Late Bloomer

Chapter 6 Bad Boys and Sister Secrets

I forgot about lunch. I forgot about Jules. I even forgot about my trouble with Pierce. The only thing that replayed in my head again and again was the kiss Matteo Sterling had just given me.

That was my first kiss. I just had my first kiss with Matteo Sterling! There were so many questions in my head right now it made me dizzy. I realized though that everything Pierce said must be true. Matteo was into me. There's no way he would've done that otherwise. And that's why he was acting all protective of me... What do I do with this information? More importantly, what do I do after getting kissed by the golden boy prince?

I eventually returned to class, sort of in a daze. My stomach growled but I didn't really notice it. What did hit me was the complete lack of interest in me—no one seemed to be gossiping about me. Thank goodness for that. I guess Pierce really did get Iris and Caroline to drop those pictures. Wonder how he did that. They did give me strange looks though. It's not like they could unsee me and Pierce standing so intimately like that. But even that seemed pale in comparison to Matteo's kiss. I would've passed out if that had to go around school!

Jules found me last period as we were supposed to get ready for gym. She was full of questions about where I disappeared to during lunch.

"Jules, I don't feel up to gym. Let's ditch class," I said quietly. Her eyes nearly popped out in shock.

"Really? You mean it, D? Huzzah! Thea Gardener is finally bunking a class!" she rejoiced. But then her face fell the next moment.

"Oh, Thea, I forgot! I can't ditch class—Coach wants me to start practicing a new cheer routine." She looked utterly downhearted at the fact. I forced a smile.

"That's alright then, Jules, go ahead. I'll be fine," I reassured her.

"You sure?" She asked.

"Absolutely. Go knock 'em dead, for me. Show up Karen, bust out the best moves you got."

"Thanks, D! I'll meet you after practice."

"No, actually I'm leaving at three—Mom needs me to babysit Amber today."

"Oh, then I promise I'll call you at six. Later D!" She gave me a hug and ran off. At least one of us made it into the squad, I was glad it was Jules. She pulled off the cheer outfit fabulously enough for the both of us.

I didn't bother to change into my gym clothes as I was ditching so I got my bag and left. The other girls would come along to dress up for cheer practice any minute and I didn't want to run into them.

I was halfway down the hallway when I heard a loud, piercing, rather rage-filled scream behind me. I spun around. What was that? The girls' locker room door slammed open and Karen stormed out.

"Who did this?!" Karen screeched holding up her cheer uniform. Even from afar, I could see it was soaked in something suspiciously brown—was that maple syrup?

Karen's eyes suddenly fell on me and she glowered red as a volcano.

"YOU!" She screamed and started running towards me.

"Wait, I didn't—" I tried to explain, still rooted to the spot.

"I'm going to get you for this, Thea Gardener!" She shrieked again. Something in her maniacal expression made me turn and flee. I ran, desperate to avoid her. Who knows what she might do if she caught me! Pummel me, or pull my hair out, probably!

"I didn't do it!" I yelled back, hoping in vain she would listen.

"This outfit was custom-made, Thea Gardener, I'm going to kill you for this!" she shrieked after me. Oh boy, I had to get away! I ran with all my might, almost stumbling around corners, praying I wouldn't bump into anyone or be stopped. By the time I reached the back of the school, I was tired, red-faced, and out of breath.