This World That Divides Us

CHAPTER 14

I'm in a fabulous mood. I had a great weekend at Dartmouth College. I got an A on Withers' pop-quiz. Life is good. I was going to head to the library after school to finish working on my college essay, but dad had to stay at work a little later than usual so I decided to go home instead.

I have to take the late bus because I missed the first one thanks to Molly holding me up at my locker, so I'm currently sitting on a bench by the bus platform, which is adjacent to the student parking lot. I glance at the watch on my wrist and realize that I still have 10 more minutes before the bus arrives.

I whip out my planner and jot down 'grocery store' because I volunteered to cook dinner tonight. I sadly did not get my dad's cooking gene, but I do make a mean lasagna. So, lasagna is what it's going to be.

"Go home already, Stas," a voice calls out, stealing my attention. I dart my head from side-to-side to see where the sound came from before looking straight ahead.

And there he is. Jack. Dressed in his lacrosse uniform and sporting that annoyingly charming yet teasing smile of his. He's sitting on the hood of his Maserati with Rafe and Johnny standing in front of him.

"Mind your own business," I shout back. "And you might want to get off that thing before it tips over."

"Nah. I have a great view," he says, tilting his head at me, which gets Rafe and Johnny to turn around.

Jack actually listens to me and finally hops off the car, but, let's be real, he doesn't do it because I told him to. He does it because he wants to. That's how he operates.

I look back down at my planner to make it seem like my eyes weren't just glued to him, but that only lasts for so long, and soon enough, I'm picking them back up again to find Jack mouthing to his friends, "I'll be right back."

I feel him getting closer to me, and the thought excites me. Should it excite me? Probably not. You see, I've always prided myself on the ability to stay focused. I'm not oblivious to the fact that falling for someone like Jack could destroy that.

"Of course," he says when he stops in front of me, "a to-do list. Why am I not surprised?"

I pick my head up to find him tauntingly smiling at me. "What do you want?"

"The boys and I are throwing a pool party this weekend. Come."

I press my lips together as I think about the way he delivers his words. "Does that work? Ordering people around instead of asking them."

"Fine," he exhales. "Will you come? Please." His blue eyes are shining extra bright with the sun. They're so beautiful that they almost render me speechless because I'm too busy staring at them. "Did you notice how I even threw in a polite adverb for you there at the end?"

"Nice to know you're capable of manners," I mockingly state, closing my notebook. "But I can't this weekend."

"You can't?" he asks, pursuing his lips together as he rocks back and forth on his heels. "Interesting. Why can't you?"

"Didn't realize my answer had to come with an explanation."

"It doesn't. If you can't, you can't. I was just extending the invite, that's all." He keeps his gaze on me and then says, "I'll see you around."

I chew on my lower lip as my curiosity gets the better of me. Ugh, he's so frustrating. He knows what he's doing. He's trying to bait me, and it's working.

"Where's the party?" I call out, giving in. My question gets him to stop in place, then turn around to face me.

"Here."

"Excuse me?"

"Here," he repeats.

"I don't underst-"

"We're throwing it at the school's indoor pool."

I blink repeatedly. "You're kidding, right?"

"I don't really 'kid', so...no."

"You do realize that's a recipe for getting expelled, right?"

"Yes...if you were throwing it. Don't forget whose last name covers these walls."

I huff. "What happened to you treating me as an equal?"

"I'm inviting you, aren't I?"

"Yes. And I'm politely declining."

"Were you always so afraid of breaking the rules just a little?"

"Sneaking onto private property during off-hours isn't exactly breaking the rules 'just a little'. I can get kicked out of Sinclair if I participate in your stupid idea."

"No one's going to find out. We've been doing this for years."

I squint my eyes at him. I still can't tell if he's being serious. "What's the plan exactly, hmm? The school has cameras all over the place."

"Simple. The swim team has practice on Saturday mornings. My buddy Ethan is on said swim team, so he's going to hook it up. In regards to the camera thing, did you know that in addition to his good looks and charm, Johnny is also a tech geek?"

"Did you know that Ethan and Johnny are about to get thrown out of SP? And what kind of friend are you, putting them in that position?"

"For your information, Ethan offered. The kid loves a good pool party."

I shake my head in astonishment. "You're all insane. Count me out."

"You sure?"

"I'm sure."

"You're missing out on a good time."

"And I'll take my chances."

His eyes are piercing into mine. I know he wants me to budge. I know he believes that he can make it happen. Newsflash, I won't and he can't. "I'll make you a deal," he says, and I huff. He holds his palms out in the air as he saunters toward me. "Just hear me out. You come to this party, and I'll read your college essay."

My forehead creases together. "In what delusional world do you think I even want you to read it?"

"My dad went to Dartmouth. Graduated Summa Cum Laude. That means he earned the greatest honors."

"I know what that means, genius. What I don't know is why you're telling me this."

"I know what it takes to get in. I know because my dad's pushing Dartmouth onto me. I can give you advice, maybe even some pointers."

"I don't need your advice or your pointers. I know my essay is good."

"Good isn't great," he asserts, and I can't believe I'm pondering his words. This is so ridiculous, yet, once again, he's baiting me and it's working. "Look, you have a few days to think about it, change your mind. When that happens, you know where to find me." He goes to turn around, and just when I think I've finally gotten rid of him, he calls out, "Oh, and before I forget. Bathing suits are required, bikinis are preferred."