Maple Falls was a town that I had lived in all my life, and to see a flock of girls go bananas over a new boy -- who is cute by the way -- and act like he’s some celebrity was absurd to me. I just don’t see why.

Maybe I was just jealous.

Or, it was just that all these girls were really starting to aggravate me.

I’m sure Luke doesn’t want all that attention -- unless he’s a giant douche and loves having all these girls clamoring over him throughout the day.

No, correction, every second.

There really wasn’t a reason for me to be griping and groaning on about it. I don’t blame those girls, because I would be right there drooling over him while he flexed those arms of his...but I’m not. So. End of story.

At Lunch, I sat beside Tamera and Jonah.

They were discussing the dance that was going to be on Saturday. Tamera seemed to be a little pissed since her ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend was in charge of the decorating the gym and all.

Her mouth turned up in disgust. “I just don’t think she’ll do a good job. I mean, that’s just my opinion.” She crossed her arms. “But I might be wrong. She’ll probably do an amazing job. Hasn’t she been the one over the decorating for the past three dances? Maybe Drew will be helping her.” Her eyes narrowed and she scoffed. Tamera stuck her nose up in the air. “I don’t care, anyways.”

This girl was my best friend.

Tamera turned to Jonah. “Who are you taking to the dance? Anybody special?” She nudged him in the arm.

“I dunno.” Jonah munched on an apple. “Mallory asked me. But I don’t think I’ll go. Since I’m going to that bonfire with Tyler....” He chewed. “She’s hot though, so i’m not sure.” He turned to me. “Should I go?”

“You asking me?” I asked.

He looked around awkwardly. “Uh....yeah.” and smirked

Jonah has had a crush on Mallory Harper since Freshman year. And she’d liked him too. Until she got distracted by Chance, the quarterback.

Mallory asked him, didn’t she? Well that must mean that her and Chance are no longer talking. What a surprise.

“I think you should go to the dance with her. She’s pretty, and you two have liked each other for a while.” I said casually along with a shrug.

Jonah craned his neck in hopes of grasping a glance of Mallory in her Cheerleading uniform. I followed his gaze and I saw her. That was the girl that said she was asking Luke to the dance, wasn’t it?

Mallory was smiling, her long blonde hair curled into elegant ringlets around her tanned face. She was beautiful. And I think she’s well aware. Just look at how she carries herself. Her attitude and all that.

Mallory was talking to another girl, whispering and eyeing Luke Moretti as he went to sit at a table in the corner by himself. She was going to pounce, and I saw it in her expression.

I swallowed and turned back around. I picked up my sandwich and tried not to tear it into halves.

That varsity cheerleader, that Mallory chick was going to go to that dance with my best friend. He deserved it. Jonah’s been waiting for so long to go with her. And I think it’s about time that it happens.

I was beginning to grow angry.

Poor Jonah. He starts to really like the girl and she goes and screws that up by asking out the new guy. How pathetic. Cruel, even.

I glanced up at Jonah from under my lashes and saw him smiling as he waved in her direction. I didn’t really want to see what -- who -- Mallory was looking at. Something tells me that it isn’t Jonah.

I wouldn’t be able to handle Jonah with a broken heart. Or a shattered ego.

Shortly after hearing him talk on and on about the dance and how he was going to ask her out that night, I quickly decided that it was time for me to intervene.

I was going to march right up to her after my last class and find out what’s going on. Even if it isn’t my place to.

He’s still my best friend.

As the last bell rang, I gathered my things from my locker and stormed off to try and find Mallory in this jammed up hallway.

Tamera tugged at my sleeve at an attempt to get my attention. I stopped in my tracks and looked at her.

“What?” I asked, Not meaning it to sound as harsh as it had.

She blinked, having not expected that tone from me. “Sorry,” She stammered. “I was going to ask you if you were going to Haven’s Bay tonight...”

I wiped a hand across my forehead and sighed. “Um.” I thought about that for a second. “I forgot about it. I’m sorry. Er, yeah I’ll try to.” I told her.

Tamera’s face lightened up and she smiled. “Good. I’ll call you later and we’ll figure out a time. Sound good?” She started to inch away, growing excited.

I nodded and gave her a thumbs up.

Then I continued with my search for Mallory. Who I remembered was a varsity cheerleader. Wouldn’t she be in the Gym for practice?

I didn’t care. I was still gonna find that girl.

Whilst making my way through the bustling jam of guys and girls trying to get through to the tight-packed doors, I peered inside a few classrooms. I was going to find her, unless I would have to scrounge up her number from Jonah.

This was starting to get old. And I was about to give up.

In honesty was it really worth it finding Mallory and meddling in her business by asking if she was going with Jonah? Because I don’t think she deserves any of my time.

She may be a varsity cheerleader and all, but it doesn’t change that she’s human. Mallory is just like me. But prettier. And skinnier. And popular. That isn’t the point but you get what I mean.

I’m just saying that what with her being a cheerleader; captain of the varsity squad doesn’t make her a ‘celebrity’ and I shouldn’t be scared of that twit.

I’m not scared of her. I’m scared for Jonah.

Just when I almost headed for the Gym, I caught a glimpse of her standing in the open doorway of a Spanish class. She stood there with a hand on her bony hip and she twirled her blonde curls with her finger. Mallory was talking to someone and I didn’t see who it was until I pushed forward trying to get closer to her.

A dark-haired boy. Someone who I didn’t quite recognize all too well.

Luke Moretti.

Well this wasn’t a surprise. I had expected this more than I had expected her talking to Jonah. Which was minuscule.

I approached her with a not-genuine smile. I’d hoped that it looked obvious that I wasn’t pleased with this scene that I saw before my eyes.

She was laughing. Why was she laughing?

“I know, right?” Mallory grinned. “I totally agree.”

I tried to repress the urge to roll my eyes and trip her in those gaudy sparkly heels that she wore.

Luke was smirking. “It’s not really my favorite, but I can tolerate it.” He nodded.

I interrupted their apparent flirt-fest with my loud ‘ahem’. They both turned and looked at me.

Mallory’s mouth turned up in disgust. “Can I help you?” Smug. That girl was smug. Why? Just because she can do a few backflips? My dog can do that.

And they do look quite a bit alike as well. I wanted to burst out into laughter. I don’t know why I’m so funny. Whew.

I began picturing images of my head of Mallory that wasn’t so nice.

With a deep sigh I clenched my fists and tried to calmly respond to her question.

“In fact, I was just going to ask a question. But since you had to be so hateful about it, ” I spat. “You wipe that sour look off your face before I find someone to do it for you.”

Out of the corner of my eye I saw Luke’s eyes widen. He coughed, in which I heard a bit of a snicker that he tried to hide.

I was surprised at how that flowed off my tongue. Wow. That was relieving. I should do that more often. I reached up to cover my mouth as if I had felt sorry for saying it.

Which, hah, why should I be?

Mallory raised her eyebrows and crossed her arms. “I’m going to ignore what you just said. Just because I’m not in the mood for a stupid fight. What’s your question, Sidney?” She sounded even more annoyed.

Behind her words I heard a girl that was too much of a wuss to take off those diamond earrings and pop a few punches.

What had gotten into me? I’d turned into a drama queen. Who was this girl that was trying to start a fight with Mallory Harper? Sheesh. I’ve gone crazy.

“What are you doing in here, anyway? You don’t have spanish...” Mallory quickly interjected.

I looked at Luke again and he had a very faint smile on his face. I didn’t want to smile. I wanted to be serious.

My eyebrows pulled together. “I just wanted to ask you something...” I looked at her seriously.