Rolling Dice [sample]

6: Rolling Dice

Of course.

Just my luck.

It’s Bryce.

“Yeah,” I say, because he’s waiting for a response. “What’s your point?”

I automatically wince inside at my sarcastic response. Why do I have to be so blunt? Why am I such a complete dork around people?

I wish I could just act cool for at least once in my life.

No second chance at a first impression, Madison. Too late now.

Bryce laughs, though, still leaning out of his window. I take a look at his car. It’s silver, and really shiny. So shiny, in fact, I can see myself in it. Literally. It’s a convertible Lexus, and it looks like it cost one heck of a lot of money.

“You’re here early,” he says eventually, after a long pause. I stand there kind of awkwardly, one hand holding my bag on my shoulder and the other holding my earphone. I stand like that, not moving, partly because I’m not sure whether to move or not, but partly because I’m sure he’s checking me out.

I can feel a blush start to rise, and I try to fight it back.

I don’t let it show that my heart hammers a little erratically at actually being checked out. Instead, I retort, “Guess so. Looks like I’m not the only one, though.”

Bryce twists in his car seat, looking behind him, and it hits me that maybe he’s not the sharpest tool in the box.

Or maybe he’s just trying to be funny.

Either way, I blurt, “I meant you, you know.”

“Yeah, I am a little early…” he laughs sheepishly, looking back to me. He looks kind of adorable with the sheepish smile on his face like that, I think distractedly. “But hey, at least I can show you round the school a little!”

“Uh…”

Come on, say yes! He’s interested! Guys like him don’t talk to girls like you unless they’re interested! Say yes! At least smile, for Pete’s sake!

I smile.

“Yeah, sure, that’d be great!” I say it so fast he looks confused for a moment, trying to decipher what I’ve said. I bite the insides of my cheeks in annoyance.

“Awesome. I’ll meet you by the steps at the front of the school, once I park up.”

“Okay.” I walk to the side of the road so he can drive past, and once he’s past me I carry on walking up to the school doors.

Midsommer High is one big, brick building. It looks kind of daunting, because it’s about four stories high and a pretty long building, too. I read on its website that it was built around the 1800s. Grey stone steps lead up to the school, and at the top there are huge wooden doors – oak, I think – with big ornate black iron handles on. The windows are all gleaming in the early morning sunlight. It’s a pretty impressive building – but totally intimidating.

Just what I need for my first day, huh?

I don’t walk very quickly, since I don’t feel very safe walking on the loose gravel in these shoes. I only make it to the bottom of the stone steps when Bryce is suddenly standing next to me.

“What’re you listening to?” he asks as we head up the steps. Before I can tell him a song, he’s grabbed hold of my spare earphone and is listening. I try to yank it back, but – I’m too late. He’s already recognized the song.

“Jessie J?”

“It was My Chemical Romance,” I mumble. Louder, I say, truthfully, “My sister bought the album and she –”