cried.
As his eyes searched the crowd, he took a moment to realize that Samantha was laughing.
âGotcha,â she murmured, taking his arm. Her green eyes stared triumphantly into his.
âNo way. I didnât believe you,â Bobby insisted.
âThen what was that terrified expression on your face?â she demanded. âYou looked like you were going to swallow your tongue!â
âNo way!â he protested, laughing.
âWell, I feel like weâre in a spy movie or something,â she confided in a low voice. âWhat if someone does see us?â
Bobby shrugged. âNo problem,â he replied casually. She had thrown him off with her phony scare. Now he had to be extra cool, he decided, to impress her.
âDid you bring the plans, Boris?â she whispered. âDo you know the password?â
He snickered. âYouâre weird.â
Her expression turned serious again. Still holding his arm, she raised her green eyes to his. âI just feel a little strange sneaking around like this, Bobby. I mean, Bree told me she had a great time last night. I think she really likes you.â
âHey, Iâm a likable guy,â Bobby boasted, flashing her his best smile. He checked out his reflection in a window and pushed back his blond hair.
âSo itâs not nice of me to go out with you tonight, is it?â Samantha asked, staring into his eyes.
âWell â¦â Bobby couldnât think of a good answer.
She answered before he could say anything. âWho wants to be
nice?
â she exclaimed. âNice is boring!â
They both laughed.
She is
hot!
Bobby thought, trying to be cool and not stare at the bare skin below her midriff top. Sheâs not like her sister at all, he decided.
âIânoticed you in homeroom,â Samantha said, following him to the ticket booth.
âHey, I noticed you too,â Bobby replied with a meaningful smirk. âI mean, who wouldnât?â
She giggled.
She likes to be flattered, he decided.
âYouâve got quite a reputation,â she said.
He stopped walking. He wasnât used to girls being so direct. She says whatever she thinks, he realized.
âI mean, girls at school, they talk about you,â Samantha confided.
âYeah? What do they say?â Bobby demanded.
She flashed him a smile. âIâm not telling,â she replied coyly. âYouâre already too conceited.â
âWell, whatever you heard, itâs probably true,â he said.
She laughed again. Her laugh was loud and throaty, he noticed. Not like Breeâs quiet, coughing one.
She has a lot more personality than Bree, Bobby decided. And itâs obvious sheâs really
stoked
for Bobby the Man.
They stopped in front of the ticket booth. âWhat movie do you want to see?â Bobby asked. â
Eradicator Five?
The special effects are supposed to be outstanding!â
âThose films are gross,â Samantha replied. She grinned, then added, âI love them!â
âSo you want to see it?â
She frowned and pulled her hair back with both hands. âI saw it already. Do we have to go to a movie? Canât we just hang out?â
âYeah. No problem,â Bobby quickly agreed.
She probably just wants to drive up to River Ridge and make out, he told himself. This one doesnât want to waste any time.
âI like walking around the mall,â she said as they started away from the movie theater. âYou see so many cool things.â
âYou like to shop?â he asked.
âNo. Bree is the shopper. I just like to look.â They entered the mall and walked for a while, stopping to gaze into store windows.
In front of the Gold Barn, a jewelry store, she turned to him, a devilish expression on her face. âBree would kill me if she knew I was here with you,â she confided.
âShe wonât find out,â Bobby replied, checking out his
Stephanie Pitcher Fishman