Rebellious and Reckless - Michelle A. Valentine Page 0,2
my brow and shush her, afraid he’ll overhear us. I’ve been mortified over him enough for one day.
She laughs and then takes another bite of her apple.
We’re just about to clean up after finishing lunch when the distinct sound of high heels clicking against the tile floor heads in our direction. A statuesque blonde marches toward Luke. I’ve seen her around campus a few times. She’s the kind of girl who is beautiful and knows it.
Luke looks up from his phone as the girl approaches his table. “Oh, hey. What’s up, Veronica?”
Her lips pull into a tight line. “This is awkward, so I’m just going to say it.”
“Oh….kay.” The expression on his face is one of clear confusion.
“I can’t see you anymore.” She pauses for a moment and then shrugs. “Okay. Bye.”
Veronica turns, flipping her long blond curls in the process, and takes a step toward the exit.
My mouth drops open.
What in the hell? Is this girl insane? Who in their right mind would break up with Luke Finnegan?
“Veronica?” He leaps up from his chair. “Seriously? You can’t just waltz in here and dump me without an explanation.”
Her shoulders rise as she takes a visible deep breath before turning back to face him. “My ex, Roland, is back in town, and he wants to get back together, so we’re taking his family’s private jet to Belize to celebrate.”
“So he snaps his fingers, and you jump? Do the past couple of weeks we’ve shared together mean nothing?”
This is sad to watch, and it breaks my heart to see him hurting like this. I want to hug him and tell him he doesn’t need a shallow girl like her. He needs someone who will appreciate him. Someone like me.
Veronica’s bottom lip pokes out in a mock pout. “I’m sorry, Luke. We had fun, but we’re over.” She backpedals away from him. “I’ll see you around.”
As quickly as she entered, Veronica is gone, leaving Luke standing there staring after her. He seems lost. Luke Finnegan doesn’t seem like the type of guy who gets dumped too often. I’m not sure he even knows how to process what’s happened to him.
Luke drops his head and pinches the bridge of his nose. I itch to comfort him but know that would be entirely too creepy. So I sit silently, wondering what he’s going to do next.
When he lifts his head, he releases a big sigh, then glances over at Miley and me with a sad smile. “Well, that sucks.”
Without saying anything else, Luke grabs his tray and heads toward the exit.
“Oh, my God. Do you know what this means?” Mylie questions, grabbing my arm. “Luke Finnegan is officially single. Maybe it’s time you make your move.”
I tilt my head and give her my best are-you-kidding-me face. “That’s never going to happen.”
“Why wouldn’t it?”
“Look at me.”
“I don’t know why you always act like you aren’t beautiful.”
“Mylie—”
“No, Sky. You’re a knockout, and if you’d just stop wearing that book nerd hoodie that’s two sizes too big, keep your hair out of a ponytail every once in a while, and throw in a pair of contacts, you’d have every guy in the place killing to be with you. You could totally have Luke Finnegan if you put in some effort.”
What she’s saying is meant as a compliment, but it’s making me self-conscious. “Do I really look that bad?”
“No, I personally love how you represent your nerdism so proudly, but if you want to land a man, you have to put some of your goodies on display.” She laughs at her own joke. “Hooking a man requires a little work, and you have to let your guard down a little.”
My friend’s words resonate with me. I’ve never really opened myself up to a guy before. The fear of getting hurt is always on my mind and has always held me back from going for things I really want. Maybe it’s time to get a plan together because it would be a dream come true for me to be on Luke’s arm.
3
SKY
It’s been a few days since my resolution to get Luke to notice me, and I haven’t come up with anything. Even if I give myself a makeover, I’ll never find enough courage to actually talk to Luke the way I truly want to.
I readjust my backpack as I walk to my apartment building. Living alone here has taken a little getting used to. During freshman year, I lived in the dorms, and Mylie was my roommate. This year,