The Perfect Son by Freida McFadden(6)

I throw my car back into drive and make my way to Charlie’s.





Chapter 6


Olivia

Thanks to Liam Cass, I’m failing math class.

No, I probably won’t fail, but things aren’t looking good for me. I’m good at math—I’ve always gotten A’s, if not an A+. But this semester, I’ll be lucky to swing a C. And it’s all because of Liam. It’s because from the moment I step into the classroom at ten-thirty to when the bell rings forty minutes later, all I can focus on is the boy sitting in front of me.

I’ve never been boy crazy. I can’t say the same for my best friend Madison, who thinks about boys nonstop. Madison has definitely failed classes before because of a cute guy sitting in front of her. She has blown off studying for tests to hang out with the boys she liked. It’s sort of her thing. And I always made fun of her. Like, how could you prioritize a boy over your education? I mean, boys my age are all pretty idiotic and not even that attractive—they mostly have greasy faces and scraggly little beards.

I want to get into a good college—that’s my priority. How could you jeopardize your entire future for a cute guy? That’s so lame.

Then on the first day of school this year, Liam sat down in front of me in math class, turned his head to flash me a smile, and I was gone. He didn’t have a greasy face or patchy facial hair—he was gorgeous. I hate myself for it, but I can’t help ogling him. Every time he smiles at me, my heart speeds up. He has a great smile. And really beautiful brown eyes. His eyes are like creamy, endless pools of milk chocolate. I could write bad poetry about this guy. In another month, I’ll be etching our initials in a heart scratched into the wood of my desk—that’s how bad it is.

We had a test a few days ago, and it was a bona fide disaster. I can’t focus when I’m studying, because the second I crack open the textbook and see sines and cosines, my mind goes to Liam. And of course, I couldn’t focus when I was actually taking the test—not with him sitting right in front of me. I passed by the skin of my teeth—a seventy-two. Liam, who obviously isn’t having any problem at all focusing with little old me behind him, got a ninety-eight.

I’ve got to stop thinking about this boy. He’s just a boy. My education is much more important. I’ve got to focus.

Focus, Olivia.

Except when Liam comes into the classroom today, he’s not wearing his usual jeans and a T-shirt. He’s dressed in nice khaki slacks and a dress shirt. And a tie. Oh my God, he’s wearing a tie. Usually, he’s cute, but in dress clothes, he’s upped his game. It’s like a sneak peek into how handsome he’ll look when he’s an adult. Against my will, my stomach starts doing cartwheels.

Focus, Olivia!

As Liam slides into his seat in front of me, he flashes me that grin that makes my legs weak. “Hey,” he says.

“Hey,” I say back. I search my brain, trying to think of something clever or funny to say. I spend most of math class trying to do that. “You’re all dressed up.”

Good one, Olivia.

“We have a debate today,” he explains. “It’s sort of a big deal. We’re competing against another school.”

“Wow. Are you nervous?”

“A little.” He laughs, although there’s a bit of a tremor in his voice that makes me think he’s more nervous than he lets on. “If we win, we get to go to the state competition up in Albany. That’s pretty cool.”

“What do you do during a debate anyway?”

He scratches at his dark brown hair. “Argue, mostly. It’s sort of fun.” He raises his eyebrows at me. “Do you, um… do you want to come watch?”

“Me?” I say in an embarrassingly squeaky voice.

Oh my God, that was such a stupid thing to say. Obviously he’s inviting me. Who else would he be inviting?

And what does this mean?

“Uh…” His smile slips slightly. “I mean, if you want. It’d probably be pretty boring for you. You probably don’t want to go.”

Oh no, he’s taking it back. “No, it sounds like it could be fun. I don’t have anything else I’m doing.”

That’s an outright lie. I’m supposed to be at chorus practice after school today. But the truth is, I’ve soured on chorus since I didn’t get the last two solos I tried out for. And even if I had, I can’t say no to Liam. This is the first time he’s ever invited me somewhere.

His eyes light up. “That would be great. I mean, if you can come. But if something else comes up, that’s cool too. No big deal.”

I can’t believe it. He actually seems really happy that I’m coming. Oh God, there’s no way I’m going to be able to focus in class now. I’m going to get a terrible grade in math this semester. And the scariest part is, at this moment, I couldn’t care less.





Chapter 7


Erika



As soon as I walk into Charlie’s, I blink my eyes to adjust to the neon lights overhead. Those lights have been flickering for as long as I can remember, but it’s part of the diner’s charm. Just like the plastic tables and ripped bench covers. Charlie’s been around forever and makes no effort to hide that fact.

Jessica has already got a table and is sipping on a cup of coffee. I watch her for a moment before approaching the table. I know she’s my age, but she looks fantastic. She’s got the same laugh lines that I do on her face, but somehow she makes them look sexy. She has mastered the casual stay at home mom look, with her T-shirt that boosts the high school football team and the fitted yoga pants, paired with ballet flats. I threw on the first thing my fingers touched when I got into the bedroom to hurriedly get dressed so Hannah and Liam would get to school on time. Mom jeans and a sweater, as it turns out. What can I say—mom jeans are comfortable.