n

l demanded, his face inches from Je

uggled to get the words out. "I

ng his grip on Jesse. She stood there wide-

odded.

shade of deep crimson. He pushed him one more time against

king manners,

her way. She still held her hand to her chest, and her eyes remained on Jesse who, now on his feet, continued to coug

he urge to pull a strand of hair away from h

. He was just being a little pushy. I could've handled i

've. I just don't have

not enough to call the attention of any teachers.Again, she turned to w

said annoyed that sh

ands touched for just a second. He refocused on his reaction to seeing Jesse push himself on her. It was typical of him to wa

eyes narrowing. "Is

urned away quickly. "That's

traight ahead for a second then turn

w staring at them, especially Dana. Angel ig

k at him. "We hung out

? "You d

exa

was getting heavier. Jesse was one of the biggest assholes he

d at him. She put her hand on his arm and every hair on his bod

. "I'll see you around." She took her h

fast. He grabbed her hand as she turned from him. It wa

ed focusing on something other th

ng to the ga

t and then cleared her thro

She tugged her hand, but he held it tight. He glanced a

r parents get home."She tugged her hand again, this time just h

party after. Maybe you can go

she turned back to face him. "Maybe." S

ctually asked a girl out. The irony made him chuckle. He'd always just hook up with someone at a party or dance and then ended up parking with her some

*

a

y. She'd already left two messages for him, and he still hadn't called her back. Sarah glanced at the clock. She hoped he called before seven. That's when

alled her by her middle name-said

, it'

different

iddy. "Listen, I've been dying to talk to you.

he sounded just as excited as she felt.

er I told you

an, the

ut her afternoon. When she mentioned t

n't. I'm

is your chance to have some fun

e Salcidos pay really well. Besides, I woul

went with her, everything would be so perfect. "You don't understand. I've seen th

lashes like the girls she'd seen around Angel, and immediately felt stupid. Her breasts had filled in somewhat, making her feel a little sexier, but sh

e of yourself. I can guarantee you this guy would die for a chance with you. So, he's Mr

uld be here to see the kind of girls he normall

and plopped back down on her bed. "What does it matter

could hear the annoyance in

, but her mother refused. She insisted Sarah be with family. Sarah had argued Sydney's family was more like family to her than Aunt Norma. They only visited Aunt Norma o

o school. So the first few weeks in California, before school started, she just sat around feeling sorry for herself. S

all you talked about when you got back from your visits

e the best of it. So she had. She started running every day at school, instead of coming straight home. She promised to

going to be there." She stood up and looked at herself in th

sk you out, you'll say yes. Hell, if

ely get a sentence out. I've made such a stupid couple o

ve to try to be likable-I know!" He paused. "Tell him a joke." She heard him laugh, and sh

g and threw herself o

be yourself, Lynni, no more, no l

ometimes she thought she did it too much. Lately, the only one t

I will." She wasn't too worried

eah, of

for a walk on the beach with Jesse that night, away from the crowd, and they sat down to talk. She had never kissed a boy back then, so when he asked if he could kiss her, she let him. Before

nce. Now that she was going to school here, he'd been a constant pest: asking her out, cornering her

. She couldn't tell who it was by the caller ID, but she was getting ready to wrap i

el

going to have to work late Friday night, so our plans are shot

exactly what he'd say. She lay back on her pillow. What's the big deal? It was just a party; she'd been to plenty. Sh