hard I try to act like this is no big deal, it certainly is. Tripp Bauer is having dinner at my house. It’s like I’ve entered some alternate universe or something. I try to imagine what Paige would say about this. Heck, anyone at our school would be shocked.
I wonder what Tripp's friends will think when they find out. Will he even tell them? The thought causes my insides to churn, but then I force them down. I don’t want to think about tomorrow. I just want to enjoy this moment.
Mom is a great co ok, so I know even before she reveals what we’re having that Tripp will love it. Once I see that it's enchiladas, I’m even more pleased. It’s one of my favorites. When I hungrily scoop several on my plate, I instantly regret it. Taking in my pudgy stomach, I cringe. Tripp dates girls like Sonya. Girls who are thin and toned. I curse my gluttonous tendencies. Still, I lift my fork and take a bite, knowing I can’t put some of my food back in front of everyone. That would be weird.
“How is your dad, Tripp?” Rob asks.
Tripp swallows his food, wipes his mouth with a napkin and then looks at Rob. “He’s good.”
“I’ll have to give him a call and see if he wants to play a round of golf,” Rob says.
Tripp just nods and goes back to eating. For the next few minutes, Adam babbles about something, and then Mom and Rob chat about mundane stuff. Not that I’m listening to any of it. Tripp’s presence has rendered me useless. I chew in silence, acutely aware of the fact that Tripp is in my house sitting at my dining room table. My entire body feels like it's on fire, and my heart is beating so fast I fear I might be on the verge of cardiac arrest.
Every once in awhile I notice Tripp looking at me, and I force myself to slow down. If only I were one of those girls who only ate salad or got full after a few bites. Feeling like an imposter, I stop eating after finishing only one enchilada, and then push my plate back so I won't be tempted.
“Are you okay, Hadley?” Mom asks , eyeing my plate.
“Fine. Just full.” I rub my stomach.
“I hope you’re not getting sick,” Mom says, and I want to die right there at the table.
Embarrassed, I stare at my hands fidgeting in my lap.
“That was delicious, Jenny.”
Mom beams at Tripp’s words. “Thank you, Tripp. You’re welcome to come over anytime.” She gives me a po inted look, and I know exactly what she's thinking.
After dinner I walk Tripp to the door. It still feels surreal to have him here. When we step outside, cool air circles us, the scent of sweet flowers sweeping over me.
“That was fun.” Tripp shoves his fingers into the pocket of his jeans. “Thanks.”
“Sure.”
“I better get home. See you later?”
I nod as he turns away. Watching him walk down the street, elation fills me. Immediately, I turn around and race inside to call Paige and tell her all about it.
I pull into the school parking lot, music blaring through the speakers. If only the school wasn’t so close. I was enjoying my time alone on the road. After parking, I flip down the visor and take in my reflection. Pulling my lipgloss out of my backpack, I swipe it across my lips. Today I shed my usual sweatshirt and I’m wearing a fitted black top over my jeans. Having Tripp over last night made me want to dress a little nicer. I have no idea what to expect when I see him today at school, but after his assurances that he’s not like his friends, I’m a little hopeful.
I smile thinking about Paige’s reaction when I called her. She couldn’t believe Tripp had dinner at my house. I smooth down my hair and then open the car door, yanking my backpack out. While I fling it over my shoulder , I spot Tripp’s Honda veering in my direction. Much to my delight, he parks right next to me. My heart skips a beat as I close the car door and then lean against the side of it.
“Hey, Lee lee.” Tripp winks at me as he gets out of his car. Once he straps his backpack on, it
I wonder what Tripp's friends will think when they find out. Will he even tell them? The thought causes my insides to churn, but then I force them down. I don’t want to think about tomorrow. I just want to enjoy this moment.
Mom is a great co ok, so I know even before she reveals what we’re having that Tripp will love it. Once I see that it's enchiladas, I’m even more pleased. It’s one of my favorites. When I hungrily scoop several on my plate, I instantly regret it. Taking in my pudgy stomach, I cringe. Tripp dates girls like Sonya. Girls who are thin and toned. I curse my gluttonous tendencies. Still, I lift my fork and take a bite, knowing I can’t put some of my food back in front of everyone. That would be weird.
“How is your dad, Tripp?” Rob asks.
Tripp swallows his food, wipes his mouth with a napkin and then looks at Rob. “He’s good.”
“I’ll have to give him a call and see if he wants to play a round of golf,” Rob says.
Tripp just nods and goes back to eating. For the next few minutes, Adam babbles about something, and then Mom and Rob chat about mundane stuff. Not that I’m listening to any of it. Tripp’s presence has rendered me useless. I chew in silence, acutely aware of the fact that Tripp is in my house sitting at my dining room table. My entire body feels like it's on fire, and my heart is beating so fast I fear I might be on the verge of cardiac arrest.
Every once in awhile I notice Tripp looking at me, and I force myself to slow down. If only I were one of those girls who only ate salad or got full after a few bites. Feeling like an imposter, I stop eating after finishing only one enchilada, and then push my plate back so I won't be tempted.
“Are you okay, Hadley?” Mom asks , eyeing my plate.
“Fine. Just full.” I rub my stomach.
“I hope you’re not getting sick,” Mom says, and I want to die right there at the table.
Embarrassed, I stare at my hands fidgeting in my lap.
“That was delicious, Jenny.”
Mom beams at Tripp’s words. “Thank you, Tripp. You’re welcome to come over anytime.” She gives me a po inted look, and I know exactly what she's thinking.
After dinner I walk Tripp to the door. It still feels surreal to have him here. When we step outside, cool air circles us, the scent of sweet flowers sweeping over me.
“That was fun.” Tripp shoves his fingers into the pocket of his jeans. “Thanks.”
“Sure.”
“I better get home. See you later?”
I nod as he turns away. Watching him walk down the street, elation fills me. Immediately, I turn around and race inside to call Paige and tell her all about it.
I pull into the school parking lot, music blaring through the speakers. If only the school wasn’t so close. I was enjoying my time alone on the road. After parking, I flip down the visor and take in my reflection. Pulling my lipgloss out of my backpack, I swipe it across my lips. Today I shed my usual sweatshirt and I’m wearing a fitted black top over my jeans. Having Tripp over last night made me want to dress a little nicer. I have no idea what to expect when I see him today at school, but after his assurances that he’s not like his friends, I’m a little hopeful.
I smile thinking about Paige’s reaction when I called her. She couldn’t believe Tripp had dinner at my house. I smooth down my hair and then open the car door, yanking my backpack out. While I fling it over my shoulder , I spot Tripp’s Honda veering in my direction. Much to my delight, he parks right next to me. My heart skips a beat as I close the car door and then lean against the side of it.
“Hey, Lee lee.” Tripp winks at me as he gets out of his car. Once he straps his backpack on, it
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