Certainty by Eileen Sharp Read Free Book Online Page A

Noah called out, “Why don’t you sit with us? We have an extra seat here.”
    The butterflies that had gathered in my stomach at the sight of Ren suddenly started doing backflips. I realized that Ren might have been sucked into Noah's vortex like everyone else.
    “I already have a seat, but thanks, man,” Ren answered.
    I was pretending not to listen, but it was hard not to smile. He sat down behind me and tugged on my hair.
    Turning around, I said, "You can sit with Noah if you want. I hear he's got class president locked down. It would be a good political move on your part."
    He raised an eyebrow. “I'm good, thanks.”
    “I won't shrivel up and die if you want to sit somewhere else.” I gave myself a few points for showing my disinterest in him and my independence.
    He sighed, leaning back. “Yes, you would.”
    “That is quite the ego you have there.”
    “Uh, no, it’s a fact. And I couldn’t be responsible for you shriveling up and dying in class. That would be unfortunate…and gross.”
    I gave him my best "whatever" face and turned around, trying not to laugh.  I caught Noah watching us as he leaned over to whisper to Maddy. I assured myself they weren’t talking about me—they probably had tons of other fascinating subjects to talk about.
    Sr. Ruddy started the class and I felt Ren nudge my elbow. I glanced down to see a note in his hand. Twisting like I needed to crack my spine, I took the note as discreetly as possible. This would be so much easier if we could text. Not that texting was allowed in class, that was a ticket straight to losing my cell phone. Even if texting in class wasn't the equivalent of a federal crime, Ren didn't have my cell phone number - because he hadn't asked for it.
    I didn’t want to ask for his number because…because he should ask for mine. I didn’t know why.
    Are you going to the dance?
    My heart jumped. Was he going to ask me? I replied, You shouldn’t pass notes in class. No. I waited for Sr. Ruddy to turn around before tossing the note over my shoulder.
    He tapped my arm again and the next note read, Would you like to go with me and Steve?
    Honestly, the note was perfect up until the last two words. And Steve? What kind of date is that? It wasn’t one, obviously. He only liked me as a friend. I swallowed my disappointment and replied, I would love to. Thanks for asking.
    He sent me back a smiley face and I folded it up and tucked it in my jeans. I concentrated for a few moments on Sr. Ruddy’s lesson as a diversion to my disappointment, but it was no use.
    Maybe Ren only asked Steve because he knew Steve was too shy to ask anyone himself. This thought bumped Ren straight to the top of the nice guy chart and I suddenly felt a little bad for being disappointed. What was I pouting about anyway? Third wheel scenario aside - I would be giving Steve the role as the spare tire - I was going to Homecoming…with Ren. Suddenly I was excited about dress shopping until it dawned on me that dress shopping would only be fun if Katie were with me. As far as I knew, she didn't have a date. Inspired by Ren's generosity toward Steve, I pulled a piece of paper from my notebook and wrote a note to Ren.
              Let's invite Katie and Noriko to come with us. I knew Crystal already had a date and I would hate for Katie and Noriko to feel left out, might as well make it a party. I neatly folded my note and reached to scratch my shoulder, dropping the note on Ren's desk. I hope that's were it landed.
    The note that came back was a shock. Noah is going to ask Katie. We can ask Noriko at lunch.
    I could hardly believe it. Noah was going to ask Katie? She’d been crushing on him for a year now and suddenly he was going to ask her to the dance? He was just going to break her heart, and I knew it, but no one would believe me.
    So Katie would go to the dance with Noah and I had a date, but not really. When Spanish ended Noah and Maddy waited for Ren, ignoring me. They