Chapter 2

2

I guess Amy was into Jake's whole dangerous, bad-boy vibe.

And me? I wasn't dangerous. I was good.

He wasted no time asking Amy to shoot hoops.

One afternoon turned into another.

She'd stroll into class halfway through study hall, glowing, and full of energy.

I swallowed the bitter taste in my mouth and warned her, "SATs are coming up soon, you know? You can't slack off."

"Ugh, you're such a buzzkill! That's why I don't like you like that. You don't make my heart race, got it?"

Amy sounded annoyed.

I shut my mouth.

Amy reached under my desk. "Where's that cake you promised me? I skipped dinner."

I pulled out the Pikachu cream cake I'd picked up at the bakery on Main Street.

It was her favorite.

Whenever she got a craving, I'd haul my butt down there, no matter how busy I was, even if it meant an hour round trip.

She devoured the cake, not giving me a second glance.

Study hall ended, and she bolted out of the classroom.

I walked back to the dorm alone.

On the way, a buddy of mine caught up to me, slapping me on the back. "Dude, I just saw Amy over by the loser wing, making out with Jake in the hallway."

I stopped walking. I knew it was coming, but I still hadn't expected things to escalate this quickly.

I just nodded. "Okay."

My friend clicked his tongue. "Amy's clueless. You're smart, good-looking, and an all-around good guy. I can't believe she'd pick a jerk like him."

"Is he that bad?" I really didn't know much about Jake, other than the rumors.

In my world, there was Amy, and there was school.

I had our future all mapped out, Amy and me. We'd go to the same college, get our degrees, maybe even start a company together or go into public service.

But it seemed like that future was just a fantasy I had.

"Don't you know about Jake? He's a total player. He's been hooking up with girls since freshman year. He even knocked up a girl when he was a sophomore.

"He's a punk, too, always fighting and drinking outside of school. Even the stray dogs avoid him."

My buddy clearly hated Jake.

I frowned. I thought Jake was just a troublemaker with bad grades, but now I realized he was worse.

I turned around, heading back to find Amy.

When I found her, she was humming a tune, skipping down the sidewalk.

The night breeze ruffled her hair, making her look young and bright, like a star.

She was my childhood crush.

I forced a smile and walked up to her.

"What's up?" Amy asked. "Aren't you heading back to the dorm?"

"Amy, do you know Jake very well? He doesn't have a good reputation." I cut right to the chase.

Amy rolled her eyes. "Here we go again! It's just a date! I don't owe you anything. We're just neighbors, not married or anything."

Her words stung.

But I pressed on. "Jake's a player. He's been with a lot of girls. He drinks, he fights, you shouldn't…"

"Enough!" Amy snapped, glaring at me.

"You think I don't know what he's like? Let me tell you something. Just now, he dragged me into the boys' bathroom and made me smoke.

"I was coughing and crying, but he was laughing. You think I was upset? No, I loved it! I even opened my mouth and let him blow smoke into it!"

Amy's cheeks flushed a little. "I thought it would be disgusting, but it was… exciting. I never thought I'd ever do something like that..."

She was getting flustered; not angry at all.

I stared at her, speechless, my jaw clenched tight.

"Why are you doing this?" My voice was hoarse and shaky.

Amy huffed. "Because I like him! That's the kind of love I want. Jake makes my heart race, makes my cheeks burn. I don't care if he's a jerk."

Amy paused, a little smile on her lips. "Actually, I like that he's a jerk! I don't want a 'nice guy,' get it?"

That "nice guy" was me.

I stood there, speechless, my head down, my hands shaking.

A wave of sadness washed over me.

"Okay, that's it. Leave me alone, or I'll never talk to you again!" Amy warned, savoring the taste of the smoke, and walked away, excited.