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“HEY RAMSAY. WHERE’VE you been? Everything okay?”
I sit next to Christy on the bleachers at the football field—eating lunch. It isn’t the first place I’d choose to eat, but this is where Penny decided to hide today. Damn, this girl is really making me work for it. It took me almost ten minutes to find her today.
Yesterday, she avoided me completely.
Daggers pour from Pen’s gaze as she glares at me, piercing me straight through the heart. I shift uncomfortably against the cold metal. What the hell? I’ve tried my damndest to help her settle into high school, but I’ve gotten nothing but grief and misery.
After witnessing those dance squad girls baring their claws... is it so bad that I want to protect her? I can’t give up on her. Her pain bleeds into me with every sullen look. Besides, I made a pact to keep her safe.
Unfortunately, the shit has only gotten worse. The stupid junior-high rumors about her have filtered over to high school. The most recent one is so twisted I can’t imagine who came up with it. It involves her hiding behind the bleachers during football practices and getting off while she watches the players.
Shaking my head, I eye her warily. What the hell is wrong with people? Can’t they see this girl is as innocent as Snow White? I was hoping to snuff out those rumors and introduce her to some nicer people since my popularity has skyrocketed. I’m the Golden Boy, right? People have gone out of their way to be my friend. Surely, I can use that power for good.
Squeezing my knee, Christy babbles on about Homecoming dresses. I stifle a grin. She’s been dropping hints left and right about asking her to the dance. I have it all planned out. I’m just waiting for the right moment.
All of a sudden, Penny tosses her lunch in her bag and stands. Christy grips my leg tighter and quips, “Jeez, are you finished eating already? You must be starving.”
I halt mid-swallow. Wait, was that an insult? I frown at my girlfriend. She gives me a sweet smile, and I relax. Yeah, okay. I might be reading into things a little more than usual. I’ve been looking at everyone as possible bullies, but Chris?
There’s no way. She isn’t that cruel.
As Penny mumbles something about getting to class for a test, I swing my bag over my shoulder and nudge Christy. “We’ll walk with you.” Penny sighs as Christy rolls her eyes.
Jeez, I can’t win for losing.
Taking Christy’s hand, I lead them into the building. As we walk down the hall, the crowd parts. Homecoming signs showcasing the Wolves Royal Court nominees hang in a line like wanted posters. Christy smiles at me. I puff out my chest, slinging my arm around her shoulder with a grin. We both made our classes’ lists.
Leaning closer, she whispers, “Next year, we’ll be King and Queen together.”
Staring into her hazel eyes, I brush a finger across her cheek. She’s been up in arms about the fact that only juniors and seniors can vie for the royal titles. “You’d better believe it.” I kiss her lips.
At that moment, a weird sensation passes through me. I glance up. My pulse jumps as my breath catches. Penny is staring at me like I’m some Greek god. And I feel it. It’s hard not to. Her brilliant green irises are huge as her gaze roams over my face. My body jolts as my heartbeat intensifies.
Jesus, that’s weird.
Rubbing my neck, I mutter, “What?”
Crimson stains spread across her cheeks as she clutches her books against her chest and looks at the ground. “Nothing.”
Clearing her throat, Christy tosses her hair behind her back. “So, Priscilla...”
I burst out laughing. I can’t help it. The name sounds so ridiculous. Jeez, Christy is possessive, isn’t she? I hug her closer. “Her name’s Penny.” That earns me a glower from Penny.
Christy shrugs. “Whatever. Are you going to Homecoming?”
Penny releases a small snort. “Not hardly.”
I frown at her. “Why not? High school will be over before you know it. You should experience everything you can.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
Holy shit! Was that snark? Honest to God, I’m in awe. That’s the first sarcastic thing I’ve ever heard Penny Ramsay say. She’s usually too flustered to deliver timely retorts. I grin. Good. Maybe she’ll get some courage and stand up for herself when those mean girls strike next.
Christy bounces on her toes, in complete cheerleader mode. “Lukey’s right! My freshman year, I was a member of the Student Council, the Acapella Girls, and the cheer squad. It helped me build a ton of confidence.”
I squeeze her hand. Confidence isn’t something Chris needs. Sometimes, she’s a little overconfident if it’s even possible. Perfection has always been her goal in life, whether it be her makeup, clothes, or her cheer squad competitions. The girl doesn’t know the meaning of losing.
Penny shakes her head. “I don’t know.”
“Extracurriculars are everything, Patricia.”
Okay, this is going a little far. Christy knows Penny’s name. Why does she keep pulling this drama shit? Over the summer, I’d dealt with more than a few issues of her jealousy. Sure, she gets a little possessive when other girls flirt. With them, it doesn’t bother me. But Christy’s jealousy seems worse with Penny. I’m not sure I like it. Especially since she has no reason to worry.
As Penny says something about not having time, I groan. “Come on, Pen. What do you do besides study?” Or babysit for the three families in our neighborhood that use her like their personal nanny?
Penny mumbles, “I made the scholar bowl team.”
Hell, yeah! This is awesome. I can totally sell this to Colt. I grip Penny’s shoulder and smile. “Good for you. Your brother will be excited to hear that. He was the captain of the varsity team last year.”
Christy halts. “Wait. Who’s your brother?”
Penny glances around the hall as if plotting her escape route. “Colton Ramsay.”
Releasing a squeal, Christy says, “Shut up! Are you serious?”
I stifle a grin as Penny’s eyebrow hikes. “Um, no?”
“Colton is so super-cool!” Christy cocks her head and squeezes my arm. “You didn’t tell me Colton Ramsay was your best friend! Jeez, I didn’t even know he had a sister.”
Oh, fuck. Totally not the right thing to say.
As an obviously dejected Penny bites her bottom lip, it’s hard not to sympathize. She feels like she’s in her brother’s shadow as it is. To let her think Colt doesn’t want people to know he has a sister is too much.
Nudging Penny, I clear my throat. “Colt never talked to anyone about his home life. He was pretty busy.” As Penny’s shoulders relax, I give myself an imaginary fist bump. Bullet dodged.
“Where is your brother now?” Christy asks.
“U of M,” Penny answers. “He’s majoring in criminology.
“Wow,” Great school.” Turning to me, Christy presses her hip against mine. “What are your plans for college?”
As she plays with the spaghetti straps of her short dress, the copper streaks of her irises flicker, nearly doing me in. We’ve only been going out for six weeks, but I can see us ending up together long term.
Squeezing her fingers, I rasp, “Guess it depends on what happens with Nationals. I’m hoping to get a full-ride scholarship somewhere in state. What about you?”
She smiles. “I just started looking. MSU or Grand Valley State? I’m planning to visit the campuses and see what they offer. I want to be a psychologist like my mother.”
Penny arches an eyebrow. “Your mother’s a therapist?”
“Yep. She’s sorta famous, at least around Ann Arbor. I want to help people like she does some day.”
There she is. My sweet girl.
This is it. Standing in the hall next to our Homecoming Court posters? Couldn’t ask for a more perfect moment.
Taking both of her hands in mine, I say, “We could visit some campuses together after Homecoming... if you want to go with me.”
Christy jumps into my arms. “O.M.G.! Yes!” Tingles erupt through me as she kisses the hell out of me, her body pressed against mine. Damn, we fit together perfectly.
Pete Bridges punches me in the arm—our signature greeting on the swim team. “Hey, what’s up?”
Linking Christy’s fingers with mine, I puff out my chest and smile broadly. “She said yes, man.”
The crowd erupts around us, and Christy squeals once more. A few cheerleaders join the fold, and as we walk toward our lockers, I scan the student body, all lined up to congratulate Chris and me.
Excitement flows through me, the ultimate adrenaline rush. We’ve been elevated to royalty status somehow. Surrounded by our friends, we’re on top of the world.
If only Colt were here to see this.
I glance around the crowd, looking for my other best friend. What the hell?
“Where did Penny go?”
*****
This is the private journal of Penny Elaine Ramsay. Do not read!!
OCTOBER 14, 2007
This is complete bull. Colt is going to get an earful at Thanksgiving. Luke Donovan is driving me insane. He stalks me like I’m a criminal and he’s my parole officer! I don’t need this crap. I’ve got enough to worry about without having to deal with his overprotectiveness. How many times do I have to tell these people? I don’t need anybody’s help, especially his!
Worse, his girlfriend is completely unhinged, and he’s totally oblivious. I’m not sure what this girl has up her sleeves, but she’s dragged her cousin and minions into it. Yesterday, I tried to avoid them by going to the library at lunch, but Hannah was there, occupying the table I’d laid claim to a few weeks ago. She had another message for me: make myself scarce and Christy will leave me alone.
What does she think I’ve been trying to do? The school is big enough for me to hide in throughout the day, but I can’t help it that Donovan comes to my house to check on me. Guess I’ll have to be a little more strategic about being home as well.
Three years, seven months, fourteen days. Then I’ll be free.