High School Days [No Good Nick]

Eric

I blushed as I entered the cafeteria. 

Like yesterday, I was going to sit at Kelsey's table. But when I came in, guess who was heading over there? 

Handsome guy. 

"This is Gemma," Kelsey said to him as he sat down. She looked at me. "This is Eric. I don't believe you two've met." 

"Hi..." I muttered, barely able to get words out. Man, I think I had a serious crush on this guy. 

The only other person at the table was a girl who looked about 14 years old, with long black hair. 

"I'm Stacy," she told me. 

"Yeah, I'm Gemma. Oh-oh, you knew that. Sorry." 

Kelsey laughed. "No need to be sorry." 

"Sorry." 

Nick and Jeremy were eating lunch together, along with Molly, Rose, and some short kid who I didn't know. 

Eric and I talked for a while—well, Eric talked, I made an attempt to—and I noticed Kelsey eyeing me suspiciously out of the corner of my eye the whole time. 

After lunch, before I went outside, I made a stop at the bathroom. Kelsey was there. 

Uh-oh. 

"Gemma! Truth or dare?" She asked me. 

"Um..." I was confused. "Truth?" 

"Do you have a crush on anyone?" 

Does she think what I think she thinks? 

I paused. "Can you keep a secret?" 

"Yeah." Kelsey nodded. 

"Um..." I lowered my voice, "...yes." 

"Who?!" 

"Kelsey," I said, "one question." 

"OK, ask me one," she said nonchalantly. "I pick dare, by the way." 

"Uh, put soap up your nose?" 

"Again?" Kelsey laughed. "Fine." 

Again? 

"Your turn. Truth or dare." 

"Truth..." 

I am such an idiot? 

Of course, she jumped at the opportunity. "WHO is your crush?" 

I looked around. "Okay, so you know that guy...

Eric?" 

"Eric?!" She squealed. 

I blushed. "It's him," I said, whispering now. 

"Oh..." Kelsey was in shock. "WHY?" 

What kind of question was that? Why do you like someone? "What can I say?" I shrugged. "He's, like, an angel in plaid." 

Kelsey scoffed. "If he was only an angel." 

"Whoa!" I cried, taking a step back. "How bad is he?" 

"No, he's a nice guy." Kelsey blushed and avoided eye contact. "He's just... I don't know." 

"Truth or dare?" 

"Dare!" 

Shoot. 

After a few more rounds, Kelsey finally picked truth. 

"What's your problem with Eric?" I asked her. 

She opened her mouth to speak, but then the bell rang. She rushed out of the bathroom. 

Okay, I thought. I'll just ask Eric about it. 

If I can muster up the courage to even talk to him.