What I'm Not

Chapter 2

Takara walked up to the table and set his bag down under the table. "Hello."

"Hey," I greeted.

"Hey, Takara," Derrik welcomed.

"Hey," Brianna said.

Derrik and Brianna were freshman this year while Takara and I were sophomores. We sat at a round table with an unbrella in the center near the amphitheater.

"So," Brianna said. "Are you guys going to- y'know- go to Winter Formal together?"

My cheeks burned slightly. Takara laughed. "I don't know. Are you going to ask Derrik here?"

Her cheeks flamed.

Derrik wrapped his arm around her. "Don't worry, I won't bite."

That earned a hard slap.

"With Winter Formal coming around, my friends at work want me to ask Brooklyn." Takara took a bite of pizza and swallowed. His body was almost normal now, but something kept him from getting any bigger. "They think I have a crush on you."

My cheeks burned hotter, as if someone tossed coal into them. "R-really?"

"But its girls ask guys," Derrik pointed out.

"I know! They won't listen!"

Brianna leaned over the table and slid her hand under Takara's cheek. "I can always ask you, big boy." Her voice was seductive. her hand found its way to his chest. "Just seal the deal with a kiss."

I felt rage burning up in me but Takara put them out with his reply. "Sorry but I'm not going with you."

She slumped back in her seat. "At least I tried," she joked.

Takara looked at his watch. "I've gotta go. I need to get tutoring done."

As he picked up his bag, the freshmen duo moaned.

"Do you really need tutoring," Derrik asked. "You're really smart and you seem to carry good grades."

"There is a difference between computer problems and homework." Takara stood up. "See ya."