local golden boy, was the first step. Getting him to notice "Amy Jenkins," the quiet new girl at the campus coffee shop, hadn't been hard. A few strate

e music vibrated through the floorboards, a smell of stale beer and che

said, gesturing to a girl lea

didn't change. My "Amy" f

ssessing, raked over me. A

new flavor of

loud, carrying

id like 'em sweet an

ng closer. She deliberately bumped my shou

, a lazy grin on his face. He s

m the keg, then turned, f

how to pick 'em. This one'

red. My smile didn't waver. Inside, Be

a large gu

s. "Kev and I, we're practically family. Known each other since we were in

d Kevin's neck, pulling his head do

o's your favorite

mself. "Alright, Jess, lay off

tta be tough. Besides," she leaned in conspiratorially, her voice still loud enough for everyone

ve seen a lot of girls come and

htly overwhelmed smile

essie. Kevin's told me...

eer. "We're a package deal, me and these idiots." She gestured to the guys aro

to getting to know everyon

ed, a short,

you

. polite. Are you sure she's fun? We were gonna do

answer, I spoke, my

od friends are special." I paused. "It's fine if you ran around withou

t still. One of the g

narrowed. The

you just s

fraction. I snuggled closer to Kevin, my voice beco

irl, right? I figured you wouldn't get all sensitive. It's not like

mmed her cup down on the table

're real cleve

rown on his face. "Hey, Jess, calm d

m. "Oh, so now you'

Let's not spoil the party over a silly misunderstanding." I tu

and the tension

rab cups, Jessie sud

Dam

ed over, and she was drama

and I think a piece

me, rushing to her side. "

re was no visible blood, not even a s

hined, her eyes flicking to me for a s

" He was trying to be light, but his focus was entirely on her. He then, to my utter di

, big baby?

er eyes locked on mine over his sho

on my face, suppressing the cold, hard