Tired of Pretending
Chapter 12
Dash's POV
I was in the courtyard at lunch next to a tree waiting for Sam. We had decided to eat lunch outside. Paulina came up to me. I rolled my eyes. "I thought I was a loser now for going out with Sam. Why are you walking up to me in broad daylight for people to actually see?" I asked scornfully.
"I've come to get you back. The Goth loser isn't worth your time. You're too good looking for her. You belong with me. We'll be the best looking, most popular kids at school. You want me. I know you do." She said very sure of herself. Then she kissed me. I was too stunned for a moment to do anything. Then I pushed her off of me.
"Sam isn't a Goth loser. I think she's way more beautiful than you. I don't belong with you. I belong with Sam. I wouldn't want you if you were the last girl on Earth." I shuddered at the thought. I turned around and saw Sam. She came up and gave me a hug.
"Thanks for what you said Dash." She said quietly. She obviously came out after I pushed Paulina off of me.
"Let's go eat some lunch." I said and led her to a picnic table.
The next day when Sam and I walked into school, we were struck with an awful sight. There were posters everywhere of Paulina kissing me. The captions read 'Guess the Goth geek isn't good enough for the quarterback.' I looked over at Sam. She looked at me with hurt and tear-filled eyes. She turned around and ran out the door that we had just come through. I ran after her, but she got too much of a head start and didn't end up going home. I didn't know what to do or how to explain to her what actually happened.
Same Chapter Switch POV – Sam's POV
I couldn't believe I was so stupid, to actually think that I thought that Dash was okay with me being me. I went to my secret hiding spot, the one where I go to think, the one that not even Tucker or Danny knew about. I let myself cry. I'm sure I looked a mess, but at the moment I didn't care. I cried until I couldn't cry anymore. Tucker had called my cell phone and so had Dash. I didn't answer either.
I finally wiped off my face as best as I could. I took a walk through the park. I saw Danny in his ghost form sitting on a blanket with Paulina. What the heck! I got closer. "I'm so glad you decided to come on this date with me Ghost boy."
"I'm glad you helped Danny out."
"Well, he did give me a couple of good reasons. 1.) I got to make that Goth loser really mad and 2.) I got to go on a date with you." Paulina said in a sickeningly sweet voice. "I can't believe that Dash actually chose that loser over me. After I went up and kissed him I was sure that he'd take me back, but then he pushed me off and defended that thing in combat boots. I mean can you even call her a girl." Danny laughed. He laughed of all things. "I did what Danny told me to do and I got a date with you, but I think I need a kiss too." I didn't stay around to find out any more.
Danny had planned it? Was he the one that made up those posters? I didn't know what to think. I walked home with a new set of tears rolling down my cheeks. I didn't even notice that Dash was on my front porch until he got up and scooped me up in his arms. "I'm so sorry." He whispered.
"I know it's not your fault and you defended me to the queen bee of popularity at Casper High. I know that she came up and kissed you. I overheard her talking about it. Someone bribed her to. Ugh! I'm so mad, hurt, and confused, but I'm not mad at you anymore. Do you want to come in?" I asked him. He wiped the tears from my eyes and nodded.
We watched a couple of movies cuddled up on the couch together. We both fell asleep. We woke up to my parents of all things. They shook us awake. We got up a little groggily. "You go home young man. And you Samantha are to go up to your room. Your mother and I will talk to you in the morning." I walked Dash to the door and kissed him goodnight. I then went up to my room.
