Of All the Stupid Things by Alexandra Diaz Page B

it is she doesn’t say it, because Pinkie continues.
“We can get pizza from Gio’s. I know they do a whole wheat crust, and all their ingredients are natural.”
“We better get a regular one too, and we’ll see which one gets eaten first,” Whitney Blaire adds.
Pinkie smiles as she assumes all is well in her little hen-house. “And if we start right after school, then you can still get to bed early for your morning run, Tara. It’s been ages since we did something just the three of us.”
I’m not in the mood for a girls’ night. I don’t want to hear all about Pinkie’s worries or Whitney Blaire’s bitchiness. Of course I don’t tell them that. “I’d love to, but I don’t think I can. I have to hit the gym after school.”
Whitney Blaire scowls. “I hope you’re not spending more time with that freak kid. I’m telling you, stay away from her. She’s evil.”
I drop the apologetic attitude. “Lay off Riley. She hasn’t done anything to you.”
“No, just to you,” she growls.
My eyes narrow and I press my lips together. “If you must know, I’m not meeting Riley. I’m spending time with Brent.”
Whitney Blaire’s voice suddenly changes to sugary sweet. “So you two are back together now?”
I feel my back grow tense. “No, we’re just working out. It’s no big deal.”
Pinkie takes a deep breath. “Tara, are you sure that’s a good idea? Getting close to him again? I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
I roll my eyes. “Nothing’s going to happen.”
“That’s what you think,” Whitney Blaire says under her breath.
“What are you talking about?” I demand.
“Nothing. You just go and have fun.”
“I will.” I grab my bag and take off.
“Stop by my house afterward if you can,” Pinkie calls out. “I’ll get the pizza.”
I keep walking, keep moving. If I walk fast enough maybe I can get around the whole school before the bell rings. No need to tell Pinkie that even though Gio makes a great pizza, I really don’t want to hang out with Whitney Blaire at the moment.

Whitney Blaire
     
I KNOW I HAVE TO FOLLOW RILEY AFTER SCHOOL. OR AT least get to the gym by four thirty. I still don’t know exactly what the plan is and how I’m going to stop it, but it doesn’t matter. I can lie my way through anything. And I’m good at thinking on the spot.
The only problem is that the gym is far away. I need to drive there. But I still haven’t passed the stupid test to get my license. Pink usually drives me around. She has this loud, clunky old thing that smells like little kids, but as Pink always reminds me, at least it usually runs. But I can’t get Pink to drive this time. She wouldn’t approve. She’ll probably call Riley up and try to sort things out. Like mothers do when their kids are fighting in the playground: “Now children, what seems to be the problem here? Why don’t you hug and make it feel better? There, there, good children.” Screw that. Pink isn’t the only answer to my driving problems. I can find someone else with wheels.
I look around the school parking lot and recognize a kid from one of my classes. He’s unlocking the door of a VW. It isn’t a great car, but it’s a newer model. I think he is just barely sixteen, but if he can drive, that’s all that matters. Shoulders back and swaying my hips, I walk toward him.
He glances my way and then pretends to be looking at something else, yet I know his eyes are on me. I flip my hair, smile, and give him a little wave. His mouth drops a bit. I want him to look behind him to double-check that it’s him I’m looking at and not some other random guy, but he doesn’t. His eyes stay on me. Which is fine too.
“Hi.” I have no idea what his name is, but when you smile as sweetly as I am, names don’t matter. “I was wondering, would you mind giving me a ride? See, my friend was going to take me to the gym, you know the one out by Target, but she must have left without me. I really need to work on my…”