Wallflower by Cookie O'Gorman (first color ebook reader .TXT) 📗

you're having trouble in Calculus," Dad said, "your mom is excellent."

Mom laughed, nudging him with her elbow.  "I am, but if I remember correctly, you got the higher grade in that class."

"Only because you did my homework," he countered.

"Which you then checked and corrected," she said, shaking her head as both of them gazed at each other with nothing but love.

Dad turned to me again.  "If you need help, we're here."

"Oh no," I said.  "I think I've got this."

Operation Slytherin Strikes Back was a go.

Now, I just needed to get Dare on board.

#

The following day, I found Dare laid back on the hood of Buttercup, totally relaxed with his hands behind his head and his eyes closed.  It looked like he might be taking a nap.

"Hey," I said.  Then unable to hold back, "I wasn't sure if I'd see you."

Since you disappeared after kissing me so thoroughly, my mind added.

Dare grinned but didn't open his eyes.  "Don't sound so pleased, flower.  It'll make me think you like me."

"Do you always sleep on cars or is this new?" I asked.

"Didn't get enough sleep last night," he said.

Cocking my head, I sniffed.  "So, you're currently laying on my car, which I believe I mentioned was my pride and joy."

He hummed in response.

"Come on.  You can't be comfortable."

"You might be surprised."

"Dare."

"Yeah, Vi?"

Though it irked me to no end, seeing him sprawled out like that, I tried to keep cool.  I needed his help after all, so I had to stay on his good side.  Luckily, I knew at least one of his weaknesses.

"I've got something for you," I said.

He grunted.  "Can I get five more minutes?  I'm tired.  Plus, we're running early, and Buttercup feels so nice and cool against my back."

"Oh," I pretended to sigh.  "In that case, I guess I'll just have to eat these tasty Pop Tarts all by myself."

Dare's eyes cracked open at that.  "What flavor?" he said.

"Blueberry," I replied, knowing I had him when he licked his lips.  It sent a little thrill through me that I tried to tamp down.  He wants the food not you, stupid.

"The ones with the confetti glaze?" he asked.

I nodded, and in the next breath, the guy who'd been so sleepy before, popped up, opened my door and then rounded back to his side before jumping in.  Dare glanced out the window and said, "Well, what are you waiting for?  Let's go."

Inside, I smiled.  If he was so hungry and sleep deprived, I should have no difficulty convincing him to help.

Once I'd driven a few minutes and Dare was well into his Pop Tart, I said, "You can turn on the radio if you want."

He paused, mid-chew.  "I thought you said you liked to meditate," he said.

"Yeah, about that, I actually love music.  I was just irritated that first day about having to take you to school," I admitted.  A little truth couldn't hurt, right?

"I knew it!"  Dare pointed his finger at me.  "I knew the meditating thing was all BS."

"Yeah, well."  I shrugged.  "Like I said, I was annoyed."

"And now?" he asked.

"I guess you're growing on me," I said.

Dare nodded, gesturing to my t-shirt.  "Like one of those dogs you love so much," he put in.

"More like…an acquired taste."

Was it my imagination or did his eyes just dip to my mouth?

"I am a hard person not to like," he said which startled a laugh out of me, making him grin.  "I'm gifted like that."

"Or maybe, I got sick of hearing you drumming on your thighs," I retorted.  "You put in those earbuds and just go to town.  I'm surprised you don't have bruises."

Dare lifted a brow.  "How would you know?  Were you checking out my legs during practice the other day?"

I scoffed.  "As if."

"That's not a no, flower."

Gah, why, oh why, did he have to be so perceptive?

"Enough," I said, trying to forget how fit Dare had looked yesterday in his workout shorts.  "Turn the music on or don't.  It's all good with me."

Dare nodded.  "You do seem to be extra agreeable this morning," he said.

I played it off, lifting one shoulder.  "I'm always agreeable."

"Not with me, you're not," he mumbled, but I caught it and almost smiled.

Dare leaned forward, hit the power button, and suddenly the car was filled with the sound of strings.

"What is this?" he asked after a moment.

"Ode to Joy," I said.

"It sounds like something they'd play at a funeral."

"Not a big fan of Beethoven I take it."

"I like dogs fine," Dare mused while I bit back a laugh.  "But this song is such a downer.  You seriously listen to this stuff?"

I nodded.  "Strings are kind of my thing.  Though I like all kinds of music, from classical to contemporary, bluegrass, rock, K-pop, rap."

"You listen to rap?"  His tone was dubious.

"Yeah, when the mood strikes."

Dare gestured to the stereo.  "Okay, rap I get.  But tell me why you like this."

"I don't know," I said, a bit uncomfortable with the subject.  "Music's a really personal thing.  A lot of times when I listen to instrumental pieces, even though there aren't any words, I can just feel what the piece is trying to say.  You know?"

Dare shook his head.  "No, I don't."

"Just listen."  I took one hand off the wheel and moved it as the music swelled.  "Can't you hear that?  It's not a funeral at all.  It's…pure happiness, a rising tide, driving out all the darkness of the world.  Ooh, here's where it really picks up."

Dare didn't say anything while I tried not to get too carried away, but it was hard.  This song almost always made me cry for some reason.  As the music