CHAPTER TEN

Gina has just arrived home, daydreaming about Jake, when her phone buzzes.

"Hello?"

"Yo, Gina?"

Her heart leaps out of her chest. It's Jake! She feels like shouting out of happiness. She tries hard to keep her voice in control. "Jake?"

"Yeah, it's me," he says, sounding a little nervous.

"You have my number?" Gina asks, her cheeks turning a deep shade of red.

"Nah, I got it from Marley," he says. "So, listen, you busy tonight?"

Gina's heart does a somersault. "Depends," she says, trying to keep calm, although she feels like running around her room in ecstasy. "Why do you ask?"

"There's this karaoke night at Breadstix tonight," he says, and Gina's heart beats twice as fast. Is this really happening? Is this what she thinks this is? Is Jake Puckerman finally asking her out? "Marley wanted to invite you, but she's busy helping out her Mom, so she asked me to call you."

There. He finally dropped the bomb. So he asked her out only because Marley told him to. Gina can't help but feel disappointed. She chews on her lips, pouting and cursing to herself. "What's Breadstix?" she questions, unable to hide the bitterness from her voice.

"This little restaurant near McKinley," Jake explains. "Really cool place, it's not bad. Marley thought it would be good for you to, you know, explore a little bit. How did she put it? 'Go with us, have some fun, make more friends.'" He pauses. "You should come. I mean, it'll be fun."

"Oh," Gina shrugs, considering the offer. At least, if she goes, she'll get to spend some time with Jake, right? And he seems eager for her to come, too… or is it just another thing she makes up in her silly, Puckerman-crazy head? "Who else is coming?"

"Uh, not much, probably just me, Marley, Unique, maybe Sugar. The usual." Gina can feel him smiling over the other end. "Kitty won't be there, don't worry. She thinks karaoke and Breadstix are lame."

"I don't care about Kitty," Gina lies. Then she remembers something. "Isn't Ryder going to be there?"

"He's busy with homework," Jake says. "He's a bit behind on his studies, and he still needs to finish this one paper. Said he couldn't come. Anyways, you up for it or not?"

Gina doesn't need to think twice.

"Yeah, just give me the address," she tells him. "I'll be there in fifteen minutes."

Breadstix here we come!

I've always wanted to come to Breadstix. It looks like a nice place, and the food looks good!