A kiss for Ree

Chapter 8| A new friend

"Omarrrrrrrrr!" I yelled, slamming the fridge door shut with a loud bang.

"I didn't touch your pizza!" he shouted back from the living room.

Oh wow. I hadn't even said anything yet!

I stormed out of the kitchen and into the living room, following the sound of his voice.

"Omarrrrrrrrr!" I called again. No sign of him. I narrowed my eyes, scanning the room. He was hiding, and hiding well this time.

So I stood completely still, waiting for him to give himself away.

Sure enough, a few seconds later, I spotted the top of his black head peeking out from behind the white couch-checking to see if I was gone.

Perfect. The ideal spot to skin and bury him.

I crept silently to the other side of the couch. Omar was down on all fours, his butt sticking up in the air as he peeked out in the opposite direction.

Without hesitation, I kicked his backside, making him jump.

"You, eh!" I exclaimed, leaping onto him. "You ate my pizza and had the audacity to leave the empty box in the fridge?"

I sat on his back and gave his shoulder a few light punches.

"Owww! Aunty Ree, sorry!" he yelped dramatically. "It was my evil twin! And ah-my uniform! You're gonna get it dirty!"

"Serves you right!" I said, punching him wherever my fists could reach until we were both laughing.

"I feel like you're giving me a massage with your tiny fists," Omar giggled.

"Ehn ehnn!" I punched him harder. It still didn't hurt him, but at least it made me feel better.

"A little bit lower! Yeah, that's the stuff. You should open a spa, girl!" He grinned. "Hey! Can I come to Sandra's party?" He turned toward me with a puppy-dog face.

"Noooooooo! You're not in SS3, kid," I said, getting off him and straightening my skirt. "Besides, she's afraid you'll wreck it. Remember when you said, *'I'd love to fight with a stranger at night'*?"

"She wasn't even there when I said it! Did you tell herrrr?" He stood up, frowning in mock betrayal. "Ah ah. I won't fight-I promise! But it's not even at night, and I wouldn't ruin a party. I'm a *cultured* man!"

"Yeah, right! You're not even wearing a tie. I'll make sure to punish you during assembly."

"Hey, dudes!"

"Omar?" I turned with him at the same time, both our jaws dropping.

Levi was standing a few feet away-but more importantly, he was dressed in a *Cleverly High* uniform: coal-black trousers, a snow-white shirt, black blazer, and a knotted black tie.

"You... you're coming to Cleverly High?" I stuttered.

"If this is the uniform, then yes. I'm going with you guys," he replied casually.

"Wait, wait. What class are you going to be in?" Omar asked, suddenly excited.

"Uhh... SS3," Levi said slowly.

Omar burst out laughing. "You're going to be in *Ree's* class? Oh my gosh! For a second I thought you'd be in mine. Meet your head girl! Meet your senior, Ree!" He laughed stupidly, saluting me like a soldier.

Heavy click-clank footsteps echoed on the stairs. Lila's voice called out in German, "Levi, wir möchten gehen."

Show-off. Hmm.

"No, I want to take the bus with them," Levi whined.

"Just let me drop you off on my way to work. It's safer than taking the bus."