iStare

Part 2 of 3

"What's this I hear?" Chastity demanded when I saw her at lunch the next day.

I blinked at her innocently. "I don't get a live feed from you ear, hun...so I have no idea what you're hearing."

"Saturday?" she asked archly.

Julie looked interested. "What happened Saturday?" she begged.

Chastity glared at me. "What is going to happen, you mean."

"Oh yeah?" Julia glared at me in turn. "What is going to happen on Saturday? And why am I not invited?"

"Because...then you'd be a third wheel," I responded calmly. "But, come to think of it, a third wheel would be very useful in balancing out an object. I mean, it can serve as-"

Chastity grabbed me by the ear. "You're getting off topic," she said, just as calmly. "Let's start again, shall we? Since when are you and Skyler gaga for each other?"

"Skyler? Who's that?" Julie wanted to know.

"Her brother," I said, busying myself with unwrapping my sandwich. "Anybody want to switch? I have a ham sandwich with mayo."

Adam silently reached over and took the sandwich, giving me one of his three peanut-and-jam sandwiches in return. Yes, he brings three for lunch each day. Boys.

"You're gaga over Chastity's brother?" Julie demanded. "Does he go here?"

I shook my head, ignoring the questioning look Adam was shooting me. "He's in university. We just met last week," I added to Chastity. "It's just a date."

"He seemed very happy about it," Chastity muttered, shooting me a stronger glare. "Don't you dare hurt him."

Adam jumped into the conversation, which was surprising because he rarely got involved in other people's situations unless asked. "Calm down, Chaz. Delta's not the type to mess around with people's heads." I smiled at him gratefully until he continued, "Well that's mainly because her head is messed up already, but at least she won't intentionally hurt him."

I edged my butt away from him on the bench, showing my displeasure at his words. "Meanie."

He pulled me back and kept his arm in place to keep me beside him. "You know you love me, Del."

"Don't call me that," I said with a wince. "It sounds like the computer manufacturer. And speaking of nicknames, since when are the two of you," I pointed between him and Chastity, "close enough for you to call her - what was it? - Chaz?"

Apparently that was the cue to change the subject, because Chastity immediately yanked out her cellphone and declared that she had to check on Emily. Adam suddenly discovered that he had to take part in the conversation taking place on his right - which was, oddly enough, a nerdy conversation about how a certain equation ended up looking like a woman's body when graphed.

I looked at Julie for help, and her eyes darted to Chastity before she mouthed "Is there something going on with them?"

I shrugged in response and glared at Adam's back reproachfully. "So what do you think I should wear on Saturday?" I asked her, bringing us back to the original topic.

Julie considered. "Do you want to go shopping today or tomorrow?"

"Oh hell no!" I declared. "I'm not spending money for an outfit that I will barely wear! Can you come help me pick out something from my closet instead?"

She muttered something about me wasting money on ice cream, but nodded. "I'll come home with you after school, okay?"

"Sure."