“Why wouldn’t I?”
“We don’t exactly hang in the same circles. Wouldn’t want you tarnishing your reputation with somebody like me.”
“What reputation? The sophomore who got dumped when her boyfriend left for college? Or the ones that are about how my body is and that’s why Trent was with me?” The rumors have run far longer than Trent and I were together for, but he usually squashed them. Now that he’s gone, they can continue. I’m just one of many that’s talked about and the only reason my name is even in people’s mouths is because of my relationship with Trent. I’d rather be a nobody.
“Is it?”
I take a step back and my face burns.
“No. We were in love.”
“Then why’d you break up?”
“Why do you care?” My turn to throw it back at him.
“I guess it doesn’t matter. But if you’d ever consider giving me a chance, I wouldn’t want to be overshadowed by Trent. I can’t possibly live up to him. I’m clearly not athletic.” Where Trent is broad shouldered and muscular, David is a bit thinner and frailer. While he claims not to be athletic, he’s not heavy or rail thin, there are clear muscles there so he must do something.
“Maybe I don’t care about athleticism. I’m not like, star cheerleader or anything. Most people think I’m a brainiac.”
“Myself included.”
This conversation is becoming frustrating.
“Well, if you ever become brave enough to ask me out, then I’ll take into consideration your lack of athleticism.” I slam my locker shut and throw my messenger back over my shoulder as I turn to walk away.
But David cuts me off.
“Go out with me. One date. Please.”
I narrow my eyes as I look at him and find nothing but sincerity on his face. This conversation has been the liveliest one I’ve had with anybody in a while, and it’s the first time in months that I haven’t thought about Trent beyond the brief mentions of him.
“Fine. One date.”
The smile that breaks across his face shows off his startling white teeth. I have to give him credit, he’s quite attractive. And the verbal sparring match was fun.
“Friday? I’ll pick you up at six.”
“Sure.” I scribble my address on a piece of notebook paper that I rip out and pass to him.
The only response I get is a curt nod before he walks away.
Friday is only two days away.
Veronica is going to lose her mind.
Chapter 8
Present Day
DavidandIendedup dating for almost a year. When I broke up with him, he swore he’d never love anybody as much as he loved me. The problem was that I didn’t love him. Or at least, not enough.
Trent hates to know about it or talk about it. As far as he’s concerned, David’s the one who almost took me away from him for good since it was the longest relationship I had during our break up. Much of my college days before getting back together with Trent was a string of one night stands or a few months’ worth of dating. Nothing significant, nothing with feelings.
Shaking away the thought, I pull open my email.
The very first thing is a message from Mrs. Plaudnt. She’s a little overzealous in most interactions and constantly blowing up my inbox. With a heavy sigh I open her email.
A quick read and she’s ahead of me, already asking about the end of year gift.
