The Popular Crowd

Chapter 3

Not much to say...happy reading (:

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The first couple of periods fly by. I don’t know too many people in those classes, so I usually sit on my own. But, in fourth period history James sits next to me.

It’s not something I’m used to. James isn’t popular or anything, but he’s popular with girls being the good-looking guy he is. He usually sits with different people every day, but rarely me. It’s not that he’s rude or anything, we just haven’t gotten to know each other too well.

            “Hey,” he smiles at me. I shift uncomfortably and nod my head. “Hi.”

            He just looks at me, not saying anything, just watching me with bright, piecing blue eyes.

            “So…” I say.

            “So,” he grins mockingly.

            “James, what is it?” I ask. The teacher is shuffling through the papers on his desk. I wish he would hurry up already.

            “I was wondering what this whole deal with Benni is…” he trails off.

            I sigh. What was I? The information guru?

            “I really don’t know,” I say nonchalantly.

            “Yes you do,” he says.

            “No-“

            “I know that you know something. Elk evaded the subject but-“

            “Elk said something?” I asked loudly. A few people turned around so I lowered my voice. “Elk said something?”

            He shrugged. “Not in so many words. Not in any words, really, but-“

            “I knew he wouldn’t,” I say, sighing in relief.

            James looks at me. “C’mon, Delilah. Give me something to work with. Benni;s driving me crazy.” He bumped my shoulder. Then he turned serious. “Is it a guy? Does she want to meet some guy?”

            “I can’t,” I say adamantly. “Just ask Benni if you want to know. When we go shopping today.”

            James looks at me and at first I think there’s a flash of anger in his eyes, but it subsides. “Fine,” he says and stands up. Just when I think he’s gone, I feel his breath on my neck.  

            “But, I’ll get it out of you. One way or another.”

                                                            ***

            “So where do we start?” Bella asks simultaneously window shopping and texting on her phone.

            “I don’t know,” I say. “Too cute, Kohl’s?”

            “No, no, no, we need to think big,” Bella exclaims. “Do you think Dylan Madge or any of her friends shops in Old Navy or any of those stores?”

            I’m defensive, those were the exact stores I shopped at. “What’s wrong with these stores?”

            “Nothing,” Benni skitters over to us, and links her arm through mine. The guys are behind us, sipping sodas, bored out of their minds. “But we need something hot…sexy, fashionable. Bella’s paying so don’t be shy.”