None Other Than You Read online

  "You're my good luck charm, Ace. I made every shot I threw when I looked at you."

  I laughed lightly saying, "Believe what you want, Teigan, you just know how to shoot a ball through a hoop." He smirked again and stared into my eyes. Getting uncomfortable under his gaze I squirmed in his arms that still held me in the air against him. "You can… you can put me down now." I said, looking to the side.

  He smiled again and set me down slowly still close enough to feel the heat radiating from his body. "Ace—"

  "Don't go getting all cute on me." I gave him a pointed glance. "I've got to find Ryan." I squirmed in his arms that still held me against him.

  "Ryan's celebrating with Emma right now."

  "I have to find Jake."

  "Jake is quite content in showing off some more of his moves at the other basket." Teigan says, smiling. "Stop trying to find excuses to get away from me, Ace. We just won state! At least let me enjoy it with someone I like--"

  "Don't."

  "Don't what?"

  I glare at him. "Don't say things you don't mean."

  "Who says I don't mean what I'm saying?" His blue eyes glisten, threatening me to counterattack, but I can't. I don't know if what he's saying is true.

  And that scares me more than it should.

  "I've really got to go now." I say, finally breaking free of his hold.

  "Ace, you've got to accept it sometime." He calls after me.

  After that, I simply walked out of the gym past all the excitement and joy of our basketball team winning state for the first time in ten years. I didn't care that much, the game is exciting yes, but I had to admit to myself; I enjoyed watching Teigan play, my heart sped up around him, and he made me laugh like no one else could ever do. Did that mean that I liked him? I shook my head. No way. I cannot like Darren Teigan. He's just trying to rile me up and get a rise out of me. He likes seeing my reaction to the things he does.

  That's it, I tell myself. He's just looking to see my reaction to what he does.

  Nothing more.

  * * *

  I'd pushed him away. That's what I wanted right?

  "Teigan, party of fifteen!" The hostess shouts from the front. Of course it would be under his name. Emma gives me an encouraging look as we get up and follow the girl to our table. There are three tables put together with menus and silverware already laid out for us.

  The bad part about being the only one in a group without a date is that you don't have a set person you know you're going to sit by. So, as everyone sits down, I'm the last one standing. Unluckily, the only spot left is smack dab between Allison and Teigan.

  This night is turning out to be so much fun!

  Please note the sarcasm and get me the hell out of here.

  Teigan takes out Lily's chair for her and takes off her jacket. Patrick does the same for Allison while I simply settle into my chair, jacket still clutched around me. I'm not entirely ready to take it off yet anyway.

  "Do you want me to take your jacket for you?" I look up to see Teigan asking me the question. I simply shake my head and ignore him, but the buzz and talk of the table doesn't allow me to wallow in self pity.

  After a few moments the waiter comes up to our table and takes our drink orders and says he'll be right back with them and to take our order.

  "I can't believe that game last night!" Jake's date says after the waiter leaves.

  Rolling his eyes, Jake picks up his knife and starts fiddling with it. "Carrie," he whines, "you've said this about twelve times now! We all know we're amazing. You girls will have to leave this table if our egos inflate any further."

  This earns a giggle from the girl, Carrie who says, "Well Teigan's ego is big enough to fill this whole restaurant." That earns a laugh from the whole table. She turns her attention to Allison. "Of course I was watching you guys cheer too. You've got some awesome routines." Carrie says, still smiling. I don't think the smile ever leaves her face. Her short brown hair is styled into curls that compliment her bouncy attitude. Her dress is an adorable flirty black number that ties in a halter style at the back of her neck.

  Allison glows from the compliment and straightens her back. Her dress shimmers in the light, it's light pink material, probably some kind of silk, is smooth and taught against her body and the diamonds near the top seem to catch every beam and reflect into my eyes. "Thank you." She beams, "I'm glad to say that most of my squad enjoys me routines as well."

  Nice subtle jab at me, Allison.

  "Oh, I'd say they all know them! You, Duke, and Emma were the best out there though." Carrie gushes enthusiastically. "No offense Lily."

  Lily, startled out of her trance of staring at Teigan's bicep looks up at Carrie and says intelligently. "Huh?"

  "Never mind, Lily." I mutter. "Continue."

  Allison picks up before Carrie. "You're just saying that cause we're the ones here that you want to suck up to right? I mean you're new to the school right? You came in when Teigan did."

  Carrie's smile turns down a notch, but doesn't leave her face completely. "Yeah, I did. I grew up with Teigan. That's kinda how I got into this group."

  "I thought you came because I asked you?" Jake says, snaking an arm around her shoulder. She blushes and smiles at him.

  "That too."

  "Aw. How cute!" Lily squeals. I don't think she's even picked up her menu. She's probably too worried about getting food on her awful, bright, lime green, satin dress that I'm sure has some designer's name on the tag and cost over two hundred dollars. Maybe three. That's usually Lily's running price for clothes. I however, have been looking at the menu and following the conversation (completely against my will. Stupid ears) and have already picked what I want to eat.

  Carrie continues after a moment. "But you three really were amazing. I can tell you probably work the hardest." This earns a snicker from my mouth, a glare from Allison's eyes, and a puzzled look on Carrie's face.

  The waiter returns to our table just then, drops off our drinks and takes our orders for the food, stopping conversation for a bit. Hooray for silence! He sorts out who has which bill (because we're all paying for our dates or, in my case, myself) and then leaves to put in our order.

  I revel in the silence while it lasts.

  "So how's your mom and her new boyfriend?" Tyler asks Ryan.

  Ryan shrugs. "I haven't really paid attention to the 'em that much. Duke?" He redirects the question to me.

  I shrug as well and play with my straw. "Seems to me like they're dating pretty steady. Tonight they're both home watching movies. They told us we needed to be home in between one and five in the morning so they've obviously got something planned. Probably along the lines of--"

  "Well none of you want to hear about my mother's sex life." Ryan says, blushing a bit. How cute. Emma catches my eye and winks to give me a bit of encouragement. I smile lightly back. "Though the guy did tell me he knew Principle Nolan in High School and College."

  "No way." Teigan's voice says from my side. I turn to look at him and see his eyes sparkle with delight. "Give us the dirt, Knight."

  "What exactly do you have planned for our dear Principle?" I ask before I can stop myself. His eyes simply continue to twinkle with mischief as Ryan, the faithful friend he is, tells the entire table of Mario Nolan's younger days of drinking, girls, and parties. Not to mention the barely passing GPA, no extracurricular activities, and a full head of hair (the real shocker). The table of gossipers certainly gets a lot of information on Nolan they didn't have before.

  "At least he's fair in the way he orders us around. He stays within the rules and all. That awful math teacher, Paxton isn't it? He's a horror!" Tyler's date announces to the table while flinging her hands up for effect.

  I shudder and mumble, "Don't we all know that."

  "He practically failed his entire calculus class last year because they had to miss one day for a field trip another class had planned and he wouldn't let them make up the work." Jake says.

  Carrie
's jaw drops. "That's awful!"

  "That's Paxton." Emma says. I haven't heard her speak until now. "I'm lucky I've got connections with the office and could switch around my schedule. If I hadn't I'd have been in his class all four years."

  I smirk at her across the table. "You so wouldn't have your four-point-oh if you had had him in any year, Em."

  "You can't blame your awful grades on Paxton alone, Duke."

  "I've got Senioritis, so sue me." I stick my tongue out at her.

  Allison puffs up next to me. "I've got a perfect 4.0. It's hard to keep up with, being the Cheer Captain and all, plus my student government position and a job. It's hard to stay on top of everything." She turns and looks pointedly at me. "I'm sure you have plenty of time to do your work when you're sitting at home doing nothing." I shake my head indignantly. Allison Hawley does not do more than I do in terms of job, extracurricular activities, homework, and family. She's an only child for God's sake and I've got five siblings!

  Jake takes a stand for me before I can say a word, which is probably for the best because a smackdown would ensue, right here, right now if Allison were to delve into my personal life. Though why it's Jake I'm not sure. "Duke does plenty outside of school, Allison, and it would probably be best for you to not attack her in front of her brother and her best friend." He gives her a look that clearly says back off and for a moment the table is completely silent.

  Talk resumes as the waiter comes out with our plates of steaming hot food and we delve into our dishes. Jake, Tyler, Ryan, and Teigan swap stories about basketball practice that make the table laugh and soon the food is gone and it's almost time to head to the dance.

  Three more hours and I can flee. There is a reason as to why Ryan and I brought separate cars.

  The waiter brings out our checks and there is a bustle of girls (Carrie, Emma, and

  Tyler's date, the quiet but beautiful, Avery) trying to insist on splitting the bill (and failing). Allison takes the advantage of the noisy distraction, leans towards me and whispers, "Can't stand up for your own battles, Knight?"

  Just as quietly and calmly I reply, "Be glad I didn't or your nose might be broken and blood would be staining your beautiful dress as we speak."

  I stand up from the table, intending to go to the bathroom as Allison raises her voice and says, "You should be careful when you open your mouth, Knight, something you say might come back to bite you in the ass someday."

  "Are we giving each other friendly advice now, Allison? Then how about this: I advise you to keep your legs shut so you don't end up a mother before you graduate from High School."

  I walk briskly down the hall to the bathroom, knowing the entire table is in silent shock behind me. Me, Delaney Rose Knight, just told the most loved and adored girl in our school outright that she is a whore. I really hope that comment isn't one of the very ones that are going to come back and bite me in the ass.

  In the bathroom, I pray that Allison won't come in after me. I'd be cornered right now, not to mention half naked and on the toilet. With a creak, the door opens and I resist the temptation to pull my feet up to my chest and hide in the stall until they leave.

  "Duke?" A voice calls. It isn't Allison's harsh and angry tone, but Carrie's honey-coated and soothing one.

  "Duke please come out and talk to us." Another voice pleads. That would be Emma.

  I sigh and finish in the stall. I walk to the sink and the two girls study my face. "That felt good didn't it?" Emma asks.

  A smirk rises on my face. "Yeah. Yeah it kinda did."

  Carrie smirks and goes to lean against the wall, then reconsiders and stands on her own. "I take it you two have a kind of hate-you-until-the-world-ends attitude towards each other, yeah?"

  Emma and I reply in tandem. "Yeah."

  "I've hated her since the first day of High School when she walked in and announced herself to be 'Miss Allison Hawely, who will have the pleasure of attending this school.'" I say in mock Allison tone.

  Carrie and Emma giggle and Emma pats my shoulder. "Come on. Come back out and just, try to avoid looking at Allison or Patrick."

  I stifle a groan as I wash my hands. "I didn't want to do anything to offend Patrick."

  "You of all people should know that if when you insult Allison, you insult Patrick by default." Emma states.

  Carrie grins. "Patrick will probably forgive you in private but let Allison think he's hating you."

  I nod in agreement. "Probably." We three girls smile and walk out of the bathroom.

  I feel that this weekend has brought me two closer friends that I never expected to have. Jake and Carrie have sided with me against Allison I know. I'm thankful for any kind of help standing up against her.

  Walking back to the table I see everyone getting up. I raise an eyebrow in question but Emma asks it for me. "Have you already paid?"

  She directs the question to Ryan, but Teigan looks at her after a millisecond's glance at me and nods, "Yup" He says. "Everybody's check has been paid." He gives me a small wink and with that, turns around to help Lily put her coat on.

  I look at the table and, sure enough, my check has been paid tip and all. Walking up to Lily and Teigan, I grab Teigan's arm, a little more roughly than necessary and ask her, "Can I borrow him for a moment?" She shrugs, nods, and puts her coat on the rest of the way by herself as I drag the brute outside.

  "Why did you pay for me?" I demand.

  A little startled, he takes a moment to answer. Collecting himself, he says, "I told you yesterday. Or at least I tried. It's because I like—"

  "Ah! Stop with the 'like' already!" I sigh and sit down on a nearby bench. "If you… 'like' me," it takes a moment to get the word out of my mouth, "then why did you ask Lily to the dance?"

  "Because you would've said no to me right off." Good point. "And also, how do you say no to Lily Parett?"

  "Got me on both points there."

  "Also, I wouldn't be able to dance with you if I had asked you and you denied me then."

  "Why would you be dancing with me tonight anyway? Lily's your date and I don't even want to be here, let alone dance with anyone, especially you! Remember? I. Don't. Like. You." I poke his defined chest with each of my last four words.

  He puts his face close to mine and gives me a damn good puppy-dog face. "Just save me one slow dance. The last one, Delaney, please?"

  It's either the sincere look on his face, the way he said it, or the way he said my name that made me consider it, but I asked, "Why should I?" in a soft and uncomfortable tone.

  "I paid for your dinner didn't I?"

  I glare at him and stand up. "You were trying to earn brownie points weren't you?" He simply grins his devilish side grin as I say, "All right. The last slow dance -- if I'm still there."

  "You will be." He says and clasps my hand for a moment before the rest of the group meets us outside and we break into two's and fours (and one) and head to our cars to drive to the dance. He glances at me with soft eyes, "I just hope you dance like you love to."

  * * *

  By the time we get there, the dance has already started and the line is a good ways out the front doors. It seems as though a lot of people were eating dinner until the last minute. The doors to the dance open at eight and close at nine to keep people inside and not drinking or doing drugs or anything in the parking lot (though I'm sure that's already been taken care of if it's going to happen) and then the doors open once again at ten, an hour before the dance ends at eleven.

  Hopefully I'll be able to flee at ten and get out of this dress and these heels and sleep and then this night will be all over---

  "Daydreaming again?" Comes a soft whisper behind my back. I stiffen, knowing the voice as Teigan's.

  "Just wishing I was miles away from here." I hiss through clenched teeth partly because I'm pissed at him, and partly because I'm freezing cold. I still can't believe he conned me into saying yes to his question. I really hope I can get out of here at ten so I don't have to danc
e with him. Dancing with him could only end …

  Badly.

  Trying to avoid any contact with Teigan, I watch my group. They're fairly interesting to watch at points. Allison is fiddling with Patrick's tie even though he insists it is fine while next to them Ryan and Emma shyly hold hands as Ryan talks to Jake across from him and Emma chats with Carrie. Carrie, the multi-tasker that she is, is tickling Jake at the same time, making him squirm as he talks. I stifle a giggle, intent on being moody and uninterested the entire night and jerk my coat tighter around me. The cold air is making the hair on my legs prickle out slowly after I shaved only hours ago.

  Teigan has wormed his way in front of me with Lily draped around him like a bright green curtain. Green can look flattering on some people, but with Lily's pale skin, dark green eyes, and platinum blonde hair it's definitely not a color she was meant to pull off very well. Tyler and his date, Avery, chat pleasantly at the front of the group, along with Jessa and her date, Rob. Anthony and Jenny Kaphrey stand awkwardly in line as well, avoiding eye contact and standing a few feet apart, arms folded the both of them. Anthony steals glances down Jenny's low-cut dress however, probably soaking up what he can.

  Carrie told him outright Jenny wasn't about to give him anything tonight after the dance before we ate.

  We finally get to the door and after some fuss with our group in front of me (Jake is now tickling Carrie who is, apparently, very ticklish) I am able to get my ticket onto the table, my hand stamped, and into the coat room.

  Looking around the room I see a ton of high heels strung onto coat hangers. With a gleam in my eye I strip off my heels, though they aren't very high -- just uncomfortable, and strap them into the hanger and whip off my coat. The burst of cold air that greets me with the removal of my coat brings the scowl back to my face. I walk out of the room to find, surprisingly, that half the group has waited for me.

  Ryan, Emma, Lily, Teigan, Jake, Carrie, Anthony, Tyler and Avery all stare openly as I stand there, shoes off, scowl on my face, and arms folded and rubbing the other to keep warm.

  I notice their stares, glare and ask, "What?"