Bitten (Once Bitten, Twice Shy #1)(14)

“The truth is I’m in a bit of a bind and need a favor,” she confessed. “Some idiot thought it’d be a good idea to write me this prank note and my parents found it and for some crazy reason are convinced that it was some sort of love letter. They’re insisting I bring whoever wrote it to supper tonight.”

Katherine did her best to ignore the strange guilty feeling that swelled within her as Brad’s expression dimmed at her explanation. “You want me to pretend to be this person?” he questioned, having worked out her intentions.

“Yes,” she confirmed, despite the guilt that continued to gnaw at her. “You’re the only one I feel comfortable asking,” she added, though she wasn’t sure why because it wasn’t exactly true.

She didn’t feel comfortable asking anyone.

Brad just happened to be the most convenient. She was almost positive he’d agree, if only to rile up his ex-girlfriend. It was the reason he’d ask her to sit with him at lunch last week after all.

“Okay, I’ll do it.”

Immediately relieved by his positive response, the inexplicable guilt Katherine had been feeling all but dissipated. “Thanks, Brad,” she replied, truly grateful. “You’re really helping me out. Supper’s at seven. Does that work for you?”

Brad’s face brightened a little at her obviously heartfelt gratitude, the smile he was sporting looking a bit more genuine. “I’ll be there,” he quickly assured her.

Katherine offered him a few more words of thanks before turning and walking away, feeling mostly satisfied with how her conversation had gone with Middletown’s most popular jock. Though, to be honest, she was dreading the unavoidable confrontation with Mallory that she knew was coming later.

She had almost reached her locker to unload her history book when Brad called out to her. “Hey Katherine!”

The small brunette stopped and turned, hoping the boy hadn’t changed his mind already.

“Just so you know,” he half-shouted across the busy hallway, “whoever wrote that note probably wasn’t joking or playing a prank like you think. A lot of people like you Katherine – they can tell there’s something about you. Something special.”

Katherine could feel her whole face heat up at the comment and knew that she was probably as red as a tomato. She had no idea how she was supposed to respond to something like that. Luckily, Brad didn’t wait around for a response, opting instead to offer her one last smile before turning away.

Special?

Katherine snorted in disbelief.

Unless he was talking about that kind of special, she couldn’t help but think that he was wrong.

She didn’t give much more thought to Brad and their upcoming “date” until noon when Abby bombarded her at lunch. The blond boy must have told his friends about their plans because there was no other way the redhead could have found out.

“Is there something you need to tell me?” her friend demanded as soon as they had found a somewhat private spot to sit. Despite her harsh tone, the girl looked positively giddy.

Weighing her options carefully, Katherine decided that denial was her best bet. “No.”

Abby blinked, looking rather dumbfounded at the unexpected response. “No?”

“No,” Katherine repeated, fighting off the smile she could feel trying to emerge, as she took in her friend’s flummoxed expression.

Abby caught on rather quickly, however, and smacked Katherine playfully on the arm. “Don’t you lie to me, Katherine Mayes! Why didn’t you tell me you liked Brad?”

Katherine paused, wondering how she was going to explain this. “I don’t, but-”

“And here I thought you were the only girl in the whole school who didn’t like him,” Abby continued, ignoring the brunette completely. “Why, all this time you’ve just been hiding your true feelings!”

“But I don’t-”

“I knew there was a reason you’ve been dressing differently at school,” she went on, talking more to herself than anything at this point. “Showing off your legs and all that.”

“What?! I haven’t-”

“Na-ah-ah,” Abby interrupted, finally acknowledging her friend’s protests. “You don’t have to explain anything to me, Katherine.” Her eyes glazed over a bit. “I can’t believe it. My best friend. Going out with Brad Thompson.”

“Look, I don’t like Brad that way,” Katherine tried again, attempting to get through to the redhead. But it was to no avail. It was like she didn’t even hear her.

“I’m so jealous.” Abby sent her disgruntled friend a mock glare. “I wish I could get Brad to notice me.”

Just then, loud yelling from across the cafeteria caught both the girls’ attention. Turning to the sudden noise, Katherine winced at what she saw.

She immediately spotted Mallory, who was jabbing an angry finger into Brad’s face. Brad wasn’t reacting – just sitting there and looking unsure as to what he should do. The blonde girl caught Katherine staring and glared wrathfully in her direction. If eyes could kill, Katherine would already be six feet under. She quickly looked away.

Abby, who suddenly appeared rather pale, the freckles splattered across her nose more prominent than ever, caught her eye from across the table. “Perhaps I don’t envy you as much as I thought,” she joked weakly, sneaking another glance at the quarreling blondes across the cafeteria. “Come to think of it, I’m glad Brad doesn’t notice me.”