Chapter Eight

I kill the engine and unbuckle my seatbelt. Makenna doesn't move. She is still strapped in and is sitting in the same position she got in the car with. She looks straight ahead at the library wall.

"What's wrong?" I ask. She doesn't say anything, but her gaze shifts slightly. She's staring at the dashboard.

"You know."

"Know what?"

"That I broke up with Alan." I sigh.

"I didn't think it was a big deal to know," I say. "I mean, everyone was talking-" I stop. That was a stupid thing to say.

"You asked that Farmer kid," she says. My heart sinks. "If you heard about it so much, why did you want to know?" I don't move. I have to think carefully.

"I was just talking with Noah. We're friends."

"I'm not stupid," she snaps, "so don't treat me like I am. I'm eighteen, not eight."

"I'm sorry," I say. "I have a terrible need to know things. There were different rumors. I was walking toward my car when I walked by baseball practice and saw Noah." Most of that is true. I won't tell her I purposefully went to Noah. "He didn't know anything if it makes you feel better."

"I still don't understand why you want to know. Do you like me?"

CODE RED! CODE RED! CODE FUCKING RED! SHE'S ON TO ME. Shit. Don't panic and you'll be fine. Answer calmly and smoothly and life will be great.

"W-what? I-I mean y-you're a ni-nice girl and all..." She rolls her eyes.

"If you want me to fall for you, give me something to trip over." I don't move. I continue to look at her because what else is there to do? She doesn't move either at first.

Eventually she huffs and throws open the door. No, she doesn't like me. Just add her name to the list.

"Are you coming, dork?"

I blink a few times and follow her. As soon as we get to the door, she opens it and walks in. She holds it open slightly for me. This maneuver involves her spinning around to make sure I am holding the door open so it won't close on my face. As she spins around, she winks at me.

Wait. What? First she accuses me of liking her, then she sasses me, and now she winks at me? What? How does this make sense to girls? It sure doesn't make sense to me.

Makenna has found a table off in the corner. She tells me she just needs a quiet place to work, but she'll let me know I she needs help. I nod and begin to wander the aisles of the library for any bit of help.

Ooh. This might come in handy. I flip through the pages for interesting snippets.

Mini Lessons

One, always tell women the truth. If there is even a little discrepancy and we find out about it, we will call you out on it. Don't lie to women. We don't like it. We think you don't trust us with the truth. Always tell the truth; unless a girl asks you if her jeans make her look fat. Answer no immediately regardless of your opinion. It's even more flattering when you don't have to look at us. Looking makes us think you're second guessing it.

Respect her wishes, desires, and fears. Erasing one's fear, anyone not just women, makes them feel invalid. As if you don't think it's a big deal or do not care. Do not make anyone feel bad or stupid because some of their dreams are not realistic. The biggest, most important part of lesson two is the word no. If someone says no, they mean no! Not maybe, not in a little while, NOT yes. No means no!

Being respectful. Listen when she talks and don't interrupt, especially if she's upset. Don't text or call someone when you're on a date. Give her personal space. Give her your full and undivided attention. Don't yell. She may be afraid of loud noises; this connects back to respecting fears. Remember, she's putting effort into the relationship and so should you.

The most important bullet point when it comes to the cons of cheating is that there are no pros. Don't be that asshole. For those who have been cheated on, they have described the feeling as if you're walking down the street when all of the sudden someone punches a hole through your chest and rips your heart out. And they rip out your lungs because it leaves the sensation of difficulty breathing. You can never rebuild that relationship or make it stronger due to the lack of trust.

Be nice. When you get into fights, apologize first, even if she's wrong. Open doors for her, compliment her, watch her favorite shows even if they are dumb. Always pay for dinner. She's going to tell you she doesn't want anything for her birthday or holidays but you have to get her something anyway. Be thoughtful. Playful teasing is okay when she does it too. If she doesn't, you probably offended her. Basically just be a gentlemen.

Loyalty and trust. Don't see other people at the same time unless she knows AND okays it. She should be more important than your friends. She's your number one. Trust means not being overly jealous.

She's going to need to do things on her own. Let her be independent. It's nice to have a protective boyfriend, but there's a difference between protective and possessive. Stand up for her, but let her stand up for herself. And don't rush women.

Here are 9 deadly terms used by women.

Fine-women use this to end an argument. If she says this, it means she knows she's right and you need to shut up.

Five minutes-this means thirty minutes.

Nothing-nothing means something. Be on your toes.

Go ahead-this is a dare, she is not giving you permission to do it.

The loud sigh-she thinks you're an idiot.

I'm okay-she is most certainly not okay and you need to comfort her.

I'm fine-she's not fine. She's either very sad or very pissed off depending on her tone.

Thanks-it is okay to say 'you're welcome.' If she says 'thanks a lot' she doesn't mean it.

Whatever-basically it means fuck you.

I skip ahead to the next few chapters. Nothing interests me in between those mini lessons and this new chapter I found.

How to tell if she likes you

Pay attention to body language. Often times playing with her hair (i.e. twirling it around her finger), crossing her legs, and eye contact are huge signs. Crossing of the ankles is not as great, according to British psychologist Geoff Beattie.

Casual meetings become more regular. If you have an after school job and she constantly shows up, there's a good chance she likes you.

If you find she's asking you for help, it may be because she likes you. Especially if she's asking you over text when she could find the answer just as easily elsewhere.

I turn the next page just as footsteps behind me stop directly behind me. I slam the book shut and gasp as Makenna leans casually against the bookshelf.

"Whatcha reading?"

I open my mouth to respond, but nothing comes out. She stands on her tiptoes to eye the cover of the book.

"Reading Women by Allison Malloy?" I am so screwed. "Interesting choice for a teacher. Though, I think you're gonna need it."

"Are you being sassy or do you genuinely not like me?"

"Read your book and find out." Then she smiles in a sickly sweet manner and exits the library.