Page 9 of Attractive Forces

me too. See u tomorrow

I don’t go to bed though. Instead, I re-read our conversation thread. And then I spend some time googling more chemistry jokes. You know, just because.

When I arrivein the cafeteria the next day, I spot Jake near the head of the line. I jump in behind him. No one calls me out for cutting, of course.

I slide up to Jake and whisper in his ear. “If a king farts, is it considered a noble gas?”

Jake loses it, breaking into gales of laughter. His laugh is deep, and I feel the vibrations of it throughout my body.

Everyone in line turns to stare at us.

“I think that’s the winner,” he says when he manages to regain his speech. His eyebrows twitch up and he has a giant grin. I know I have a matching one.

“What’s the joke?” Devlin Jamieson turns from where he’s standing in front of us, giving me a smirk. Devlin’s only a Year 12, but he’s an awesome fullback and made the team last year as a Year 11, which is virtually unheard of. He’s one of those guys who straddles the border between confident and cocky, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s named captain next year.

“You’re the joke.” A voice from behind me pipes up before I have a chance to answer.

I turn around. Charlie Swifte, another Year 12, is standing there. He’s in my chemistry class, having skipped a year because he’s so smart. He’s the captain of the soccer team, but it definitely doesn’t give you the same status at Heath Valley as being a rugby player.

He normally comes across as an easygoing guy, but there’s nothing easygoing in his expression now as Devlin and he glare at each other.

I blink.

“Dare you to come closer to me and say that.” There’s a challenging glint in Devlin’s eyes, along with something that almost looks like anticipation.

I can feel Jake tense beside me.

“Simmer down, you two,” I say. I know at least Devlin will listen to me. It’s one of the advantages of being the rugby captain.

Devlin obediently turns back around in line, but not before he shoots daggers over my shoulder.

Jake shoots me a questioning look, eyebrows raised. I give a shrug in reply. I’ve got no idea what’s going on between Devlin and Charlie.

Jake and I move through the cafeteria line together. I hesitate when we reach the front. Should I invite Jake to come sit with me? That would be weird, wouldn’t it? He has his own friends. And he probably wouldn’t want to sit at a table full of jocks anyway.

“Catch you later,” Jake says, slicing through my indecision.

“Yeah, later.”

I head to my usual table. As I sit, I can’t help glancing around for Jake. He’s settled at a table near the back. A dark-headed girl leans in close to him, and my stomach clenches.

“Who’s that?” my best friend, Brewer, asks, his forehead wrinkling under his mop of dark hair.

“Who’s who?” I play dumb.

“That guy you’re looking at. The guy you were talking to in line.”

“Oh. It’s Jake. He’s my chemistry tutor.”

“He any good?”

“Yeah, he’s great. I mean, he explains things really well,” I stumble through my answer, feeling the back of my neck heat up.

Brewer gives Jake an evaluating glance. “Do you think he’s any good at calculus?”

“Not sure. Why?”

Brewer rolls his eyes. “Because I need a calculus tutor, idiot. That class is kicking my ass. Coach will be on my back about it soon.”