The Class Reject: A Martyr in Maelstrom (Book III)

50 | Hollywood Walk of Shame

The Getty Center could best be described as an art museum that contained several outdoor displays in a modern garden that overlooked the city of LA.

Honestly, it was the most beautiful place Miren had been to in her life. Even if the circumstance was not particularly ideal.

This was the kind of place people went to on a date. And this wasn't a date - this couldn't be a date.

Miren texted Jeno at least a million times, but he had yet to respond. She rolled her eyes, and couldn't help but wonder if he'd be more responsive if she were Olive...Especially since they'd were more chummy than she had previously thought.

"Well, that was beautiful yet boring," Parker declared, as they rode the monorail back to the world below. "Sorry I suggested it. The head soccer coach at USC was pretty adamant about me seeing this place."

"I actually really liked it," she told him. "Thank you for taking me. Still, I'm surprised you haven't asked me any more questions."

"Maybe I don't want to ruin the illusion." He shrugged. "Maybe I can barely process the idea of standing next to you again, let alone prying."

"Is that so?"

"Believe it or not, but I've never been more content in my life."

"Well that makes one of us." She folded her arms. "So where do we go from here?"

"I was thinking Rodeo Drive. Maybe get some food--"

"You know what I mean," she said with a sigh, her eyes landing on him. Which was a mistake. Something about his enlightenment made him even more handsome - probably taller too. She cursed internally. Stupid, horny girl brain. Fortunately for her, he couldn't read her less than innocent thoughts.

"Do you want me to tell you that I'm pissed at you for lying to my face for months or that I have every desire in the world to kiss you right now and never let you go?" His voice was calm, hell his demeanor had barely shifted from the calm boy he had shown her this afternoon. "Because something tells me you don't want me to say that." Miren couldn't help but sigh again.

"Why do you even like me?--How can you still like me?" she said firmly, as if to dismiss his words entirely.

"Why do you even like me?" he replied, although mostly to mock her. Miren scoffed.

"Because you look like Jesse Williams' younger brother," she said matter-of-factly. "You're hot. Don't pretend you're not aware of your affect on people."

"And what? You think you're a troll in comparison?" he practically spat. "You were easily the most beautiful girl in St. Rosemunde." Miren shook her head.

"You and I both know that isn't true."

"Why? Because you're not some bleach blonde with porcelain skin? Black is beautiful - you're beautiful."

"I could go on to say that you probably only think that because your black mom taught you right, but I don't need you to validate my beauty." She wrinkled her nose. "Besides, you never answered my question."

"Have you always been like this?" Parker asked instead. There was no appearance of hurt on his face, but his tone suggested otherwise. "Don't tell me you're actually colder than Penelope."

"You mean the girl you picked over me?" Miren shook her head. "You know what, I'm not even going to go there. But you're right--we should say goodbye and just--" he peered at her phone before she could finish her sentence. When she saw who it was, she was hoping to feel more relieved. Naturally, she didn't.