Playing Princess

Part Two: Smitten with a Secret Scholar

Part Two: Smitten with a Secret Scholar

I dreaded going to school the next day, because Damon and I had decided to both make our move.

Damon had it easy. He knew that Quinn would say yes, no questions asked. I, on the other hand, had to deal with Prince.

I ran over possible scenarios in my head all night long. Probably, he was just going to point-blank ignore me. Which was actually more favorable than him talking to me.

What I was afraid of, though, was that he would pull out his super-fancy cell phone and call his super-rich daddy who would call some super-scary bodyguards to come kill me in some super-dirty dungeon.

My thoughts where interrupted by a bang on my window. Damon had thrown a shoe at it and was now beckoning for me to go downstairs.

He never gives me a straight answer when I ask him why he doesn't just knock on my front door or something. But whatever, to each his own.

I schlep downstairs and take a large fingerful of extra-crunchy peanut butter for my breakfast as I head out the door.

"Bye, honey," my mom called from the kitchen. She was probably in there making gourmet omelettes for my younger sister while I was left to fend for myself.

I grunted by goodbye and met Damon just as he was tying up the laces of his boots.

"Breakfast of champions," he muttered and I smeared some on his arm.

He shook his head at me and tossed a helmet my way. I climbed on his motorcycle and held him for dear life as he sped through stop signs.

Damon was a horrible driver but I didn't really have room to complain seeing as without him I would be walking to school.

He parked in an illegal spot right up front, the one with the white diagonal lines that's used to get onto the sidewalk. He's parked there every single day and the administration has given up on persuading him otherwise.

"Good luck," he winked. I glared at him and stuck out my tongue.

"I hate you."

I heard Damon's throaty laugh echo behind me as I stormed into the school.

As I entered, the crowds parted and everyone looked at me with awe, admiration, and jealousy. My hair blew back from a non-existent breeze and my two loyal sidekicks fell into place behind me.

Just kidding, I walked in and ran into the janitor. He stumbled and hit one of the small square recycling bins. Naturally, it fell over and papers avalanched onto the floor.

I smiled sheepishly at the angry janitor. After about a second I bolted down the hall to my locker.

Quinn ambushed me immediately, squealing, "Guess what? You'll never believe it."

"You brought me food?" I asked hopefully.

She snorted. "Don't be ridiculous."

"Fine," I slammed my locker rather harshly. "What?"

"Someone's going on a date Friday," she singsonged.

I was taken aback. Dam.n, Damon was fast. I was going to need to up my game.

"This sucks," I muttered absentmindedly, forgetting that Quinn was still standing right next to me.

Anger flickered in her eyes and a hurt expression crossed her face. "Just because nobody likes you doesn't mean you can't be happy for me."

I sighed and apologized to Quinn. "Sorry, I was just... um," I obviously couldn't tell her about the bet; she'd be crushed. "Planning on having a girl's night this Friday! I feel like we never hang out anymore."