Chapter Three- Messy Junk

Dustin was washing his hands for the thirteenth time, trying to get his hands to be syrup free. He was trying hard not to run out of the bathroom screaming. He had been so stupid today! He felt like slamming his head right through the mirror… but of course, he didn't. That would be even more stupid than squirting your crush with ketchup. Actually… no it wouldn't. Anything would be smarter than making the girl of your dreams' shirt red.

"Are you done yet, Dustin?" Zoey's voice said from behind the bathroom door. She knocked three times as Dustin examined his fingers and pressed them together. Still a little bit sticky.

"Almost," Dustin called back as he squirted some more soap on to his wet hands. As he rubbed his hands together under the stream of water coming from the tap, he thought about Katie. It didn't seem like she was the type to like bad boys or gentlemen. He didn't know what to think.

"Little D, are you done yet?" Chase said from outside the bathroom. He had insisted on helping Dustin wash the syrup out of his fingers, but Dustin was embarrassed enough without having someone wash his hands for him. So he made everyone stay outside while he could free his fingers of stickiness.

"C'mon, Dustin, they probably aren't sticky anymore," Zoey said, sounding slightly exasperated. "Come on out. Lunch is almost over… Dustin?"

He was remembering Katie's face when he had squirted her shirt with ketchup. Twisting the tap so the sink turned off, he slumped on the ground and sighed loudly. The bathroom door opened and Chase came in, followed by Zoey.

"You're not allowed to be in the boys' bathroom," Dustin mumbled at his sister who squatted down in front of him. She looked concerned and Dustin hated it. Sisters were only supposed to be nice when they did something bad to you, weren't they?

"Dustin, what's wrong?" she asked. She tilted his head up so he had to stare directly at her. "You have to tell me what's wrong. If you can't tell me, who can you tell?"

Dustin sighed. She was right. There wasn't anyone else he could confess his troubles to without having them laugh and tease him all the time. He carefully leaned forward and whispered in Zoey's ear.

"I think I'm having girl problems."

He leaned back to examine how his sister took the news. She was smiling and trying hard not to burst out in a fit of giggles. "Dustin," she said. "You're too young for girl troubles."

"That's what you think," Dustin grumbled. "I followed Chase's tips and they completely blew up in my face. Thanks a lot Chase."

Chase looked shocked. "Well, Dustin, I thought they were great tips if I do say so myself. I mean, really, I thought that they would-"

"Wait," Zoey said, interrupting Chase's rambling. "What tips?"

"Chase said girls like gentlemen and if they don't then they like bad boys," Dustin mumbled, his head in his hands now. Zoey's mouth fell open and she turned to stare Chase directly in the eye.

"You told him WHAT?"

"Well, gee, it always worked for me!" Chase cried, defending himself. He paused. "Well, okay, maybe it didn't, but I just thought I was doing it wrong or something!"

Zoey sighed and turned to Dustin. "Dustin, girls don't like it when boys try to impress them."

Dustin lifted his head. "They don't?"

Zoey shook her head. "No, they like it when you act natural. Just be yourself, Dustin. Girls like guys that they can just hang around with without feeling uncomfortable or worried."

"They do?" Dustin said, sounding sad. "Then Katie must hate me now."

"Katie?" Zoey said, gaining interest. "Is that her name? Tell me about her. Where's she from? Is she nice?"

"Stop with the poking, Zo," Chase said, sitting down beside Dustin. "Dustin, I'm sorry for giving you stupid tips. If you want, Zoey and I could go talk to Katie and see what she thinks of you or something…"

"Great idea!" Zoey leapt up to her feet and pulled up Chase. "Let's go find her right now. Don't worry, Dustin. We'll see exactly what she thinks. She marched out of the bathroom with Chase at her heels. Dustin stared after them.

"Oh no."

Okay, guys, sorry for the incredibly short chapter and I know I haven't updated as fast I usually do, but I blame THAT on the mountain of homework on my desk. See I just started high school (where I live, high school starts at grade eight) so that means way more study time :( Anyways, next chapter will be WAY, WAY, WAY better! It's going to be really sad though… but I won't say anymore!