Stalk Me

The love of my life <3:  You can do that after curfew, come on.

Me:  You talked me into it :)

So I go.

I figure it’s both the boys and maybe we’ll go kick around a soccer ball or something, but when I get out there I see it’s just Dallas.

He gives me a naughty grin.

“Why do you look like we’re about to do something that could get us both in trouble?”

He’s a cutie and really does remind me of a younger Brooklyn.

He opens his hand and shows me a neatly rolled joint. Like I said . . .

“Wa

“Oh my gosh, yes. But where? I don’t want to get in trouble my first day.”

“I already got the scoop on where to go. Come on.” He grabs my hand, which feels surprisingly natural. We walk behind my dorm and into some woods I hadn’t noticed yet. There’s a ski

There’s a group of guys sitting in the clearing on a bunch of downed tree logs, as are Peyton and the gorgeous brunette. Dallas told me earlier that her name is Whitney.

At first I’m a bit nervous, because Peyton is my group leader, and I’m pretty sure that Whitney is the Queen Bee here. And I know a thing or two about diva personalities. They don’t like competition and use their power to squash it quickly. I half expect Whitney to walk up to me and tell me to get off her turf.

But, as is typical with Queens, they get other people to do their dirty work.

Just after Dallas and I sit down off to the edge of their circle, a tall brown-haired guy with really massive arm muscles and kind of a beaky nose walks over towards us.

Dallas stands up. “Hey, Ace.”

“You aren’t supposed to be back here—seniors only.”

I smile at Ace, who looks me up and down very predatorily. Specifically my long, tan legs.

Dallas is super smooth, though, and I’m impressed. I hand him back the joint. He takes a big hit and blows the smoke out toward Ace’s face.

“Chill, dude. We won’t bother you. Just needed a place to smoke.”

But Ace is probably the asshole in the group and clearly hasn’t smoked yet. He is way too uptight. Dallas hands me back the joint, so I hold it out to Ace, toss my hair a little and then smile at him. “Here, we’ll even share.”

Ace appraises me, takes a hit, mellows a bit, and then hands me back the joint. “What the fuck, with legs like that you can come here anytime.”

He goes and sits back down with his friends, who don’t say boo to us. I’m pretty sure that’s not a good thing. I also notice that Peyton, who was super nice to me today, hasn’t even acknowledged my presence. For sure Whitney is the Queen, and Peyton is her minion.

Well, actually, I’m pretty sure that Peyton is just like me. The old me.

Dallas and I puff and pass.

Pretty soon we’re giggling about Riley and all the corny things he said trying to impress me.

Then I remember the Hottie god.

I tell Dallas, “So first he’s telling me how he’s this sensitive guy, and then he said I look like his next girlfriend. And I can’t help it, it’s not just the weed. I mean him telling me that was, like, classic. Something fit for the movies. How not to impress a girl.”

I’m leaning against Dallas and having a bit of a giggle fit when he pokes my side.

I look up.

Standing in front of me, not giggling, is the God of all Hotties himself.

Oh, shit. Busted.

I don’t know what to say. I go with, “Uh, hey. Aiden, right?”

He nods and walks away.

Dallas and I giggle some more.

And, somehow, when our heads are together, laughing, Dallas starts kissing me. And he’s a really nice kisser.

Friday, August 26th

A perfect four-leaf clover.

7:30am

Up early and ready for a full day, even though my body is saying, Keatyn, it’s four-thirty at home; please go back to bed.

But I can’t. I’m too excited.

I know, I shouldn’t be excited, but if I’m stuck here for a while, I might as well make the best of it.

This morning we’re meeting our student leaders for the school tour, pointers, etc.

I walk into the gym and we break up into our groups. Our group is all girls, and Peyton excitedly tells us about the welcome back dance, all the different clubs, things like curfews, visiting the boys dorms, places the boys like to hang out. I find it all very useful.

I do notice that not once does she mention the smoking spot we were at last night.

Then she leads us to the cafe, which is what they call the dining hall, where booths have been set up for each activity so we can learn about and sign up to be in clubs, activities, and sports. All the extracurricular activities are represented.

I sign up for student council, checking the box that says I'm interested in ru

Peyton seems really genuine and nice. Maybe I was wrong about her. Could Whitney be nice too?

I sign up for French club, spirit club, and, of course, soccer.

“So what all are you in?” I ask Peyton.

“I’m captain of the dance team. Soccer captain. I’m also student council secretary, president of the French club, founded the literary club, and I’m on the highly coveted social committee. Something you’re hand-selected to join. Something you would probably be good at, seeing as how you already discovered the cave.”

“The cave?”

“The place you were at last night.” She has that keep-it-on-the-down-low look in her eyes. I nod. Got it.

She signs me up for literary club because I told her I love to read, and then she says, “You should try out for dance team.”