself much?”
My eyes narrowed. “Now I’m a snob and conceited?”
“If you say so.” He twisted to face the trays, as if the food was infinitely more interesting than anything I had to say.
I clenched my fists and held my tongue until it was time to collect my food, then wasted no time getting to my friends’ table. I’d even found a spot where I couldn’t see Zack. As though sensing my mood, John and Maya didn’t ask why I’d skipped sitting with Daniel and Gina. As the minutes passed, I chilled and the smiles came easier.
Daniel materialized next to me as I walked to fifth period, grinning. “Hey, babe. Will you wait for me after school? We can do something together after.”
I stopped right in the middle of the hallway and turned on him. “Don’t act as if nothing happened yesterday,” I said, struggling not to slap the smile off his face.
“Oh, I know nothing happened yesterday.” He snorted.
My palm twitched. “You know what I mean.”
He must have realized how truly pissed I was, because the cocky grin disappeared and his gaze dropped to the ground.
“I know and I’m sorry. I was about to apologize, but I’m just so happy to see you.” His eyes focused on my chest.
I stared at him, knowing we had less than two minutes before class — not adequate for everything I burned to say.