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“Yeah, even Jenna isn’t fawning all over him for once,” Tessa agreed. “Do you think the Chasers will finally give up on him?”

“What do you mean?” Mia asked.

“Well, he’s been rejecting these girls for years, and even Jenna couldn’t keep his interest. Maybe they’ll finally get the hint.”

We all glanced over at their table once more, but as soon as we looked, one of the girls started running a finger down Chase’s arm, and we all burst out laughing.

“I guess it was optimistic,” Tessa said.

“Very,” I agreed.

“Why do you think he never dates any of these girls though?” Mia asked. Her gaze was still focused on Chase, who was brushing the girl off his arm.

“Maybe he’s into college girls,” Tessa suggested.

“Or maybe he finds the girls at our school are too easy,” Miles added, his eyes still glued to his textbook.

I let out a sigh, disappointed that I was actually about to willingly contribute to a conversation about Chase. “I overheard him tell my brother once that all the girls at our school were too vapid.”

“Maybe the ones he hangs out with.” Mia grunted. I couldn’t agree with her more. There were plenty of amazing girls at our school, and I was already sitting with two of them. I just couldn’t imagine that any girl with half a brain would be interested in Chase.

“That’s it!” Tessa suddenly said, slamming her hand down on the table. Her voice was loud enough that we all jumped in our seats and people on the tables closest too us all glanced in our direction.

“What’sit?” Miles asked, looking up from his textbook.

Tessa shook her head though. “I can’t tell you guys here because I don’t want anyone to overhear, but I’ve had an idea that’s going to solve Ally’s problem.”

“What problem? What idea?” I asked.

“The little problem of your unwanted house guest,” she replied, with a knowing glance in Chase’s direction.

“Chase?” I whispered.

“Yep.”

My heart leaped at the certainty in her voice, but I tried to rein in my excitement. I didn’t want to put too much hope in her solution only to be let down. “How?”

Tessa simply shook her head. “I’ll tell you tonight. We’re having an emergency meeting at my house after school, and I expect you all to be there.”

“Can you at least give me a hint?” I asked.

“No,” Tessa replied. “But trust me, it’s brilliant.”

4

Ally

I didn’t geta chance to talk with Tessa before the end of school. She wasn’t in any of my classes, and the last lessons of the day dragged as I tried not to speculate about what her solution to my problem might be. My unwanted houseguest was a serious issue, but I had no idea how she hoped to solve it. Short of convincing Chase’s parents to give up their business expansion and move back to Fairview, I honestly saw no way out.

When the bell finally sounded, signaling the end of the day, I launched from my desk and hurriedly made my way to Tessa’s locker. It was right next to mine and had been since we started high school.

“Are you going to tell me yet?” I asked, when I found her leaning against the lockers waiting for me.

She smirked at my impatience. “All in good time, padawan.”

I lifted an eyebrow at her. “I thought you slept through most of ourStar Warsmarathon.”

Tessa laughed. “YourStar Warsmarathon. You know I’m not really into that sci-fi stuff. I think we both know I was only there for the eye candy.”