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RORY’S POV

Rosalie was being honest when she said I didn’t love Jason. I was being honest when I said I liked him.

I also need to be honest to admit the fact that Jason and I dated for two years despite the fact that I am in love with another person.

I know, I need to be ashamed of myself.

But what else do you do when you love someone you could never be with, someone who doesn’t feel the same way as you and only sees you as a friend?

I’m talking about Todd O’Connor, My best friend and my secret love.

When did I realize that I was in love with Todd? Probably from the first day I met him, when he saved me from a bunch of bullies in preschool. That is an interesting story for another day.

“Get out of Nerdy World!” A sharp mocking voice made me snap out of my thoughts just as someone shoved past me making my books fall off my hands and crumble to the ground.

“Go easy on her. Her boyfriend dumped her!” Another voice said.

“How terrible! A Nerd gets dumped by another Nerd. That’s too low for anyone.” The first voice said and the mean girls walked away cackling l.

You would think as a nerd, my love life was out of limits for high school gossip but I guess not.

I crouched down to pick up my books but someone was faster than me. Before I even looked up, I perceived his scent and I knew who it was.

Todd.

“Thanks.” I muttered taking the books from him as we both stood up.

“Are you still angry with me?” He asked me sounding guilty.

“No, I’m not.” I said honestly.

“So, why won’t you look at me?” He said tipping my chin gently so I could look at him.

I could feel my heart pounding the way it always did whenever Todd looked at me or touched me.

I gently shook my face out of his hands with a shrug.

Todd sighed. “Is this because of that loser Jason? Is he the reason why you’re sad?” He asked with a mixture of concern and anger in his tone.

“No, I’m just having a bad day.” I lied.

Todd sighed. “You really like him, don’t you?” There was a flash of what looked like hurt in his eyes but it was gone before I could process it.

“Can we just not talk about it?” I asked softly.

“Yeah. You’re right.” Todd said walking beside me as we headed to my locker. “ I have a good way to make you forget about this.”

“What’s that?” I asked.

“There’s a party at Joe’s today.” He said with a boyish grin that made me smile.

“On a school night?” I said inserting my locker combination.

“Don’t be a party popper, Candy.” He teased.

“Whatever, I don’t do parties, you know that.” I said carefully arranging my books.

“There’s a first for everything.” Todd insisted.

“Thank you but no.” I said shutting my locker door.

“I’ll help you get ready for the decathlon.” He offered and I froze.

Jason was the one who was supposed to be helping me practice for the upcoming science decathlon. We were supposed to practice together.

“You will?” I asked Todd in surprise.

“Two days of helping.” Todd offered.

“Four?” I tried.

Todd glared at me and then rolled my eyes. “Three and that’s final.” He said and then his eyes lit up in disbelief. “So what does this mean, you’re coming?”

“I don’t know. Rosa is saying something about drinks tonight to help me heal.” I said using air quotes when I said the word heal.

Todd scoffed with laughter.

“Yeah, you don’t want to go for that.” He said. “Besides, Rosalie will be overwhelmed to hear you’re thinking of attending a party. She will be shocked!.”

And she was! She threw out the talk of having drinks and insisted on helping me get dressed for a party, not that I needed it anyway. I mean, I’m sixteen not six.

“This is too much, Rosa.” I complained eyeing my reflection warily in the mirror when she had finished dressing me up.

I was wearing mom pants with a fitted crop top that my aunt Ryan had gifted me for my last birthday. (Which I haven’t worn by the way).

“It’s not too much! It’s your first party ever!” Rosalie said adoringly.

“My bum looks so big.” I complained.

“It is big! You look perfect. You just feel shy because you’re not wearing those baggy shirts to cover yourself.”

Rosa had pulled my long red curls in to a bouncy ponytail that made my emerald eyes look more obvious. For my face, she had applied some powder applied mascara and lipgloss which I also hardly ever wore. The best I usually do is wear cherry lip balm.

“You look so beautiful, Aurora Candace Davis.” Rosalie said clapping her hands in excitement.

I looked down shyly. “Thanks.”

“Now, would you like to take things up a notch by wearing my contact lens?” She asked wriggling her eyebrows at me.

“No.” I said readjusting my glasses.

“Fine. You still look amazing.” She pouted at me. “I can’t wait for that stupid Jason to see you and regret his actions immediately!”

“Jason doesn’t go to parties.” I murmured.

“Well that’s even better because I don’t really care about him.” Rosalie said and then a smirk climbed her face. “I care about how Todd is going to come to his senses and ask you out when he sees you!”

My face becomes heated immediately .

“Omg, Rosa!” I said taking one of my curls and nervously playing with it. “For the millionth time, Todd is my best friend. He doesn’t see me that way.”

“Because you’re both too dumb to confront your emotions.” She sneered.

I rolled my eyes. I had no chance of a romantic relationship with Todd. He saw me just as his best friend, his buddy, his sister even. Not as someone he could be attracted to.

The doorbell rang pulling me out of my thoughts.

“He’s here!” Rosalie said in a singsong voice. “I’ll go let him in, get that pretty denim purse and come downstairs.”

“Please don’t say anything stupid.” I called after her but she had already gone.

I put my handbag over my shoulder and sighed rubbing my palms against my jeans. I felt so nervous for whatever reason!

When I got downstairs, Rosalie and Todd were laughing about something.

He had his back turned but he looked so attractive already. He was wearing a large leather jacket that was a little loose on his muscular frame and his leather pants looked clean and classy.

My breath hitched in my throat as I made my way down the stairs. Todd had never seen me in anything other than loose sweatshirts, cardigans and my usual mom jeans. Honestly, no one had.

Just this added crop top and make up made me feel so different.

As I got to the bottom of the stairs, Rosalie noticed and a smile lit her face.

“There she is!” She nodded towards me.

Todd turned around and his eyes widened slightly before sizing me up continuously. The way he looked at me made my heart pound in my chest.

He looked stunned and in that moment, I could not help but think ; what if, just what if there was a chance for Todd to like me more than a friend.