"Granite? I can't believe you like this band."
"An obscure heavy metal, glam rock band from the nineties? What's not to like?"
I laughed.
"I didn't know anyone our age had even heard of them before."
"Yeah, well, some of us have."
"This is..." I looked at the CD, struggling for words. "This is the only album I don't have."
"I know, that's why I'm giving it to you."
How sweet was that?
He shoved his hands in his pockets and gave me one of those closed mouth grins then cleared his throat. "So, why do you like 'em so much?"
I kept my eyes on the CD case. I had never told anyone this before, but the words popped out before I could stop them.
"My Dad would sometimes take me on his business trips to L.A. and he'd always blast it. We'd sing our heads off."
I don't know why that memory stings so much. Maybe it's because it never happens anymore. It doesn't stop me loving the band though... in secret.
Dale's smile was on full beam as he nodded at my story. "That is very cool."
He looked at me for a long beat then dug into his bag as he started talking.
"Well, my sister and I always loved the band and we went to their reunion concert last year."
"Oh yeah, they were playing at the Hollywood Bowl, right?"
"Uh-huh. It was awesome." He pulled out a metal chain with two dog tags swinging from it.
"No way." I grabbed them up and studied the band's iconic piece of jewelry. GRANITE - Rock Hard was punched into the metal. "This is so cool. Did they throw it from the stage or something?"
"Yeah. I got real lucky that night. I caught these and a drum stick."
"Wow."
"I know. Pretty cool, huh?"
"Totally." I should have curbed my enthusiasm here. If my friends ever found out I liked a band like this, they'd hassle me senseless. But I couldn't help it. I was talking to another die hard Granite fan. Aside from my Dad, I didn't know any others.
I squeezed the tags in my hand and passed them back.
"No, you keep 'em. I've got the drum stick."
"I can't."
"Sure you can."
I tipped my head with a cynical smile. "What's the catch? You want a date or something?"
He blushed and his face creased with a broad smile. "No catch. But if you are asking me out..."
"I'm not! I just..." I felt all flustered and was probably blushing up a storm, but then my eyes popped wide and my blood ran cold.
"Nicole?"
I threw the CD and dog tags into my locker and slammed it closed as my friends approached from behind me.
Dale gave me a dry look. "Really?"
I pleaded with my eyes as best I could, but he ignored it and pasted on a cheesy smile for my friends.
"Hello ladies."
Amber's nose crinkled and Penny just looked awkward.
"What do you want?" Amber's expression told him he was a pathetic little bug and should scuttle away as fast as possible.
Dale wasn't perturbed and replied with a cordial smile before looking at me with a wicked grin. "Such nice friends you have. What a pleasure it is to finally meet them."
I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me as they looked from me to Dale.
"Thanks for returning my iPod." I tried to make it more than obvious that we were done here, but he just had to keep going.
"You're welcome. Hey maybe we can catch up after school tomorrow, listen to some music."
Amber and Penny both frowned. I had to do something. I didn't want them thinking I was into the guy. Penny, aka Twitter bug, because of her addiction to Twitter, could annihilate me in less than a minute. I had to end this.
And end it I did.
In the worst way I possibly could have.
I shrugged then said with a smirk, "Whatever, Scarface."
My friends snickered and Dale's expression dropped. All humor disappeared and I was faced with a look that I cannot get out of my brain.
You should know better.
I tried to apologize without actually saying it, but it was too late. The words were out, my friends thought I was a cool, mean bitch again and I was left feeling like the scum of the earth.
I glanced behind me once more as I walked away and Dale was pulling the shoulder-length curls he always tucked behind his ears, down over his face... a pathetic attempt to hide his scar.
Dale's brake lights appear as he pauses at the end of the street. The sudden urge to call out and wave for him to stop courses through me, but he pulls away before I can actually act on it. He wouldn't stop anyway. He hasn't looked at me once since I said it. It's been just over four months since I dubbed him Scarface. How was I supposed to know it would catch on and spread through the school like a virus? I swallow and cross my arms. Four months... and he hasn't looked at me once.
CHAPTER THREE
I catch the bus in the village and arrive at school an hour late. Thankfully no one spots me as I sneak into the back of the school and hightail it to my next class. The bell for second period must have rung a couple of minutes earlier because the door is wide open and I can hear my friends still in chatter mode.
I dump my bag on the desk and sit down next to them.
"Hey guys. You won't believe the morning I've had."
Amber is assessing her nails as Twitterbug finishes off a text then slams her phone down.
"So..." she gives Amber that tell me everything grin.
Amber blushes, then smirks. "It was good."
"What was good?" I lean forward.
"And..." Penny makes circles with her hand, begging Amber for more.
"Okay it was amazing. He's a really good kisser. I think I like him."
Penny lets out a little squeal. "I so hooked you up. Hashtag, Penny is awesome."