So Many Boys (The Naughty List #2)(8)

“Glad you’re here, Tess. We really need you to step up,” Leona said, looking relieved.

“Of course.” I put my hands at my hips. “Now, what’s going on with you? Let’s talk.” It was going to be a challenge to give advice out of uniform. I almost felt like an imposter. Also, I was so overwhelmed by my own problems that I wasn’t sure I could solve Leona’s too. And by the poorly combined eyeliner-and-shadow combo, it was obvious she had one.

Leona stopped chewing her gum and measured me with her dark eyes. “Talk about what?”

“What’s up with this body-shop nonsense? I don’t know, Leona. I think it’s sweet that you’re cultivating your knowledge about engines and oil changes, but getting dirty? It doesn’t make sense.”

Leona sighed and twirled the ends of her dark hair in one hand. “It’s not about the cars,” she said quietly, looking up once to make sure no one was listening. “There’s…a guy.”

I gasped. In as long as I’d known her, Leona had shown little interest in the opposite sex, other than busting them as they got their grooves on with people other than their girlfriends.

“Who?” I asked, now completely fascinated.

She exhaled, her breath smelling like the watermelon Jolly Rancher she was always sucking on. “His name is Marco Sandoval. He’s a junior.”

I tried to remember if we’d ever been called on assignment over Marco. Nothing came to mind. At least there was that. So few innocents were left! “Is he nice?”

“Yeah,” Leona mumbled. “Really nice. And he’s smart. Maybe even smarter than I am.”

I smiled. That was highly improbable. “So what does that have to do with you taking body shop?”

“Because that’s where he always is. His dad runs Sandoval’s Repair, and Marco is planning on taking over the business after graduation, so he has a fast track in auto-body shop.”

I tilted my head, still not understanding why Leona had to go to this much trouble over a guy. She was pretty, smart, and wellaccessorized (normally). “Why don’t you just ask him out—or better yet, tell him to ask you out?” I was a modern Kitten. No need to wait on a boy these days. Well, except for Aiden. But that was different. We had history.

Suddenly Leona’s normally level stare faltered. “Because I don’t think he likes me.”

“What? Why in the world wouldn’t he?” I was genuinely surprised.

Leona looked at the wood floor and kicked at it with her sneaker. “Remember that time I got into an argument at the pool with Lucy McGill?”

“When you called her fat?” I cringed as I spoke. I hated to think that Leona could be so harsh, even if Lucy did accidentally-on-purpose dump her root beer float in Leona’s lap just because she didn’t like cheerleaders. Another classic case of cheerleader envy. It was an epidemic, really.

Leona looked embarrassed. “Yeah, that time. Anyway, she’s Marco’s cousin, and he heard about it. He thinks I was totally unprovoked. He told me that he couldn’t hang out with someone who’s shallow.” A tear started to run down her cheek, but she rubbed it away. “And I’m not shallow,” she whispered harshly.

I chewed on the corner of my bottom lip. “So you joined body shop and started getting dirty,” I said for her.

“I wanted to prove that I wasn’t as one-dimensional as he thought. And Tessa, I think it’s working. But…”

She paused, and I was afraid she was going to break into total hysterics. I reached over to pat her shoulder supportively. I should have known about this sooner.

Leona sniffled and straightened her posture. “It’s awful,” she whispered. “I haven’t worn a headband or earrings in three weeks. Three. Weeks.”

“No!” That was awful. Even though my own love life was completely convoluted, I couldn’t stand the thought of Leona changing herself to get someone to like her. I mean, had Marco seen her accessories collection? It was fabulous.

Just then, the gymnasium door popped open and Kira flittered in, her blonde curls framing her face as she flashed a brave smile, trying to look captain-like. “Sorry I’m late,” she called to the squad. “But I have news.”

Leona made a barfing sound, and when I glared at her, she rolled her eyes. “I hate when she does the power-trip thing,” Leona leaned over to whisper. “Hey, don’t say anything about Marco, okay, Tess? I don’t want it getting back to him.”

I nodded, but I had a small pang in my chest. I needed to help her. Once I sorted out this copy-Kitten mess, Leona was top priority. Well, that and working off the extra five pounds I’d put on since I’d stopped cheering. My skinny jeans were seriously starting to cut off the circulation to my ankles.

“Oh, good!” Kira said, noticing me in center court. “You’re here already.” She jogged over, sneakers squeaking, and hugged me. “Oh, thank God, Tessa,” she murmured in my ear as we embraced. “I’ve got nothing, and they’re turning on me. I’m so royally nailed without you.”

“I think it’s screwed,” I said as I pulled back to look at her.

“That too.” Kira forced a smile and then spun back to the squad. “I just checked my e-mail, and it seems another report has gone out. The fake SOS is not only charging money for their services; they’re taking the organization public.”