All I've Never Wanted(4)

In any other town, my family would’ve been considered well-off or even wealthy, but in Valesca, we were middle class at best. I don't really give a shit what other people think of me, but I hate it when my family gets looked down on just because we don't earn millions a year.

That's why I was more than a little befuddled when the girls took one look at me and scurried out the door, heads down. If they had tails, they'd be tucked between their legs right now.

It didn't take me long to realize why.

When I turned, I found myself face-to-face with Adriana Perry, who's even more flawless-looking up close, if you can believe it.

There was dead silence for a good ten seconds as we stared at each other. For the most part, her face was unreadable. I thought I detected a hint of amusement, but it was gone so fast I wasn't sure if I'd just imagined it.

"Hi," I said awkwardly, when I couldn't take the awkwardness anymore.

No answer.

I had just about figured she was ignoring me and was going to leave when she spoke up. "Hi," she answered in a soft, lilting voice. Though her eyes didn't stray from my face, I had the feeling she was examining me in the way only another girl can.

"Ok, well, it's nice to meet you—well, see you—but I'd actually better get going." I edged around her, painfully aware of the odd looks the bathroom attendant was sending our way.

"What's your name?"

I blinked. That, I didn't see coming. "Um, Maya."

Silence again.

"Maya Lindberg," I added.

Apparently, that was what she'd been waiting for, because she then held out her hand and said, "Adriana Perry."

I shook her hand hesitantly. "It's nice to meet you."

"Likewise." Giving me a brief smile, she proceeded to turn to the mirror and fix her already-perfect hair without saying another word.

Ooook.

Not wanting to stay in that bathroom a second longer, I made my way as quickly through the door as possible, without downright running.

The encounter hadn't been unpleasant, but it hadn't been, well, pleasant either. It had just been…weird.

What's even worse, I can't quite shake the feeling that that two-minute interaction had just cost me a year's worth of anonymity.
* * *

"So do you guys wanna go eat in the DC or eat out somewhere?" Zack asked, leaning back in his chair and lacing his fingers together behind his head.

"I vote for eating out. I've been craving Serrano's," Parker said, referencing Il Serrano, the chic Italian eatery that was practically a Valesca institution.

Zack smirked. "Yeah, and I bet that hot new waitress has nothing to do with your…craving."

Parker shrugged. "You know me."

"Yes, we do," Carlo said dryly. "Now, can we please decide where we're going to eat?"

"Let's go to Da Silvano instead," Zack suggested. "We've already been to Serrano's twice this past week."

"Da Silvano is in New York," Carlo pointed out.

"Yeah, but if we go right now and take one of the jets we'll probably end up missing only fourth period."

"Fine by me," Parker yawned. "What's the use of having a private teacher if he can't be flexible?"

"I'm sure he'll be glad he'll finally get a break from you troublemakers," a new, feminine voice said.

Parker sat up a bit straighter. "Hey, Adri."

"Hey." Adriana looked around the room. "Are you guys going to lunch anytime soon, or are you just going to stay in here all day?" she teased.

"We were thinking about going to Da Silvano or Serrano's," Parker said. "What do you think?"

"Oh, I think I'm just going to grab something in the DC," she replied airily. Half a day at Valesca and she'd already gotten the acronyms down pat.

Zack blinked. "Really?"

"Yeah, there's some interesting people here," Adriana said with an oddly secretive smile.

"Not in this school," Roman said, speaking up for the first time.

Adriana rolled her eyes. "You're too cynical, Rome," she chided. "That's no way to go through life."

"It's worked for me so far."

She shook her head. "All you need is a girlfriend," she decided. "A nice one. And then you won’t be so moody.”

"More like, and then pigs can fly," Carlo said loud enough for only Parker and Zack, whom he was sitting in between, to hear. They snickered.

Roman stared at her like she was crazy. "Does it look like I want a girlfriend?" he demanded.

Ignoring his tone, Adriana merely gave him a serene smile. "You will once you meet the right girl."

"I doubt it. The only thing girls care about is my money."

"There goes your cynicism again…"

Roman snorted. "Please. You're seriously telling me you can find a girl in this town who doesn't care I'm a Fiori?"

"Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying."

"I'd like to see you try."

"Oh, boy," Zack sighed.

Adriana raised her eyebrows. "That sounds like a challenge."

"That's because it is."