The Bet

Have you ever wished you were someone else? Or better yet, that you could change the people around you? Well that's how I've felt ever since Hunter Maddox moved in next door. His mom quickly became my after school care taker up until I was able to be home alone so Hunter and I inevitably became partners in crime.

Fast forward ten years: I'm totally crushing on Hunter but he's never even so much as batted an interested eye my way. I guess when you've seen someone as often and in as many awkward situations as your sister, it's pretty hard to picture them as anything else. So I've always just kept our relationship platonic—little did I know something was about to change.

"Do you think I'm attractive?" Hunter asks, stopping at his locker next to mine.

"Attractive how?" I reply, shutting my locker.

He shrugs, "Like, you know... attractive." He tosses his backpack into his locker and shuts the door.

"Do you not hear that enough on a daily?" I ask, playfully.

"You didn't answer my question," he says, blocking my way.

"Well yeah—you're classically attractive." I pause before continuing, "I guess."

"You guess? What's that supposed to mean?" Either I am or I'm not."

I let out a sigh, "Yes, you're the equivalent of a Ken doll. Your tan, your face is symmetrical and you have straight teeth."

Hunter's eyebrows furrow and then lift in confusion.

"Hunter, you're hot—you know you are. Now will you please move?" I ask, only slightly annoyed.

"I knew you found me attractive," Hunter teases.

Yep, I fell for it—again.

"No seriously, I bet you can't find one girl that will tell you I'm attractive," he continues in a serious tone.

"Oh, you're on." I shake his outstretched hand, already scanning the hall for my victim. I'm all too familiar with Hunter's little games and today I plan on winning. I flag down the first girl that walks by; petite, cute and most likely a freshman.

"Can I ask you a question? Do you find him attractive?" I nod at Hunter.

"Uh, no," she stammers before quickly walking away.

Hunter turns to me with victory on his lips, "Guess I win."

"Fine, what do you want?"

He ponders before saying, "A kiss."

"Huh?" I feel the tips of my ears begin to burn.

"A kiss," he repeats. "I'm mean, if you're not afraid, that is." I see the challenge flicker in his eyes. My heart starts racing, uncontrollably, and I suppress my urge to flee, "Okay... um, like now? Right here?"

Hunter leans in closer, closing the remainder of space between us. His intimate proximity sends a flood of tingles radiating throughout my body. "Not right now," he finally says.

I instantly feel defeated.

I should have known he was just messing with me.

Then he lowers his lips to my ear and whispers, "Not right now and not on a bet." And with a wink he is gone.