Unfriendly Competition (4 page)

“Heather's party,” Brit and I said together.

We read the entry again to ourselves.

“Heather's mom
just
called her,” Brit said.

I closed my laptop lid in disgust. “I know. How did it get around school so fast? Unless the Trio already started telling people.”

“But who is the blogger talking about?” Brit asked. “We haven't talked to anyone, and Julia
and
Alison want Heather's public party to be awesome.”

I shrugged. “I have no clue. It seems like the blogger is talking about Julia, Alison, you, or me, but you're right—none of us want Heather to have a bad birthday.”

Brit shook her head. “I hate this. This post is obviously a lie, but it's going to start making things crazy if people believe the blogger.”

I pulled on my cardigan and put my phone in my black purse. “You're right. But, so far, the blogger has zero credibility. Everyone seems more fascinated by the posts than gullible enough to believe them.”

“Let's hope it stays that way,” Brit said.

She waved me out as I headed down Orchard's hallway to The Sweet Shoppe. I rifled through my purse, already feeling the need to re-gloss, when familiar laughter made me look up.

Callie Harper.

And Paige Parker.

My two ex–best friends.

Both girls looked away from each other and stopped laughing. They were carrying an armload of textbooks. Paige's long red-gold hair looked pretty in loose waves,
and Callie's black hair was pulled back in a French braid. Orchard was Callie's dorm, too. Paige must have come over to study with Callie.

I paused midstep, then kept walking. We passed each other in the hallway and neither girl said a word. Callie's dark brown eyes and Paige's green ones stared straight ahead—not looking at me.

I pushed open the side exit door with my palms on the glass instead of the handle. I couldn't get out of Orchard fast enough. Light from the campus lanterns made warm yellow shadows over me as I hurried down the sidewalk.

The last thing I wanted to think about before meeting Jacob was Callie and Paige, but I couldn't stop my thoughts from going there.

Paige had been my BFF and roommate before I'd moved in with Brit. She was also friends with Callie, my other ex-BFF. I'd lost Callie over Jacob. Then, Paige had backstabbed me by siding with Callie.

I'd gotten used to the emptiness of not having Callie in my life, but the loss of Paige still hurt. More than anything, I wanted our friendship back. Paige had been there with me through everything and, even though I had a new friendship with Brit, it didn't stop me from missing Paige.

I shook myself out of my memory and realized The Sweet Shoppe was just ahead. I didn't want my time with Jacob to be ruined, so I shook Paige and Callie out of my brain.

Scents of fall treats—pumpkin spice–flavored coffee, apple tarts, and hazelnut cookies—drifted out of the cozy shop, as students came in and out. I walked under the blue and white awning and up the stairs to the building. Inside, I looked around.

I didn't have to look far.

At a table for two near the back, Jacob caught my gaze. His hazel eyes settled on mine and his smile made thoughts of Callie and Paige disappear. He had that effect on me.

“Hi, Sash,” Jacob said.

“Hi.” I walked over to him, grinning.

I stopped in front of him and he took my hands, gently pulling me close to him. I squeezed his hands to try and keep myself steady. Our lips brushed together and his breath, minty and sweet, was gentle on my face when we parted.

“Hi,” I said again like an idiot.

“You look amazing,” Jacob said, pulling out my chair.

I sat down and gazed across the table at him. Our
being together was still so new—I almost couldn't believe it. Being out in public with him made me feel giddy and self-conscious at the same time. I couldn't help but wonder if girls looked at me and wondered why
beyond
hot and popular Jacob Schwartz was dating Sasha Silver.

“Thanks,” I said. “So do you.”

And he did look great. His light brown hair was messy—in that on-purpose way—and his slightly faded tan made his teeth look superwhite.

“I might have had
some
kind of idea what you like,” Jacob said, his tone teasing. “So, I ordered two hot chocolates that should be here any sec.”

“Yum. Perfect,” I said.

As if on cue, a waitress walked over with a tray carrying two steaming white and blue striped mugs of hot chocolate. She placed a bowl of mini-marshmallows and two spoons in between us.

“Enjoy,” she said, walking back to the counter.

I looked at the marshmallows, smiling without being able to stop. I'd met Jacob here once, long before we'd been torn apart by Heather, and we'd had hot chocolate. Jacob had noticed I'd eaten all my marshmallows and had spooned some from his cup into mine.

We put marshmallows into our mugs and took sips.

“This was such a great choice,” I said. “I guess you
do
know that I sort of like chocolate. Just a little.”

Jacob laughed. “Yeah, only a tiny bit.”

His gaze made me feel warmer than the hot chocolate on my tongue.

“How's your weekend so far?” Jacob asked, stirring his drink.

“Busy and . . .” I trailed off, not wanting to talk about stuff that would bring down the mood.

“And what?” Jacob asked, his tone gentle. His eyes went back and forth across my face. “I can tell something's up. What's going on?”

I sighed, looking up at him from my mug. He knew me too well. “Today's just been a little stressful. At the Trio's, we were planning Heather's party and her mom called.”

“Uh-oh,” Jacob said. I'd given him a brief history of Mrs. Fox before.

“Yeah, giant uh-oh. She'd already planned Heather's entire party as the exact opposite of what Heather wanted. She's coming to school and it's going to make Heather freak.”

“Lame,” Jacob said. “You know I'm not Heather's
biggest fan, but you guys have sort of a friendship now. And anyway, she should get the birthday she wants.”

“I know. I agree, and so do Julia, Alison, and Brit. We're still giving Heather the party she wants—it's going to be a surprise party after her mom's
event
.”

Jacob reached over, running his thumb across the top of my hand. “That's what I love about you. You're insanely busy, but you're taking time to help throw a surprise party for someone you used to not be able to even be in the same room with.”

It was almost as if his finger had burned my skin where he'd touched me.

“Heather deserves it,” I said. “And you're right—we used to hate each other and we both made lots of mistakes. But it wasn't worth it after a while. It took too much energy to keep attacking each other.”

“You never stop impressing me,” Jacob said.

His words repeated on a loop in my head for seconds before I was able to respond.

“That means a lot,” I said. “I just hope Heather and I can keep our relationship civil like it has been. Things are crazy enough at school without having that drama.”

I took a sip of hot chocolate and melted marshmallows.

“What else is going on?” Jacob asked. “You looked a little rattled when you walked in.”

I picked a marshmallow out of the bowl, tossing it into my mouth.

“I don't want to keep talking about me.”

Jacob, following my lead, put a few marshmallows in his mouth. “You don't have to talk about anything, but I want you to know you can.”

“I know you're there to listen,” I said. “And thank you. I always know I can talk to you.”

“Anytime,” Jacob said. I wanted to hug him again—he looked so touchable in his black waffle-knit shirt.

“I just saw Callie and Paige on the way out,” I said. “I know there's zero chance Callie and I will ever be friends again, but I can't stop hoping Paige and I will work things out.”

“I know you miss Paige,” Jacob said. “She was your best friend. I'm sure she feels the same way. If you both want to fix your friendship, it'll happen.”

And, somehow, I believed him.

“I hope so. I just know it's going to take time.”

Jacob, showing every bit of the guy I'd been drawn to, listened and offered his opinion about the Paige situation
while we ordered and consumed slices of pumpkin pie with whipped cream.

“It's all going to work out,” Jacob said. “Promise.”

He reached across the table with his spoon, gently tapping a bit of whipped cream onto the top of my nose.

I laughed and dodged his second attempt. “Jacob!”

Still giggling, I wiped off the cream. Jacob watched, a raised eyebrow paired with a half smile.

I shook my head at him, pretending to be mad. “Sooo mature,” I teased.

Jacob pretended to tip an imaginary hat. “Always.”

I looked down at the crumbs on my plate, not wanting to leave Jacob yet.

“Do you have to be back at Orchard yet?” Jacob asked, his own plate and mug empty.

“Nope. What about you? Are you going to Blackwell now?” Jacob's dorm was on the other side of campus.

Jacob checked the time on his phone. “I don't have to be back yet. If you want . . . we could do something else.”

“I'd love that,” I said. “Video games at the media center?”

That made Jacob smile. “Yeah, I wouldn't enjoy that at all,” he teased. “Video games and you.”

I smiled back. “C'mon then. We haven't played in
forever.
But that doesn't mean I'm not going to win.”

Jacob stood, putting a tip on the table. “Oh, Sasha. I think the sugar messed with your brain.”

“Excuse
you
?” I bantered back.

“Just because I like you doesn't mean I'm going to let you win,” Jacob said.

“
Let
me win?” I pretend-rolled my eyes. “Maybe I've been practicing in the media center, like, all the time.”

I could feel Jacob staring at me while I picked up my purse. We walked out of The Sweet Shoppe, laughing.

We walked along the sidewalk, the streetlights providing just enough light so I could see Jacob's features. He took my hand in his and we walked together—silent—as we took in the crisp Connecticut air and clear sky. Thousands of diamondlike stars lit up the dark, and I held Jacob's hand tighter.

“I missed you,” I said, my breath visible.

“I missed you,” Jacob said. He glanced over at me. “I hate that things happened the way they did, but I wouldn't change anything about us getting together—then or now.”

“Me neither.”

Jacob nodded. “I just . . . knew what it felt like to be
so close to being your boyfriend. Then, to be with someone else and have to watch you with another guy . . . I'm just so glad to have this chance with you.”

“I'm scared sometimes,” I admitted. “It's so perfect; I'm afraid I'll do something to mess it up.”

Jacob stopped on the sidewalk, turning to me. “You
never
have to be afraid when you're with me, okay?” He brushed my cheek with his thumb.

“Okay.” The word came out so quiet, I almost wasn't sure if he heard me.

But Jacob smiled and started toward the media canter, tugging my hand. “C'mon, player. You've talked a big game.”

“You're so on.”

We reached the media center and walked inside. The massive center housed a giant movie theater, multiple gaming and screening rooms, dozens of flat-screen TVs, and DVD and video game collections in the thousands.

“Let's go find an empty room,” Jacob said.

Hand in hand, we passed the theater entrance.

“We spent a lot of time in there,” I said.

“Mr. Ramirez's film class last year was the best. I never would have watched half the movies he got us to see if they hadn't been part of the class.”

“Me too. But I'm glad I did.”

We headed for a room in the back and turned down a long hallway.

“Hey!”

Jacob and I looked up to see Andy.

“Hi!” We both said.

“Are you guys on a daaate?” Andy asked.

I pretended to glare at him. “Yes. But now we're here to chill and play video games.”

A look passed between Jacob and me. I knew him well enough to know it was cool to invite Andy to play.

“Want to join?” I asked Andy. “Jacob and I have been trash talking each other about who's going down. Jacob, because he's scaaared, wants a partner. He's too nervous to take me on.” I looked pointedly at Jacob.

Jacob gave me the same look back. “Don't listen to her,” he said to Andy. “She's the one who needs backup.” He folded his arms and looked at me. “Got anyone in mind?”

It clicked in my brain.

Andy.

Brit.

“I'll be right back,” I told the boys.

I walked away from them and pulled my BlackBerry out of my pocket.

Sasha Silver:

OMG, u have 2 get 2 the media cntr right now!!

It took Brit only half a minute to start typing back.

Brit Chan:

Ummm . . . why?

Sasha Silver:

Because ANDY's here. Jacob and I finished r date and r playing video games w/him.

Brit Chan:

Noooo way am I just showing up like some lame person you set up for Andy!

Sasha Silver:

It's not like that at all—swear. It's boys vs. girls. I need a partner, so it only makes sense that I asked u.

Brit Chan:

Ohhh . . .

Sasha Silver:

It's only a *bonus* that you get to hang w/Andy and c if u rlly rlly like him. :D