H;)w To Flirt

H;)w To Flirt: Nineteen

I sat in Biology, staring down at the worksheet the teacher had assigned, not comprehending the words typed on it. I had barely paid attention the whole class, too excited to tell everyone about what was happening tonight. I'd wanted to tell everyone at lunch but I had had to stay in to finish a history test. I hope Caleb hadn't spilled the news before I had gotten the chance to.

When the bell finally rang, shrill and loud, I shoved the unfinished sheet into my binder, put that into my backpack, and then bolted out of the classroom. I rushed down the hall towards the spot the guys had told me we would meet up at , barely containing my grin.

"Where do you think you're going?" a voice asked quietly.

Despite the fact that usually, a soft voice would be soothing and calming, this one was not. It was cold, full of ice even. I turned slowly to face its owner. As always, Stacey didn't just look pretty, she looked immaculate.

"Can I help you?" I asked in as neutral a voice as I could muster.

"Look, you and I both know why you and Cole disappeared into that bedroom last night and I'm here to tell you-" Stacey started.

I laughed, cutting her off, "you think Cole and I...? God, no! I would never do that, especially with Cole of all people!"

"Oh, don't play dumb with me, I know you like him, even if that wasn't what you were doing; so you can just stop pretending" Stacey barked.

I felt something in my stomach stir. The nerve of this girl...

"Look, I don;t know what's going through that plastic little head of yours, but I certainly do not feel that way about Cole. In fact, I have a date tonight with someone else completely, not that that's any of your business."

I raised my eyebrows, challenging, but she didn't speak, so I turned and started walking away.

"Wait" she called after I'd gotten several feet.

I stopped but didn't turn to face her.

"So, if you really don't like Cole, and he doesn't like you, and the two of you aren't together... does that mean that Cole is still available, that I still have a chance of winning him over?" Stacey asked softly.

"Stacey, no one is stopping you from going after him but- and I am only telling you this because for some unknown reason, I feel compelled to save you from heartbreak and humiliation- have the self respect to understand that when a guy says no, he means no. You can honestly do so much better than being 'that girl who has to throw herself at guys'."

Then, without a glance backwards, I continued down the hall. I was surprised to see as I continued forward that not many people had stopped to listen in on mine and Stacey's conversation. Then again, I guess people were only interested if it was a hair-pulling, screaming death match.

I grinned when I saw Keelie and the guys standing by the lockers. Despite my hold up with Stacey, I'd still managed to beat Caleb there, so- unless he'd told them at lunch- I'd still be able to spill the news.

"Danny! You ran out of class so quickly, I didn't get a chance to catch up with you" Keelie called as I approached.

" Hey Danny, what's got you so happy?" Brody asked.

"Yeah, you look like you just won a puppy riding a horse pulling a corvette" Jock agreed.

I opened my mouth to respond- and then closed it again, turning a confused look on jock, "won a what?"

"Dan-o, ignore Jock and just tell us what's up already" Tyson said, exasperated.

"I think I know" Keelie piped up, looking excited, "Caleb told me at lunch but figured you'd probably want to tell the guys yourself... so, go on then!"