Kiss Cam

Ch. 5 - Pity Cake

He smiles. "Do you swim?"

My eyebrows bunch together. "Excuse me?"

"Do you swim? You know, in water and stuff."

"I don't see why that's relevant," I say slowly. Is the theme underwater? I thought it was Candy Land.

"My parents have a house on the beach and Lainey's band is throwing a party this weekend there. I wanted to invite you."

I take in a shaky breath. "I-I'll have to check my schedule."

I roll my eyes at my response. Asher smiles, looking pleased with my answer. "Let me know if you can."

He pushes himself off the locker and heads down the hallway. I admire his backside for a bit. "God bless America."

The five minute bell rings and I head to my first class. I take my seat, disappointed that Dexter isn't here for me to annoy.

"So, Riley, how was the party?"

My eye twitches as I turn around to face Georgia. "It was fun. How was your weeken-"

"Did you have sex with him?"

"No," I say in disgust. "I barely know him."

She rolls her eyes. "Well, it's rumored that you're Asher's next victim."

"Victim?" I ask, trying to hold back my snide comments. I fail. "Is he a serial killer?"

"I'm just trying to help you."

"Georgia, I don't even know your last name. We're not friends. Why would you want to help me?"

She looks at me in disgust. "You don't know my last name?"

I slowly turn around in my chair, shaking my head. High school is a weird place, my friends.

Class starts and I'm incredibly bored. I can literally feel Georgia glaring at the back of my head. I wish I knew her last name to make her feel better.

Dexter walks in late with a pass.

The teacher is in the middle of his sentence when I yell, "Dexter!"

Everyone turns to stare at me with raised eyebrows. I cringe and look at Dexter, who is actually holding back a laugh.

"Take a seat, Mr. Reed," my teacher says in annoyance.

Dexter walks through the rows of staring students to sit next to me. I hold my hand up for a high-five, but he doesn't make the action.

We have an opportunity to work with in groups, and obviously I force Dexter to be in mine. Georgia annoyingly joins our group.

Within the first minute, she asks, "did you guys kiss?"

"Me and Dexter?" I ask in fake confusion.

"No, obviously you and Asher."

"Well," I pause, "then no."

She hesitates and points in between Dexter and me. "Wait, you two have kissed?"

"Only in his dreams," I tease.

"One person from each group get the colored pencils," my teacher instructs.

"Georgia," Dexter and I both deem at the same time.

She rolls her eyes an goes to get the colored pencils.

Dexter traces out the map as I watch him carefully. He's a really talented artist. Hidden artist. This kid is always getting cooler.

"You should ask Georgia to homecoming. I totally see you guys together."