I know that. But its no big deal.
Are you kidding? Becky was as serious as she was naive. She was so amazed that Matt liked her, she couldnt fathom that another guy might possibly feel the same. Texting another guy? In some countries you could be jailed.
Raven, I think youre totally overreacting.
Me? Overreact? Promise me you wont text him anymore.
He was just being nice.
Hes not being nice. Hes dangerous, I blurted out.
Hes a criminal? Becky squealed.
Of course not, I said, and sighed.
Becky was being unusually stubborn. I knew it was because she simply didnt think I wasnt going to leave her in the dark anymore. I had to use all my ammunition.
Hes dangerous for different reasons than you think. Hes in love with you!
Becky almost slammed on the brakes. Youre joking.
Noits true.
No ones ever been in love with me. Not even Matt.
What? Of course Matt loves you.
Well, hes never said it.
I was surprised. I figured Matt told her all the time, as Alexander told me.
Are you sure?
Yes, Im sure. I would have told you the minute he told me.
I just assumed he already had. But clearly, he doesnt need to. Its written all over his face.
You think so? she asked with doughy eyes. You know how I feel about him.
Of course he loves you. Thats why you have to stay away from Sebastian. So you dont spoil your relationship with Matt.
Id never let that happen. But I dont believe you about Sebastian. Truly, he was being totally innocent.
Guys dont want to be just friends. Havent you seen When Harry Met Sally?
No.
Well, perhaps its time you watched it.
Ill rent it tonight.
Perfect. Then were done with the subject, I ordered. Hes supposed to be leaving soon anyway, so theres no need to mention his name.
Mention whose name? she asked with a cute grin.
Becky parked the truck in the student parking lot. We dashed up the front stairs through the bustling hallways and hurried to our lockers. She opened hers to find a glass vase tied with a white ribbon and filled with tiny pink roses.
WowMatt never gave me roses before, she exclaimed. Didnt I tell you I had the best boyfriend ever?
My stomach tied itself in a bigger knot than was on her bow.
My guess is they arent from him, I mumbled.
What?
Uhnothing. Is there a card?
Oh She picked through the flowers. Here it is. Until we meet againSebastian, she read aloud. Sebastian? My best friend was as shocked as she was flattered. She stuck the card back in the vase.
Suddenly Matt appeared behind us. Becky gasped and turned corpse white.
Did you miss me last night? he asked with a churlish wink.
I did, I said truthfully.
Thanks, Raven.
Becky tried to envelop the flowers in her unbuttoned paisley cardigan, but her sweater was too small and a few buds peeked out from her neckline.
Where did you get those? Matt asked. You dont have a secret admirer, do you?
Becky froze. She never lied to Mattor anyone, for that matter.
They are mine actually, I fibbed for her. She was holding them while I shut my locker. I held out my hand.
Becky opened her sweater and I took the vase.
The bell rang and Mrs. Hathaway, our history teacher, opened the door for class.
I didnt think pink was your color, Matt said, bewildered.
UhIts not. Im regifting.
I cant believe youd give away flowers from Alexander, he charged.
They arent from him I said, trying to defend my actions. Then I realized what Id said.
Matt spotted the card poking out of the vase. He snatched it before I could stop him.
Sebastian? he read. Alexanders friend? Why is he giving you flowers?
My horror story was spinning out of control. I wasnt even sure what I was saying anymore.
Uhwere going to be late for class, I said.
Yes, Becky agreed. She took Matts hand and led him into class before our story got any more fictional.
I handed Mrs. Hathaway the bouquet. She was quite surprised and a little skeptical of my gift but happily placed the vase on her desk.
Becky and I glared at the bouquet. Even under normal circumstances I couldnt focus too long on history. Now, with Sebastians roses prominently displayed in class, both Becky and I were distracted. For once, neither of us learned a thing.
The sky over Dullsville was picture perfectbeautifully blue and dotted with bright, puffy clouds. It didnt match the storm I felt brewing inside me during lunch as Matt questioned Becky and me about Sebastian on the bleachers.
I have to meet this dude, Matt said, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. Hes either a real gentleman or a real snake.
Giving flowers to another guys girl? If he did that to my girlfriend, Id have to take him out.
Matt had grown up as Trevors shadow. Now that hed broken away from Trevors clutches and started dating Becky, he showed a confidence I didnt know existed. That said, he still was far from the type of guy to throw the first punchor the last, for that matter.
Why dont we talk about something else? I suggested. I was trying to eat organic peanut butter and jelly on a million-grain roll my mother had bought at some overpriced health food store. Becky fingered her gluten- and flour-friendly roast beef sandwich. She noticed my distaste and happily traded lunches with me.
Does Alexander know Sebastian gave you flowers? Matt asked skeptically.
No, he doesnt, I said.
Are you going to tell him?
UhI guess.
I think its important to be honest in a relationship, Matt said. Becky and I always tell each other everything. No secrets.
Becky hid her face in her hands. Matt, theres something you should know
Did I tell you Sebastian wont be in town much longer? I suddenly asked. Hes just passing through. So surely we can talk about something else.
Becky paused. Yes, she agreed. Lets talk about
Thats a shame, Matt said. I would like to meet Alexanders best friend. I imagine hes pretty cool. Whats he into?
Hes into Becky, I wanted to say.
Gaming, Becky said. He looks like a modern-day pirate, she said, half dreaming. All he is missing is an eye patch and a pegleg.
Maybe I should be the one worried about him honing in on my girlfriend.
Matt gave her a bear hug as she blushed.
How about the five of us hang out tomorrow? he continued. The team is going to Hooligans and you guys can come, too.
Hooligans was a grown-up version of Chuck E. Cheesewithout the oversized rat. Id gone there on a few occasions when Billy was still being called Nerd Boy. My little brother loved the video games and I loved a night out.
I wasnt sure if Hooligans was going to be Alexander and Sebastians idea of fun, but I was more concerned with Becky being in the magnetic vampires presence again.
Id rather spend time with just us, Becky said. I havent seen you