Crushing On The Geek (Crushing On You) Read online

  “What do you mean that crowd?”

  “Nothing, there’s one at every school, I guess. A group of kids at every school that spends too much time worrying about what everyone else is doing.”

  “It’s not like that!” Tamara snapped.

  “Okay,” Hayden said, shaking his head.

  “It’s really not. It’s just….”

  “You don’t want to be grouped together with us, right?”

  “I didn’t say that,” Tamara said, “You need to turn here. This is my street.”

  “You don’t have to,” Hayden said, “I should have known though, really.”

  “Should have known what?”

  “That you were one of them,” Hayden shook his head.

  “One of them?” Tamara asked feeling bemused.

  “Snob squad, cheerleaders, jocks, the list goes on,” Hayden said.

  “Big words coming from a nerd,” Tamara said as the car pulled into the driveway.

  “Geek, get it right,” Hayden said.

  “Who’s concerned about what other people think now?”

  “If you're going to make an attempt to insult me, you should at least do it properly.”

  “Thanks for the ride home. I’ll see you on Monday,” Tamara said opening the car door.

  “Not a problem. See you on Monday unless I come up with the gas money to get back to North Dakota first.”

  “Good luck!”

  “Later!”

  Tamara fumbled in her purse looking for her keys and trying to look confident. Why wasn’t he leaving yet?

  “Did you drop these?” Hayden was holding her keys out the window.

  “Thanks.”

  Tamara watched as he drove away. Her cheeks hurt from smiling and a group of butterflies were hosting a gymnastics competition in her stomach. Tamara kicked her shoes off and carried them inside. Her parents and younger siblings, Tina and Tally, wouldn’t be home for a few hours. Her sisters would be at dance practice until seven or whenever one of their parents got around to picking them up.

  She dropped hers stuff by the door and grabbed a dark red apple from the kitchen. Her stomach was growling, but she didn’t feel like cooking yet. The clock said it was only six o’clock. Was that too early to call Amber? Yeah, it was. Six was definitely not eight-ish. She would still be out with Josh. Tamara wished it was already time to call her. She needed to hear Amber say that she wasn't crazy. Hayden was hot, really hot, but he was also part of geekville. The only thing lamer than being forced into the Chess Club would be to actually to crush on one of them.

  “Tamara are you home?” a voice called from outside, “If you’re home open the door! I need your help bringing everything in!”

  “Dad?” Tamara called back.

  “No, I’m a reverse robber!” Mr. Page called back, “Instead of breaking in and stealing things, I break in and leave things. I have tacos out here, but I’m not sharing unless you help me bring the rest of the groceries in.”

  “Hold on, let me put my shoes back on,” she said and opened the door, “I just got home a few minutes ago.”

  “I know,” Mr. Page said, handing her a bag of groceries and turning back towards his car.

  “How did you know I just got home?” Tamara asked when she returned after putting the bag in the kitchen.

  “Well, the strange tire tracks on the drive were still fresh,” he chuckled.

  “How do you even tell the difference?’

  “I pay attention. It can make or break a case you know. I’m going to get out of this suit, you put this stuff away.”

  “Okay,” Tamara said, “Doesn’t Mom usually go grocery shopping?”

  “Yeah, but I thought this week we might eat food that wasn’t on sale,” he laughed.

  Tamara tried to pay attention to her dad when he told her about the case over tacos, but her thoughts kept returning to Hayden. His laugh still echoed in her ears. He was strange. Who would be proud to be a geek or a nerd? Was he serious? Amber was never going to let her live it down, but she would tell her about him none-the-less. She’s the only friend Tamara could tell and still call a friend tomorrow.

  “Oh, it’s almost eight! I need to call Amber. Is Mom going to pick up the brats?”

  “She’s supposed to on her way home. If you need me I’ll be in my office working,” Mr. Page sighed.

  “Thanks for the tacos!” Tamara said and dashed up the stairs two at a time.

  Tamara flopped onto her bed and pressed number one on her speed dial.

  Ring. Ring. Ring.

  “Hey, give me a minute,” Amber answered, “Trying to get my shoes off. I just walked through the door, like literally.”

  “Waiting.”

  “Thanks,” Amber said a few moments later, “Sorry about that. We went to the park after the movie.”

  “To make out?”

  “That and to read,” Amber said, “So how was Geekville?”

  “It was odd.”

  “Tell me!” Amber said, her voice raising in pitch, “Who is he?”

  “What? How do you always do that?”

  “I'm your BFF. I know these things. So who is he? It's not Greg is it? Because that would be lame. He's like really smart and stuff, but he's even more of a geek than I am.”

  “You're not a geek, Amber. You're a bookworm. There's a difference. My BFF is not allowed to be a geek and I'll clock anyone who says otherwise.”

  “Thanks, but are you going to tell who it is or not?”

  “Hayden Bradley.”

  “Is he new, because I don't know that name and I think I literally know the name of every kid at Central Glade.”

  “He just moved here from North Dakota.”

  “Is he cute?”

  “He's hot, Amber. I mean really hot.”

  “Then why is he in Chess Club?”

  “I’m not sure. Maybe his dad is making him or something,” Tamara lied.

  She couldn't help but to remember the way Hayden gently held the chess set and caressed its pieces. There was no way he was there for any reason other than the love of the game.

  “Did you ask him?”

  “Yeah, he said he played at his old school too.”

  “And I thought Central Glade as the only school lame enough to have a Chess Team.”

  “Apparently not.”

  “When do I get to meet him?”

  “I don't know. I don't think I'll be hanging out with him again outside of practice.”

  “You've already hung out with him? What else are you hiding from me? Are you secretly related to Rihanna too?”

  “No, if I was related to Rihanna I wouldn't be going to Central Glade. I'd be on the road touring with her. I could be one of her backup dancers.”

  “You wish.”

  “Actually, I do. Now are you going to shut up and let me tell you what happened?”

  “Fine.”

  “Was he serious? Was he teasing you or did he really call you a snob?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  “I don't think you should hang out with him again.”

  “Like I said, I don't know that I will,” Tamara said, but they both knew it was a lie.

  “This is worse than Doug. At least he only stood you up for his friends. He didn't call you a snob.”

  “Amber, I think what Doug did was worse. Really, I do.”

  “It's your heart and reputation.”

  “You're one to talk. You the Missus of Mister and Missus BookWorm.”

  “Shut up!” Amber said. Tamara had to hold the phone away from her ear to get some respite from Amber's high pitched bubbling laughter.

  “I gotta go. I have some things to do before I go to bed.”

  “Cool, I need to call Josh anyway.”

  “Night.”

  Chapter Two

  “That's him!” Tamara said, bumping into Amber's shoulder causing her to mess up the combination to her locker.

  “Him who?” Amber asked looking around, “It's
Monday, Tam, I'm not awake enough for this.”

  “Hayden,” Tamara whispered.

  “Where?” Amber asked, her eyes opening wide and turning her head in every direction except the correct one.

  “Talking to Greg.”

  “Oh! Are you sure he's part of the chess club? He's hot!”

  “I told you so!”

  “So you did.”

  “Remember you're taken!” Tamara poked Amber in the side without taking her eyes off of Hayden.

  “You're crushing.”

  “No, I'm not!”

  “Yes you are!”

  “No, I'm not!”

  “Tam, shush for a minute,” Amber said turning her so that they stood face to face. “I'm the expert in this. You do remember how long I crushed on Joshua Nelson?”

  “How could I forget?” Tamara pulled out of Amber's grasp. “You do remember that you're dating Joshua Kirk and not Joshua Nelson. You're so not the expert in relationships.”

  “No, but I know a crush when I see one.”

  “Says the girl who claims to have done a spell and had it backfire in a good way!”

  “It really did happen!”

  “Whatever,” Tamara said, turning her body slightly so that Hayden was once again in her line of sight.

  “Ooh! Tamara has a crush!”

  “Shut up!”

  “Ooh! Should I go tell him?”

  “You wouldn't dare!”

  “Oh, yes I would!”

  The chiming of the first bell sent both girls scrambling to shove their books into the lockers and sprint to class. Tamara's feet knew the halls leaving her mind free to wander.

  “Watch it!” Tamara crashed into someone.

  “Sorry, Tamara,” Hayden hurried past her, shoving books into his bag.

  “Do you need directions or something?”

  Hayden didn't answer or slow down. Tamara watched him until he was out of site. She wasn't the only one running late. Tamara sprinted through the last few corridors between her and her first period English class. The bell echoed through the empty halls just as she slid into her desk.

  Although Tamara watched for him in the halls she didn't see Hayden again until lunch. She watched him join Greg and the others from chess club. Why? Why couldn't he play basketball or something? Hot and lame, were just two things that didn't go well together.

  “Oooh!” Amber said, sliding into her usual seat at their table and pointing at Hayden.

  “Shut up,” Tamara shoved her hand down, smashing it into the table.

  “Ouch!” Amber shook her hand free of Tamara's and cuddled it protectively against her body, “Don't be such a bully.”

  “Are you coming with us to the mall today?” Josh asked appearing on the other side of Amber.

  “Can't.”

  “What?” Amber asked.

  “Yeah, remember Mondays and Fridays I have to go to chess practice now?”

  “Oh, yeah.”

  “Yeah.”

  “At least you get to see your hottie!”

  “He's not my hottie.”

  “Not yet.”

  “Tamara and Hayden,” Amber sang.

  “Hayden and Tamara,” Josh joined in.

  “Shut up! Both of you!” Tamara tossed a fry at them.

  “Hey, Tamara,” Hayden said, taking the seat next to her.

  Amber and Josh fell quiet and walked away, leaving Tamara to explain their behavior. She opened her mouth to tell Hayden that they were just giving her a hard time, but he spoke first.

  “Are you coming to chess today?”

  “Yeah, I sort of have to, don't I?”

  “I guess. See you there.”

  By three-thirty Tamara still wasn't sure what Hayden had wanted at lunch. She also still didn't know if he had heard Amber and Josh singing.

  “Sure you don't want to skip?” Amber asked.

  “Positive.”

  “I'll think of you while I'm sipping my coffee and buying some cute new earrings.”

  “And I'll remember you while I sit across from the hottie.”

  “That's okay, I have my own,” Amber wrapped her arm around Josh's waist.

  “Have fun guys!”

  “You too.”

  Tamara was later than she had been on Friday. The stairs were still crowded with students trying to escape their daytime prison. Greg and Cindy were ahead of her.

  “Glad you decided to come back,” Greg said.

  Tamara shoved her hand in her purse, pretending to be looking for something.

  “Don't worry about her,” Cindy said leaning her head on Greg's shoulder, “She's embarrassed to be seen with us.”

  Tamara rolled her eyes.

  “Hey,” Hayden said, appearing beside of her.

  “Hi.”

  “Rough day?”

  “It's Monday.”

  “Fair enough.”

  “Oh!” Greg turned back to Hayden, “Did you hear there's going to be another Darkness Lies movie?”

  “What? Are you serious?”

  “Yeah!”

  Hayden pushed past Tamara and the others so he could talk to Greg without shouting over everyone's head. She frowned and shook her head. What the hell was she doing with these people? That's right, her mother was making every attempt to ruin her life.

  Monday's practice was nearly as enjoyable as Friday's had been. Mrs. Kelly was back and she insisted on working with Tamara herself.

  “You used to play with your grandfather, didn't you, Tamara?”

  “I don't really remember much about my granddad. He died when I was little.”

  “He taught you, though. I remember he always brought you to our lessons.”

  “I don't remember.”

  “Selective memory!” someone called out from the group.

  “I hope I still have it,” Tamara rolled her eyes, “because I want to forget that I'm part of this club.”

  “Manners, children,” Mrs. Kelly said, “All of you.”

  “Sorry,” Tamara mumbled.

  “I think that will be enough for today,” Mrs. Kelly said, “You guys are free to stay and finish your current matches if you like.”

  Tamara glanced around the room looking for Hayden. He was playing with his back towards her. The pieces on the board looked like they had barely been moved at all.

  “Oh, that other book I loaned you; it's movie comes out next month,” Greg bounced on his chair.

  “There's already a movie for it?”

  “Well, not until next month, but then yes. Although, movies are really for people too lazy to read the book, but it gives us something to make fun of and rant about. Some of the books to movies turn out okay though.”

  “Most of them suck though. Isn't it like the first in a series of four?”

  “Yeah, I have the first three, but the I haven't been able to pick up the forth one yet.”

  This wasn't much different than listening to Amber ramble on about books. Tamara wondered if she could catch up with the others at the mall? She decided against it, because she didn't want to be the third wheel. Tamara glanced at Hayden again and almost grinned. How could anyone be that excited over a movie? She wasn't sure, but Hayden wore it well.

  “Have you got your ticket yet?” Hayden asked.

  “Of course! I always buy them three months in advance. The first night is sold out all ready!” Greg nodded.

  “That so totally sucks!”

  “Do you want to finish this?”

  “Not really,” Hayden shook his head, “We didn't really get it started.”

  Greg packed away the board and pieces and Hayden's eyes did a quick sweep of the room. Tamara pretended to be putting away the board she and Mrs. Kelly used.

  “What are you doing this evening?” Hayden asked her.

  “I have homework.”

  “What about tomorrow?”

  “Homework.”

  “You're really serious about this scholarship stuff, aren't you?”

&n
bsp; “Yeah, totally,” Tamara lied.

  “Have you read the newest Darkness Lies book?”

  “Umm. No. I don't really have time to read.”

  “Even if you never pick up another novel, you have got to read Darkness Lies.”

  “No, thank you!” Tamara rolled her eyes and slung her bag over her shoulder.

  “Do you need a ride home today?”

  “No, I'll be okay.”

  Ten steps out of the room and Tamara was already feeling guilty.

  “Hey,” she stuck her head back in the room, “If you want to hang out some time, talk to me at lunch tomorrow and we'll figure something out.”

  “Okay,” Hayden grinned, “I'll see you then.”

  “She totally digs you, man,” Tamara heard Greg say as she walked down the steps.

  Later that night Tamara paced her bedroom floor, stopping every now and then to crinkle the shag carpet between her toes like she had done a million times before. Just a month ago Doug had ditched her at a school dance. That same night she had paced the same path she retraced tonight. Then her pride was wounded, but rejection. Tonight she had a different problem.

  “Amber?” she said desperately into the phone for the third time this evening.

  “She's still not home, kiddo,” Amber's dad said, “Is everything all right? Is there anything I can help you with?”

  “No, not really. Just tell her to call me when she gets home. Oh, and tell her to charge her cellphone. There's no point in having one if you never charge it.”

  “I've told her that before.”

  “You and me both.”

  “I'll tell her you called, Tamara.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Not a problem, kiddo.”

  Tamara ended the call and it vibrated against her palm.

  “Amber?” she answered immediately.

  “Sorry, no,” said the guy on the other end of the line.

  “Who is this?”

  “Is this Tamara?”

  “Yes, now who the hell is this? Doug, if it's you again I swear I'm going to kick you in the...”

  “Whoa, whoa, not to so fast, it's me, Hayden. You know, Hayden, from chess club,” Hayden said, “Who's Doug?”

  “No one important. Do you need something? Because I'm waiting on a very important call. How did you get my number?”

  “You're listed in the school's directory,” Hayden said, “it wasn't hard to find. I thought I'd give you a call just to see what you were up to. You said you were waiting on a call, is everything all right?”