Fallen Crest Alternative Version (Fallen Crest High #2.1)(56)
“Are you Mason Kade?” The other guy interjected. He seemed enraptured by him. I saw a flicker of admiration.
“Yeah.”
The clipboard went down right away. Both of them nodded. “Go ahead.”
I couldn’t make a snide comment. I already knew he was a celebrity within the town. He was more since the YouTube clip.
When we stepped into the main room, it was full of clinking glasses, raised conversations, and children that dashed around the tables and between the adult’s legs. I skimmed the room for Becky, but she saw me first. I heard my name from across the room and saw her in a back corner. Her eyes were wide and she stood on her tiptoe. Her hand waved back and forth and her chest was puffed out.
I signaled her with a small wave, but she never stopped. Her hand moved faster back and forth.
When we got closer, I saw she stood with her family. Her mother was in a conversation with Malinda Decraw, who had a hand on her elbow. A large smile was on both of their faces and then they erupted in giggles.
One of Becky’s brothers ran past us, but Becky grabbed him and captured him. “Hey, squirt.” He ripped himself free, snarled at her, and disappeared around a group of strangers.
She sounded out an audible sigh. Her hands found her hips. “Such a brat.” Then her smile switched and blinded me. “Hi! I didn’t know you were coming tonight. This is awesome. Hi, Mason.”
He glanced at her but shifted so he stood behind me. His hand rested in the small of my back. I knew he had checked out of our conversation.
“Hi.” I looked around. “So what brother won an award?”
“Oh, stupid Jake.” She gave a dismissal wave. “He’s such a brat too, but some science magazine thinks he’s a genius. I don’t know. Good for him, I guess. Not that he’ll go into science when he’s older. He wants to be like Adam. He’s already told me.” Her irritation was evident. “He wants to be the quarterback and nail hot girls. Those were his words. Hey, guess what?!”
I blinked from the sudden switch. “What?”
Her hand grasped onto my arm. “I met a boy last night! Can you believe it? I can’t. I had to keep looking at my phone all day to see if it was really true or I just had a great drunk dream. But it’s real. I’m in shock. We’re going out after this.”
“You are?” And then I took in her outfit.
The cheerleader uniform was gone. Thank goodness. I had assumed she wore a simple lacy red dress for the event, but maybe not. “Where are you going?” Her hair looked frizzy. I bit my lip as I knew she’d need to fix that.
“I don’t know.” Her hand curved into my skin and she started to bounce up and down. Her br**sts did as well and I clamped a hand on her shoulder to stop her. I shook my head. Then she rushed out, “I have a date, Sam! A real live date. I can’t believe it. I’m so over Adam. I think Rex wants to go to a party. I’m supposed to call him after this is done. He’s going to pick me up here.”
“Rex?”
Her head bounced up and down instead. “Rex Thursto.”
“Rex Thursto?”
“Uh huh. He’s really cute and skinny. I think he’s a pothead, but I don’t care. He liked how hyper I was. He said I was easy on the eyes, but then again they seemed glazed over. Oh well. I can’t contain my excitement. I’m so happy you’re here and I got to tell you. I wanted to text you all day, but then I didn’t. Adam said I shouldn’t—”
“Adam said you shouldn’t?”
She went still, caught in my crossfire. Her eyes twitched back and forth. The rest of her face was frozen. “Yeah. He did.”
“When?”
“Today.” Her voice had grown quiet. “Are you upset?”
“No.” I threw my arms wide. “Why would I be upset? You have a date and you were told by the guy who constantly jerks you around not to tell your friend? Becky, you’re smarter than that.”
Her cheeks turned red and she ducked her head. “I know. I know, but I mean—” She peeked underneath her eyelids at Mason and looked back down right away. “He said you were with him all day. I mean, why would you be interested in my life? You’ve got him…” She lifted a hand towards him, but it thumped back down against her leg.
“Becky.”
“I’m sorry. I just feel stupid. Why are you still friends with me? I even tried out for the cheerleading squad so I wouldn’t be a nerd.”
“You don’t want to be a cheerleader?”
“I do, but they’re so mean. I did it so that you wouldn’t leave me behind.”
I gaped at her. “Are you nuts? What friends do I have?”
She looked over my shoulder but flushed again and looked away.
“I have Mason and Logan. You.”
Her eyes were brimming with tears as she looked up again. “Really?” Her bottom lip trembled.
“Yes.” Then I sighed. “Now tell me about this Rex guy.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
Since Becky seemed happy at my attendance, we didn’t stay for the entire event. We stayed long enough to hear that Rex was skinny. He had shiny blue eyes and his hair was sandy brown. It was messy the previous night, but Becky preferred it that way. He looked adorable when he smiled.