The Quarterback Likes Me?

Chapter 6

Vanessa's POV

Friday

"Come on, Vanessa, you have to admit he's cute," Dianne says.

"Cute? No one is cuter than Harry Styles," I reply.

She scoffs, "No, Luke Hemmings is." I roll my eyes.

We’re walking to class, arguing about One Direction and 5 Seconds of Summer.

"Hey you, who’s cuter, Luke or Harry?" Dianne asks a blonde girl.

"Luke, duh," she replies, returning to her phone.

"See? Everyone thinks he’s cuter," Dianne smirks.

"Whatever, I’m a Harry Styles fan for life," I say, spotting Jake coming down the corridor with his friends and sister.

Dianne fixes her hair, hoping Tyrell will notice. He winks at her as he passes.

"Hi," Jake nods at me.

"Hey, Di," Kevin says, and Dianne waves.

"Omg! Tyrell winked at me!" She shrieks.

"No kidding, Sherlock," I respond sarcastically.

She rolls her eyes as I head to chemistry class.

I sit down and glance over at Cody's desk. Heidi is doing her nails as usual.

"Morning, partner," Jake startles me.

I turn to see him staring and look away, blushing.

"Today, you’ll start a group project due next week. No more experiments until January," the teacher announces, and we glare at the two people responsible.

Cody blushes while Heidi rolls her eyes.

"I’ll pick you up at 7 PM," Jake whispers as we take notes.

"Don’t worry about what to wear; just wear something comfortable, though I wouldn’t mind seeing you in nothing," he adds with a wink, making me laugh and blush.

"Ms. Thomas, do you have anything to say to the class?" the teacher asks.

"No, miss," I mumble, glaring at Jake.

**

Before lunch

"Hey, I saw you flirting with Jake this morning," Heidi hisses behind me.

"Actually, he flirted with me, not the other way around. Get your facts straight," I retort, and Dianne laughs.

"He's mine, so back off before things get nasty," she threatens, getting in my face.

I block my nose. "You kiss guys with that breath," she turns red.

"You better watch your back," she snaps.

"Are you talking about yourself? Finally, something good came out of your mouth; mostly it’s crap," I smirk, and Dianne bites her lip to stifle a laugh.

"You b***h!!" She screams, lunging at me, but someone holds her back.

"Whoa, calm down," Jake tells her.

"Let me go, Jake. I just want to rearrange her face," Heidi glares at me.

"I'll let you go, but if I catch you trying to hurt Vanessa, you'll answer to me," he warns, releasing her.

Heidi glares at me, then at Jake, and walks off with Brenda.

"Are you okay?" Jake asks, concern in his eyes as he checks for bruises.

Translation: he’s checking me out.

"Thanks, I’m fine," I reply, shifting under his gaze.

"Okay, see you later," he says, walking away with Logan and Kevin, who winks at Dianne.

"Man, he’s got the hots for you," Dianne points out.

"Who?"

"Jake, duh. He can't keep his eyes off you," she grins, but I ignore her.

He's rich, I'm not.

He's popular, I'm not.

He likes parties, I don’t.

I could go on.

I enter the cafeteria and grab my food. Dianne and I choose a random table today.

Jake texts me:

Jake: You look lovely, by the way.

Me: Thanks, it means a lot coming from you.

Jake: Really? *smirks*

Me: *snorts* You wish.

Jake: Ouch, you hurt me, Van.

Me: What, your ego or big head?

Jake: My heart.

Me: You have one of those? I thought you ran on a machine.

Jake: Haha, very funny.

"Omg, you guys are so made for each other!" Dianne exclaims, drawing everyone's attention. I turn red and sink lower in my seat.

"I think the dead didn’t hear you; say it a little louder," I retort.

"You and Jake would make a good couple," she grins.

"Like you and Kevin or Tyrell?" I shoot back.

"I've got two guys wrapped around my finger," she smirks, wiggling her index finger.

"Actually, it's more like a dog, cat, and mouse chasing you," I say.

"I’m the cat; I’ll make one sexy cat," she says, flicking her hair over her shoulder.

"Sure," I reply sarcastically.

"You really think so?!" she shrieks, and I roll my eyes.

******

7:00 PM

I’m waiting on my porch for Jake, wearing jeans and a crop top with combat boots; my hair is in a ponytail, and my mom helped with my light makeup.

"Is he here yet?" my mom asks from inside.

"Not yet," I reply, checking my phone.

He texted me half an hour ago saying he just left.

Maybe he’s lost?

****

Jake's POV

I’m not sure if I’m in the right place; the houses are decent-sized and don’t even have fences.

I find Vanessa's blue two-story house. She’s looking down at her phone, tapping her foot. She looks good.

I text her:

Me: I love your outfit.

I watch her frown, confused, then gasp when I get out of the car.

"Wow, you look different without your jacket," she admits as she walks over.

"I know. Let’s go; we're already late," I say, holding the door open for her.

"Yes, but I have to be home by 11. I need to sleep," she explains.

"No problem, m’lady," I smirk.

As we arrive at Heidi's house, the music is audible from the street.

"Wow, cool house, and the party sounds great," Vanessa compliments.

"It's okay, but you have to come to my annual Halloween party; then we’ll see whose is the best," I suggest.

I park, and we get out.

"Ready?" I ask her.

"Ready as I’ll ever be," she replies.

I take her hand as we walk into the crowd of teenagers. Vanessa squeezes my hand tightly as we enter the loud house.

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