Part 44 (1/2)

”Oh, right. Dips.h.i.+t is the one who sent the text.”

Sarah continued, now talking quietly to herself, ”Although I guess I'm going to have to change his name on here since I can't say dips.h.i.+t anymore ... what should I use? Oh! I know ... ” She started typing on her phone keys. D-U-N-G-B-E-E-T-L-E ”Well, he can kiss my b.u.t.t. I'm not his girl. He's made that perfectly clear.”

Sarah continued typing on her phone.

”Don't text him back, just ignore him,” said Candi.

”I'm just answering him. He asked me for your cell number.”

”Don't tell him!”

”Too late.”

The lunchroom was completely full to capacity now. Candi turned to look at Kevin's table. It was loaded with the usual suspects all the members of the rugby team, cheerleaders, and Gretchen, who was sitting across from Kevin, staring at him and then Candi with an angry look on her face.

Kevin looked up at Candi and stared at her. He was being b.u.mped and jostled by the group at his table and the one behind him, but he just elbowed them off. He couldn't take his eyes off her. He jerked his head sideways, signaling her to come over.

She met his stare defiantly. She shook her head at him, signaling to him that he must be out of his mind. No way in a million years was she going to get up and go over there, just because he told her to.

”He wants you to go over there.”

”I know.”

”Are you going to go?”

”h.e.l.l to the no.”

Sarah laughed. ”Good for you. Make him work for it.”

”I'm not making him work for it, I'm just not going to be treated like some stupid girl who has to go running after mister rugby stud.”

Her phone beeped in her purse. She sighed loudly as she fished it out. She had a text from an unknown number. The dungbeetle.

COME SIT WITH ME.

”Pfft. Not likely.”

NO THX, she texted back.

Sarah laughed as she looked at Candi's face. She was cute when she was mad. She looked over at her brother. He looked frustrated. ”What did you tell him? Whatever it is, he looks veeerry frustrated.”

”I don't care.”

Sarah just smiled.

Candi's phone beeped again.

I NEED TO ASK U SMTHNG.

Candi's fingers flew over the keys.

NOT INTERESTED.

Kevin stood up a couple seconds later, still holding his phone and looking at the screen. He looked over to where Candi was sitting.

”Uh-ooohhhh,” said Sarah ominously.

”What?” whispered Candi.

”He's standing up. He looks cranky.”

Candi's phone beeped.

DON'T MAKE ME DO IT.

Candi's heart leapt into her throat. She felt b.u.t.terflies racing around in her stomach. What is he talking about? Do what?

She turned around and watched him stand up on his seat.

”Holy horsepuckies, he's standing on his seat, Candi!” said Sarah, mouth wide open, laughing her b.u.t.t off at what she knew was coming.

”Oh my G.o.d, Sarah, make him stop!” whispered Candi as loudly as she could. Her face was nearly catching on fire it was so hot.

Kevin cupped his hands on either side of his mouth, and began to yell. ”HEY CANDI! CANDI BUCKLEY! WILL YOU GO TO PROM WITH ME?”

The cafeteria was dead silent for a full five seconds.

Then the cheering started, along with banging on the tables and benches. It was ma.s.s pandemonium in the cafeteria, everyone cheering and hollering, making as much noise as they could while waiting to see what Candi was going to do.