CHAPTER 3: MAKING THE MOVES ON MALLORY
The next day at school during lunch, Wayne saw Mallory sitting alone eating her lunch. He thought she was the most beautiful girl in school. From her wild hair, to her curvy voluptuous body, to the mole on her chin on the left below her lips, he thought she was his dream girl. He knew from what Cobra and Dominick told him that she still harbored feelings for Dom, but couldn't talk to him unless she wanted to go to another school in another town.
After getting his lunch, Wayne went over to where Mallory was sitting. She looked sad as she ate her lunch. Wayne cleared his throat.
"Would you like some company?" he asked her. Mallory looked up at the dreadlocked African-American teen standing before her.
"Sure," she said, sadly. And Wayne eagerly sat down next to her. "Are you new here? Haven't met you yet."
"I am," said Wayne. "My name is Wayne King. I know that you're Mallory Simpson."
"Then you probably also know about my past with Dominick Kendall?"
"I heard about what had happened last school year with you, Sylvia, and him. I just wanted you to know that none of that matters to me. I want to get to know you. The REAL you."
"I'm no one special, Wayne. I tend to chase off boys and piss off girls. I'm poison. Do yourself a favor and get away before I make your girlfriend mad, too."
"That's just it. I'm not dating anyone."
"You're not?"
"No. I'm flying solo, Mal! No girlfriend to claim."
"Why would you pick me? With my reputation as a man-stealer and all? I'm sure Sylvia and her friends told you all about me."
"They just told me the bad stuff. I try to see the good in everyone. Plus we just met. I figured you could use a friend. Someone fresh and new. And I'm sure there's good in you, as well."
And, for the first time since school began, Mallory seemed to smile. All this time she was trying in vain to get back with her ex-boyfriend who, first, didn't want anything to do with her romantically and, secondly, had a new girlfriend, but couldn't see the potential new guys for her, until Wayne showed interest in her. She figured she'd take a chance on him and see what he was all about.
"What are you doing after school, Mallory?" asked Wayne.
"I was going to go home and just hang around there," Mallory replied.
"How about we go to Joe's Café? I've been there once already since moving here, and the food's pretty good."
"It is. Sure. Why not? But what if Sylvia and Dominick and their friends are there? They may make a fuss about my presence."
"Let them. You won't be trying to steal Dominick from Sylvia. You'll be with me." Mallory was starting to finally feel better. She was starting to realize that she wasted all her energy on Dominick and what did it get her? Being grounded for the summer, facing expulsion if she even looked at Dominick, let alone talk to him, ridicule from most of the school, and a reputation as a man-stealer. Maybe Wayne was the key to turning her situation and life around.
"It's a date, Wayne," said Mallory, smiling.
"Great!" said Wayne, smiling. "Let's meet up after school and we'll go to Joe's from here. I'll see you later this afternoon!" And a happy Wayne got up and went back to class. Mallory threw her trash away and did the same. She was happy that someone, who wasn't Dominick, was showing interest in her, in spite of her reputation. She could finally see what she had been missing trying to win her ex back to no avail.
NEXT CHAPTER: CREAM, SUGAR, OR BOTH?