Competing With the Star (Star #2) (7 page)

Chapter Nine

The next day, I was heading to school when I saw Nick walking into the building with Connor and Simone. The three of them were laughing and Simone punched him in the arm—like you would an older brother. My shoulders relaxed. She wasn’t into him, she still liked Connor. After all, she was all about the guys who made your heart beat and butterflies invade your stomach, so she’d never be into the nice guy type like Nick.

“Hey, what’s up?” Pilar asked, coming up beside me.

“Oh, hey. Not much.”

“So I didn’t mean to dump all that stuff on you the other day. I don’t know what that was about, but can we keep it just between us?”

I nodded. “Of course.”

She stared at me like she wasn’t sure whether or not to believe me. “’Kay. Cool.”

“Are you going to that thing on Friday?” I asked.

“You mean the fair that Lucas asked me to go to months ago and then bailed on me for that slut, Reagan? That event?”

I stared at her in shock.

“Sorry. If you could keep all that to yourself, that’d be cool. I just…I dunno. Never mind,” she said, shaking her head. Her straight black ponytail swayed.

“I didn’t know that happened, but you have a right to be upset.”

“But I can’t be upset with Reagan. Not the way Morgan kisses her butt. Anyway, never mind. I gotta get to class. See ya,” she said.

At lunch, I asked Charlotte how long Pilar and Morgan had been friends.

“Since fourth grade. Why?” she asked.

“Just wondering.”

“I saw Pilar talking to you this morning,” Charlotte said. “I didn’t know you guys were even friends. I mean, you hang with her group, but honestly, I can’t recall you two ever talking that much before.”

Um, try not talking ever. I didn’t want to betray Pilar’s confidence, so I shrugged and said we had talked a bit. It was true after all.

***

On Friday, everyone was talking about the fair and who was going with who. Since Lucas, Connor, and Nick all drove, they were going to be our rides. Unfortunately, that meant Nick and I weren’t going alone. I had asked Charlotte to come, but she felt weird about being a third wheel, so she said she’d go with her friend Deidre and meet us there. Instead, Morgan and Pilar were coming with us. I wanted to ask why they didn’t go with one of the other groups, but didn’t want to explain why.

When Nick picked me up, Pilar was in the front seat and Morgan in the back. I walked up to the car and Pilar got out and went into the back.

“Why’d you move, loser?” Morgan asked. I froze, thinking she was talking to me.

“I’m not going to sit next to her boyfriend while she sits in the back,” Pilar said.

“Whatever,” Morgan said.

Nick parked over by the beach and Simone, Asia, and Connor were waiting for us by the ticket booth for the fair.

“We’re going to do the Ferris wheel,” Simone said. “I hate heights, but Connor promised to protect me.”

She looked up at him with her round blue eyes. It struck me as strange that she would gush about him protecting her when she told me she thought it was kind of lame I liked feeling safe around Nick. Was that was her way of flirting? Seemed odd she had done a one eighty on the safety issue.

“Connor, what about me?” Morgan said, pouting. “You promised me we’d do the Ferris wheel.”

Simone’s smile stayed on her face, but her eyes changed. She looked like someone had knocked her down.

“There’s enough of me to go around,” Connor said, laughing and putting his arm around both of the girls.

I saw Pilar and Asia roll their eyes at each other.

Just then I saw Charlotte wave me over. She had a bunch of tickets in her hands from playing games.

“Hey, we’re trying to save up to win a stuffed animal,” she said.

“I have my eye on a baby seal,” Deidre said.

“And I want a white tiger,” Char said, pointing to the booth behind her.

It was a basketball game. I was as unathletic as can be, but I did have excellent aim. My dad always said it was from all the basketball I watched. I wasn’t coordinated enough to play very well, but I could hit a free throw any day of the week.

“This looks like my kind of game,” Nick said. “Want to play?”

“Boring,” Morgan said. “We’re gonna go do rides. Enjoy the kiddie games.”

Simone giggled. “There’s a little fishing pole game in a baby pool too, if you get bored.”

“Haha, have fun,” Nick said.

I went first, but it took me a while to get warmed up. I was nervous shooting in front of Nick and I missed my first two attempts. I got the next two balls through the hoop and got four tickets.

“Okay, my turn,” he said. He made all four baskets and the guy working the booth said he could have a unicorn, a bear, or try to make four more baskets for a better prize.

“Anything you want?” Nick asked me, nodding at the shelf with the bigger stuffed animals.

“Is that a red panda?” I asked. The worker held him up for me to see.

“Oh, look at that little face,” I said. “He’s so sweet and cute.”

“Really? The red panda over the white tiger?” Simone said, coming up behind me.

“Yeah, I love him. He’s my spirit animal.”

“Okay, one red panda coming up,” Nick said.

He made all four baskets and the guy handed him the stuffed animal.

“I believe this is your spirit animal,” Nick said, smiling at me.

I hugged the toy. “Cutest thing ever.”

“It bodes well for me that you didn’t want the tiger. That was another four baskets,” he said, laughing.

Simone asked Connor if he wanted to play, but he said games were lame and went to get cotton candy for the girls, who were now all crowded around us.

“Char, do you want me to get you some more tickets toward your tiger?” Nick asked.

“Nah, I want to win it myself. Thanks though.”

“Are there any rides you like?” Nick asked me.

“I’m kind of a scaredy-cat about anything with heights and speed,” I said.

“I’m into speed, but not anything that spins too much.”

“I can do spin-y, it’s the rest I don’t care for,” I said.

Reagan smirked. “I guess you guys aren’t ride compatible, huh? One likes fast, one likes slow.”

Nick turned to me. “How about the merry-go-round? Everyone likes that, right?”

I agreed and we all headed over. We were about to go through the gate when Morgan handed her purse off to Pilar.

“Will you hold my bag while I ride?” she asked her.

Reagan passed off her purse as well and soon the rest of the group was through the gate while Pilar stood there like a coat rack. She snapped her gum and looked annoyed, but then I saw Lucas wink at her. She just stared back at him.

I got on a horse that was between Asia and Nick. He looked over and smiled at me. It felt like the perfect moment until Simone turned around on her horse and said, “Hey, Hadley, look into the future,” and nodded at an old couple sitting on one of the merry-go-round benches.

Nick glanced at me, confused. “What is she talking about?”

“Nothing. We were just talking about older married people one day. That’s all.”

“Oh. Well, they look like they’re having fun,” he said.

Simone shot me a knowing look and turned back around.

“What’s with her?” Nick asked, leaning over to me.

I shrugged.

“Are you having fun? You got kind of quiet all of a sudden. Everything okay?” He reached out and touched my hand.

The music started and we started to move.

“Yeah, I’m having a good time.”

“You sure?” he asked.

I was with the perfect guy—someone sweet and thoughtful who cared if I was having fun. How could I not have a good time? But I just kept wondering if Simone was right and I was just his safe option until he got bored with me and wanted one of those girls who made your heart pound just by walking by.

“Yeah, and I love the red panda. It’s the cutest thing ever,” I said.

“Nah, not as cute as you,” he said, winking.

My face got warm. How could Simone not see how amazing our relationship was? He was perfect. But I guess I might be bored too if I was used to Hollywood parties and celebrity guys. That’s probably all that was—she was putting herself in my shoes and thinking how boring we were as a couple compared to what she was used to.

Chapter Ten

The merry-go-round ride ended and Charlotte told Nick she needed him to help her win her stuffed animal.

“I hate to ask for help, but I have to be realistic,” she said. “It’s never gonna happen if I don’t call in a ringer.”

He laughed. “Do you mind if I go help her?” he asked me.

“Have fun,” I said.

The rest of the group had gone over to a fun house. Asia asked me to join them, but I figured I was way too claustrophobic for something like that. Pilar said she wasn’t into it either so we sat on a bench and waited.

“I am so over Lucas’ crap,” she said, fixing her dark hair.

Lucas? What about Morgan using her as a hat rack? “Oh?”

“He’s flirting with me whenever Reagan is out of sight. So lame. Does he think he’s so hot that I won’t care he’s got a girlfriend?”

“Does she know he does that?” I asked.

Her dark eyes widened. “You’re not going to say anything, are you?”

“No, of course not.”

“Do you swear?” Her brown eyes narrowed at me. “Promise?”

“I promise. Plus, it’s kind of in my favor if Reagan and Lucas stay together. I mean, otherwise she’s sniffing around my boyfriend like a dog at a hydrant.” I realized how that came out and slapped my hand over my mouth.

Pilar burst out laughing. “That. Was. Awesome. And yeah, I couldn’t believe how she was talking in front of you at the pizza place. That was so messed up.”

“I don’t want to talk behind her back—I hate how Morgan does that—but it hurt my feelings that Reagan did that in front of me,” I said. I wondered if Pilar would see me as weak now for admitting that and not just bad mouthing Reagan.

“I felt bad for you and it was obvious you were upset. It didn’t help your man poured a truckload of soda on you after he got so flustered over it.”

I nodded. What I really wanted to talk to her about was Simone, but she was friends with her, and Pilar was used to the backstabbing stuff. Why would she be loyal to me and keep my feelings to herself when all her friends talked behind each other’s backs.

“I don’t trust Reagan at all,” she said. “She knew I was into Lucas and then said, ‘Oh, but you’re cool with it, right?’ Like, what am I going to say? ‘No, die, you stupid jerk’? So I went along with it. Like I always do.”

“I saw Lucas winking at you before he got on the carousel.”

She stared at me, surprised. “Did you tell anyone?”

“No. I felt bad they made you hold all the bags though.”

“That sucked. I still like him though. I can’t help it, but thanks for not saying anything. They’d blame me for encouraging him even though I didn’t do anything,” she said.

“I know you didn’t. I saw you look away.”

All of a sudden I heard someone yelling and people rushing over.

“It’s okay, she’s just having a panic attack,” Asia said. “She’s going to be fine.”

Pilar and I exchanged a nervous look and went over to where we saw Simone sitting on a milk crate all sweaty and gasping.

“You’re going to be okay,” Asia said, rubbing her back. “You got out just fine and you’re safe.”

Simone looked up at me with her face glowing from sweat. One of the workers handed her a bottle of water.

“Is everything okay?” Nick asked, running over. “Simone, are you all right?”

She nodded. “I felt so trapped in there. I thought I knew where I was going and all of a sudden there was this wall and what I thought was the way out wasn’t and I-I totally freaked out. Sorry everybody.”

Nick knelt down next to her. “You’re safe now. No worries.”

She stared at him with her round blue eyes and nodded. “Yeah, safe.”

“Do you want me to take you home?” he asked.

“No, I don’t want to ruin everyone’s night. And I want to stay for the fireworks,” she said. “I’ve always loved fireworks.”

She got up and went with Morgan to the bathroom.

“I hope she’s okay,” Nick said, coming over to me.

“I’m sure she’ll be fine.” I felt a little weird about his hero to the rescue routine, but I guess he was only looking out for his friend. Still, I couldn’t pretend I wasn’t feeling insecure about the fact that friend happened to be the girl who made me feel insecure on even my best day.

“We’re supposed to meet my mom over by the stands before the fireworks begin. Is that cool?” he asked.

“Yeah, my mom and Mrs. Hendrickson are meeting us there as well. They rode over together.”

“Is your grandmother coming with them?” he asked. “I need to know if I’m going to be interrogated.”

I laughed. “No, they went to South Haven for an art show tonight.”

We walked toward the stands and I was a little nervous about our mothers meeting for the first time. I had met his mom a few times and he knew my family, but what if our mothers didn’t like each other?

“Hadley! Over here,” my mom said, waving us over. “I just met Mrs. Jenkins. Turns out we met at that painting night I went to last month.”

“Yes, your mom painted the best starry night in our class.” Nick’s mom laughed. “I brought some snacks. Have you kids eaten?”

We sat on the picnic blankets they had set out and I sent a text to Charlotte about where we were.

Charlotte:
Deidre feels pukey after all the cotton candy she ate, so we’re going to head home. Call you tomorrow.

Then I got a text from Asia asking where we were sitting. I texted her the directions to our blanket and pretty soon the rest of the group was there. Part of me had been hoping for some time alone with Nick, but I guess that wasn’t realistic seeing as how both our moms were there. Reagan walked over and I saw Mrs. Jenkins’ lips press together in a grimace.

“Hi, Mrs. Jenkins,” Reagan said.

“Mmhm,” Mrs. Jenkins said, nodding.

I glanced over at Nick, who was watching Morgan hanging on Connor’s arm. Simone didn’t look too happy about that and she sat next to Asia and me on the blanket.

“You feeling better, Simone?” Nick asked.

“Uh-huh,” she said, and I saw her smile as Connor pulled away from Morgan.

Nick moved his arm so it was resting right behind me. It wasn’t technically around me like a romantic gesture, but his arm was touching me and showing we were together, yet my mom couldn’t stroke out over his arm’s careful placement.

“I have to go to the bathroom,” Simone said, getting up. “I’m not using the porta ones. Where are the closest restrooms?”

“They’re over by the main stage,” my mom said.

“You’re not going by yourself in this crowd,” Simone’s mom said. “I’ll go with you.”

Simone made a face.

“We’ll go with you,” Nick said, and she shot him a smile.

“He’s so thoughtful,” Mrs. Hendrickson said. “Why can’t you find somebody like that, Simone?”

“Yeah, I’m so sweet. Why can’t you find somebody like me?” he asked, smirking.

Simone rolled her eyes and I knew they were just friends, but sometimes it made me feel weird to see what an easy back-and-forth they had. Sure, they had known each other for a long time, but Nick used to spend all his free time with her since he was good friends with Pilar’s brother, Kevin. I mean, she told me he was always talking about me to her.

Nick reached over and held my hand as soon as we were away from our parents. I started to relax a little. Of course they were joke-y around each other. They were practically like brother and sister. No big deal. And he wouldn’t be holding my hand in front of her if he was interested in her anyway.

“You got quiet,” Nick said, smiling at me. “What’s up?”

“Nothing,” I said.

We walked up to the restrooms and I started to follow Simone in when Nick tugged my arm.

“Wait a sec,” he said. “You know, this is the first time we haven’t had people watching our every move.”

Then he wrapped his arms around my waist and smiled at me. I felt like I was melting and my cheeks flushed.

“You know what would be nice?” he asked. “A date where we’re alone. Don’t get me wrong, group dates are fun, but maybe we could do something with just the two of us soon.”

I nodded. “Char’s coming over tomorrow, but do you want to watch the football game Sunday at my house?”

“Sounds perfect,” he said, and then leaned over and kissed me.

It was the first time we had a long kiss and it was exactly like all my YA novels described the perfect kiss—like the rest of the world had drifted away and there was just the two of us and we were so, so happy.

Then he kissed my forehead and just held me for a minute and I never wanted to go back to where our parents were sitting. I just wanted to stay like this forever—in a place where everything was perfect and we were happy.

“Okay, one more kiss and I’ll let you go to the bathroom,” he said, leaning over.

Simone came out of the restroom as I walked in. I went inside and went in the first stall.

“How awkward is it that Simone Hendrickson is with Nick Jenkins and some other chick?” said a voice a stall or two over.

“Oh, I know! I wonder if that’s to make her jealous or what? You can tell he still likes Simone so much.”

“It’s so obvious he never got over his crush on her,” the first girl said. “And they’re together all the time.”

“Yeah, I think before she saw him as a brother, but now it’s clear there’s something there.”

“Well, he looks older since last summer. It’s like he matured super fast.”

“He got hot. He was cute before, but now he’s hot.”

“The way he ran to her side when she was freaking out over the fun house—oh my gosh, so sweet.”

“They’re adorable together, don’t you think?”

“Yeah, but I feel bad for the chick he’s with. She’s seems clueless about what’s going on right in front of her face.”

“Mmhmm, but she looks young and dumb, so she’s probably just happy to be with him and not expecting it to last.”

I stood there feeling all the blood drain away from my face. I wanted to scream and cry, but all I could do was feel my stomach twist up. I prayed I wouldn’t throw up. Simone and Nick? No, this couldn’t be happening. She was supposed to be my friend—my guide to get me through high school. I trusted her and counted on her to be there for me. And Nick wasn’t just my boyfriend—he was my best guy friend. And even though I hadn’t gotten the courage to say it to him, I was in love with him. He was the last thing I thought about before I went to sleep, and just knowing he was out there and on my side, supporting me in everything I did, made life seem a little easier. I thought it was us against the world, and now, according to these girls in the bathroom, the “us” I believed in might not even be real.

I blinked back tears and tried to convince myself they didn’t know what they were talking about, but they seemed so sure of themselves. The worst part was they hadn’t seen me walk in, so they had no clue I was standing there listening to all of this. This wasn’t some set up to make me feel insecure or stupid—it was just some random thing where I overheard the worst thing I could possibly hear.

I waited for the girls to wash their hands and leave before I left the stall. Going into the bathroom I had been the happiest girl in the world, and now I looked at myself and I saw what they did—a clueless idiot who thought she had a dream, but in reality she was just something to pass the time until her boyfriend could be with the one he truly liked.

Simone came into the bathroom then.

“Hey, you okay?” she asked. “You’ve been in here for a while. Are you feeling all right?”

She seemed concerned, but was it real?

Nodding, I focused on washing and drying my hands. I followed her out of the bathroom and saw Nick standing with his arms folded, talking to some people. He glanced over and smiled at me—or was it at Simone?

I walked over to him, but she went to talk to some older guy. Nick frowned.

“Why is she talking to him?” he asked.

“Who? Why do you care?”

He kept his eyes on them. “Because Chase is her jerk of an ex. He never treated her well and she’s gotta be stupid to give him the time of day. I’ve always hated that guy.”

I shrugged. “That’s her problem, isn’t it? Not yours.”

He looked down at me. “Yeah, but she’s my friend and I don’t want her to get hurt again. You should have seen how upset she was the last time he dumped her. She cried for hours.”

“Well, she’s obviously not over him and who can blame her? He’s…” I tried to think of what to say, but words were failing me, so I went with the first thing that popped into my mind, “…super hot.”

Nick frowned at me. “You think he’s hot?”

“Yeah, he’s, like, the cutest guy here.”

“Gee, thanks,” he said, turning away. “C’mon, let’s get her and go on back.”