Chasing Astrid Malone

4. BFF'S & BOY TALK

On the way to school with Brenda, I couldn't stop thinking about my experience with Cameron. I was sure he was looking to graduate. Being charming to his tutor was his best shot.

Yet there was one moment when he asked if Josh was my boyfriend. Cameron's face, when I told him Josh was my brother, went from dark and severe back to cocky and hopeful. No, there must be some other explanation.

"A, did you hear a word I just said?" Consumed with my thoughts of Cameron, I didn't realize Brenda had been talking.

"Sorry, B, I was zoned out. What were you saying?" Brenda looked over at me with a concerned look?

"Are you thinking about your dad?" She said it as gently as she could. We were pulling into her usual parking space, under the big oak tree.

"No." I paused, wondering if I should tell her about what happened yesterday or if there was even anything to tell. Maybe I didn't want to hear her mention my dad again. "I tutored Cameron Beck yesterday." Brenda was half out of the car, grabbing her bag and iced coffee. She looked over at me with disgust and said, "what did he say to you? Was he a jerk? I WILL HAPPILY KICK HIS ASS FOR YOU!"

I didn't expect Brenda to have such an adverse reaction to his name. "No, he was nice. It was kind of intimidating." At this point, we were walking towards the school, and she stopped me.

"Don't do it, A, he's bad news. He never has a girlfriend, but he's slept with half the girls in our class. He's a pig!" I was a little surprised at first, but it made perfect sense.

Cameron was so flirty and presumptuous, like he knew he could get any girl he wants. Ashamed by my sudden disappointment, I shrugged it off and changed the subject. "Are we still on for an ABC homework session today?"

We stopped in the hall, knowing we had to go separate ways. "Of course, I'll see you later. Carly texted me this morning and said she has big news she wants to tell us at lunch today. I swear if it's about prom decorations again, I'm gonna lose it." I laughed and headed off to my first period.

When the bell rang for lunch, I stopped at my locker to swap out books for my next class. As I closed the locker door, I saw Cameron walking towards the cafeteria with a few of his teammates, laughing and talking.

He looked over to me and smiled, then turned his attention back to his friends and walked past me. My heart melted into my fluttering stomach, and I hated myself for it.

The first boy who shows me attention, and I become the girl in the movies I've always picked on. You know the girl, she knows he's all wrong for her, but she falls for him anyway and gets hurt.

Brenda and I sat at our usual table, waiting for Carly. When we saw Carly walking towards us, Brenda stopped talking about her college and said, "there you are. I'm dying to hear your big news."

Carly looked nervous and hesitated to speak. "Ok, don't be mad. I got invited to the prom, and I said yes." Brenda's jaw dropped.

"Who asked you? Tell me it's not Gary Swartz. I know he has a crush on you." Carly shook her head and smiled.

She was clearly excited and wanted to keep us in suspense. I couldn't take it anymore, and I knew Brenda was on the verge of shaking Carly, so I said, "Just tell us who it is already, C."

"Steve, he's in student council with me. After I said yes, he told me his dad owns a limo company. I told him I was planning to go with you guys, and he said you could both come along. His dad is giving him a limo and a personal driver for the entire night."

I have to admit even I was thrilled with this news. Brenda squealed, turning to me and said, "This is even better than being driven around by your hotty brother."