You're My Sol

Chapter 12

"Hey guys, I'm gonna go buy a snack. Stay here?" Marisol said to our lunch table.

"Not going anywhere," Jessica joked.

After Marisol left, Sarah leaned in. "I heard a rumor that Jake is going to ask Marisol out later!"

Kate squealed.

"What?" I asked, my tongue going dry.

"Yeah! Isn't it exciting? Marisol's gonna get a boyfriend!" Sarah said in a sing-song voice.

"Yeah," I forced out. "So exciting."

"You don't sound too happy about that, Penelope. Someone a little jealous?" Ashlynn said, smirking.

What? How did they know? Did Marisol tell them about the kiss?

"Don't worry, Penelope. You'll get a boyfriend someday," Kate said, throwing an arm over my shoulder.

Ohhhh. They thought I was jealous of Marisol. That was good. I could work with that. "Yeah," I said, thinking of Marisol. "Someday."

Marisol got back to the table and sat down. We went quiet, all giving each other looks. I tried to participate, as to not seem suspicious.

"Why are you guys acting so weird?" Marisol asked, looking around at the group.

Kate giggled, Sarah made a zipping-lips motion. Ashlynn shrugged and Jessica winked. Marisol looked at me.

"Penny!" She begged. "What's going on?"

Footsteps sounded from behind us, approaching our table.

We swiveled in our chairs. Kate hid her grin behind her hands.

"Hey, Marisol, right?" A boy, who I guessed was Jake, said.

"Yep!" She said, swiveling around. "And who are you?"

"I'm Jake. And you're cute," he said. That was so corny. Marisol seemed to like it, though. She giggled.

"Thanks."

Jake leaned over Marisol to write his number down on her napkin. She was bright red, but didn't stop him.

I was probably bright red too, but for a different reason.

"Text me," he whispered in her ear, and then walked back to his table. His friends all cheered for him when he got back.

Marisol looked dazed. "Woah..."

She looked around the table. We were all staring intently.

"What?" She asked.

"Well are you gonna text him or not?!" Sarah burst out.

Marisol looked at the table of boys, and then back to us. "Um..."

"C'mon, Marisol! He really likes you," Kate said.

"How do you know that?" I raised an eyebrow.

Ashlynn nudged me, shaking her head.

"Stop being jealous, Penelope!" Sarah laughed.

Marisol's eyes snapped to mine. I shook my head, and she let out a breath of relief.

Jessica looked at me curiously. I pretended not to notice.

"So?!" Kate asked.

Marisol got out her phone and entered his number into her contacts. The girls cheered, and I forced myself to, too.

"What should I text him?" She asked.

"Just go for something simple. A winky face," Sarah suggested.