Written in the Stars by Jayme Ardente-Silliman Page B

the name calling, when you called me stupid.”
    “I didn’t call you stupid. I called what you did stupid.”
    “It’s the same thing.”
    “No, it isn’t.” My defenses went up.
    “Really? Please explain the difference.”
    I fully intended to tell him off, and everything I wanted to say was at the tip of my tongue, but as soon as I looked into his eyes, it was all gone. Instead, I stood frozen, ogling him as if I were thirteen all over again.
    “There’s that look again.” His cockiness snapped me out of my star struck fantasy.
    “You’re not worth explaining to.”
    “Ouch.” He winced.
    I made sure my headphones were in as deep as they would go before I turned and started running towards the trail. It took everything in me not to turn around just so I could check if he was watching me, which of course every girl knows that if a guy takes the time to watch you walk – in my case, run away – he’s interested.
    I didn’t stop or look back. I just kept running, wishing I could have been anywhere else but where I was. I had no idea what had come over me. Whatever dream I had of him was definitely not coming true in this lifetime. Not that I b elieved it ever would, but I’m sure I am the last person Geoff Mann ever wanted to see again.
    “Let it go, Sophie; he was rude first, not you,” I tried convincing myself.
    I barely got halfway home when the black Mercedes that was parked at the beach stopped in front of me and blocked my path. I watched as a freakishly large man who was at least six five and three hundred pounds of pure muscle climbed out of the driver’s door and walked to the passenger’s door behind him. Just as he grabbed for the handle, the door flew open and Geoff stepped out.
    I tried to keep up my bad girl persona, but watching him walk towards me like I was more than his next mission made it hard to breathe, let alone keep up any kind of attitude.
    “You know, the more I think about our conversation, the more I realize you owe me an apology,” he said.
    “Funny, I was thinking the same thing about you.”
    “I’ll make you a deal.” He looked directly into my eyes. “I’ll apologize if you apologize first.”
    “That’s a horrible deal. I say we go our separate ways and call it good.”
    “Nah, I like my offer better.” He grinned.
    “I’m not going to agree to a stupid deal, and I definitely won’t be the first one apologizing.”
    “Fine, then we’ll apologize at the same time.”
    “Do you really think I’m stupid enough to believe that you’re going to say it?”
    “I don’t think you’re stupid at all.” He raised his eyebrows. “But, considering you know who I am, you also know that I’m not the type of guy who’s not afraid to admit when I’m wrong, or to apologize.”
    “What gave you the idea that I know who you are?” I said, knowing I was about to open Pandora’s Box of lies.
    “Only the I-can’t-believe-it’s-you star stuck look you had on your face, not once but twice.”
    “I seriously have no idea what you’re talking about.”
    “Okay, I see where this is going.” He smiled.
    “It’s going nowhere.” I glared.
    “New deal,” he said with a firm look on his face. “We’ll both apologize at the same time, and whoever doesn’t apologize has to buy dinner.”
    “Why would buy I dinner for someone I hope never to see again?”
    “See now; that was just mean.”
    “The truth hurts,” I replied.
    “Fine, I’ll be the bigger of the two and apologize first. I’m sorry if I came across rude at any point today.”
    “Apology accepted.” I started running again.
    “You’re not going to apologize?” he yelled at me.
    “Nope.”
    “Can I at least know your name?” he yelled louder. I stopped and walked back to him.
    “From what I’ve gathered, you must be someone famous since you said I looked star struck.” I kept feeding into my lies, and he smiled and rolled his eyes as if he knew I was lying. “So, if you really are