Chapter Four
Okay, so maybe it was totally immature of me to throw a temper tantrum and leave the meeting. I kinda figured that out after I went home and chilled out by listening to some music for an hour.
I would have called Jake and apologized for being a jerk, but hey, I lost my cell phone in Melissa Chapman's backpack.
Speaking of Melissa...
...This was a great way to get back at Rachel for saying I can't deal with girls.
I called my cell phone from my house.
Melissa picked up. "Hello?"
"Hi!" I said. "You have my phone."
"This is your phone? I found it in my backpack."
"I know. I lost it today, and I've been looking all over for it. Who is this?"
"Melissa Chapman."
"Vice-Principal Chapman's cute daughter?"
"Cute?" Melissa asked.
"Um, uh..." I pretended to not know what to say. Guys, take note. Girls love it when you pull the "I accidentally revealed that I think you're cute" move. It's golden.
"I mean, uh, I've been looking everywhere for my phone, so I decided to call it. You have it?"
"Yes," she said.
"I'm Marco [last name removed]," I said. "Is there any chance we could get together so you can give me my phone?"
"Well, I kinda have gymnastics at the Y tonight," she said. "Why don't we meet at school tomorrow?"
It figures Rachel lied about not having gymnastics that night. It's almost as if she thinks I can't be trusted with Melissa. That hurts.
I mean, she's absolutely right, but it still hurts.
"That sounds perfect," I said. "Why don't we meet up by your locker before school starts?"
Melissa's locker is near Rachel's locker. Obviously.
"Sure, no problem," Melissa said. "I have Locker 320, near the stairs."
"Thank you so much for this," I said. "My dad would go ballistic if I lost my phone."
"You're welcome," Melissa said.
"So you're both cute and nice," I said. "I can't wait to see you tomorrow."
Then I hung up the phone.
Damn.
I am smooth.
I scouted out the area near Melissa's locker the next morning.
Rachel was in position—right by her locker where she could see everything. Go time.
"Melissa!" I cried.
"You're Marco?" she asked.
"Yeah," I said. "So do you have it?"
"It's right here," she said, reaching into her backpack and pulling my phone out.
"Thanks so much," I said, taking my phone. "You're awesome!"
I leaned over and gave Melissa a quick peck on the cheek. Nothing too overt, mind you. Just enough to drive Rachel wild.
(And if it drove Melissa wild, that was okay, too…)
Melissa turned red. "It's no big deal," she said. "I'm sure you'd do the same thing if you found someone else's phone."
"And I'm sure you're an awesome girl," I said. "You're my new hero."
I caught a glimpse of Rachel over Melissa's shoulder. She was practically breathing fire.
Ah, Rachel. I love messing with her, but that was my cue to exit before she morphed into a grizzly and knocked my head off.
"Anyway, I have to get to my locker," I said. "Maybe we can talk again sometime later?"
"Sure, maybe," Melissa said, smiling at me.
I flashed Melissa my best "I'm the cutest boy on the planet" smile. "I can't wait."
Then I turned around and left the scene. Rachel angry? Check. Melissa was interested in me? Check. Mission successful.
Or at least, I thought it was. But, then, a hand clamped down on my shoulder.
It was Chapman.
"Marco, Marco, Marco..." Chapman said. "Why don't we meet in my office after school today?"