Like This And Like That by Nia Stephens Read Free Book Online

him as soon as she saw him in his pseudo-gangsta-rapper costume. In the car ride over he barely spoke, and now, whenever he asked her a question she couldn’t hear him over the music. Since arriving all she had done was shrug and smile. She tried this same tactic with his latest inquiry, not realizing what she was getting herself into.
    â€œGreat,” he said, grabbing her hand and standing up.
    â€œWhoa, wait. What are you doing?” Gemma said, snatching her hand back.
    â€œI thought you wanted to dance?”
    Gemma’s heart sank. “Oh, I thought you asked if I wanted something to drink.” She felt as if everyone in the room was already staring at them. She seriously did not want to get out there in front of everyone and be even more of a spectacle. And if Drew’s outfit was any kind of indicator, she was afraid to find out what his moves were.
    He looked disappointed but said, “Okay. I’ll be right back.” Gemma exhaled as he left for the kitchen, relieved that she was finally getting a break from him. She found it difficult to believe that this was the same guy that had IMd her sweet little messages all week. Had sent her roses and loved romantic poetry. She glanced around the room wishing Ashton Kutcher would jump out from behind the couch and yell, You’ve just been punk’d!
    â€œHey,” Seth said, walking up to her. “What’s up? Didn’t expect to see you here.”
    Gemma flushed. She didn’t want to have to introduce Seth to Drew, especially after how excited she had been in bio. “Just hanging out. What about you?” She silently prayed that Drew would take a loooooong time to get their drinks.
    â€œSame.”
    Gemma nodded uncomfortably. “I guess I’ll see you around.”
    As if a lightbulb had gone off in his head, Seth said, “Oh yeah, aren’t you out with Mr. Prince Charming tonight?” He glanced around, apparently looking for her date.
    Gemma spotted Drew returning with two plastic cups. Was there any way she could disappear into the floor? Teleport out of there? Make Drew, or Seth—or herself—vanish?
    Drew handed her a cup. “Thanks,” she said, hoping he brought her something that could relax her a little more than straight punch. She took a huge gulp. No such luck, it was root beer.
    There they were, the three of them looking at each other like lab specimens. It would have been funny if Gemma wasn’t the one smack in the middle of this pathetic scene. Finally, Drew extended a hand to Seth. “I’m Drew.”
    With a perplexed expression, Seth looked from Drew to Gemma and back to Drew. Finally he extended his hand as well. “I’m Seth.”
    The two boys shook hands and then Drew draped his arm around Gemma’s shoulders. “So how do you two know each other?”
    â€œFrom school,” Gemma said. She flinched a little as Drew squeezed her shoulder.
    â€œOh, school? A wonderful thing school is,” Drew said with a nod.
    Who is this guy ? Gemma thought. Who talks like that ?
    Seth seemed quite amused by the whole thing. They continued standing there in excruciating silence. Even the loud music blaring from the speakers did nothing to ease the tension.
    Seth finally said, “I’ll catch you later.” He then checked out Drew from head to toe one last time and walked off.
    Gemma shrugged off Drew’s hand and took another sip of her soda. Oh, why couldn’t the punch be spiked?
    â€œThis party is slammin’,” Drew said.
    Slammin’? Gemma rolled her eyes. She had to admit defeat. She could not take this date anymore. She needed to escape.
    The DJ slowed the music down. Couples who had been hidden away in dark corners found their way to the center of the dance floor. Gemma could feel Drew looking at her. She knew what was coming next.
    â€œWould you like to dance?”
    Realizing she was not getting out of there until she