Rumor Has It (Rumor Has It #1)(17)



“Yeah, I know it’s weird,” I reply. “But, I’m telling you, it’s … weird, but in a good way.”

“Weird in a good way?” He raises an eyebrow.

"Okay, just think about this for a second, Matt." I try to keep my voice down, so people passing by won't hear. "Remember last year, when you went out with Pauline for a couple of weeks."

“Yeah.”

“Okay, so remember in the beginning you were all crazy about her. You thought she was awesome.”

“Totally.” He scoffs. “Then she turned out to be a psycho, stalked my Instagram page and blew up my DMs.”

“Exactly. Now, just think if you had gotten to know what she was really like before you made out with her at Jeremy’s that night. If you’d learned that stuff first, then you wouldn’t have ended up with a psycho chick stalking you for weeks.”

“Yeah, I guess. But, dude, she was insanely hot.”

“Yeah, and?”

“And you have no idea what this girl looks like. What she sounds like. Carter, you don’t even know her name.”

I let out an exasperated grunt, shaking my head. “I know, man. It’s just … it’s different. I can feel it. She’s unique.”

“I guess,” he mumbles. “Hey, what’s the handle you went with?”

I chuckle. “Big Baller 27.”

“Okay.” He laughs. “That’s not bad. But still, bro. This is so weird.”

“I know, I know.”

Right before we get to our classroom door, my phone chirps. I let out a nervous laugh, from both the anticipation of the text message and now Matt knowing what’s going on.

Emerald22: Sounds like fun. Hope you have a good time. Send me a selfie :)





I can’t help the grin that hit my lips. Looking at my phone, I can feel Matt’s eyes on me, as he mutters, “Oh, God.”

BigBaller27: Not until I get a selfie of u ;D





Switching my phone to silent, I walk into the class and find my desk in front of Matt's, just as the bell rings. Mrs. Yanick walks over to shut the door when Emma whisks into the room, squeezing by her.

“Ms. Sanchez, you know when the tardy bell rings.”

“Yes, ma’am. Sorry. I got sidetracked for a moment.”

“Very well. Take your seat,” she says as Emma goes to her seat on the other side of the room.

I haven't spoken to her since she bumped into me, but we don't really talk as it is. She's an artsy girl, and Lucas has a major crush on her best friend, or at least it seems like that. One thing I do always notice about her is her clothes. Not only because what she wears shows off her curves, but it's always different. Like when she bumped into me. She was wearing all this dark stuff, but today is entirely the opposite. Her hair is pulled back, she has some nice capri pants on that hug her ass, and a shirt that shows just enough of her waist that makes you want to see more. She would fit in nicely with Sarah and the other cheerleaders, the way she's dressed today. Though, I'd guess she'd rather gouge out her eyeballs than hang out with the cheerleader girls.

She turns around to take her seat, and her eyes met mine. Suddenly I realize I'm staring at her chest and turn away quickly. Shit.

Through my peripheral, I can see she takes her seat, so I dare another glance, just to see if she's still looking my way. She is, and her eyes beam hatred at me. Matt must catch the eye line encounter happen because he nudges my shoulder, and I hear a chuckle out of him.

My mind starts to roam about my girl, wondering what she looks like. Damn, I’m thinking of her as my girl. She probably isn't going to be at the beach, but what would she look like out there? Would she be in a one-piece or a two-piece bikini? I wonder if she has short or long hair. I try to shake free from the thoughts, but they keep popping up for the rest of the day.





Chapter 12





Emma





I'd be lying if I said I'm not disappointed for most of the weekend. It's been a week of texting back and forth but on Saturday, my friend … texting friend … boyfriend … Oh God, I don’t even know what to call him, told me he was going out of town for most of the weekend and wouldn't be back until Sunday evening when he was going to the beach party. Even though I replied with something casual, the question crossed my mind; should we finally meet?

I end up going to the mall with Jen, and we hit up the art supply store since I need some new paints and brushes. Lana decides to meet us at the mall, and of course, the topic comes back to Big Baller.

“Okay,” she says as we walked into H&M. “I’ve been dying to know. Just how well do you know this guy? You clammed up pretty tight during lunch.”

“Yeah, what was that about?” Jen asks, browsing through a clothing rack.

“He mentioned something about a beach party this weekend,” I say, feeling more comfortable talking about it. “He said if he knew me, he’d invite me.”

"Emma!" Jen shouts, making a couple of ladies across the store turn and stare at us. "He brought it up again. You need to figure this out quickly."

I roll my eyes at her, as Lana asks what she means.

“He already asked her out once. Like, not so much point blank, but he definitely put it on the table. And then Emma freaked out.”

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