Dauntless High School

Chapter 15

FOUR

Zeke approaches the spot in front of the mall where we agreed to meet, so absorbed in his phone screen that he doesn't even look up to watch for cars before crossing the street. He stops next to me, still texting, and after a minute I start to get impatient. I didn't even want to go to a movie tonight, but Zeke knew I didn't have plans since I was supposed to be going on that double-date with him. Between my obviously clear schedule and the guilt trip he was giving me about ruining his date with Maria, I gave in pretty quickly.

"What time does the movie start?" I ask. Zeke continues texting, still so distracted by his phone that I don't think he even noticed me talking to him. "Zeke!" I say sharply.

"Huh?" He looks up blankly. "Just a sec." Then back at his phone. I stop in front of the mall doors. Zeke finally sends his text, turns off his phone and slides it into his pocket. "Sorry, what were you saying?"

I roll my eyes. "How long till the movie starts?"

"Oh, we have an hour." We step into the mall and I follow alongside him as he walks purposefully toward an escalator.

"Then why are we here already?"

Zeke shrugs. "Just for something to do." Ugh. Hanging out at the mall has never been appealing to me.

Zeke leads the way to the food court and goes directly to a counter that sells pizza. I ate some leftover soup before I left my apartment to meet up with Zeke, so I won't waste my little bit of pocket money. I follow alongside Zeke and try to wait patiently. He finally seems to have stopped complaining about that stupid date being canceled. Better not to give him any reason to start up again.

On our way to a table with Zeke's pizza, a pair of girls looks us up and down as they pass. The little dark-haired one whispers her friend; the other girl, taller than her friend and wearing perfect makeup and a low-cut top, doesn't break eye contact as she smirks at us. Zeke blatantly checks them out, and winks at the tall blonde one that was trying to reel me in a moment ago. I am a bit confused when Zeke doesn't stop to ask for her number. "I thought you'd want to try and salvage your chances at a hook-up tonight, after how much you harped on me for messing up your date with Maria."

Zeke shrugs and scans the food court seating area, giving no answer. From what I've gathered in my short time at this school, Zeke has a bit of a reputation as a player. But I drop it since I don't want to talk him into chasing after them and pulling me into a situation like the inevitably awkward double-date we were supposed to be on tonight. I escaped it, so I'll just leave well enough alone.

Suddenly Zeke spots someone across the food court and jumps up to wave them over. I follow his line of sight to see Shauna and Marlene heading toward us. Shauna walks purposefully toward us with Marlene sort of trailing behind, looking almost as confused as I feel. It hits me that Zeke was watching for them, waiting for them. I remember how he was glued to his phone, texting like a madman.

This was planned. But why wouldn't he just tell me we were meeting up with Shauna and Marlene? They're our friends, it isn't like I would have refused to go or something.

"Well, this is unexpected," Shauna says. Had I not realized something was up, I might have missed the way she sounds... rehearsed. Marlene narrows her eyes at Shauna.

"Yeah, it is— nice running into you two, though," Zeke answers, smirking. "Four and I are seeing American Assassin in a while. You ladies want to join us?"

"Actually—" Marlene starts, just as Shauna cuts her off saying, "Sure!" Marlene sighs, making eye contact with me and smiling sarcastically. I snicker and smirk back at her.