Chapter 21: Peer Pressure
Amelia was sent home with a day of suspension for her outburst. Stephanie was filled with glee. She felt bad for Amelia's hair, but not for the rest of her. Purple hair was nothing compared to what she truly deserved after being such a bully. Now that the deed was done, no one spoke of the posters. Though the day seemed fine after gym, eyes still set targets on Steph and Robbie. Pretending to be a couple turned out to be harder than they planned.
"How did you ask her out?" Tiffany asked at lunch.
Stephanie shoveled salad in her mouth out of nervousness.
Robin answered, "Heh. Oh, you know. We watched some television. We sat on her porch. I thought it was a good time."
Tiffany added, "That's romantic. Are you two planning on going to Hawes' party Friday? It's for us seniors, though you know other losers will sneak in."
"Yeah, I don't think so," Steph said. "After all the chaos this year, I'd rather not cause any discomfort by showing up. Amelia goes to that stuff all the time."
"But that's the point, Steph," Lily chimed in. "You never appear at these parties. It's time you do. Before we graduate. It'll be so much fun. You can bring Robin too."
"Fine," Stephanie finally replied. She shook her head and said, "I know I'll regret it. Robin, will you be my date?" She shot him a playful smile.
Robbie nodded. Inside, his stomach twisted in ways he never expected; kind of like the feeling he got when too much cake was eaten, but without the ache. In his mind, however, Robbie was fighting his conscience from accepting his growing feelings for one pink-haired-girl. This was torture - Torture with his leg brushing against hers, arm against arm, fingertip against fingertip.
Lily chewed on a piece of bread as if it tasted strange. She furrowed her brows and said, "You know, you two don't really seem to click. I mean, you do, but something is missing. Do you two have a problem with PDA?"
"PDA?" Robbie asked.
Stephanie caught a breath, wishing Robbie hadn't spoken.
"Public displays of affection," The words from Lily's mouth echoed in Steph's ears like a death sentence. "You two haven't kissed or hugged or anything all day, according to Tiffany, Jeff, Mina, Raul, and every other source of gossip. Apparently Nate said he thinks you are just rebelling against him for not liking you. Steph, I'm on your side, but I want to make sure."
Lily was not a queen of relationships at all. She was a gossip queen, but a sneaky and quiet one. She only ever spoke of gossip when she believed it to be true. She only spoke up when it concerned her closest friends. Stephanie wasn't super close to Lily, but they did have a past of sharing the same locker during freshman year and a celebrity crush or two.
"Oh, we haven't really gotten a chance today for anything," Steph lied. "Gym, as everyone's heard, was terrible. I guess I've just been out in the clouds today."
Tiffany rolled her eyes and said, "Whatever. No one needs to see you make out. Lily means it wouldn't hurt your reputation if you two kissed in the halls once in a while. Nate has you on a radar right now after the purple hair stunt. Whoever did that to Amelia is going to get hurt. Either way, Nate suspects you because of how much you love his ex-snob. I think they'll get back together for the sex."
"I've lost my appetite." Robbie blurted.
Stephanie merely said, "Whatever."
In a moment of brilliance, Robbie said, "Steph, you were in a bad mood this morning, too. I will have to kiss you a hundred times more tonight to make you all better."
Lily and Tiffany replied, "Aww."
Stephanie melted.
The end of lunch bell rang. Stephanie and Robbie stood up and their hands instantly magnetized. Students spilled out of the lunchroom like a school of fish away from danger. Nate passed by the couple with his loud friends. He stopped to approach Steph.
"So," He started, "good one. Amelia was annoying, anyways. I'm still not talking to you, Steph, but I hope you survive whatever she might plan against you. I'm stepping out of this war. Good luck and good bye."
"What a dick." Robbie stated as the guys walked away. "You liked him?"
Stephanie replied, "Not anymore. Maybe he was always like that, though. Oh well."
"Lily and Tiffany were right, though. Everyone is glancing at us and then turning to whisper."
Alright, Stephanie thought, I can kiss him once, right? On the cheek maybe? That would calm everyone down. Ugh. With him staring into my eyes with such depth it's hard not to want to really kiss him. Robbie is a very attractive man. That is all. Right? Nothing else . . . Not the way he makes me laugh. Or the way he makes me feel beautiful without trying. Oh geeze, that smirk of his is killer. He has really brought me up from a hole I couldn't escape.
Before she could move, Robbie planted one hesitant pair of lips on Stephanie's neck. It lasted only a second, but the feeling lingered and shot through her shoulder down to her toes. It dug deep into her muscle straight through to her shaking bones. Instantly, she was paralyzed.
"That should do. Sorry I didn't warn you, Pinky." Robbie's head glowed beet red. He shrugged and laughed nervously. Suddenly, he felt as though he were truly back in high school, trying to impress his love interest. Robbie needed air. He said, "I'm going to run to the men's room. Wait here?"
"Sure." Steph said and leaned against a locker.
Robbie ran into the men's room and locked himself in a stall. He was frustrated at himself for acting without thinking. This was Pinky. Robbie came from a place near rock bottom. He never used to like interacting with anyone – he was a loner. After seeing Steph in her state of depression, his dark eyes were opened. Pinky wasn't Pinky: she was a young woman who took people's opinions too seriously. She cried and crumbled. She was raw and real. People like Sportacus swore life was pure and wonderful. Because of this, Steph was naïve. If she had spent more time with Robbie, listened to him, he could have shown her how to deal with bullshit. It was not too late, though. He felt his arrival at her high school was for a reason. Robbie finally felt needed, even while he slowly melted into love.
A few minutes in the bathroom allowed Robbie to absorb everything at last. He left with more confidence in himself. He took Stephanie's hand in his and gave her a warm smile. Without thinking, he winked.
In the rest of the day's classes, Robbie became awfully quiet. It was over in the blink of an eye. Stephanie led Robbie out of the school so they could venture to her house.
"Hey," Robbie stopped Steph. "You got through the day."
"Yeah," She replied, "You're kind of reminding me how strong I am. I guess I forgot along the way. Sorry for all of my drama."
"Don't apologize, Pinky. I came here with different intentions and ended up finding my best friend. If anything, I should be sorry for not coming sooner."
Stephanie stepped in closer to her villain. She tilted her head a bit to level their eyes. While students ran past towards buses and cars, Stephanie was preoccupied with her rushing blood and racing thoughts. Leaning closer, she placed her lips on Robbie's nose.
"Now we're even for earlier." Stephanie smiled and started walking away.
With an evil glint in his eye, Robbie chased after her.