“I know, but that’s why youloooveme!” she sang, throwing one arm around my shoulders and propelling me faster down the sidewalk.
“Um, Lex, your legs are each at least six inches longer than mine,” I complained, struggling to match her increased pace.
“I know, but I think I see Finn up ahead,” she said, peering over Rory’s shoulder to catch a glimpse of whatever boy had caught her eye.
Evidently unsatisfied with the view, she tugged me around the plaid-wearing Gilmore and nearly headfirst into a stop sign, refusing to slow down even when I squealed in protest and tried to wrench myself from her grip. She didn’t even bother to acknowledge my struggles and, after several more unsuccessful escape attempts, I stopped fighting. Allowing myself to be dragged along, I heaved a martyred sigh and resigned myself to my fate.
“And who, may I ask, is Finn?”
Thatcaught her attention. Her head whipped around so fast I was instantly reminded ofThe Exorcisthead-spinning scene.
“What do you meanwho is he? Do youeverlisten when I talk? Wait, no, don’t answer that,” she glared down at me, still walking at a breakneck pace. “He’s only the most attractive specimen of manhood on this campus! The star of every sorostitute’s fantasies!”
“Sorostitute?”
“Think sorority plus prostitute.Kinda catchy right?” Lexi smiled for a brief second before slipping back on her sternest, most disapproving frown. “Jeeze, Brookie. I know you have zero interest in gossip, but at the very least you need to recognize the drool-inducing men on this campus! They’re few and far between.”
“Sorry.Please, continue describing said specimen of manhood,” I requested with considerable sarcasm.
“Well, he’s beautiful. And completely unattainable, of course. I mean, he sleeps around, don’t get me wrong. But he doesn’t stick around. It’s a hit-it-and-quit-it deal, from what I hear,” she gushed. “He’s a senior,he transferred here last year.”
Lexi continued to scan the sidewalk ahead of us, hoping to keep her elusive target within sight. Apparently, we were stalkers now. No wonder this boy didn’t stick around; if Lexi was any indication, the girls at this school really didnotunderstand boundaries.
“That’s definitely him, straight ahead,” she squealed, her voice at least three octaves higher than normal.
I couldn't see over the heads of the three girls walking directly ahead of us, and thus was denied a glimpse at Lexi’s new obsession.
“What are you going to do if you even catch up to him, genius?” I panted, slightly out of breath.
In lieu of answering, Lexi yanked me sideways, successfully passing the cluster of girls and whipping me into the direct path of an unseen fire hydrant. I pulled back, digging in my heels and trying desperately to slow my pace, but Lexi’s momentum made it impossible to avoid the oncoming collision.
Crashing into the hydrant at full speed, the wind was knocked from my lungs and I sailed into the air. I only had enough time to throw my hands in front of my face and squeeze my eyes shut before the pavement rushed up to meet me.
Chapter Two
Karma Points
There was something wet trickling into my eyes and down the side of my face. It was dark. My eyes felt heavy, like they’d been glued shut. I tried to take a deep breath, wincing in pain as air filled my sore lungs.
“Take small breaths, for now. That was a pretty nasty spill you took,” a deep voice said quietly, close to my ear.
That’s definitely not Lexi.
Experimentally, I took a small breath in through my nose and held it inside my lungs, relieved that there was no sharp burning sensation this time. Releasing the breath, I slowly began to gather my senses. I was still lying on the pavement, judging by the cold hard surface beneath me, but my head was cradled by something soft.
“Can you open your eyes?” the voice asked, huskily imploring me to try.
I slowly pried my eyelids open, allowing aslitted view of the sky to come into focus. Reaching up to brush the damp hair away from my face, I was surprised when my fingers came away covered in blood.
“There’s a cut on yourtemple. It doesn’t look too deep; even superficial head wounds bleed a lot. You’ll be fine,” the voice assured me. “That’ll be an impressive goose egg, though.”
I tried to sit up, immediately regretting my decision as the world began to spin around me. Hands clamped onto my upper arms, forcing me slowly back downto rest against the broad chest of my rescuer.
“Don’t try to sit up. You could have a concussion. You need to stay still until the ambulance gets here.”
“Ambulance?!” I croaked, my voice scratchy with panic.
“Your friend, the redhead, is calling for one right now.”