How to date a Nerd

Chapter 12

A defeated sigh seeps out as I turn the key. She doesn't offer to shift. Still says nothing as I smack my hand on the stick, shoving it downward into that screwed up reverse position. The only response I get is her eyebrows shooting skyward in approval.

She starts picking at her jeans again as I back up.

And stall.

I growl and let my head fall on the steering wheel. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Are you talking to yourself, or me?" I puff up my cheeks and let it out before I answer. "You."

"Look, I said I'd teach you how. So I'm going to follow through."

"But you don't want to." I peek under my arm so I can get a look at her face. She presses her wrist in between her eyebrows, like she's got a major headache or something.

"Just start the car, Camila." I want to cry. I totally deserve the frosty attitude, but it doesn't mean it hurts any less. Lauren's only been this pissed at me once. And it was my fault then too.

Instead of apologizing again, since it'd be pointless, I start the car, put it in gear and try to stay calm as I reverse out of the driveway. When I get to the street, I'm not sure how to shift, but I try my best, Lauren watching my hand without making a sound.

The grinding the car makes as I shove the shifter in first makes me cringe, but Lauren still stays silent. She doesn't look bored, or annoyed, or even angry. She looks like she's beyond caring. I'd rather take the anger.

The car jerks forward as I ease off the throttle, rocking us both in our seats. This continues during the entire drive to the parking lot we went to before. I pull in, and shut off the car, my eyes watering. I can't tell if I'm more humiliated or hurt because of what I've done to her.

"You did really good." Her voice still sounds like she's trying not to care, but she's saying it anyway. "It takes practice."

I nod, 'cause my voice will totally come out all juicy and snotty if I attempt to use it.

It's silent between us, that horrid awkward silence that makes the tension in the air like sniffing glue. I feel sick, and stupid, and want it to all go away.

A growl erupts from Lauren's throat which makes me recoil in my seat.

"What's wrong?" She asks.

Her concern locks a fist around my throat, making me croak out my words. "What?"

"There's something wrong. What is it?" I shake my head. "It's nothing. Just forget it."

"Camila ..."

Her hand goes for mine, but then she stops mid-air. A heat wave comes off her face as she pretends she was just going to scratch an imaginary itch.

"I don't like it when you're mad at me," I blurt. "Even though you have every right to be pissed."

Lauren scoffs. "I don't get you."

"What do you mean?" I say, though I know exactly what she means. I don't get me either.

"What is this to you?" She waves her hand between the two of us. "Are you using me like you use everyone? Once you know how to drive that'll be it?"

Sh thinks I use people? Oh gosh. She's starting to think Popular Camila is the real Camila. I mean, that's what I thought I wanted, but it's totally not. I like that she knows Geek Camila. Because Geek Camila is just... Camila .

"Do you want that to be it?"

"You're not answering me. I don't like games. So if you want this to be a teacher-student thing, then keep it that way. No more treating me the way you do at school then coming over to say sorry so I'll help you. No more jumping across our windows to get into my room. You obviously don't care as much as I thought you did."