Free A Match Made in High School by Kristin Walker Page B

place,” I said. Sam shot ahead of me and rang the doorbell. I wasn’t fast enough to stop her. My plan had been to knock lightly and tiptoe away. But Sam hammered the doorbell at least half a dozen times.
    When no one answered, I thought I was off the hook. We started back down the driveway just as a silver minivan pulled in. Señor Shitslacks was at the wheel. I could tell by the look on his face that he was one, trying to piece together the puzzle of why I was there, and two, figure out if I had possibly set some explosives on his front porch. He slowly opened his door and got out. Never took his eyes off me for a second.
    “Smooth ride,” I said as he came around the front of the van.
    “Beats walking, townie.”
    “How did you know I was a townie?” I said, all smartass like. Todd chuckled. “You just told me.”
    Pshhh. I waved him off. I’d gotten the “townie” thing my 78 Kristin Walker
    whole life, but it never bugged me. Kids who came to my house would always shut up when they saw our hidden back staircase, or took a ride in our dumbwaiter.
    “At least I’m not polluting the universe, like you,” I said.
    “Nah, you’re too busy hugging trees. Or rather, making out with them. I’m telling you, you really should stick to mating within your species, whatever that is.”
    “I would,” I said, “but unfortunately, there are no gorgeous, all-powerful, all-knowing gods around here. I’d even settle for a demigod. It’s a step down, I know. But alas, there are nothing but low-brained mortals here. And half-brains, like you.”
    Todd snorted. He nodded toward Sam. “Who’s this?”
    Sam marched forward, positioned herself between Todd and me, and pinned her fists on her bony hips. “My name is Samantha Louise Pickler, not that it’s any of your business, because you are a rude, ugly fart-face.”
    Even though Sam had her back to me, I covered my huge grin with my hand. I knew I was supposed to correct her, but I couldn’t. She was too freaking adorable. Todd was grinning too. He put his fists on his hips just like her. “Well, I think it’s rude to call someone a rude, ugly fart-face.”
    “Well, I don’t care what you think.”
    “Really? You should.”
    “WHY?”
    Todd licked his lips and crossed his arms. “Because I have a feeling you and I are going to get to know each other.”
    He looked at me. “That right, Princess? Is this the kid?”

CHAPTER 9
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    I said, “ Sí , Señor.”
    I walked up to Sam and wrapped my arms around her shoulders from behind. She didn’t move an inch from her warrior stance. I pointed to Todd. “That, Sam, is Todd Harding. We have to do this lame school project together where we earn money. We don’t like it. But for now we have to do it. So Todd is going to help me babysit for you. Your parents okayed it. Todd, Sam. Sam, Todd.”
    Sam tilted her head toward mine. She kept her eyes drilled on Todd and whispered softly, “He shouldn’t say such mean things to you, Fiona. It is truly tacky.”
    I whispered back, “Believe me, I know. But I need you to hang here, okay? As a favor to me?”
    Todd kept slightly rotating his head left and right, trying to hear us.
    “Please?” I whispered. “I’m gonna need all the help I can get in this situation.”
    I felt Sam’s posture soften beneath my embrace. “Fine.”
    She dropped her arms, shrugged herself out of my hold, and marched up to Todd. “Hello. My name is Samantha Louise Pickler.” She stuck out her right hand and tossed her head.
    “You may call me Sam.”
    Todd shook her hand. “Nice to meet you, Sam. My name is Todd. You may call me Todd.” Sam looked back at me and rolled her eyes. I shooed her on.
    “Pleasure to meet you, Todd.” She dropped his hand, swiveled on her heel, and strode back to me.
    I mouthed, Thank you.
    “So, you were planning to work without me tonight, 80 Kristin Walker
    huh?” Todd said. “Funny you forgot to mention it. Trying to skim a little off the top for