“Good. That way, when we kick your ass, the win will feel that much sweeter.” She grins haughtily at him then strolls up beside me. “Hey, only other girl crazy enough to play. I’m Lillian, but my friends call me Lily. And well, my dumbass brother, too.” She throws a dirty look in Wes’s direction.
“He’s your brother?” I feel sorry for her. The guy kind of reminds me of a male version of Hannah. “He seems…”
“Like a jerk,” she finishes for me. “Yeah, he is. But he’s that way to everyone, so don’t take it personally.”
I wonder why but don’t ask. “I’m Isabella, by the way. You can call me Isa.”
“Isa. I like it.” Her smile is so big it’s nearly blinding. “I like your shoes, too. Totally killer.”
I think she’s just trying to be nice, but Lily’s cheerfulness remains as we start the game. Either the girl was inhaling laughing gas before she came here, or she’s one of the most genuinely happy people I’ve ever met.
For most of the game, Lily and I get put in positions that don’t require a lot of moving or participating. While I wasn’t too thrilled with playing, I do find it irking that the guys are taking over.
“Are you doing anything cool for Halloween?” Lily asks as we stand on the field, waiting for something eventful to happen.
“Honestly, I haven’t really thought about it.” Usually, I’m all about dressing up, but this year, I’ve been severely distracted by other stuff.
“You’re dressing up, though, right?” She eyes me over from head to toe. “You look like the kind of person who dresses up.”
“Is that a good thing?” I wonder, feeling insecure.
She nods, still all smiles and sunshine. “It’s definitely a good thing. A lot of people think they’re too old to dress up, but I plan on doing it for the rest of my life. It’s too much fun to get all dolled up, you know. Why give it up just because society thinks you should stop having fun when you’re a little bit older?”
“I completely agree. And, yes, I dress up, usually in something really over the top,” I admit. “This year, I’ve been really busy, though, and haven’t gotten around to deciding.”
“You should go steampunk. You have a good look for it.”
“You think so?”
“Oh, yeah. I can help you put something together if you want. I know where a lot of killer stores are, and I’m pretty awesome at sewing.”
“Um… okay.” I don’t mean to sound hesitant, but considering how many times Hannah has set me up to think I’m making a friend, only to have it thrown in my face later, I can’t help it.
For a tiny raindrop of a second, Lily’s smile falters. “Or we don’t have to. I just thought it might be cool to have a shopping buddy who enjoys Halloween as much as me. Most people can’t handle how excited I get.”
“No, it’s cool. I want to go.” I steal a glance at the bleachers. Most of the girls are watching the game, but two of Hannah’s friends are staring at me while whispering to each other. I wonder if she’s friends with them. Would it matter, though, if she’s nice and everything?
“You don’t like them, huh?” she says, not as a question but as a fact.
I fix my attention back on her and shrug. “It’s more like they don’t like me. Well, not all of them. But I don’t know all of them.”
She nods, as if completely understanding. “The two sitting on the top are pretty cool. They go to UW with Wes and Kyler. The three sitting toward the middle, I have no clue who they are, but they seem really into Kyler.” I must pull a funny face or something, because she adds, “Don’t worry, though. He seems into you.”
I hate that I’m so transparent. “Do you know Kyler?”
She glances at the field where Kyler is dodging around guys with the ball cradled in his arms. “Since, like, I was four.”
“Really? How?”
“He’s been friends with Wes since then.”
I don’t recognize either one of them. “Do you guys go to Sunnyvale High?”
She snorts a laugh. “No. We’re not that lucky.”
Lucky? What? That makes no sense since Sunnyvale is a public school. “What do you mean?”
She pulls a whoops face. “It’s nothing. I just meant that we weren’t lucky enough to go to a high school that has such a great sports and art program.”
Sunnyvale High may have a decent sports program, but their art program is nonexistent. The only art classes available are basic, beginner classes where you learn how to draw fruit in a bowl and generic nonsense like that. I don’t call her out on her lie, though.
“So, do you go to UW, too?” I ask, even though she doesn’t look old enough to be in college, but clearly, the high school topic is a touchy subject for her.
She shakes her head. “I’m actually supposed to be a senior this year, but I graduated early. I wanted to start classes at UW this year, but… My mom thought it would be a good idea for me to take a year off and save some money.”
“Oh.” Again, I can tell she’s lying, but I don’t want to press. “Where do you work?”
“I have two jobs, actually. One at the grocery store.” She pulls a face. “And one at a second-hand store. That one’s okay because a lot of old-school, cool stuff comes in, and the workers get first dibs. There was this really awesome old typewriter that I got and this 1940s cocktail dress that I bought for, like, ten bucks. I was going to wear it to prom, but…” She trails off, growing sober for a moment before she’s bouncing off the walls. “You should come work there. The owner is hiring right now. It’s a really fun, easy job, and it’d be nice to have someone cool to work with. Right now, the only person working there besides me is Mr. Belforid, who once showed up to work without pants on.”
I choke on a laugh. “Really?”
She giggles. “Yeah, he’s really old and got confused. He did have swim trunks on, thank God, but it was in the middle of winter, and he nearly froze to death.”
After our laughter dies down, Lily turns serious again. “But seriously, you should come work there,” she says. “I need someone sane to hang out with.”
I hadn’t thought too much about it, but since I’m going to be living with Grandma Stephy now, I should definitely consider getting a job so I can help out. “You know what? Maybe I will.”
A smile expands across her face. I’m just starting to smile, too, when I hear my name being shouted.
“Isa, heads up!”
My gaze darts down the field in time to see Kyler throwing the football in my direction. I start to freak out as the ball soars through the sky and a herd of guys comes barreling at me. Sure, I know it’s flag football, and they can’t tackle me, but watching them run at full speed is super intimidating. At first, I contemplate just letting the ball hit the ground, but then I see Wes standing at the end of the field, looking bored, as if he’s completely convinced I’m not going to catch it.
Screw this. I’m totally catching it and making a touchdown so I can do an awesome victory dance and throw it in his face.
Lily squeals and skitters out of the way as the guys charge toward me. Me, I run backward with my gaze locked on the ball and my hands in front of me. Wait for it. Wait for it. Wait… It lands right in my hands.
Hell yeah! I start to celebrate, but then Kyler yells, “Isa, run!” and I realize I still have to make it to the end zone. I reel around and run like a boss, trying to ignore the sounds of heavy footsteps charging toward me. Seconds later, I step over the line. Touchdown, baby!
I throw the ball down and do a dance until Kyler picks me up and spins me around. I’m not even sure if we won, but it’s all very exciting. It might have turned out to be a pretty good ending to a crappy starting day if at that very moment I didn’t spot the dark blue car driving as slowly as possible on the road beside the field.
I try to convince myself it’s not the same car, but then I see a Superman sticker on the back window. I’m pretty sure the car circling the park had the same sticker.
; Kyler sets me down on the ground and raises his hand for a high-five. “See, pretty fun, right?”
I distractedly tap my palm against his. “Yeah, it kind of was.”
“And the game’s over, so you can celebrate that, too.” He’s beaming from ear to ear, his bare chest glistening with sweat.
I try not to gawk, but I steal a few glances at his ripped, defined muscles. “It’s over?”
He laughs at me. “Yeah, you just scored the winning touchdown.”
“Holy crap. I’m awesome,” I joke, but my voice sounds flat. I can’t seem to get into celebrating with that car right there.
“You are awesome.” He drapes an arm around my shoulders. “And awesome people get rewards.”
The scent of his cologne and sweat engulfs my nostrils. I’m not sure if I’m supposed to love the smell or hate it. Maybe a little of both.
“I get a reward?” I ask, and he nods. “What is it?”
He gives me a side hug and my heart flutters. “I’m taking you out for ice cream.”
“Yeah!” I fist pump the air. “I’m so hungry.”
“Just let me say goodbye to the guys and we’ll go.” He heads across the field toward his friends with his arm still slung around me, leaving me no other choice than to go with him.
I glance over my shoulder at the car and frown when I see it turning into the parking lot. I half-expect it to slam to a stop and a policeman to jump out of it. But all it does is stop by Kyler’s car for a moment before flipping a bitch and speeding off.
I can’t help thinking of the unknown texter for some reason and wondering if somehow the incidents are related. But how?
Maybe I’m just being paranoid, but I need to make sure to mention the car to Grandma Stephy just in case.
Chapter 8
Isabella
While scoring the touchdown felt epic, it didn’t earn me any mad cool points with Kyler’s friends. I learn quickly that I don’t fit in with any of them besides Lily. All the guys want to talk about is the big game next week and whose party they’re hitting up tonight. The girls talk to each other until the party is mentioned, and then they’re all about the conversation, rattling off different ideas. Once plans are finalized, they all part ways for their cars.
Lily pulls me aside so we can exchange numbers, and while I’m sending her a text so she has mine, I notice an extraordinarily beautiful girl hugging Kyler.
“That’s Jesmine. They dated before she dumped him for some older dude,” Lily explains when she notices me staring at them.
“I don’t remember them dating.” I shove back the jealousy when Kyler doesn’t seem in too big of a hurry to stop hugging Jesmine.
“It was over the summer and only lasted about a week.” Lily slides her phone into her jacket pocket. “She’s a couple of years older, too, so they spent a lot of time at college parties and stuff because she thought she was too cool for his friends. At least, that’s what Wes says. I guess she got over it, though, since she’s here. Or maybe it’s okay now because most of his friends are in college.”
I stab my nails into my palms, once again feeling like the dorky girl next-door harboring a silly crush on her sexy neighbor.
“Are you two, like, together, together?” Lily asks. “Because if you are, you might want to go break up the hug.”
“Nah, we’re just friends.” Once I say it, I realize it’s the truth. He can hug whomever he wants whenever he wants. It’s not like we’re a couple. Still, that doesn’t mean I don’t want to march over there and go all hungry zombie on both of them. Well, either that or go home and eat a gallon of ice cream.
Finally, the two of them pull away, but they don’t put very much space between them. They lean in as they talk seriously about something, and he tucks a strand of hair behind her ear.
Ugh! I can’t take this. It’s like I’m back to square one, and if I’m being honest with myself, it’s kind of a turn off.
“I have to make a call,” I say to Lily.
She smiles at me, but there’s a hint of pity in her eyes. “All right. Cool. Call me to get the details about the job, okay?”
I nod, wave to her, and then powerwalk to the car. I don’t really have anyone to call, but I dial people’s numbers, anyway, hoping someone will pick up. No one does, and I’m left with no other option than to climb into the car and pretend to mess around with my hair. Thankfully, Kyler climbs in only a couple of minutes later.
His cheeks are flushed. “Ready for that ice cream?”
I nod despite only wanting to go to my grandma Stephy’s. “Sure.”
He pauses as he’s slipping the keys into the ignition. “Is something wrong?”
I shake my head, reaching over my shoulder for the seatbelt. “I’m just tired. Playing football is exhausting.”
He doesn’t appear like he’s buying it. “She’s just a friend.”
“Huh?”
“Jesmine. I mean, we dated for, like, two seconds, but we both realized we weren’t right for each other. Her dad passed away a couple of weeks ago, and I wasn’t able to go to the funeral. This was the first time I’ve seen her since then.”
“Oh. Okay.” I’m so confused. Why is he telling me this? Because he can read the jealousy all over my face? Am I that transparent?
He puts a hand on my thigh. “I like you, Isa. Like, a lot. I’m sorry if I haven’t made that clear.”
“No… You have.” God, I sound like a spaz. Think of something else to say! Something awesomely epic! “Um… I like you, too.”
Not really awesomely epic, but it gets him to smile.
“Good. Now that we have that settled, let’s get you some ice cream and then go back to the court.” He shoves the car in park and backs out of the parking space. “I think there’s still enough time for me to kick your butt one more time at horse.”
I roll my eyes, but my joking attitude goes right out the window the moment we pull out onto the road, because that damn blue car pulls out right behind us.
Chapter 9
Kai
The drive to Mapleview is long and boring. I’ve never been one for driving solo, so I usually have a driving buddy with me. I turn on some music to try to liven things up, but when a Katy Perry song clicks on, all I can think about is that time Isa and I danced to it, how I licked her neck, pretending the move was playful when I really just wanted to get a taste. She shocked the shit out of me when she licked me back, but I think she did it because she was drunk. Sober, I’m not so sure things would’ve gone down that way.
Even if Isa liked me the way I like her, she’s never been the kind of girl to bluntly announce how she feels. I’ve seen her dismiss a lot of things that probably shouldn’t have been dismissed. With a simple shrug or by tucking her head down, she spends a lot of time pretending she’s okay, even when she’s not.
I’ve known this about her since we were in seventh grade. It was during the start of our brief friendship. Everyone in the entire school knew she was obsessed with Kyler, mainly because Hannah had blabbered it to anyone who would listen.
“Seriously, you should read her diary,” I heard her saying to Kyler and a group of their friends during lunch. “It’s all Kyler this, Kyler that. Kyler’s so dreamy. I hope we get married some day. She even has some kind of weird chant thing written down on one of the pages that looks like a love spell or something. Seriously, she’s such a stalker.” Then she giggled in that shrill way that always made me want to jab my eardrums out. And, of course, her friends joined in like a bunch of wannabe hyenas.
Kyler didn’t say anything at first, merely chewing on his burger. His friends all remained quiet, waiting for him to say something. And me … While I sat at the same table, I never really joined in on their conversation. I was always just there, Kyler’s younger brother, who everyone was nice to because my last name is Meyers.
“What do you mean there was a love spell?” Kyler finally asked, setting his burger down on the lunch tray in front of him. “Does she,
like, think she’s a witch or something?”
“Yeah, she talks about it all the time,” Hannah said, but I could tell she was lying, just like she was probably lying about the love spell and Isa having a diary at all—she didn’t really seem like a diary kind of girl. “She thinks she can curse people and stuff.” She wiggled her fingers in front of her, giggling. “You better watch out, Kyler. She might put a love spell on you, and the next thing you know, you’ll be kissing her.”
Kyler visibly shuddered, but I could tell it was more for show than over the fact that he was that creeped out about the idea of kissing Isa. I knew he hung out and played basketball with her sometimes, and there were a couple of times when I caught him staring at her balcony.
While Isa wasn’t popular, she wasn’t a hideous beast. She had clear skin; long, brown hair; and yeah, she was a bit on the gangly side, but her height made her awesome at shooting hoops. Her biggest problem was that she was super socially awkward and shy. Plus, she dressed really weird sometimes, wearing superhero shirts and even a cape once. And, yeah, while I thought superheroes and comics were cool, I knew better than to advertise it to the entire middle school. Although, I did envy her ability to be who she was, unlike me.
“There’s no way in hell I’d ever kiss her.” Kyler shot her a horrified look at the table where Isa was sitting by herself, eating lunch, and reading a book. “That’d be worse than kissing my dog.”
“And you would know how?” I didn’t even mean to say it aloud. It just sort of slipped out.
Kyler gave me his stupid I’m-the-shit-and-you’re-not smirk. “You got a thing for weirdoes or something?”
“No.” It was one word, but it felt like such a betrayal. I didn’t defend her. I didn’t do anything at all except sit there and listen to them as they started making fun of her. I was too afraid that, if I spoke up, they’d make fun of me. It made me no better than them, maybe even worse.
The Year Falling in Love (Alternative Version) (Sunnyvale Alternative Series Book 2) Page 7