Back Online by Laura Dower Page B

that didn’t mean he’d be hanging around her all the time. The last thing Madison needed was another boy in the mix.
    As soon as everyone settled in, taking notes from their seats, the classroom door swung open.
    It was Dan.
    Dan?
    There he was, backpack slung over one shoulder, hair falling half over his face. She hadn’t expected him, and now all at once Madison’s insides swirled with unmistakable cute-boy butterflies, the same ones she used to get with Hart—only worse. She had a prickly feeling on her scalp and on her earlobes and all sorts of weird nerves in places she’d never had nerves before.
    All because Dan walked into the room.
    He just looked so handsome in those shoes and jeans. Pork-O or not, he made her head woozy, and Madison wanted him to look right at her and say something nice.
    Stop staring , Madison told herself. You’re acting like a weirdo. It’s just Dan.
    â€œYo! Dude!” Egg called out.
    Dan put up his hands like he was at a stick-up and laughed.
    â€œYou can sit here,” Madison said softly, but she must have said it too softly because he was looking in the other direction.
    At Leyli.
    â€œThere’s an open seat right here!” she called out.
    â€œYo, dude, here !” Egg yelled a little louder.
    Joe waved Dan over, too, and of course Dan went for the seat near his guy pals and cousin.
    Mrs. Wing and her bracelets jangled over to Dan and the crowd of boys. Her head bobbed up and down, listening closely to Dan’s excuses. She always demanded an explanation for a tardy arrival. He had a million of them.
    Dan finally yanked a late pass from his shirt pocket. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Wing. Won’t happen again.”
    â€œHe’s so cute. Isn’t he cute?” Leyli whispered to Madison.
    Madison shrugged and made a face. “Dan? Cute? Are you serious?”
    â€œWell …” Leyli said, smiling. “Yeah, totally.”
    â€œHe picks his nose, you know,” Madison said, feeling a little guilty about making up a lie, especially one so stupid. “I saw him eat it once.”
    â€œOh, come on,” Leyli said, looking a little grossed out—and more than a little confused. “He does? Really?”
    Madison nodded. “I told you his nickname is Pork-O, right?”
    Leyli gazed off into the distance. “Well, I still think he’s cute. Who knows?”
    Class proceeded quickly, with more explanation of the extensive plans Mrs. Wing had for the group. Everyone was assigned a few tech tasks right before the class ended, including an honest appraisal of the existing website.
    â€œI think some students probably have a better idea about what’s working—and isn’t working—than I do,” Mrs. Wing said.
    When class was finally dismissed around three o’clock and the classical music began playing, Joe came over to Madison’s desk while she was packing up her bag. Dan was with him.
    â€œI told you Dan and I were actual cousins,” Joe said. “See?”
    Dan shrugged. “Truth is,” he said, “we’re second cousins. He just moved to Far Hills last year, and he totally tries too hard.”
    â€œI don’t have to try,” Joe said. “I just have a magnetic personality.”
    Joe bopped away, leaving Dan alone with Madison.
    â€œI have a magnetic personality, too,” Dan said, mocking his cousin. “Seriously though, my cousin talks too much—and annoys everyone. But he’s a cool guy. I think the only reason he signed up for tech class was because I told him there would be cute girls here. I didn’t think he would go for you.”
    â€œGee, thanks,” Madison said.
    â€œNo, I-I didn’t mean it like that,” Dan stammered.
    â€œWhat did you mean?” Madison asked, putting her hands on her hips.
    â€œHey, Maddie! Hey, Dan!” Leyli said, bouncing over a little too enthusiastically. She sidled right