Dork Diaries: Next Generation

Bombarded

As soon as I walk through the front door of the school, Rick has grabbed my hand and pulls me back outside. He leads me to his car and orders me to explain my relationship with Taylor.

"I don't need to explain anything to you, Rick, and I refuse to be attacked by you." I begin to walk away from him but then, "But the offer to be friends is on the table. Just putting that out there."

"Okay, we're friends. Now tell me what in the world is going on!" Rick demands.

"We didn't look like we'd work out. Taylor and I did. Now we're together, and you and I just friends. I have no regrets, but something tells me you do," I blurt, thinking carefully about what I say. I don't want to start a fight, but I never really know with Rick.

"You can read me like a book," he chuckles under his breath.

I stare intently at him. He couldn't be finished talking to me by saying just that sentence.

"After that day, I was really screwed up, okay? I didn't really notice what I said until a few hours after I left. I'm sorry. You probably won't forgive me, and you never have to speak to me again. I just want you to know I apologize."

"Wow, you really are a dingus," I mumble. He was taken aback by my comment. "I just offered you my friendship, and now you're just willing to give me up. I should be smart; I should just walk away and leave you where you stand. I should really yell at you because- and believe me- you have been a pain in my neck since you admitted you liked me. We're not as close as we were, and I doubt we'll ever be the same again. You are so lucky I'm willing to rebuild whatever we tore down because I never have this much patience. Don't screw it up, Rick."

He nods and looks down at his shoes. Nope... No sympathy there.

Taylor walks up to the both of us with a worried look on his face, but he smiles when his eyes land on me.

"Is everything okay over here?" he asks.

"Always the worrier," I laugh, "We're fine."

"Uh-huh," he replies skeptically. Taylor looks at Rick to confirm what I just stated. Rick nods at him and puts a sad smile on his face. Funny thing that I'm the only one who noticed.

Taylor entangles our fingers and pulls me with him to his car. I lean my butt against his hood, and he took his place in front of me, his arms finding their way on my waist.

"Mm, how predictable," I deadpan. "The jock and the popular girl making out against the jock's sports car."

"So you don't want to kiss me?"

"Woah! Slow down there, tiger. I never said anything about that. I was just pointing out the obvious." I trail my hands from his lower arms to his shoulders and around his neck.

He leans in to kiss me only to meet an finger against his lips. His eyes open, and the poor guy looks so confused.

"Who said I wanted to kiss you?" I ask.

"But- You just said you wanted to kiss me," he states highly bewildered.

"No, I said I never said I didn't want to kiss you. Then again, I never said I did."

Taylor's eyebrows furrow, and his mouth is held agape. "Calm yourself. I'm just joking." I close the space between us and plant one right on his grin.

Much to my displeasure, he pulls away much too soon. "We have to go if we're going to make it to class on time."

"A little white lie never hurt anyone," I protest.

"Um, actually, a white lie is usually what makes situations worse."