Chapter 2: The Dating Game

Disclaimer: S. Meyer owns Twilight.

Man, I was in for it the next day. My mom glared at me at the breakfast table.

"Where were you last night, young man?"

I had to think fast. "Well, I wasn't feeling so great, so I thought it would be better if I went home instead of puking all over Jake's kitchen."

Leah came sauntering into the room, with her arms over her head stretching and shaking the sleep from her head. "Good story ... Too bad it ain't true. Admit it, little brother. You just didn't want to rub elbows with the older set."

Busted ... "Okay, so I lied." I faced Mom's scathing look. "I didn't want to be at that party. Can you blame me? Everyone there was so much older than I was. Anyway, I'm sure Rachel didn't care. And I'm absolutely sure that Leah and Jake didn't miss me in the least. Besides, they were really busy doing their own thing in his bedroom."

Mom turned on Leah. "Whaaaat?"

Leah's face flushed redder than a beet. Then she rounded on me with eyes that seemed to be shooting darts at my head. "You're gonna pay for this, Seth."

"So? It was worth it."

Mom yelled, "Leah, sit down—now! We need to have a little talk."

I piled up my plate and took it outside to eat. Revenge was sweet.

One day in the following week, I was back in the cafeteria, eating lunch. Crap, most of the seats were taken, so I found myself sandwiched in between the two chick magnets, Paul and Quil.

Before sitting his butt down, Paul leaned toward me and shoved his face right into mine. One of these days ...

"How's it hangin' punk?"

I was just great 'til you showed your ugly mug. "Do you always have to be so crude? I'm just swell, is that allright with you?"

Paul guffawed loudly, as he took a seat. "Hear that, Quil? The kid's all swollen. You need a girl to cure that little problem."

"So," Quil teased, "you got one yet?"

My eyes rolled in their sockets. "If I did, do you think I'd be seen dead, sitting with you two?"

Without missing a chew, Quil pointed to an adjoining table. "What about that girl over there. She- is- giving- you- the- eye, man."

I didn't want to bite, but I was kinda curious. I looked up sheepishly, and peeked up over my food. I was a greeted by a set of warm brown eyes. I swiveled my head in both directions, but she was definitely staring at me. I placed a finger on my chest, and mouthed, me? She answered witha nod and a only that, but she winked. I about flatlined in my seat. I must've looked like an idiot sitting there with my mouth hanging open, but I was so shocked. This never happened before, at least not to me.

I sat like a blob, unable to move a muscle. I couldn't believe it. Where did all my outgoing, friendly ways go? They sort of got up and went! She was just a girl, but I didn't know what to do.

Paul elbowed me in the ribs. "Well, what are you waiting for, stupid? You want me to hold your hand and walk you over there?"

Quil yanked on Paul's shoulder. "Hey, cut the kid some slack. Let him learn on his own, huh."

"Don't be lecturin' me, Ateara. Who got you that date with April last month?"

"You, did, smartass. But who kept her coming back for more? Me, that's who."

"Well, I'm just sayin', the kid needs to grow some—and man up!" Reaching over, Paul took his thumb and index finger, and yanked my face toward him. "He's not bad lookin' for a twerp. Muscling out too. She could do worse."

"Yeah, she could be going out with you."

"Not on your life ... that's Tina Davis. She's been after me for months now. Squirt here, can have her."

I'll take her.

He let go of me finally, and patted me on the back. "Okay, Seth, you need any lovin' advice, you just come talk to Uncle Paul."

His smirk made me wanna hurl.

Quil stood up and as a parting shot, fired back, "And after you bomb with that advice, I'll set you straight."

He took off running. Paul knocked over the chair he was sitting in, and lit after him.

I continued eating lunch, and every time I lifted my head, there she was with her eyes still trained on me. I didn't have the nerve to get out of my seat and introduce myself. I'd play hard to get. Ha, right ... I was scared sh**less. So I planned to sit beside her tomorrow ... maybe. Or maybe Paul was right—I should man up and go over there now. Damn—too late, she was picking up her tray and started to leave. She waved goodbye before walking away, and left me—a pile of goo, still stuck to my seat.

I couldn't sleep that night, worrying about what to say to her tomorrow. Should I look for her as soon as I got to school, or play it cool and wait for her to find me at lunchtime? When I finally drifted off, I was haunted by the pair of brown eyes that were only for me this very afternoon.

At breakfast, my mind was in overdrive. I wondered if I should put my arm around her, or hold her hand. How did I go about doing that? I'd never even kissed a girl before either, suppose she didn't like it.

Paul and Quil had both offered their services yesterday. But did I really want to take advice from the two biggest womanizers on the planet? Then I thought about going to Jake; nixed that in a hurry. I didn't want to know what kind of techniques he used on Leah. Every time I used one, I would think about what those two lovebirds were doing in their nest. I guess I'd get a glimpse when we patrolled. Eww, somehow it seemed creepy watching your own sister making out with one of your friends. I decided it would be better if I was on my own. After all, I was cute and charming, wasn't I?

Tina was only a freshman too, so she probably didn't have a whole lot of experience either. That fact calmed me down some.

I made it to school a little earlier than usual trying not to appear too obvious. I looked everywhere, and came up empty. Maybe she was late today, or maybe she got sick? Jeez, I hoped not—I wanted to sleep tonight. Who in their right mind would want to go through that worrying two nights in a row?

Lunch hour couldn't come soon enough. I strolled into the cafeteria, and there she was with an empty seat beside her. My throat immediately tightened up, and my mouth went as dry as a potato chip. I croaked out, "Is this seat taken?"

She looked up at me from her chair, her eyes casting a spell on me. "Yeah, I was saving it for you."

Sitting down nonchalantly, I dove right into a conversation. "So, you're Tina, huh?"

"Last time I looked. And you're Seth.

"Sorry, I was staring at you yesterday. But you looked so cute jammed between Paul and Quil." She batted her pretty eyelashes at me. "You don't have a girlfriend, do you?"

Man, this Tina was a little forward; I liked that in a girl.

I do now! "No, not at present." Not ever, actually. You're my first. "Would you like to go out sometime? There's a dance next Friday. Do you like to dance? I love it. I'd rather dance than eat."

"Sure, I'd love to. Who else is going? Will Paul be there?"

"Yeah, he goes to all the dances. You might say he's a dancing maniac."

She was really pretty, in a girl next door sort of way. And those rosebud lips—would I get to kiss them anytime soon? I knew I was jumpin' the gun here. I didn't have patience like Jacob did, but then, he made out all right, didn't he?

I remembered what Paul said, and tried not to talk too much, and not say, jeez. But jeez, I was so nervous and the words just kept coming, and coming. I couldn't stop myself. Tina didn't seem to notice though, and smiled at me, while taking in the conversation. That smile could melt the quills off a porcupine.

We finished lunch, and she stood to leave. I helped pull her seat back, and the opportunity arrived to place my arm around her waist. With just that little touch, my heart starting pounding. Damn, I was gonna die if I ever got to kiss her, but what a way to go! Anyway, she didn't seem to mind, and walked with me to the conveyor belt. We went into the building and I escorted her to her class. I released her, and waved goodbye.

When I returned to the hallway, there was Paul leaning against a locker, giving me a thumbs up.

The two weeks sped by, and everyday, I spent my lunch hour with Tina, and some days, I'd go to her house, or she'd come to mine. I still was too shy to hold her hand though. Looked like those lips would remain unkissed for quite some time.

The night of the dance, I got all dressed up, and even put on some of my dad's aftershave. I didn't really have to use a razor yet, but what she didn't know wouldn't hurt her. Anyway, maybe she would put her hands on my face and feel how baby smooth it was. I know— just dreaming. But I can dream if I want to. What's wrong with that?

Tina met me at the dance, and the whole time, she was looking at Paul. What the hell ...? "There he is, you said he'd be here. How long have you known Paul," she asked.

My balloon of happiness was slowly deflating. What was going on here? "Since I was a baby, I guess."

"What kinds of things does he like to do ...you know, besides fooling around with girls?"

It suddenly occurred to me, why she was staring that day in the cafeteria. Tina was always sneaking in questions about him with every little chat we had. She wasn't interested in me; she just wanted to get closer to Paul. I guess I should have known better, but it still hurt. Why was I so naïve? There was no way I could compete with big, bad Paul.

I felt really stupid. Why would she want to be with me? I had just turned fifteen; I was starting to fill out, but hadn't hit my growth spurt yet. Tina was almost as tall as I was at 5'6". I wished I could crawl off somewhere and lick my wounds.

Paul spotted us from across the room, and swaggered over. Tina sidled up to him. "Hey, Paul, how 'bout a dance?"

She took-his-hand and they swayed together on the dance floor. I took that as my cue to leave. I walked home, dejected. Jeez, what an absolute tool I was. Girls ...!

When I arrived at home, Jacob was there with Leah in the kitchen and saw the crappy expression on my face. "Why are you home so early? I thought you and Tina were at the dance."

"I was ... and so was Paul."

Jacob was sharp; he got the message but quick. He put the sandwich he was eating on his plate. "You want me to go pound him for stealing your girl?"

"He didn't have to steal her. She was sitting on the shelf waiting for him. I'm such an idiot."

Putting his arm around my shoulders, he steered me into the living room, and motioned for Leah to stay put. "C'mere, Seth."

He looked me square in the eye. "You're not an idiot. You're a guy, and you were in love. Look at what I went through with Bella. I bent over backwards for her, I even landed in bed, with more bandages than a mummy. And did she shed a tear—no ... she dumped me as I lay there in pain, suffering. But here's the thing, Seth, you'll get over her. Be grateful you didn't waste three years of your life wishin' and hopin' for someone who doesn't return your feelings. Some day you'll meet the right girl, and maybe imprint like I did. I don't even think about Bella anymore. Your sister is my whole world now. Be patient, I promise you, it'll happen."

I hung my head. "But what really kills me is Paul said he didn't want her. That she was always after him. What was the deal? Why did he change his mind?"

"Knowing Paul, it probably got to him, that she was with you, when he's so superior." Jacob laughed. "I guarantee ya, she'll be out the door in no time."

Tina didn't ever ask me why I left the dance that night, or even try to apologize. There was nothing she could say that would make me feel better anyhow. From that day on, we never sat together at lunch, and she didn't seem to care about it. What a heartless shrew.

I got my revenge that summer. I shot up to 6'5", and packed on the muscle. The girls still didn't seem interested though. One of them told me I was too nice. What the hell did that mean?

And so ... Smokin' Seth never did materialize. I was doomed to be a nice guy like that girl said. I went out with a couple of chicks, nothing serious, but hey, I did graduate to hand holding and kissing. Thank god, my experience with that jezebel didn't poison me for the rest of the female population.

After my sixteenth birthday, my world was once again tilted on its axis—and how. Love in the guise of Rachel Black exploded into my life. And oh, man, did I ever fall hard!