Free Babe in Boyland by Jody Gehrman Page A

small handling fee, but you should give them at least one week advance notice.”
    “I’ll keep that in mind,” I say.
    “To our left you’ll see the future Republican power brokers. They already have investment portfolios that would make Donald Trump proud.”
    I nod, taking in the picnic table filled with clean-cut guys all glued to laptops and BlackBerrys.
    I hear a sharp bark of laughter across the courtyard and turn to see Josh, the guy Chloe’s into, standing on the edge of the fountain tossing a Frisbee to someone. “What about those guys?”
    “Good eye. Around the fountain’s prime real estate.” Tyler nods sagely. “They’re upper crust. Mostly athletes— water polo players, soccer, tennis. We don’t have a football team, so we’re spared that brutal form of idolatry, but we manage to produce other kinds of jocks.”
    “Is that guy a jock?” I nod at Josh. I figure I better have some insights for Chloe when I see her tonight or she’ll be pissed.
    “Water polo captain, but the season hasn’t started yet. That means he’s doing the drama thing for now.”
    “Is he nice?”
    Tyler makes a face. “Nice?”
    “I mean, you know, cool?”
    Tyler slaps me on the back. “Let me put it this way: Don’t try engaging Josh Mayer in a friendly chat. He’s a god. No mingling with us mortals.”
    I can’t help bristling slightly. Tyler’s POKSI status is already firmly established, at least in my mind. Okay, so he’s a clever guy, I’ll give him that, but he’s not what you’d call popular. Now he’s lumping me in with his tribe! That’s just insulting. I’ve never been Little Miss Homecoming Queen, but I’ve always been popular. Yeah, sure, as a guy I might seem less than über-macho and that could hinder my hip-factor, but I can’t spend this week clinging to the fringe, or I’ll never get the answers I need. My article’s not called “A Girls’ Guide to Geeks,” after all. If I’m going to get the 411 on the guys worth knowing, I’ve got to get in with them right away. When it comes to cliques, you have to make headway with the right crowd your first day or the stigma of being seen with losers will hinder you.
    I turn my attention back to the fountain and see that Josh has just caught the Frisbee and is about to toss it again. He really is gorgeous; perfectly mussed hair, beautiful dark blue eyes. His skin is a delicate peaches-’n’-cream, rosy along the rims of his cheekbones in the cool morning air. If it weren’t for his strong, athletic build and impressive height he might almost be too pretty. I can see why Chloe’s into him.
    I decide it must be fate when the breeze derails the Frisbee Josh just threw and sends it in my direction. Okay, only vaguely in my direction; I have to leap for it, but I manage to intercept it, albeit clumsily.
    Tyler looks horrified. “Just toss it back,” he orders out of the side of his mouth.
    “Why? I’m going to introduce myself.”
    “Not a good idea.”
    “Oh, come on,” I say. “What’s the harm?”
    Tyler shakes his head, staring at the ground. “I’ve got to review for that history quiz. Toss it back and I’ll take you to your first class.”
    “You go ahead. I’m going to network.” Ignoring his terrified expression, I grip the Frisbee and make my way over to Josh. Is it my imagination, or has a hush suddenly come over the courtyard? What’s the big deal? I’m just going to talk to the guy.
    “Hi.” I present Josh with the Frisbee and smile my friendliest smile. “How’s it going? I’m new here.”
    Josh takes the proffered Frisbee, but eyes it suspiciously. “Uh-huh. I can see that.”
    “I hear you’re an actor. And water polo captain too. Impressive.”
    Josh shoots a look at his friends: Can you believe this guy? I can feel myself starting to blush, but there’s no way to terminate the conversation gracefully now that I’m committed, so I stick out a hand. “I’m Nat.”
    Josh grins. “Nat. The name