P.S. I Loathe You by Lisi Harrison Read Free Book Online Page A

lips.
    “. . . The rest of the cast list will be posted outside the auditorium after lunch,” Alicia continued. “Now on to sports. Tomahawks captain Derringt—I mean, Derrick Harrington—” She giggled. “—injured his foot in an unfortunate incident that involved a tree and gravity. He’s been benched until he’s made a full recovery. Soccer tryouts to fill his position will take place Friday after school. Now on to parents night . . .”
    “Dempsey!” Kristen turned around and blurt-smacked his hand. “You should totally do it.”
    “Me?” Dempsey chuckled.
    “Him?”
Massie leaned forward, smacked the table, and gasped.
    Kristen leaned toward her. “He’s ah-mazing,” she explained. “I saw him play last night and—”
    “I was just messing around. I can’t—”
    “That’s right—he
can’t
.” Layne nudged Kristen. “Rehearsals for
Wizard of Claus
start tonight. Re-mem-beeeer?”
    “Yeah, but he’s really good and our school needs—”
    “But Dempsey’s not into soccer,” Massie insisted. “And we’re over watching soccer games after school, re-mem-ber? We’re into the arts.” She looked beside her, hoping Claire might back her up, but she was giggle-texting Cam, which was even more annoying than this conversation.
    “Dude, if you’re that good, maybe you
should
try out.” Derrington adjusted the green brim on his visor. “Maybe that’s what the angel’s try’na tell you.”
    “Ya think?” Dempsey cocked his head, considering this.
    “What about the play?” Layne whined.
    “It’s not like I’m going to make it,” he assured her. “I’m just gonna try out. You know, for fun.”
    “But you
will
make it.” Kristen’s pale cheeks were flushed with excitement. “I know it.”
    “If you’re that good, you
have
to do it,” Derrington urged. “The team needs you.”
    “Okay.” Dempsey shrugged. “I guess I could try soccer for a few weeks. To honor the African orphans.” He beamed.
    “Madonna will be so proud,” Dylan blurted from across the table.
    “Seriously?” Layne stomped her metallic gold Converse high-top. “You’re quitting the show?”
    “Why not?” Dempsey shrugged. “I’ll do the play next semester.”
    “Sellout!” Layne crumpled up her chip bag, whipped it at his neck, then took off in a huff, bashing into unsuspecting students as she zigzagged through the maze of bamboo tables.
    “Wait!” Dempsey called after her.
    “Don’t let her bring you down.” Massie stood and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “This new opportunity is too exciting.”
    Claire finally stopped texting. “I thought you hated soccer?”
    “Me?”
Massie gripped her heart in shock and fell back into her chair at the head of the table, like someone close to fainting. “Puh-lease! I toe-da-lly support sports.” She beamed invisible “shut up”
rays from her eyes.
Gawd!
Claire of all people should have understood the sacrifices one must make for love. She rode to school every day on Cam’s bike! She had given up heated leather luxury SUV seats for the back half of a hard triangular stump.
    “You
do
?” Kristen pushed her plate of sweet-potato fries aside. “How?”
    Dylan reached over and helped herself to a handful. Derrington, who was now standing behind her, grabbed them out of her hand and stuffed them in his own mouth. Dylan giggled, reaching for more.
    “Whaddaya mean
how
?” Massie’s cheeks reddened. “My, you know, dream of starting a cheerleading squad.”
    Claire burst out laughing.
    “What?” Massie leaned to the right and smacked Claire’s thigh when Dempsey wasn’t looking.
    “Seriously?” Kristen cackled. “Cheerleading for
soccer
?”
    “Why nawt?” Dylan chewed. “You know how many calories we’ll burn?”
    “I say we have our first meeting Friday night,” Massie announced. “At Kristen’s house.”
    “I thought it was a
condo
.” Kristen shot her a side glance.
    Massie pouted in an “I feel sad for you right