So Many Boys (The Naughty List #2)(32)

My heart leapt. “Good gravy, K.” I sighed, reaching out to hug her. “You must have read my mind. I could use some positive perk right about now.”

“Perfect! So you’ll come to the movies with us tomorrow?”

I straightened up. “Movies?” I looked at Izzie and Leona, and they both glanced away like they knew this was coming. “How will that get me back on the squad?”

Kira pressed her lips together. I felt small. Kira had never made me feel so insignificant before. “I know you’re ready to get to business—cheering, spying—all that,” she said. “But first, we need to work on your image. Mary addressed the squad about it tonight. And to combat what she said, we need to show that you’re up to snuff, Tess. You need to pull yourself together.”

“My image?” I looked down at my uniform. Sure, it was a little tight, but hardly unbecoming.

“Not physically,” Kira pointed out.

“Maybe a little,” Leona muttered. I narrowed my eyes at her.

“What I mean to say is…” Kira was fumbling with her words. I knew from experience that usually meant she was trying to be nice. “Your reputation has taken a bit of a stomping since last year. I think before you campaign for the vote, you should have a…coming-out party.”

“Oh my word!” Izzie gasped, turning to me. “You’re g*y? I thought this was because the guys at school are calling you slutty.”

Slutty? I wasn’t used to a word like that being associated with me. “I’m straight,” I said to Izzie. “And I’m certainly not…that other word.” I turned to Kira. “Is that really what they’re saying, K?” After years of being a great example, I was getting treated terribly. It wasn’t fair!

Kira gnawed on her lip, unable to meet my eyes. Then she nodded.

Well, she might as well have slapped my face because I felt sacked. How quickly a school can turn against you! Even your own squad. “So…are you telling me that I need to fix my reputation before you’ll let me cheer?”

Leona reached out and patted my hand. “I think under the current circumstances, we need to resurrect our image. And it’s going to start with you.”

I sniffled, feeling my nose beginning to run. “I’m an embarrassment.”

“Don’t think of it that way,” Leona said, leaning over to wrap one arm over my shoulders. “We love you, Tess. You’re our true captain.” Kira shifted next to me. “We just feel like some damage control might be in order.”

I was flabbergasted. Totally deflated. I could have told them that Principal Pelli had practically given me the squad earlier, but what would that solve? Obviously the Smitten Kittens had their doubts about me now. I half wondered if they thought I was the copy-Kitten. I sighed, feeling nauseous and not at all perky. “What did you have in mind?” I asked.

“A movie,” Kira said, sounding happy that I’d asked. Leona straightened up and took out a pocket mirror before retouching her lipstick.

“And how will that help?” My face was hot with humiliation. I was at their mercy now. I felt like I’d fallen from atop the human pyramid.

Kira took me by the droopy shoulders and turned me to face her. “Being single,” she began, “is not working for you. At all.”

Ouch! That was a low blow.

“And I know you still love Aiden,” she added quickly, reading my expression. “But that car has sailed. He—”

“It’s ship.”

“Right. Well, either way, he’s in college, and you guys aren’t really dating anymore. Not officially. And although I know that’s completely tragic, it’s time for you move on. But”—she held up a finger in warning—“you need to move on with the right type of guy.”

“Type?” I’d never dated anyone other than Aiden. Did I have a type?

“Now, tomorrow night Joel and I are going to a movie, and I decided that you should come with.”

She was making less sense by the moment. “I still don’t see how that’s going to help.”

“Double date!” she squealed like it was the best idea she’d ever heard. “We’ve decided—Chris Townsend is perfect for you. He’s totally sweet and he has a great rep.”

“He is nice,” Izzie agreed. “And I might bring Sam. So it’ll be a triple date.”

“It’s called a trilogy.” Kira shook her head. “Leona? Did you want to tag along? I’m sure Joel can find a friend for you.”

“Ew,” Leona snapped, taking off her glasses to glare at Kira. “I don’t need you to set me up. I’m not desperate.”

“Hello,” I said, raising my hand. “Neither am I.”

The table got quiet. I looked around at all the girls, wondering if they did think I was desperate. Sure, maybe I was hooking up with Aiden while we weren’t technically together, but who wouldn’t? He was adorable.

I looked between them, feeling my lips pull into a pout. For the first time, being in the skirt wasn’t making me feel better. It was making me feel bad about myself.

Then I remembered that even Aiden suggested that I date other people. Golly, I must look really pathetic—to everyone. I lowered my head. Maybe Aiden was right. Then again, maybe if I did this double date thing and got back on the squad, I’d be perk-perfect again. Then Aiden would see that I didn’t need anyone else. He’d want me back. Officially.