Author's Note: Thanks so much for the awesome comments! I'm glad so many of you are enjoying this fic. :)
Star Error VII
"Star, where have you been?" asked Kwan.
Star took her normal seat at the A-List table in the cafeteria. "Nowhere. Sorry. Just had a thing I needed to take care of."
"Aren't you going to eat?" asked Paulina, taking a bite of her chicken salad.
Star looked down at the empty table space in front of her. "Oh. Uh, actually, I already ate."
"What did you eat?" Dash grinned, chewing his food as he spoke. "Fenton's face?"
Star balked. "What kind of a question is that?"
"He walked in literally a minute before you did," said Dash, looking over in Fenton's direction where he was sitting with Manson and Foley a few tables away. "His loser friends were here on time as usual, so that means he was also 'taking care of something.' That 'something' probably being you, right?"
"So you and Danny are really hitting it off, huh?" Paulina playfully elbowed her in the side.
"No!" shrieked Star. "You guys have got it all wrong."
"Star, you don't need to keep denying it." Dash took a huge bite of his burger, a glob of ketchup smearing above his lip. "Paulina's dated him, too. Clearly that nerd's got something going on you girls like."
Paulina made a face. "I don't know what you're talking about, but could you please use a napkin, Dash?"
Dash wiped his mouth with his hand. "Paulina, we all remember that week when you were attached to Fenton's hip and we had to temporarily kick Kwan out of the A-List to make room for him."
"I could never forget," sighed Kwan with a pout.
"You're all crazy," said Paulina. "That never happened."
"Come on, Paulina." Dash took another bite, even more ketchup dribbling down his chin. "Just tell me what that nerd's secret is already. I mean, why would you date him of all people before me?"
Paulina pursed her lips. "Well, for one, he's not gross."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Stop talking with your mouth full, Dash! See, Danny's not a pig like you are."
"That's because Fenton barely eats at all. He's a twig."
"He's not a twig." Paulina looked in Fenton's direction and twirled a lock of her hair. "He's put on some muscle this past year. Don't you agree, Star?"
Star rolled her eyes. "Who's keeping track of that?"
"Look, all I'm saying is, I could kick his ass from one end of this school to the other." Dash sighed. "God, I actually kind of miss whaling on him. Coach said I had to knock it off or I'd get kicked off the team."
"Does Fenton know that?" asked Kwan.
"No, and I'm not gonna tell him." Dash smirked. "I'd rather him live in fear that I could pound him any day now."
"He's not afraid of you, you know," said Star with a shrug.
Dash furrowed his brow. "What did you say?"
"Fenton's not afraid of you," said Star more slowly.
"And just how do you know that?"
"He told me."
"Oh, did he tell you yesterday on your little date?"
"It wasn't a date, as I keep trying to tell you, but yes, it was yesterday at the cafe."
"He was probably just trying to impress you." Dash laughed. "You know, act like he's tough for his new girlfriend. But I think it's real cute that you two are starting to get to know each other so well."
Star wrinkled her nose and pouted.
"So how is he?" Paulina nudged her.
"What? How is who? What do you mean?" asked Star irritably.
"Danny," said Paulina. "I mean, is he a good kisser?"
"Shouldn't you know, Paulina?" asked Dash. "Surely you sucked face with him at least once when you were dating him."
"Shut it, Dash." Paulina glared at him. "I'm asking Star a question."
Dash rolled his eyes and stuffed the last bite of his burger into his mouth. "Yes, Star, please tell us what it's like to kiss one of the biggest geeks in school. We're all dying to know."
"I just want to know if he's better than me," said Kwan anxiously. "He's not, right?"
Everyone looked at her expectantly, waiting. Star chewed the inside of her cheek as her eyes darted between them.
And a few tables over, Fenton was chatting it up with his friends, all smiley because he had the upper hand again.
And then Star got an idea.
"Well, actually…" She put her elbows on the table and leaned forward. "We haven't kissed yet. Fenton—I mean, Danny says he wants to practice a little more first. You know, to make sure our first kiss is perfect."
"Practice?" Paulina tilted her head.
"Yeah," said Star, grinning. "He has all these dolls and pillows in his room that he likes to practice on. They all have pictures of girls at our school taped to them. He says it makes it feel more authentic."
"Ew, are you serious?" Paulina crossed her hands over her chest and shuddered.
"No way, he doesn't do that, does he?" Kwan's eyes were wide.
"He's got at least a dozen of them," said Star. "He mostly uses pictures of cheerleaders."
"Oh, I have to tell everyone right now." Dash whipped out his phone and began furiously typing out a text message.
"Cheerleaders, so does that mean he has a doll or pillow with my picture on it?" asked Paulina.
"Oh, yeah." Star nodded. "I think he might practice with yours the most."
"Ugh, gross." Paulina stuck out her tongue. "But is it at least a good picture of me?"
Star's smile dropped. "Is it—what?"
"Just tell me it's not that picture of me after I ran that marathon last semester, is it? Where I'm all sweaty and my eyeliner is running?"
"Uh—"
"I know it's been circulating between all the boys, so please just tell me he's not using that one because I really hate it."
Star rolled her eyes. "He's using a great picture of you, don't worry."
Paulina sighed. "Okay, good." She also pulled out her phone. "The other cheerleaders are going to want to know about this, though."
Star smirked triumphantly as Dash and Paulina busily typed away on their phones, then she turned to look at Fenton across the way, catching his eye after just a few moments. She waved at him and flashed her most dazzling smile. Fenton's brow furrowed, his bottom lip sticking out slightly in a puzzled frown.
Star flipped her hair over her shoulder as she turned away. The game was back on.
