The movie flickered on the large screen--some generic romantic comedy that the couple wasn’t paying any attention to. He sneaked a quick glance at the girl who met his gaze equally. He smiled sheepishly and looked down at his sneakers in embarrassment. The girl’s glance returned to the movie and he looked up once more. Time to make his move.

Ever so slowly, he stretched his arm over her shoulders, shifting his weight slightly on the plush velvet chair. The girl moved in closer and Stan scooted to the right until their hips were touching—damn. The jumbo sized bucket of popcorn fell to the floor with a clatter that seemed to echo like a gunshot, at least to his ears. He lowered his head in disappointment. He’d never get this romance thing right. The girl giggled and placed her hand over his. That gave him all the courage he needed. He leaned in and gave her a small peck on the lips………

“Stan is mine, you whore!”

Wendy sat up in bed, rubbing her cerulean blue eyes, crusted with sleep. She shook her head, trying to rid herself of the images that plagued her. Out of habit, she reached for the cell phone on her nightstand, flipping it open and flooding the surrounding area with a bluish- white light.

No new messages.

Sighing, Wendy slumped back on the pillows, placing the phone on the nightstand and closing her eyes. She hadn’t heard from Stan in over a week. Maybe this was his way of breaking up with her and moving on? Wendy’s eyes snapped back open and she reached for her phone, dialing Stan’s number.

One, two, three rings.

A groggy voiced picked up, “Hello?”

“Stan?”

“Yeah. Who is this?”

“Um, Wendy. You know, your girlfriend?”

“It’s like three in the morning or something.”

“I know. I just…..I just needed to hear your voice.” Wendy pulled a thread from the bottom of her tank top and wrapped it around her finger., hearing her own voice tumble from her lips, yet at the same time, it wasn’t. She hated the effect he had on her. Hated, hated, hated it.

“I’ll call you tomorrow.” The line went dead. And the three unspoken words left her hating him even more. At least, she wished she could. She wished she could move on just as easily as he.

But she found couldn’t. And back was her feelings of confusion, and the little flutters in her stomach she had so loved only a few months ago. Now, it felt like a squirrel was scratching its was out of her stomach.

“Love you too,” she said softly, falling into an uneasy sleep.

The Block Estate

6:59 pm

Massie glanced at herself in the mirror, cocking her head slightly to the right the way she always did if she didn’t have anyone to rate her. She knew she had to look her best in order to get Kyle’s help; most guys would rather listen to Jessica Stam than Ugly Betty.

“I don’t know, Bean,” she pressed her lips together, addressing the black pug sitting next to her plush mannequin replica and occasionally growling at said mannequin, “Do you think this top is too ah-dorable, or just ah-dorable enough?”

Massie spun, showing off her brand new BCBG satin corset style top in a bright magenta. Paired with a brand new Marc by Marc Jacobs blazer and Paige dark wash jeans; Massie was certain she would get Kyle’s attention.

And if not… Well, rest assured there wouldn’t be an ‘if not’. When Massie Block set out to get something done, it got done, simple as that. Massie gave her hair and final flip, slicked on a coat of Vanilla Mocha flavored Glossip Girl and walked downstairs her usual air of dignity, where Isaac was waiting.

Slice of Heaven Pizza Shop

7:10 pm

Massie tiptoed around the back of the pizza oven shaped building, in the hope that there might be a window, a door, anything that she could use to spy on Kyle. No such luck. With a sigh, she pulled out her Chanel compact and reapplied the back-up Glossip Girl she had brought. The sugary sweet scent of Cinnabon calmed her nerves instantly, until she pushed open the white doors and saw Kyle leaning against the ceramic hostess stand, thumbs flying across the small click pad of his flip phone; oblivious to the dirty looks the waitress was giving him.

Massie wasn’t sure what she was supposed to do. Go right up to him and start talking? Clear her throat? Reapply lip gloss? Would kissing him on the cheek be too slutty?

The waitress decided to make Massie’s decision for her.

“How many in your party?” she asked, chewing gum in a bored manner. Massie noticed that her name tag read ‘Angel’. Huh. How… fitting. Kyle looked up at the sound of the waitress’ voice and smiled.

“Hey Massie.”

“H-Hey,” she stuttered, wishing that she could duct tape her mouth closed. That stutter had to go, ASAP; it made her sound like an LBR.

“So, uh, what was so urgent?” Now it was Kyle’s turn to look nervous. He cleared his throat and discreetly tugged at the hem of his shirt, awaiting Massie’s answer.

“Um…..I……Cartman…..” Kyle’s face darkened at the mention of Cartman.

“What’s the fat fuck doing now?”

“This way please,” Angel accidentally-on-purpose pushed Massie towards the nearest chair, her eyes intent on the clock. Kyle took the hint and sat opposite Massie, flipping his cell phone open and shut.

Massie leaned in; Kyle blushed—he could practically count her long eyelashes, and tried hard not to glance down just a fraction of an inch, as he knew he would be treated by a sight of you-know-what. Massie pretended not notice, she had to be all business even if she wanted to grab him by the coat collar and kiss him all over his ah-dorable face.

“I heard you can hack into any computer, even the US government’s stuff.” She batted her eyelashes, knowing that her brand new eyelash extensions would make her amber eyes look even more gorgeous than usual.

“Why? What does this have to with Cartman?” The Jewish boy’s green eyes blazed with anger.

“N-Nothing. It doesn’t have to do with Cartman at all.” Massie crossed her fingers under the table, praying that her lie had worked.

“Oh, okay.” He visibly relaxed, and let out a long breath he had subconsciously held.

“So, can you hack into the school’s server and send a mass email?”

“Well, it depends on—” Loud obnoxious giggling drowned out Kyle’s answer. He found it extremely irritating, as he was just getting comfortable, and he knew any more distractions would wipe his response from his mind.

Massie glared at the offender; it was Thin-Pin, one of the DSL daters, sitting with some guy, no doubt her latest flavor of the week.

There was something very familiar about him. Too familiar. The lazy slouch, the way his blonde hair hung in his face, reminding Massie of a Labrador. Massie’s suspicions were confirmed when Thin- Pin leaned over the table and brushed floppy strands of hair out of his face.

“You look like a dog, Derek.”

“That’s what I aim for,” he winked.

------

“Massie? You okay?” Kyle waved a hand in front of Massie’s eyes. “You’re staring.”

“Quick, pretend to be my boyfriend! Now!”

“What the—?”

“Just do it,” Massie hissed. She grabbed his hand and spoke in a loud, syrupy sweet voice, “Oh, Kyle, you’re so funny!” She laughed.

Kyle froze up; seconds ticked by with agonizing slowness as he tried to think of something, anything to say.

Come on, talk. She’s counting on you. Say something nice about her eyes. Or her hair. It’s not that hard. Go on. Say it. Say it!!!!

“Uh, did you know that dogs help with anxiety?”

Wait….dogs…anxiety….what the hell are you thinking? Say something else! Maybe something semi-intelligent this time?Possibly?

“Your hair smells good.”

If it was considered socially acceptable to bang his head against the table, he would. What the hell was wrong with him?

Massie dug her fingernails into Kyle’s palm.

“Ouch! Hell’s that for?”

“Look,” she whispered, “they’re paying attention.” Massie leaned in and grabbed him by the collar of his orange jacket, smashing her lips against his until he felt like he couldn’t breathe. Finally, Massie pulled away. Kyle began gulping for air as though his life depended on him. And at that exact moment, it did. Sort of.

Sweet freedom……..

His lips were covered in heavy, sticky gloss; he licked them in an attempt to get it off. Hmmm….cinnamon buns. He licked his lips again. Yep, definitely cinnamon buns.

“Sorry about that. Just an old ex of mine. Anyway, about the hacking into the server—” Massie stopped short, her eyebrows raised, as Kyle stood up, his eyes darkening once again, as though she had mentioned Cartman. How could he have been so stupid?

She’s not interested in me; all she wants is her stupid mass email. Probably a new two thousand dollar handbag came out or something equally idiotic came out; she just wants to flaunt it in front of everyone.

“Figure out how to hack into the goddamn server yourself.”

For the second time in Massie Block’s life, a boy walked away from her, and didn’t look back.

-------

“Do you have it?”

“Yeah.” He handed her a small package wrapped in brown paper. “I’ve been waiting for the day I could put these to good use.”

“A reward for your troubles.” Her lips lingered on his pale cheek. Without another word, she hopped on her bike and pedaled off, the autumn night and hazy mist swallowing her form.