Page 23 of I Don't Need Your Love

He thinks for a second. “The blonde one?”

“No. The redhead.”

“Ah, I see. So you and her are like…?”

“What? No way. She’s my best friend’s little sister. That’s off-limits. Besides, she’d want commitment.”

He nods. “Yeah. You should be focusing on girls who just want to have fun. Like the Parker twins.” He stabs me in the ribs with his elbow. “We’re going to a party this Friday. They’ll be there.”

“Cool, sounds great.” Hanging out with my friends and girls and forgetting about life is exactly what I need.

As Felix and I return to our room, there is only one thought in my head. Will Carly be at the party?

Chapter Nine

Carly

The video Addie made is amazing! It features the two of us dancing many different styles with the perfect music tracks. We have the largest smiles on our faces and look like we’re having the most fun in the entire universe. Just watching it makes me want to get up and join them—well, us.

I have no idea how much attention it’s received since she posted it last night because the school app doesn’t show, and it doesn’t allow for comments, either, but I know it’s a lot. I mean, the video is just too awesome.

“Maybe you should have a career in videography,” I tell Addie as she, Caleb, Sophie, Raven and I make our way to the gym after school. “You’re really good at it.”

“Thanks. The project I did in business class a few weeks ago made me realize I’d like to run a business that helps middle-class and low-income people. Maybe I can do both.”

“You totally can,” Sophie says, reading while walking with us to the gym. Every so often, one of us has to pull her slightly to the right or to the left so she doesn’t bump into anyone or anything. The fact that she can walk, read, and talk to us all at the same time is pretty impressive. “You can do anything you put your mind to.”

“I’m already pitching some ideas to my grandfather,” she tells us. “He wants me to be more involved in the business because he hopes I’ll inherit it one day. I’m still not sure if I want to, but I like keeping all options open.”

“Look at you!” I fling my arm around her, hugging her to my side. “Only sixteen and already a businesswoman.”

She laughs lightly. “Well, not yet. But the thought of it doesn’t sound so bad if I can help people and make a difference in the world.”

“That sounds like the dream job,” Raven tells her.

“And we all believe in you,” Caleb tells her with a loving smile.

“Thanks.”

We reach the gym, and I’m shocked to find some kids already here. I exchange an excited grin with my friends. The video was agreatidea.

“Thanks for coming!” I call to them. “It’s still a bit early, so you can do some stretches.”

Instead of walking off to do so, they all huddle together and giggle.

Coach Moreno isn’t here yet, so I join my friends at the bleachers, where we chat about different things. Slowly and slowly, more kids start to arrive. My neck snaps to the door when I catch a group of like five girls. Wow! I can’t believe how much of a difference a video can make.

“Your brain is like magic,” I tell Addie.

With her cheeks red, she laughs. “All of your brains are magic, too.”

I twist my nose. “Nah. Not me.”

“You kidding?” Raven says. “Where do you think all of your awesome choreography comes from?”

“Well, er…I don’t know.”

“Your brain, duh,” Sophie says as she turns another page.