“Whatever you say, Mother.” I stuck my earbuds in, turned up some music, and ignored Beth’s disapproving look. I added a little extra punch behind each knee jab I sent into Cam’s seat when we went over speed bumps. He only chuckled and shook his head, but I took great pleasure in the fact that he couldn’t retaliate from the front seat. Guess I’m ok with being the evil twin.
We walked into school with plenty of time to find our new lockers. Home, stinky, dirty home for the next year. At least we were upper classmen now. All the lockers were assigned alphabetically by grade. The junior and senior wings were closer to the main hall of the school, so I wouldn’t have to break a sweat running from my locker to my classes this year.
Our school wasn’t that small, but I wouldn’t consider it big, either. There were about four hundred kids in the junior class. Because Beth and I share a last name and our first names both start with B, her locker had always been on my left. Unless someone new moved in this year, with a last name that fell between Barnes and Bates, Cam’s locker would be on my right again. One big, happy Bianca sandwich.
For all the grief I give her, Beth is my best friend. I know that’s weird, because usually sisters have that sibling rivalry thing going on. I guess not having a mom brought us together in a way that a lot of siblings might not experience. It doesn’t hurt that my sister is the nicest person on the planet. That’s not an exaggeration, either. She’s so sweet it’s almost sick. People think she’s fake until they get to know her, because nobody’s that nice and good.
Beth’s always happy and optimistic. She’s obedient, gets along with teachers, never swears, befriends new people, stands up to bullies, and says yes to almost every guy that asks her out. Even if she isn’t interested. Bethany Barnes is one of the most popular girls in school, and not just because she’s a beautiful cheerleader. It’s mostly, well, because she’s Beth. I, on the other hand, am only kind of popular. That’s probably due to the fact that I’m Beth’s sister and we’re always together.
“Looks like we get to be locker lovers again this year, Bebe.” Cam gave me his sexy smolder. I was turning into a puddle of mush on the inside, but on the outside I plastered on a cheesy smile.
“Lucky me.” I batted my long lashes about a hundred blinks a minute. He laughed, then shoved my head into my open locker. Cam and I had always had a pretty normal friendship. You know, girl likes boy, boy treats girl like one of the guys. We had similar interests and senses of humor. Of course, we shared an undying love of basketball. He teased me like any other immature boy would, and I responded with wit or sarcasm because I didn’t want him to know I had a huge crush on him. Lately, though, Cameron Bates was a big heap of confusing perfection. One minute he’d speak to me in a way that most girls would consider flirting. Then, seconds later, he’d stick my head in his armpit or make some other brotherly display of affection. Who does that? He’d never stick Beth’s head in his armpit—or any other girl’s, for that matter. I probably shouldn’t read too much into the flirting, because Cam is a notoriously big flirt.
I started unloading all my crap into my locker when a gaggle of giggling cheerleaders walked up behind us. “Hi, Beth. Heeeey, Caaameron,” Angelica Valdez purred. She has the most grating voice in existence. I think people ignored how annoying it was because she looks like a Latina goddess. Long, dark hair, big brown eyes, perfectly creamy caramel skin. Boobs the size of softballs. No way those are real. What parent gets their teenager a boob job?
The way Angelica drew out Cameron’s name, like she was intimate with him, made me want to punch her in her perfectly painted face. She wore a lot of makeup. It made girls like me look lazy. She sidled up to Cam and ran her fingers up his arm.
“You coming to our first game on Friday?” Angelica whispered close to Cam’s ear.
“Of course I am. I wouldn’t miss it.” He slid his arm around Beth’s shoulder, obviously hoping to make Angelica back off. The move wasn’t unnoticed; she glanced at Beth and then back at Cam with predatory eyes.
Being the lady charmer he was, Cam’s follow up was quick. “Beth has been talking non-stop about how good you guys are this year. She says you’re the best tumbler on the squad.”
I seriously doubt Beth said that. I happen to know for a fact that she’s not particularly fond of Angelica Valdez. They were friends by force, not choice. But Cam’s not an idiot, and he’s extremely good at keeping the peace.
Angelica was all smiles, pleased with his compliment. “Well, make sure you sit close on Friday, and I’ll throw in a back flip just for you,” she crooned.
Sure, you will. Any excuse you can get to show him your cheer spankies. I don’t know why I was so annoyed. Cam would never actually hook up with a girl like Angelica. He had taste. At least, I think he did. He dated plenty but had never had a girlfriend, even though he could’ve had his pick of girls at our school. Sometimes I wondered if he had a thing for Beth. He was always so nice to her and spent a lot of time at our house. He’d never asked her out, though. Never made a move or even asked me about her. Despite our mocking banter, Cam was one of my closest friends. If he liked Beth, I’m sure he would have said something…maybe…
I was über annoyed by the fake love fest going on around me. Instead of throwing up in my locker, which is what I wanted to do, I turned around and slammed it shut. That startled Angelica from her bedroom stare.
“Oh, hi, Bianca, I didn’t see you there.” Her voice was tinted with disdain. She most certainly did see me there, and her greeting was about as disingenuous as they get. It’s no secret that I’m not Angelica’s favorite person because I spend so much time with her would-be boy toy. But I love my sister, and she has to get along with Angelica, so I always play nice.
“Sorry if I startled you, Angelica.” No, I wasn’t. “My locker doesn’t shut all the way unless I slam it.” Yes, it does. “It was good to see you. Hope your first day of school is super neat-o. Better get going before I’m late to class. Toodaloo.” I wiggled my spirit fingers at her.
“What was that all about?” Angelica asked Beth quietly as I walked away. “Your sister is such a weirdo. I don’t know why you spend so much time with her.”
I left the pom-pom brigade behind and made my way toward English. About thirty seconds later, I felt a tug on my backpack. “Hold up there, tiger.” Cam slid his arm around my shoulder.
I had to concentrate to maintain my composure. You’d think as often as he touched me I’d be better at that. But Cam always scrambled my brain and set my pulse racing when he got close. We had first period English together this semester. He kept his arm comfortably draped across me as we continued to class.
“What the heck was that back there? Neat-o? Toodaloo?” he asked. I snickered at the thought of how ridiculous I must have sounded.
“Did you just step off the set of Leave it to Beaver?” Cam teased.
“Hey, now. Leave it to Beaver is some quality television programming,” I argued. “I just didn’t want to give Angelica the satisfaction of responding the way she wanted me to. So, I went with something confusing.” I stopped for a moment and then thoughtfully added, “Of course, just about any response probably would’ve confused that itty-bitty brain.”
Cam laughed loudly. “Well, I think you were successful. She looked at you like you’d sprouted a second head.”
That sent me into a nice daydream. One where Angelica was backed into a corner by a two-headed me, slobbering and spitting as I spoke. I was saying things like gee whiz or peachy keen while she screamed in fear that my un-coolness might be contagious.
“Earth to Bebe. Anyone home?” Cam waved his hand in front of me.
A pair of gorgeous blue eyes snapped me back to reality, bent down to my level and mere inches from my face. We’d reached our destination. Cam pulled me from my pleasant, vindictive thoughts and straight into even more pleasant but much more inappropriate ones. Heat crept up my neck and into my flushing cheeks. Get a grip, Bianca, or soon you’ll be no better
than the Angelica Valdezes of the world. Quick, find a stinging response…
“Yes, I’m home, but I’m not sure you always are.” I tapped my finger against his temple.
“Ouch, Bebe. That really hurts my feelings.” Cam pouted and placed one hand dramatically over his heart, obviously not hurt in the least.
“I think you need to kiss them better,” he continued. “And you know where my feelings are, don’t you?” He slowly removed the hand over his heart and brought it up so his index finger was pointing at his puckered lips. Oh, for the love of everything holy. Cam was suggesting I kiss him. On the lips! I quickly drew back and faked a disgusted look.
“Oh, come on, Bebe. You know you want a piece of this.” He started flexing his biceps and asking me which way to the beach and if I wanted tickets to the gun show. Yes, Cameron Bates, I definitely want tickets to your gun show. Especially if it’s on the beach. Mmmmm…shirtless Cam. Luckily, the warning bell disrupted his display of teenage testosterone.
“Get inside, you big ape,” I ribbed, scooting into the classroom. “Before Ms. Cutter actually does ask for tickets to your gun show.” Ms. Cutter was a very cranky and very lonely middle-aged woman. For some reason, she was always extra nice to Cam, and I frequently teased him about it.
I kept taunting him as I walked to my seat. “If you want, I’ll donate a picture of you for Ms. Cutter’s desk. She can keep it next to the one of her cat.” Cameron cringed, but my taunt had the desired effect. He needed to stop being adorable so I could get my hormones under control.
BIANCA
By the time Friday rolled around, I pretty much knew what to expect for this semester. I had an easy load, academically speaking. Beth was an overachiever, but I chose to work as little as possible. This meant that Beth would be in honors classes and I’d be with all the average students in the regular ones. I was bummed that I didn’t have a ton of classes with my BFF. We did manage to get third period government together (along with Cam) as well as fifth period PE. Of course, Angelica was in PE with us. That basically canceled out the advantage of having gym with Beth.
I had three classes with Cam. Besides English and government, we had chemistry together during sixth period. Cam and I had chosen to be lab partners for the semester, which earned us a disapproving look from Mr. Gardner. We’d shared every science class since freshman year and started every semester as lab partners. We’d also failed to finish every semester as lab partners because we screwed around too much, eventually getting separated.
When Mr. Gardner had pointed between the two of us and asked if “this” was going to be a problem, Cam said “No, sir” at the exact time I answered “Probably.” That earned me an elbow to the gut from Cam and an eye roll from Mr. Gardner. But our teacher left us alone and walked back to his desk. I think he secretly loves us.
Lunch was the only time I intentionally didn’t spend with Beth or Cam. Strange, I know, since all juniors and seniors had the same lunch. I could have eaten with them, but it was kind of an unspoken agreement we had. The three of us spent so much time together that it would’ve been easy to overlook our other friends. At lunch Beth ate with the cheer squad, Cam ate with the boys basketball team, and I ate with the girls basketball team.
I made varsity as a freshman even with my height handicap. Our team wasn’t quite as good as the boys team, so Cam didn’t make varsity until his sophomore year, something I gleefully held over his head. Hey, the guy’s ego was large enough; someone needed to deflate it every now and then.
It was awkward eating lunch with the team that first year. People were nice enough, but I always felt like an outsider. The freshman wonder freak. Now that everyone on the team was closer to my age, I actually enjoyed the bonding time.
“Look at those idiots acting like middle schoolers,” Madison said. She glared across the cafeteria to where the boys team sat. They were busily engaged in a chocolate-milk chugging contest. It involved lots of chanting and cheering.
“At least they don’t look like middle schoolers,” Missy replied wistfully. “Some of the guys got pretty ripped over the summer.” She turned to me. “Did Cam spend his entire summer break working out or what?”
“How should I know?” I scoffed. Of course I know, because I’m his super pervy secret stalker. “He has a pretty good gym setup in his garage. I’m sure he was hitting the weights at least a little.”
“Or a lot,” Missy countered. “I wonder how much he can bench?” 235. “Or if he can make his pecs dance?” Probably. “I bet his abs are amazing.” Pretty much.
I snap out of my trance before anyone notices. Fan-freaking-tastic. My inner peanut gallery needs to put a lid on it, or I’m going to slip and say something out loud.
“Well, Missy, you’ll get your chance to peruse the merchandise soon enough,” Emma guaranteed. “The coach who decided to hold girls and boys pre-season conditioning together this year deserves a pay raise.”
That comment earned a table full of “Mmmhmms” and “Amens.” My face contorted as my lips pursed and my eyebrows bunched together. I didn’t want anyone perusing Cam’s merchandise but me. But of course, I couldn’t say that.
The thing is, I’ve had a crush on Cameron Bates since the day we met, when he gave me that ridiculous nickname that only he’s allowed to use: Bebe. I still think it sounds like something you’d call your pet poodle. But my crush is something I’ll take to the grave. Not because there’s anything wrong with liking Cam. As far as high school crushes go, he’s definitely a worthy selection. The problem is the damn universe. It’s out to get me.
“What about Brady Jones?” Emma asked, eyes darting around the boys’ table. “He’s looking way hotter this year. I swear he grew six inches over the summer.”
“It’s amazing how a little height and well-placed weight makes a boy look more like a man. Brady is definitely looking manlier this year. So is Cam.” Missy giggled at her own comment. She was the most boy crazy person on the team, hands down. Her hyper-focused fawning over Cam was driving me nuts. I wanted to say something, but I needed to keep my mouth shut. The Fates might hear.
You see, every time I like a boy and I express my interest in any way, he ends up asking Beth out. It’s happened so many times that I think I’m cursed. In sixth grade, there was Billy Norton. We played basketball together during lunch. I told my friend Connie that I liked him, and the next morning he passed Beth a note, asking if she’d go out with him.
In seventh grade, Jesse Thomas volunteered to write a history report with me. He was so cute and funny. I wrote in my diary, all about how I had a major crush on him. As soon as we turned in our report, he called me up to ask about Beth, what kind of stuff she liked, and if she had a boyfriend. The next Friday was Valentine’s Day, and he sent her a candy gram with a pink carnation.
Eighth grade was the worst. Sam Waterford sat behind me in homeroom. We were constantly talking and goofing around. I honestly thought he was into me. The spring dance was coming up, and I told Beth that I wanted to ask him, but I was too scared. She spent all night giving me pep talks and making the perfect plan to woo him. The next day at lunch, Sam marched right up to our table and asked Beth if she’d go to the dance with him. Beth started to panic and looked at me, not knowing what to do. Then she politely declined him. She told him that our dad wouldn’t let us go to dances with a date because he thought we were too young. That didn’t stop Sam from asking her to dance that night, three times.
Beth felt horrible. She hadn’t done anything to encourage Sam. She barely even knew him. But that was Bethany Barnes for you; boys flocked to her. She made it up to me, of course, and I couldn’t be mad at her. We pulled Sam’s picture out of the yearbook and taped it to the wall. Then we stole some of the darts from dad’s dartboard and spent the evening eating rocky road ice cream and seeing who could get closest to hitting his picture right between the eyes. Plus, the following Monday someone wrote “Sam Waterford kisses like a fish” on the outside of the handicap stall i
n the girls’ bathroom. When I questioned her, Beth said she’d never do something to vandalize school property. The glint in her eyes told me she was lying.
These were only a few of the times when boys chose Beth over me. I can’t really blame them; she’s perfect and I’m average. After Sam, I swore that I’d never openly admit whom I liked. Not to another person, not to my diary, not even to myself when I was alone. If the universe didn’t know who I liked, then it couldn’t steer him toward Beth.
She’d never purposely pursue a guy I was into, but I had no control over who pursued her. It’s not like I never dated. I just waited for boys to ask me out instead of me asking them. It did happen on the rare occasion. I figured if they chose to ask me out, they must like me at least a little. That, or they thought Beth was out of their league.
“Do you guys think Cam would go out with me? Or at least make out with me?” Missy asked, and I cringed. I better put a stop to that train of thought.
“I don’t know if you’re his type, Missy,” I replied. Then, for good measure I added, “But I bet Mike would be happy to make out with you.” Missy looked horrified as everyone busted up in laughter. Mike McGinnes was by far the least desirable guy on the team.
“I’d have to be pretty desperate to make out with Mike.” Missy pouted. “Are you suggesting I’m desperate, Bea?”
“Of course not,” I defended. “I’m suggesting that you’re a little loose lipped.” The table erupted in giggles again, and I had to dodge the empty juice bottle Missy threw at me.
“I’m just playing.” I laughed at her, even though I wasn’t playing.
Apparently, I had two problems. First, was that Missy seemed determined to snag my man. Second, and more importantly, the boys who asked me out weren’t the ones I was interested in, and the boys I was interested in were destined to like Beth. Which is why nobody could ever know how I felt about Cam. I’d be devastated if I admitted my feelings for him only to find out he’s always been in love with my sister.
Perfectly Oblivious (The Perfect Series Book 1) Page 2