by Emma Dalton
“Okay, okay, Kara,” I tell myself. “Breathe. You can do this.” Lifting my head, I gaze at my reflection. “You’re a strong, confident young woman.” I snort. Me? Strong and confident? If I was so confident, I wouldn’t blend into the walls like paint.
No. I’ll march right up to Brayden and request the interview like a pro.
Ugh, no. I’m plummeting into a sinkhole and there’s no one there to pull me out.
Letting out a heavy breath, I collect myself and exit the bathroom. The halls are pretty deserted, except for a few wayward students who are finishing up with clubs or practice.
“I just have to get my book from my locker,” a voice says from down the hallway. A familiar voice. A voice I’ve been dreaming about since middle school. It sends a tingle down my spine every time I hear it.
Brayden and his football buddies march to his locker like royals. In this school, they pretty much are. I’m not complaining or anything, but these boys can get away with anything. And I mean, anything.
“Man, you totally killed it out there!” one of the guys says to Brayden. The rest of the team toss compliments his way, but he waves them off with that girl-melting smile of his.
I hide behind the corner, but keep my eyes on him. He’s at the center of the group, telling them he’s nothing without the rest of the team.
Not only is this Adonis sexy, he’s modest, too. And friendly, approachable—at least to people who aren’t invisible. He’s just…perfection.
The guys chat and laugh some more before Brayden fetches his book and they walk out the door. I pop out from my hiding spot and stare at his retreating form before the doors shut after them.
I feel sick to my stomach, like the food from this afternoon will find its way back into the world. How the heck am I going to do this? Just the thought of being within twenty feet of him…I might literally throw up now.
I slam my head into a locker. “Ugh.”
Chapter Three
Brayden
“How was practice?” Dad asks the moment I step foot into the house. He and Mom are in the kitchen working on dinner. She stands before the stove and he’s behind her, arms wrapped around her waist. It’s an odd sight for sure, since the two of them haven’t been getting along since my older brother Brock died two years ago. I guess that marriage counselor’s finally paying off, though I know things could change in an instant with those two. Sometimes they’re best friends, other times they hardly speak to each other. But I’ll count my blessings now and hope this streak continues.
“Was fine,” I tell them. “Coach is determined to beat Barefield High this Friday and we’ve been working really hard.”
“That’s great, honey,” Mom says with a grin. “We’re very proud of you.”
Dad turns to face me. “Will there be recruiters at the game?”
I shake my head. “Not this time. I guess I’m not…good enough.”
Mom covers the pot she was mixing and walks over to me, placing her hands on either side of my face. Staring into my eyes, she says, “Don’t say that about yourself, Brayden Anthony Barrington. You are good enough, and recruiters would be insane not to grab you.”
I nod, pulling my face from her grip. “I know, Mom. Thanks. I guess I’m just nervous for the game.”
Dad waves his hand. “You’ll do great, son. We’re all rooting for you.” His smile is there, but there’s no mistaking the pain in his eyes. I know what they’re telling me—that Brock would be rooting for me, too.
I slide onto a stool at the counter and reach for a cookie from the jar. Everyone knows the only reason I got the QB position was because of my brother.
But I don’t want to feel sorry for myself, especially now when it seems my parents are in a good mood. I know I’m a good quarterback, but there’s always room for improvement.
“Mommy, I’m hungry. When’s dinner?” My five-year-old sister Bailey creeps into the room, glancing around. “And Sally is, too. Is she here?”
Sally is Bailey’s imaginary friend. Last week it was Benjamin from Canada. Now it’s Sally from New York. I have a feeling this one will stick around longer, since the two of them have a lot in common. Like sports and tea parties. Benjamin never liked getting his hands dirty.
Mom smiles at her. “Dinner will be ready soon and I haven’t seen Sally.”
Bailey’s eyes widen. “Maybe she ran away again?”
I reach for her and drag her onto my lap, messing up her sandy brown hair. It’s the same color as my hair. And Brock’s, too. We all have the same features, inherited from Mom. “Hey, kid. I’m sure Sally will come back soon. Did you have fun at school?”
“Yeah.” She spends twenty minutes relaying every detail of her day. Who spilled juice on whom and who had an accident in the bathroom. I can listen to her for hours and never get bored. She’s so adorable—and I’m not just saying that because she’s my little sister.
“Did the tickle monster visit you at school?” I ask her.
Her blue eyes widen again. “No…!” She ducks away, trying to free herself from my grip. She knows very well what’s coming for her.
Laughing, I gently dig my fingers into her stomach. “He’s here now!”
She giggles and wiggles and screeches as I continue tickling her. “Not fair,” she manages to say through her laughter. “You’re bigger and stronger than me.”
I drop my hands. “Okay, then tickle me.”
She rolls her eyes. “You’re not ticklish.”
I grin. “Maybe I am today. But you need to catch me first!” After gently dropping her to her feet, I take off toward the living room. Bailey chases me up the stairs, past the hallway, and down the stairs in the back.
“Careful!” mom calls after us. She’s gotten a little overprotective ever since Brock died in that car accident. Dad worries a lot, too, but not as much as Mom.
“Bray!” Bailey shouts after me, huffing and puffing. She chases me back into the living room now. “I’ll never catch up to you.”
Chuckling, I stop in place and she smacks right into me and falls to the floor. I whirl around and bend down to her. “Are you okay?”
She giggles as she leaps onto me, throwing me to the floor. Well, it’s more like I let her throw me down. She buries her fingers in my stomach. Because she’s so small, I barely feel anything, but I wiggle around like she did a few minutes ago.
“Okay, okay you win,” I tell her.
“Yay!” She beams. “And what’s my prize?”
I bend my head forward. “Whatever you want, my queen.”
“Princess!”
“Forgive me, my princess.”
She laughs again as she taps her chin, as if solving an algebra equation. “Piggyback ride.”
“Piggyback ride it is.”
And she hops onto my back.
Chapter Four
The popular table is so stuffed with chairs and kids on those chairs, I don’t know how they have enough air to breathe. And right in the center of all that is my assignment.
A happy sigh escapes my lips as I watch him bring some mashed potatoes to his lips. Lips that look so kissable…
No. Snap out of it, Kara. I need to schedule an interview with him if I want to keep my job at the paper.
The bell will ring in another few minutes. I have to do this, even if the thought of actually talking to Brayden sends a swarm of butterflies into my stomach.
After sucking in a deep breath and letting it seep out of my nose, I get up and march over to his table. No heads turn in my direction as I edge closer to the holy popular table. I might as well dance around the entire cafeteria stark naked—no one would even notice.
Coming to a stop right across from him, my breath hitches. My chest feels like it’s clogged with cement. He’s there—right there. But he doesn’t even notice me.
I try not to sigh.
He laughs at something a wide receiver says. Oomf, that laugh can cure cancer. Seriously. I can stand here all day and just li
sten to him laugh.
OMG, I really need to pull myself together.
I can do this. Can totally do this. Yep, no biggie. Just grab the attention of the most popular guy at school, who also happens to be the sexiest guy at school. I can so picture him being picked for the sexiest man on the planet when he’s older. When he’s on a pro team and the whole world knows his name. Everyone will love him. All the women will love him…
My fantasy just turned sour. Because I know I’ll be just as invisible as an adult as I am now. They tell us things will be different once we’re out of high school but is that really true? Doubt it.
I shake my head. I have to stop stalling. The bell will ring soon. Before I lose my nerve, I step closer to the table and say, “Brayden?” But what leaves my mouth could barely count as a squeak. Brayden continues chatting and laughing with his friends.
I clear my throat and try again. “Brayden?”
This time, I nearly shout it. And this time, every single person at the table whips their head in my direction.
Talk about feeling naked in front of everyone. Scratch my comment about dancing in the nude.
“Uh, yeah?” he asks. His sandy brown hair falls into his eyes perfectly. I wonder what it would feel like to tangle my hands in those beautiful strands. Would his hair feel soft?
Blinking, I realize everyone at the table still stares at me. My cheeks flaming, I stammer, “C-can I talk to you, Brayden?”
“Sure. Be back in a sec, guys.”
He slips out of his chair and follows me to the side. I catch someone mumble, “Who is that?” and try not to roll my eyes.
And I also try not to hyperventilate. Because this is the closest I’ve ever been to Brayden. He’s so much taller than me, I might as well be gazing up a mountain. And oh my gosh, the guy smells so darn good. I could die happy now.
“You wanted to talk to me?” he asks. Once again, his hair falls into his eyes perfectly. I fist my hands before they can act on their own and touch him. Or slide down those strong muscles. His chest is so buff it’s nearly straining against his fitted white T-shirt. I can practically see everything. And I like very much.
Focus.
“Yes,” I say. Then the words tumble out. “Can I interview you for the school paper? Our editor wants to do a piece on our amazing QB. We want to showcase you as more than just an amazing quarterback, you know? We want the school to know the guy behind the uniform. So will you agree to do it?”
His lips gently lift, mesmerizing blue eyes dancing. “Amazing QB?”
Oh, gosh. Even when he’s half-smiling I feel like I’m going to die.
“It’s not like I think you’re amazing or anything,” I babble. “I’m just quoting Martina. Our editor.”
OMG, what the heck is coming out of my mouth?
“So Martina the editor thinks I’m an amazing quarterback,” he says.
“Well yes. Duh. Of course she does. Why wouldn’t she? It’s not like she’s alone. Well, not me. Like I said.”
I need to shut up ASAP. Seriously, Kara, just shut the heck up.
I clear my throat. “So will you do it? The interview? I promised her I’d have it done by the end of the week.”
He shrugs. “That’s fine.”
“Cool. I also have to shadow you a bit. Watch you do your thing. But you’ll barely notice I’m there.”
Because I’m the Invisible Girl.
“Hey, are you okay by the way?” he suddenly asks.
“What?”
“I knocked into you pretty hard on Monday. Looks like you had quite the fall.”
Can the floor open up and swallow me?
Please?
Like now?
Right now?
Before I drop dead from embarrassment?
He steps a little closer, and I stumble back, my heart zooming through my body. “Are you okay, Kara?” he asks softly.
I get lost in those spellbinding blue eyes. I’ve never seen a more beautiful shade. Like the sky on a gorgeous day.
Brayden Barrington actually knows my name.
“You’re not saying anything,” he continues.
“What? Oh. Yeah, I’m fine. Thanks for asking.”
“You sure? Some of the guys complain I hurt them on the field.”
“Yeah, because you’re like a freakin’ brick wall.”
His eyes widen. “Is that what it felt like? I’m so sorry. I should really pay attention to where I’m going.”
“No! That’s totally fine! You can knock into me whenever you want.”
His eyes grow a little small as a small chuckle escapes his lips. “I’d rather not, but thanks.” He nods. “Let me know when you want to get together for that interview.” He returns to his table.
I turn to the wall and gently knock my head into it. Once, twice, three times. Maybe there’s a reason why I’m so invisible—because I’m a freak of nature. Who says that to a person? And to the most popular guy at school. Ugh! Why can’t I have a do-over?
When I glance back at his table, I find him once again talking and laughing with his friends. He doesn’t look back at me once.
With another sigh, I return to my table to finish my lunch.
***
I sit on the bleachers with my notepad and pen ready. I’ve watched Brayden at practice and at games many times, but I never had to describe the experience on paper. Now I have an excuse to stalk him. Hopefully I’ll be able to write a decent article on his skills and talent, and not gush how dreamy and sexy he is.
And kind. I can’t forget kind. He actually asked me if I was okay. I thought he didn’t remember even bumping into me. And he knows my name!
Enough. Seriously. None of it means anything.
But Brayden Barrington is kind as well as hot. It’s so hard to find that. Can my crush on him get any bigger? I think my heart will explode.
But where is he? The rest of the team is already on the field.
Once they start practice, it dawns on me that he’s not coming. Bummer. Guess I’ll have to stalk him tomorrow…
My lips lift just thinking about it.
I’ll admit watching the rest of the team without Brayden isn’t as exciting. And since I’m writing an article on the quarterback and not the team, I don’t have a reason to stick around. Time to head back home alone and do homework alone and spend the rest of my night alone.
I’m about to start my trek to my house when I remember I left my math textbook in my locker. And I have a murderous test on Friday. So not looking forward to that. I do okay with math, but it frustrates me so bad I want to tear my hair out half the time. This is another reason I wish I had at least one friend. So we could suffer together.
Once I grab my book, I stop by the bulletin board to see if there are any posters for clubs I missed. If I can’t find anything good, I’ll just choose science or orchestra. I’m not a brainiac, but I’m sure the science geeks won’t kick me out for my lack of intelligence. And it’s never too late to learn an instrument, right?
No new posters. Guess I’ll sign up to both and try my luck. Just as I turn around, I catch something from the corner of my eye. The words “Book Club.” Quickly spinning around, I scan the small poster squished to the side, practically buried beneath all the other posters and announcements.
“Love to read? Love to gush about books? Then join the Edenbury High Book Club! We’re a small group, but a fun one. We eat, drink, breathe books. And the best part? There are no skills involved! So what are you waiting for? Join today. We meet in room 1B every Monday and Wednesday. Remember to bring your favorite book and a smile!”
Holy heck, Edenbury High has a book club??? Since when? Without a second thought, I hurry over to room 1B and throw the door open.
Three heads snap up and stare at me.
“Oh, sorry,” I stammer. “I thought this was the book club?”
“It is.” A girl with red hair lifts a book. Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen.
They all stare at me lik
e they have no idea why I’m here.
“Are you accepting new people? I saw your poster on the bulletin board.”
A pretty girl with dark hair and bright hazel eyes says, “Wait, you want to join?”
“Uh…yeah. Is that a problem or something?”
“Of course not!” she says with a laugh. “We just never expected anyone would actually join.”
“Why not?” I ask.
“Because it’s been just the three of us since last year,” the redhead explains. “We were starting to wonder if anyone at this school can even read.”
The three of them laugh, though the last girl, the one with curly dirty-blonde hair and brown eyes, laughs silently. When her eyes catch mine, she quickly looks away and focuses back on her book, the tips of her ears growing pink.
“Ladies of the Edenbury High Book Club, it looks like we have a new member!” Dark Hair says. “Come in, come in.” She motions for me to enter. “My name is Danielle Wood. Dani for short. I’m the president.”
“And I’m Charlie Raine,” the redhead says. “Well, my real name is Charlotte, but that’s so not me.” She gives me a sweet smile. “Welcome to the club.” She holds out her hand.
I shake it. “Thanks. I’m Kara Gander.”
“And this is Ally Bensen.” Dani nods to the dirty-blonde who looks like she wants to hide away in her book.
“Hi,” I say.
She nods and focuses back on her book.
“Ally’s a little shy,” Charlie explains.
“Welcome,” she says in a barely audible voice, a shy smile tugging her lips.
“Thanks so much,” I say as I sit down near Charlie. “I can’t believe this. You’re telling me there’s been a book club here since last year and I didn’t even know about it? I love to read.”
“Yeah.” Charlie chuckles. “We all do. Where have you been?”
I look from one girl to the other and shrug. “Invisible. Where have you guys been?”
They all exchange a glance. “Invisible,” they say.
“I thought I was the only invisible girl here!” I say, getting way too excited. Then my neck heats up. “I mean, it sucks you guys are invisible, too, but now I don’t feel so alone anymore.”