Kissing the Shy Guy - Stephanie Street Page 0,4

into a pair of sneakers. “Like you care. When was the last time we did something together that wasn’t practicing for some performance? You know I can’t even remember our last date?”

“What are you talking about? We watched movies at my house last weekend.”

Josh rolled his eyes toward the ceiling and held them there. He blew out a slow sigh before looking at me again. “Yeah, and you fell asleep in five minutes. I left after listening to you snore for half an hour, and you didn’t even notice. We haven’t even kissed for weeks.”

Was that true? I thought back and realized it might be. Other than a quick peck on the lips here and there, he was right. I couldn’t remember the last time we’d made out.

“Okay, you’re right. I’m sorry. I’ve been so focused. We can do better. Let’s plan a date. We won’t talk about the scholarship or drama. Just you and me.” I put my hand on his arm. From all of our years working together in plays and the months we’d been dating, I was familiar with Josh’s body, his moods. Everything about his body language shouted red alert.

He jerked his arm out of my hand. “You aren’t listening, as usual. I’m seeing someone else. I’m sorry for not telling you.” He glanced at the ground, at least possessing the grace to appear sincerely apologetic. “But I won’t change my mind.”

I couldn’t believe this was happening. “Fine. Break up with me. But you can’t abandon me for the scholarship competition. It’s too late to come up with something else.”

Josh’s lips twisted in a rueful smile. “There she is. I never doubted you, darling. They don’t call you the ice queen for nothing, Jen.” And then I saw it, the hint of hurt and sorrow in his eyes. I didn’t want to see it. He was the one leaving me. He was the one who’d cheated on me. And what had I done? Wanted to win? Worked hard? What was wrong with that? Nothing.

“You know I hate that.” Goosebumps erupted over my skin. I rubbed my arms.

Lifting his hand, Josh brushed the backs of his fingers against my cheek. “If you showed half the passion for me you do for performing; I could never walk out that door. I admire you, Jenna. It just isn’t enough anymore. I’m happy with my decision.” He turned to leave, but I couldn’t let him go until he told me who. Maybe it was a matter of pride, or perhaps I just wanted to rip all of her hair from her head, I wasn’t sure. But I had to know.

“Who?”

Josh paused and looked back at me over his shoulder. “The fact you don’t know says more than anything about how far things have fallen between us. You’ll figure it out. You’ll be paying attention now.”

I stood without moving until I no longer heard his footsteps echoing in the hall. When I was sure I was alone, and no one would hear, I opened my mouth and screamed.

2

Adam

“You’re getting a ride with who?” I said into my phone as I walked into the school from the parking lot. I would have waited outside, but I’d forgotten my guitar inside and didn’t want to leave it overnight.

“Somebody. What’s it to you?” My sister, Laura. She was almost two years younger than me, but only one year behind me in school because of when our birthdays fell. Her birthday was in the summer while mine was in October, meaning she’d started school right after turning five while I’d had to wait until I was almost six.

“What’s it to me? You’re my sister. And if you’re getting a ride with some jerk-off, I want to know about it. And why are you just telling me now? I’ve been waiting around for you for over an hour.”

I should have ridden my motorcycle to school, but I’d had my guitar, and it wasn’t always convenient to strap it to my bike. Instead, I’d driven the beater car my parents kept running for the teenage kids to drive. As the oldest of those kids still living at home, I got first dibs on driving. The only drawback? I had to wait around for any of the others who needed a ride. Laura had to stay after to take some makeup test. I’d headed over to my favorite music store to pick up some guitar strings while waiting for her to finish. But when I arrived back at