From Nerd to Hottie

Stacie's 'plan' wasn't exactly working. It's been two weeks and nothing's happened. Nolen always wants to eat lunch with us and hang out with us so we can never 'observe' him.

"You know, Stacie, I'm starting to feel like a stalker." I said as Stacie and I followed Nolen down the hall but tried to make it look like he didn't see us.

"Shhh!" Stacie gave me an angry look. "He might hear us." She whispered. "Quiet!"

I giggled. "Do we really have to do this?"

"Yes!" Stacie whispered. "You want to know who he likes, right?"

"I really don't care anymore." I shrugged.

Stacie stoped walking. "Well, I want to know, so your going to help me, got it?"

I swallowed. "Sure."

The two of us continued walking.

"Wait!" I grabbed her shoulder and we stopped again.

"What is it?" Stacie asked, annoyed.

"Why do you want to know so bad?" I asked, nervously.

Stacie got quiet. "No reason. I'm just curious."

I wouldn't let Stacie go. "Do you like Nolen too?"

"No." She lied and I could tell.

"Stacie!" I exclaimed and gave her a look.

"Fine, yes. Maybe I do. Just a little, though." She admitted.

I sighed. "Whatever. I'm fine with that. Neither of us have a chance with him anyway. He's been getting pretty close to Brea Simms ever since he moved up to AP English and switched to Photography from Art."

Stacie and I leaned up against the wall. "Your right." She said. "Maybe we should just give up."

"I will if you will." I agreed.

Stacie smiled and hugged me. "Our next mission: find a new boy to crush on!"

"No, no, no. I'm done with these 'missions' of yours." I laughed.

Stacie laughed. "But-"

"Hey, ladies." Nolen walked up to us.

"How did you-" I started. "But you were-" I stuttered. "Never mind."

"What's up?" He asked.

Stacie smiled at me. "I have to go... Bye!"

I gasped. "Stacie! But... No..." I turned to Nolen. "Hey."

"Is everything alright? Are you mad at me or something?" Nolen asked.

"No, no. Everything's great! I haven't seen you in a while! What's up with you?" I replied.

Nolen put his arm around my shoulder. "Well, I've been thinking and I kind of want to ask this one girl out but so far we've only hung out as friends."

At first I thought he was talking about me but then I realized he was probably talking about Brea. "Ask her!" I encouraged. After all, he is my best friend and I do want him to be happy.

"I'm really nervous." Nolen sighed.

"Where is she?" I asked.

Nolen pointed to a group of about five girls. I noticed Stacie was over there too and I had a great plan.

"OK, both me and you will walk over there and start casually talking to them. Then, once the time is right, you pull the girl aside and ask her out." I suggested.

Nolen nodded. "OK, yeah. That sounds good."

Nolen and I walked over to the group and started talking. After a few moments, I heard Nolen say, "Oh, hey, can I talk to you alone for a second?"

I turned around to where his voice was coming from and saw that he wasn't talking to Brea. He was talking to Stacie.

My heart sank.

He likes her?

I watched Nolen and Stacie flirt and smile at each other and then Stacie shook her head and said yes. The two walked back over, holding hands.

Nolen glanced at me. "Thanks." He mouthed.

I nodded and tried smiling even though I just wanted to run away and cry.