Page 62 of All of You

Niko laughs. “Yeah right. I’d watch that cat fight. I think they’re equally matched.”

“I’m serious man. What am I going to do? I really stuck my foot in my mouth today.”

Niko puts me in a headlock and says, “Let’s get some protein in us and then figure out your love life.”

“Fine. Diner?”

“Sounds good. See you there.”

***

The Diner is unusually packed for a Wednesday night. A groan slipped out of me when I walked in. Hailie was sitting in the back corner with some other cheerleaders. I grab a table for me and Niko as she saunters over.

“What’s wrong? You look miserable,” she says taking theseat across from me.

I scrub a hand over my face. “Girl problems.”

“What girl?” she asks, her eyes narrowing.

“It was a joke Hailie, relax.”

“Ha. Ha. Why don’t you just letmegive you girl problems,” she says and then she fucking winks.

“Not interested. Thanks.” I see Niko on the sidewalk.Hurry up, man.“But I know a guy who is,” I say.

Hailie rolls her eyes and follows my eyes to Niko.

“Come on Lang, we make a great couple. The whole school would be jealous of us. Let’s have some fun.”

“Who’s having fun?” Niko asks. He stares at Hailie, waiting for her to move so he can sit.

“No one apparently. Lang’s in one of his moods,” she says and stands up. Niko slides into her seat and then pats his lap.

“I’ve been told I’m a good time.” Hailie laughs before flipping her hair over one shoulder and walking away.Gross.

“Rude!” he shouts at her back. He looks at me. “Did you order for us yet?”

I laugh, only Niko can be hungry and unfazed by rejection simultaneously. “No. She attacked as soon as she saw me.”

Niko wags a finger in the air to get the waitress’s attention—a move I hate—but somehow when Niko does it, it isn’t as ostentatious as other people. He orders us three large pizzas. Two of which I know he will eat by himself.

“So what do I do about Delia.” I lean toward him and whisper her name paranoid that classmates will hear me talking about her.

“Well for one, you should probably stop whispering about her if you actually want to date her,” Niko says.

I groan. “You are useless.”

“Listen, it seems like you have two options. One; like her—out loud, in public, or two, pine away for her privately and run the risk of Danny getting her attention instead of you because he’s not afraid to like her out loud.”

I stare at him in a way that makes sure he understands I think he’s ridiculous. “Again. Useless. I know all this.”

Niko takes a giant gulp of his water. “Then what’s the hangup?”

“You’re the worst,” I grumble.

Niko shrugs. “Seems like a no-brainer to me. What’s so special about her anyway? Just cause she’s new?”

I wrinkle my brow at him. “No, you idiot.”