Read Online Lipstick Apology by Jennifer Jabaley - Free Book Online

clueless.
    Lindsey and Andi were talking more about holiday plans when I spotted the other new girl, Carly, enter the cafeteria. She held a tray table in front of herself like a shield. I wanted to flag her over, ask her to sit with us and rescue her like I was rescued on my first day. But I didn’t think I had earned that authority yet.
    As I watched her find an empty table in the corner, I caught a glimpse of Owen and a few of the guys walking toward our table. My heart started to race.
    â€œHey,” Owen said, his eyes crinkling in the corners as he smiled. “Next weekend. My house. Team and Squad.”
    â€œAwesome,” Andi said flirtatiously, twirling her blond hair around her finger.
    â€œIt’ll be great,” Owen said, smiling right at me. “I can’t wait to see you there.” His green eyes fixed on mine, sending lightning bolts down my spine.
    I chickened out and looked away. I had no idea what they were talking about and felt too self-conscious to ask, but thankfully Lindsey rescued me.
    â€œTeam and Squad is a Darlington ritual. Every year there’s a huge party the week before homecoming, and all the guys wear football uniforms and all the girls wear cheerleading outfits,” Lindsey said. “It started years ago, and just the actual football players and cheerleaders would dress up. But then one year, a couple of people showed up dressed in random uniforms—not even Darlington colors. I think it actually was a joke, but it started this whole big tradition where everyone gets dressed up, and each year the costumes get more crazy.”
    â€œIt’s always the biggest party of the year,” Andi said. She turned to Aidan and smiled. “Last year,” Andi continued, “Aidan’s dad called in a favor and hooked me up with a vintage Dallas Cowboys cheerleader uniform.”
    All the guys nodded and smiled.
    â€œYou looked hot,” Aidan said. “Are you going to wear that again?”
    â€œI don’t double dip.” Andi flung her blond hair over her shoulder. “I think Lindsey and I are going to prowl some costume shops.”
    â€œAnd Emily, you can come too,” Lindsey added.
    â€œThanks,” I said, then dared to look up at Owen. Say something! Think of something! Anything!
    He smiled.
    â€œSo,” I said pointing at Owen’s varsity jacket, “are you a football player?”
    Owen looked down at his green and gold jacket. “No, actually, this is for swimming. Our meets are on Wednesdays,” he said, leaning down toward me. “You should come watch us.”
    I was quite certain the temperature inside the lunchroom jumped twenty degrees because suddenly, I was a sweaty mess. I wanted to scream: When? Where? What time?
    â€œSo the party’s at my house,” Owen continued. “Can’t wait to see what you wear. Extra credit if you bring pom-poms.” He gave a devilish grin.
    Then all the guys turned and walked away.
    My heart pounded. Extra credit for pom-poms? I didn’t even know what that meant.
    â€œOh my God.” Andi’s blue eyes popped. “Owen is totally into you.”
    â€œNo,” I said, my face flaming. “You think?”
    â€œI’ll ask Aidan if Owen has mentioned you,” Andi suggested.
    â€œOh, no, don’t do that,” I said. Don’t be that obvious.
    Lindsey smiled. “You so want to know if he likes you.” “No, no, really,” I protested, looking down.
    Andi contemplated this for a minute. “Wait,” she said, pointing at me with her nail file. “Do you have a boyfriend in Pennsylvania?”
    â€œI never thought of that!” Lindsey said. “You could be totally in love.”
    I panicked. How could I tell these girls that aside from a few double dates to the bowling alley and one short-lived relationship in the ninth grade, I was totally inexperienced? Then it occurred to me that they didn’t