Me Suzy P

by Karen Saunders

  “Bet or not, you still kissed Jade on the night of the party,” I say frostily. “Nobody forced you to do that.”

  “I keep trying to tell you, she kissed me.”

  “You kissed her back,” I protest.

  “I know what it must have looked like, but listen. The night at the party, I went to the toilet, remember? And on the way back, I bumped into Jade, who said that you were in the courtyard and wanted to talk to me. I don’t know why I believed her, but I couldn’t see any reason why she’d lie. When we got out there, I saw you in the courtyard holding hands with Zach, just like she’d wanted me to see. She kissed me while I was too shocked to react. I did pull away, but by then you’d already run off. Honestly, Suze, she made all the moves, and, um, that wasn’t the first thing she’d done, either.”

  “Huh?” I don’t like the sound of this.

  Danny flushes. “She’d been texting me, and while we were doing that art project together she kept telling me she thought I was cute, stroking my hair and all that. I was stupid enough to think it was genuine. I hate myself for falling for their crap.”

  I don’t know what to do. I want to trust him, but…

  “How can I be sure you’re telling the truth?”

  “I am,” Danny says in frustration. “And you have to stop making out like it’s all my fault. You’re not exactly an innocent party here, are you? You were holding hands with Zach.”

  I’ve got zilch left to lose. “I was, and I’m sorry, but I swear, nothing went on that night,” I say. “It nearly did, but only because I was messed up about a lot of stuff. Zach was about to kiss me, but I stopped him. I couldn’t do it to you.”

  Danny doesn’t respond.

  “I know how stupid I was to even go outside with him in the first place,” I say. “I’m really, really sorry.”

  “Is Zach the reason why you started acting all distant and weird when we were together?” Danny says.

  “Partly, yeah,” I confess.

  Danny nods slowly. “I knew you fancied him.”

  “I thought I did,” I say. “But like you realised with Jade, I know now that Zach’s a complete moron. You saw the way he dumped me.”

  “I…” Danny tries to interrupt.

  “Let me finish,’ I say gently. “I only liked him because you never made me feel special when we were going out. It was like we were brother and sister, or mates or something. You get that, right?”

  Danny nods then fiddles with a button on his cuff for the longest time. “Suze, there’s something else I’ve got to tell you,” he says, eventually. “Um, it’s about Zach. I don’t exactly know how to say this. Please don’t be too upset. But he was kind of in on the bet too.”

  My eyes open wide in shock.

  “Jade promised she’d buy him an iPod if he took you out, to keep you out of the way,” Danny says quietly. “I’m really sorry, Suze, but like I said, Jade did everything she could to win.”

  Oh. My. God.

  This is a whole new level of humiliation.

  Zach was bribed to go out with me? He pretended to fancy me, when actually he couldn’t have cared less? It was all because of a flipping bet?

  “I can’t believe this,” I say furiously. “That’s outrageous.”

  “You’re not wrong,” Danny agrees.

  “We can’t let them get away with treating us like this,” I seethe.

  “I know,” Danny says, “but before we talk about that, there’s one more thing I need to tell you.”

  There’s more? I don’t know if I can cope with anything else.

  “I, um…” Danny clears his throat. “I, er, still like you. And, um, just wanted to check, that, uh, you do know that, right?”

  A slow smile spreads across my face. Is Danny saying he’d like to be my boyfriend again?

  “You only like me?” I need to be clear about this.

  “C’mon, Suzy, you know it’s more than that,” Danny objects, a hurt expression on his face.

  “Do I?”

  “Don’t you?” Danny sounds surprised.

  “Nuh-uh. I mean, you never told me when we were going out together. And you weren’t exactly the most affectionate boyfriend in the world.”

  “Just because I wasn’t all over you like Jamie is with Millie, it doesn’t mean I didn’t care,” Danny says.

  “But something to show we were together would have been good,” I point out. “Like wanting to hold my hand or kissing me in public without dying of embarrassment. I know you’re not great at the romantic stuff, but it felt like you never made an effort. You always wanted to hang out with Harry.”

  Danny nods. “I’m sorry. If you give me another chance, I promise I’ll try. Because I… I love you.” He mumbles the last part at top speed then reaches out to gently twang one of the curls framing my face. And this time, it doesn’t annoy me.

  I’ve gone all tingly. Danny’s just told me he loves me, for the very first time.

  I’m lost in happy thoughts when Danny clears his throat pointedly.

  Oh. Right. He’s waiting for me to say it back.

  “I love you, too,” I whisper shyly.

  We smile at each other like a pair of crazies, before Danny slowly leans in. Staring deep into my eyes, he raises his hand to my cheek and strokes it gently with his thumb. Then he lowers his mouth towards mine.

  Danny’s lips are soft and tender, and I melt into his body, relishing the feel of his arms pulling me closer. The kiss is perfect, like we’ve never been apart. I don’t want it to stop. Ever.

  But that plan’s scuppered pretty darn quickly when we hear a whooping noise coming from the nearby hedge and we pull apart in alarm.

  I’m all dazed, like I’ve just woken up from a deep sleep. “What the…?”

  Amber and Harry emerge and are dancing around happily, high-fiving and yelling.

  “Woohoo, it worked!” Amber crows triumphantly.

  Oh, right. My sisters. I’d forgotten that it was their meddling that got Danny here in the first place.

  “We got you back together, we got you back together,” Amber singsongs. “Are you pleased, Suzypoos? I hope so.” She bounds over to give me a huge hug. Then she hugs Danny, who turns purple with embarrassment and coughs awkwardly.

  It’s only because I’m so happy that I’m not going to kill the pair of them.

  “It all worked out perfectly,” Amber says, beaming at me with pride. “You helped me realise Mark was my handsome prince, and all my dreams have come true, so I wanted to give you a happy ending too.”

  “But how…?” I ask, still trying to understand.

  “All I had to do was find out for sure you still liked Danny, so when you said you did, Harry texted him and got him to come,” Amber explains. “We hoped you’d do the rest, and we were right.”

  I listen in astonishment. I’m amazed that she masterminded this. Most of the time Amber acts like she’s had a lobotomy. I’m actually really touched.

  “Our plan was good, wasn’t it?” Harry says.

  “Hmmm,” I growl, but I’m smiling.

  “Are you coming over to our house soon?” Harry asks Danny. “We haven’t watched Star Wars for weeks!”

  “Yeah, I’m sure it won’t be long,” Danny replies.

  Harry wriggles onto the bench on the other side of Danny. “I’ve got loads to tell you. There’s this new joke I’ve heard about and it’s really funny. You put a person’s hand in a bowl of warm water while they’re sleeping and they wet themselves. Will you help me do it? I’m thinking about trying it on…” She points non-subtly in my direction.

  “Harry, not now,” Amber says. “Come on, let’s go back inside. These two need some time on their own.”

  “Awww,” Harry whines. “I haven’t seen Danny for ages.”

  “You’ll see him soon enough,” Amber says. “Now c’mon, we’re leaving.”

  Amber drags Harry off and then it’s just me and Danny sitting in the dark again. I lean my head onto his shoulder.


  “So, what are we going to do about everything?” Danny asks, jerking me out of the dream-like haze I’ve been in since our kiss. The fury I feel about the bet bubbles up again.

  “I don’t know, but we need to do something,” I say. “Have you got any ideas?”

  Danny shakes his head. “No. Maybe we should talk to Jamie and Millie, see if they can help?”

  “Good thinking,” I say. “Let’s get them to meet us in Bojangles tomorrow.”

  Danny takes his phone, taps out a couple of texts, and hits send. “Done. So, um, what shall we do now?”

  “Well, you could always kiss me again,” I suggest.

  So he does.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  “Hey, you’re actually on time,” Danny says as he greets me outside Bojangles. He’s wearing his Star Wars T-shirt and looks gorgeous. He smiles as he leans forwards to give me a kiss hello.

  A proper kiss. In public and everything.

  “You look great,” he says.

  I’m glad he noticed, because I made an extra effort today. Yesterday the wedding hairdresser used this incredible hair softener and my curls are still in pretty tendrils, plus the make-up artist showed me some great tips so my eyes seem enormous. I’m wearing a funky, slouchy black jumper under my jacket, teamed with leggings and Amber’s favourite knee-high boots. Well, it’s not like she’ll be needing them – she’s off on honeymoon today.

  “When I told Jamie and Millie I wanted to meet here I didn’t say you were coming, or that we’d sorted things out,” Danny says, a small smile playing around his lips. His delicious, kissable lips. Ooooh, I’m so glad he’s my boyfriend again!

  “C’mon. Let’s go and surprise them,” Danny says, clasping my hand in his and pulling me through the door to Bojangles. Mille and Jamie are already sitting inside. Millie’s chattering away but turns when the bell rings. Her jaw drops open and then she screams at the top of her voice.

  “Oh. My. Goooooood!” she yells, dashing around the tables and chairs towards us, nearly sending the poor waitress flying. “You’re holding hands! So does this mean you’re back together? Why didn’t you tell me?” Millie swats my arm with pretend annoyance.

  “Are you going to give us a chance to sit down, Mil?” Danny says.

  “But I want to know everything now!” Millie says, bouncing up and down. “When did all this happen? You are definitely back together, right?”

  “Yep,” I say, grinning happily.

  “Aaargh!” Millie screams again. “I’m sooooo happy for you! This is the best news ever.” She grabs hold of me and dances around, almost knocking a stack of dirty plates and glasses over.

  “I knew you’d sort things out,” Millie says, finally releasing her hold.

  “I’m glad someone did,” I say. “Cause I sure as heck didn’t.”

  “Oh pffft,” Millie says, flapping her hand. “You two are meant for each other.”

  As we sit down, Jamie’s shaking his head and laughing. “Millie, what are you like? You’re crazy.”

  “What?” Millie says. “I’m just happy for my friends. What’s wrong with that?”

  “Well, I’m happy too, but you don’t see me leaping and screeching all over the place, do you?”

  Millie sticks out her tongue, and Jamie plants an affectionate kiss on her cheek.

  “What can I get you guys?” the waitress asks.

  “I’ll have a cola,” Danny says. “Actually, no. I won’t. I’m going to have something different. I’d like a berry smoothie, please. And, Suzy, I’m guessing you’ll have the usual?”

  “Yep. Hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows, please.”

  I lean back in my chair and sigh contently. This is perfect, and exactly as it should be. Everything’s back to normal.

  The waitress heads off to the kitchen and Millie wiggles on her seat with excitement. “So, c’mon you two, spill.”

  “It’s kind of a long story,” Danny says, his voice becoming serious. “Wait until you hear what’s happened…”

  At lunchtime on Monday, I’m standing with my friends outside the canteen. I feel a bit sick. I can’t honestly believe we’re going to confront Jade and Zach. But at the same time, I know we have to. They need to know they can’t treat people like that, and my feelings of anger and mortification about the whole thing haven’t gone away. Every time I picture their smug faces I want to pummel something. Hard.

  How could they pretend they liked us, just to break us up?

  Not only is what they did the lowest of the low, it’s majorly humiliating. And I’m a girl who’s no stranger to humiliation. Not to mention I even ate fish to try and impress Zach. Plus they made me miss out on The Drifting.

  All in all, it’s completely unforgivable.

  “So, you ready?” Danny says.

  “Ready,” I reply, taking a deep, steadying breath.

  We push open the double doors and scan the cafeteria.

  “Over there.” Millie indicates a table in the middle of the room. “C’mon. They’re all together.”

  Jade and Kara are sitting opposite each other, while Zach’s next to Jade, chatting to several of his football mates and a pretty redhead from the year below.

  We stop at the end of the table and I cross my arms, trying to make myself appear tougher. In reality, I’m shaking with fear and I’ve never felt so squirmy.

  “What do you want?” Jade says.

  “I just wanted to let you know your plan to break us up failed,” I say, forcing my voice to stay steady.

  “Nobody cares, and you’re putting me off my lunch,” Jade says coldly, taking a bite of her salad. “Go away.”

  “We’re not going anywhere,” Danny says.

  “Not until you apologise,” I add.

  “As if.” Jade laughs nastily. “On what planet do you think that would actually happen? You’re pathetic, Suzy Puttock, you know that? Which is probably the reason Zach couldn’t handle going out with you for more than two minutes.”

  “Too right,” Zach interjects, through a mouthful of shepherd’s pie.

  “Like you’re such a catch, Zach,” I say loudly. “Snogging you was like being slobbered on by an Alsatian. I’d take a towel along if you’re planning on getting some action later,” I tell the redhead. “You’ll need it. It was seriously revolting.”

  As everyone bursts out laughing, the girl grimaces and moves away from Zach.

  “Like I care what you think,” Zach says scornfully, pulling an iPod Nano out of his pocket. “I only went out with you to get this.”

  “Zach, shut up,” Jade hisses.

  “What’s the problem, Jade?” Danny asks. “Worried we’ll find out about the bet you made with Kara? Too late. She already told me.”

  “You told him?” Jade slams down her fork.

  “You weren’t supposed to say anything,” Kara snaps at Danny furiously.

  “You bitch,” Jade shouts. “This means I win the bet, you know that?”

  “As if!” Kara yells back. “You’re the loser. He dumped you before the month was up.”

  “And all of a sudden it makes sense why,” Jade says. She grabs a handful of salad, and throws it at Kara, so it splatters all over her. “Who’s the loser now?” Jade snaps.

  “What are you doing, you crazy freak?” Kara shrieks. She swipes salad dressing out of her eye and stands blinking for a moment, as pieces of grated carrot slide down her cheek. There’s lettuce on her shoulder, tomato in her eyebrow and sweetcorn all over her tie. Then, scowling fiercely, she grabs her smoothie and chucks it into Jade’s face.

  “What the—?” Jade splutters.

  My friends and I stare in delight as all around us, people start clapping and whooping, abandoning their meals to hustle in for a better look. Jade’s soaking, her usually perfect hair clinging to her face in soggy pink tendrils, and her shirt’s drenched. Jade and Kara are never seen in public looking anything less than immaculate, so to see the pair of them like this is pretty d
arn satisfying for everyone they’ve tormented over the years.

  I try to hold it in, but a gurgle of laughter escapes as Jade pushes back her chair and runs at Kara with a primal yowl. Are they for real? This is too hilarious. Kara attempts to shove Jade away, then the two girls are tussling and tugging at each other’s hair as hard as they can.

  They lurch into the table, causing all of the glasses to wobble and shake. Zach’s cola tips over, spilling into his lap.

  “Hey…” Zach leaps up, trying to get out of the way, but it’s too late. “My iPod,” he yells, holding the now dripping device between his thumb and finger. “It’s trashed!”

  “Did you do a stress wee?” Jamie asks loudly, pointing to Zach’s soaked crotch, and causing everyone to laugh even louder.

  “Shut up!” Zach lunges angrily for Jamie, but Kara and Jade stagger into him, causing him to stumble. In the process, Zach gets jabbed in the eye by Jade’s elbow.

  It looks like it hurts. A lot. Oh, happy, happy days.

  “Right, that’s enough,” Mrs Lewis says, forcing her way through the crowd. “What’s going on? Jade, Kara, Zach, break it up now.”

  “But it was them who started it,” Zach says, gesturing at us.

  We all gaze innocently at Miss Lewis.

  “I doubt that very much. They’re not the ones filthy and brawling in the middle of the dining hall,” Miss Lewis says. “I expect to be able to eat my lunch in peace, not have to deal with this pathetic behaviour.”

  “But they—”

  “Not another word,” Miss Lewis snaps, finally hauling Kara and Jade apart. They stand either side of her, glowering fiercely at each other. “Head’s office. Now. Zach, you too.”

  As my friends and I stand aside to let Miss Lewis past, Jade, Kara and Zach glare at us as they leave to a chorus of laughter, hissing and applause. Zach’s walking strangely, trying to disguise the fact it looks as if he’s wet his pants.

  “There’s just one more thing…” Danny says and, in front of everyone, he leans over to give me a full-on snog. People are hollering at us to get a room, but I don’t care. When he pulls back, Danny’s cheeks are scarlet. “Public enough for you?”