Little White Lies by Jessica Burkhart

Author:Jessica Burkhart
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Aladdin
Published: 2009-08-18T04:00:00+00:00

12

SPARKLE FREE

FORTY EXCRUCIATING MINUTES LATER, WE split the bill and left The Slice. We walked outside and stood in a ragged circle outside the restaurant. I was glad it was dark outside—it helped hide whatever lingering stress was showing on my face from dinner.

“So, Jacob and I are going to catch a movie,” Callie said. “Tonight was so much fun!” I knew my BFF well enough to realize when she was being fake-cheery.

“Yeah!” I chimed in. My own excitement was as real as hers. “So much fun.” I glanced at Paige and Ryan. “Eric, want to walk to the courtyard with me?”

“Sure,” Eric said, taking my hand. I waved at Callie as she as Jacob walked off toward the media center.

Ryan turned immediately to Paige. “Can I walk you back to your dorm?”

Paige’s wide eyes darted to me. I nodded slightly and raised my eyebrows.

“Sure,” Paige said. “That would be great.”

Ryan and Paige started down the sidewalk and Paige looked back over her shoulder at me. I smiled and waved her on.

Seeing Paige so happy made the entire uncomfortable evening worth it.

“Paige is hilarious,” Eric said. “She’s a TV star and a great girl who has always given you good advice, but she couldn’t be more freaked out about being around a guy.”

“I know. But she’ll relax once she gets to know Ryan. She does give great advice, but it’s different when it’s you.”

Still holding hands, Eric and I walked down the streetlight-lit sidewalk. The campus was quiet tonight; only a few students were walking around.

“I’m glad we have time to go out just by ourselves,” I said. “I missed you this week.”

“Me too,” Eric said. “Things will settle down, though. And hey, sorry about the weirdness over the lunch thing. I wasn’t trying to make a big deal out of it, but I know it came out that way.”

I hated that he was the one apologizing right now. I should have been the one telling him the truth. “It’s cool,” I said. “Forget about it.”

As we walked together, I loved how good it felt to be with him. Maybe I had been confused for a minute or two—thinking I might still have feelings for Jacob. But it had only been because Jacob had been the first guy I’d ever liked. There was history between us and now the only thing I felt for Jacob was friendship.

“How are you feeling now about the YENT?” Eric asked. “I could tell you were tense this week.”

I slowed a little. “I’m feeling better. At first, I couldn’t stop being intimidated by Heather and Jas. It messed up Charm and we fell apart.”

“But you know you’ve got nothing to worry about. You were chosen for the YENT, Sash. Mr. Conner and Mr. Nicholson both know how good you are.”

We stopped by a bench and sat down. I snuggled against Eric’s shoulder—he rubbed my upper arm.

“How are your classes?” I asked Eric.

“They’re all pretty good so far,” he said. “I like science a lot. Callie and I sit next to each other and text whenever the teacher does something dumb.

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