Chapter 3: Ginger woke up the next day feeling perfectly fine. Too fine to pretend she was sick. Thinking it was pointless to even try to fake it, she got herself together, and slowly made her way to school.

What if I tried to make Darren jealous? Ginger thought to herself. Imagine how sick he would feel if he thought I was someone else’s girl! Knowing that the plan would work, all she had to do now was, pick a really hot guy to fake go out with until Darren came to his senses, and realized they were meant to be. Then it hit her. James Stone! Basketball star and total hottie! He was single too! This is gonna be sweet! Ginger thought to herself silently.

When Ginger saw James at lunch, she walked up to him as casually as she could. He was sitting with some other guys. Like she cared. “Hey cutie.” She said, in her best Marilyn Monroe impersonation. He finally noticed her. “Oh hi, and you are?” Ginger let out a tiny giggle. “Aw, how cute. Acting like we never met. That is so old-school. Fine, I’ll play along. It’s Ginger. Ginger Foutley. Oh, you have a little hot-sauce on your chin. I’ll get it for you.” She gently ran her finger across his chin. “All gone.” She looked up at him for a second, and gave him a quick kiss. “Can I see you outside for a sec?” he finally said. “Sure!” Once they were outside, James was the first one to talk. “What are you doing?” He asked, in total shock. “I’m sorry to catch you off guard like this, but I just don’t like you like that. We can be friends if you want. We just can’t be together, okay?” At that moment, Darren walked by. “You are so funny.” Ginger said, laughing. “Well… see you in Bio.” She left James looking totally confused, and Darren standing there with his mouth hanging open.