It's Complicated

Chapter 4

"Want to hang out today?" Mario asked when we met up at our locker the next morning.

I glanced sideways at him. "Good morning to you, too." I unzipped my backpack and began taking my homework out. It had been late by the time I had finished it, so I was tired.

He sighed and began doing the same. "Morning. You didn't answer me, though."

"We can," I answered, nodding. "I'm job hunting today, though."

"That's fine. I can help you out."

I glanced at him, eyebrow raised. "You?" It made sense. After all, he did have that wad of money. He had to have had some sort of job.

He glanced at me. "Of course. I'm pretty well-known, you know."

"Really?"

He turned to me. "You don't know?" He seemed really skeptical.

"Know what?"

After a moment he shook his head. "Never mind. Forget I mentioned it." With one last look at me, we began making our way to class. "So," he said a minute later. "Where do you think you'd like to work?"

I shrugged. "Honestly? The art gallery."

"Really?"

I nodded. "That, or a desk job. Like a receptionist, you know?"

He nodded. "I know a place or two you could try."

"Okay. We can head out after the final bell if you'd like."

Mario opened the classroom door for me. "Sounds like a plan." He smiled at me as I walked past.

Now, I didn't think anything about this little gesture because he held the door for a lot of people. I mean, come on. It was just a door. But I probably should have at least noticed how he looked at me. After all, if one person noticed, then a lot of people probably did. What made me think was that day at lunch, when Mario and I were heading to a table and Susan waved wildly at us. We headed over to her table and when we sat, she grinned at us.

"Daisy! Who's your boyfriend? I don't remember seeing him around," she said enthusiastically.

Mario and I looked at each other and he shrugged before beginning to eat. I looked back at Susan. "This is Mario Lopez."

"Oh! Like that actor and TV host!" Susan exclaimed. This is how everything was with her: said loud or with more enthusiasm than your average child. Sometimes it wore me out just listening her.

Mario smiled at her and nodded. "Yep."

When she opened her mouth to say something else, I spotted George and Dan coming over. "Susan, I don't have a boyfriend. Mario and I aren't dating."

She looked surprised. "Really? I see him walking to class with you and holding doors open for you. That usually means you're dating."

"I'm really not." George sat next to Mario and Dan sat across the table. "In fact, George and I will be dating this fall. Dad said not until I'm seventeen, so." I shrugged and George and I shared a smile. "In fact, we have it all planned out."

George nodded as he swallowed. "Yep. I'm skipping the 'dinner and a movie' thing. Instead, I'm taking her to the theater. There's some new up-and-coming director from the college showcasing his stuff. The play doesn't open for another couple of months, so I figured I could take her on opening night."

Susan sighed dramatically. "Sounds amazing. You're awesome."

"Ahem," said her boyfriend. He raised an eyebrow at her.