I walk into my house and slam the door behind me. I haven't heard from my best friend all day. How the hell can Payton be so patient with me? It's so fucking hard! I mean, come on, I know something up with her if she is missing school over it. I've texted her countless times through out the day and still haven't gotten one reply back.
Max was the only one who did reply. It's normal for him to miss school once in awhile but I doubt he is sick like he claimed he was. But disappointingly like me, he didn't know where Payton was either.
It's kind of weird how they both missed school the same day. Neither of them are sick, I can guarantee myself that one.
I flopped down on my couch and turn on the TV, trying to avoid thinking about Payton or Max till one of them texts me back. The movie Valentines Day was just ending; it was showing the last few scenes with Jennifer gardener and Aston Kutcher falling in love with each other after being the closest of friends.
Aston looks like he'd be an older version of Max; the way his brunette hair hangs close to his eyes and warm brown eyes seem soft. His relaxed attitude looks almost exactly the same as my friend. I watch as he leans in to kiss his best friend.
I sit up straight. Aston kissing his best friend...
My mind discovers a connection.
Max kissing his best friend...
Payton.
"Oh hell no!" I shouted to myself as I realized something obvious.
Payton and Max like each other. It explains their moods last night! They started acting weird right after they fell in the pool together. Something happened down there, something I need to know about!
I dive for my phone on the coffee table and open a new txt message.
Dinner at my house at 7, I don't care if you're 'sick'.
I scroll through my contacts and add our usual group and hit send.
Distracting them both with food and others, they won't see my plan unfolding right in before them.
Sean, Cam and Kenzie finish cooking the food and place it in serving bowels while Payton and Max set the table.
"Payton, come help me get some drinks!" I call from the fridge outside. She dances out through the door, fiddling with a small chain slightly hidden under her shirt.
"Can I ask you something?" I ask her.
Payton hesitates for a sec before nodding and grabbing a few sodas from the fridge.
"Where were you today?" I start, hoping to build up the conversation.
"I was at home catching up on sleep and doing some chores." she explained, not meeting my eyes.
"Did you see Max at all today? He wasn't at school either. I figured you two got together." I said as casual as possible not wanting to break my cover.
Even in the low light from the fridge could I see the heat explode in her cheeks as she blushed at my comment. I look away smiling to myself. Bingo. I was on the right track.
"I didn't know he stayed home. It seemed I kind of isolated myself today." my best friend says leaning back so I could help grab soda. I mumble a "hum" and take a few Dr. Peppers. We close the door and head back inside staying silent. I planned to take mental notes on how they act at dinner.
The 6 of us sit down at my small rectangular wooden table in the dining room. Cam and Kenzie started having a private conversation in each other's ears between bites of food. Max eats silently without looking up or saying and word, letting his hair hang down in his face. As if sensing my gaze, he glanced up and meets my eye contact. His brows knit together as he slowly straightened his back.
"What the fuck are you staring at?"
I hold up my hands in surrender.
"Woah! Someone is bit defensive today. What? Did you leave your balls at home?" I mock.
Laughter erupted from every mouth at the table. As it started to die down, Payton started to playing with that hidden chain under her shirt again as she smiled warmly at Max.
I quickly switch my sight on Max just fast enough to see him smiley caringly back. I stare down at my food as if it were the most interesting thing in the world. So they smiled at each other... I can't exactly take them to court with that evidence, and since Payton doesn't seem like she is going to tell me anything and I highly doubt Max will, I will have to trick them.
Sean and I gather the finished plates and leftovers, placing them in the kitchen while the others gather in the living room. I strut in the arch way and pose.
"We should play Truth or Dare." I announce.
"We so should!" Kenize says clapping her hands together as the others mumble agreements.
"Payton, Truth or Dare?" I question, plopping down in-between her and Max on the couch.
"Um.. Dare?" She answers unsure.
An evil smile stretches across my face as I word the dare in my head. "Kiss Max."
My best friend shrugs before placing herself on the other side of Max. She leans in slowly to his face while he stares longingly at her, yet there is a hint of surprise in his eyes. When she is only a few centimeters close to his lips, she quickly slides and plants a kiss on his cheek, pulling back with a smile just as evil as mine had been.
Even with the look of rejection on Max's face making me want to roll over laughing like everyone else, I still had to protest.
"That's not what I meant!" I declare, glaring at Payton.
"Well maybe you should be more precise with your dares." She teased.
Sitting there crossing my arms, all i think is: Time for plan B…
