Free The Dating Deal by Melanie Marks

him excitedly.
     
    “Yeah,” he smiled at my excitement.  “Sister Springsteed gave Wendy an assignment last week.  A scripture to study and talk about in class today.  And, well, Wendy wanted to come and do the assignment.”
     
    “Oh.”  I should have known.  He’d come for Wendy.  But that didn’t change anything.  I was still thrilled that he came.
     
    Trent grinned, looking sheepish.  “I have an assignment too.”
     
    That made me laugh.  It was so sweet, to think of him, Trent Ryan, sharing a scripture with his classmates, a pack of ten-year-olds.  I wished I could be there.
     
    “So, your boyfriend seems to want you back,” Trent said, putting his hands in his front pockets.  “But are you sure you want him back?  Megan, you’re too good for that guy.”
     

chapter 14
     
     
     
     
    All day Sunday I waited for a call that never came.  And I was so pathetic, spending the entire day wondering what I was going to tell Conner.  Would I forgive him?  Would I take him back?  He’d have to actually beg me, I’d told myself.
     
    And then he never called.
     
    Hmm.
     
    Monday, I saw him at his locker, with Laura.  And the pain hurt all over again.  What kind of game was he playing?  I didn’t know.  Didn’t understand.  But I didn’t want any part of it.  It hurt too much.
     
    “Jerk!” I muttered under my breath, fighting back tears.
     
    Just then I noticed Aspen watching me from her group of friends.  She had her usual wicked smirk on her face.  I turned away, like I hadn’t noticed.
     
    No way was I going to let her see me cry.  I started gabbing animatedly with three Madrigals nearby.  I laughed hysterically with them, as though I didn’t have a care in the world, as though I didn’t have a knife in my back.
     
    *  *  *  *  *
     
    Tuesday was even worse, because I actually ran right into Conner and Laura.  Literally.  They were coming out of the library as I was going in.  Conner accidentally smacked me in the head with the door. 
     
    “Oh, Megan, geez, I’m sorry,” he said, sounding truly contrite.
     
    For what ?  I wondered.  For hitting me with the door or being a jerk?
     
    He helped me to a bench, and then examined my head.  “You’re going to have a bump.”
     
    Oh good , I thought, still seeing stars.  That’ll look pretty for the dance.
     
    At least now I’d actually have a physical wound, one that could be seen.  For once, visual evidence of the pain Conner caused me.
     
    “She’s fine,” Laura said, seeming angry at the way Conner was fussing over me.  He was being … tender.  “Come on.  We’re going to be late.” 
     
    “You go ahead,” Conner said.  “I’m going to take her to the nurse.”
     
    Laura put her hands on her hips, looking ready to explode.  She opened her mouth as though she was going to protest, loudly.  But then she didn’t.  Instead she huffed away.
     
    I told Conner I didn’t want to go to the nurse, I just wanted to get to class.
     
    Conner tried talking me out of it, saying I could have a concussion.  “I’ll just walk you to the nurse’s office,” he said.  “She should look at you, Megan.  Just to make sure you’re alright.” 
     
    When his cajoling didn’t work, he sighed.  “Wait here.”
     
    He bought a soda from the vending machine. 
     
    I blinked.
     
    Did he think he could buy me off with a soda?  Well, I was kind of thirsty.  But then, he didn’t even offer it to me.  Instead he placed the cold can on my injured head. 
     
    “The coldness should keep down the swelling,” he said, still looking concerned.
     
    He was being so kind and doing that tender thing.  It was nice.  But actually, it made me feel like crying.  Why did I still like him so much?  Why?  Why couldn’t I just stop liking him?
     
    “Remember that morning we hiked up to the peak to watch the sunrise?” he said softly.
     
    I nodded, feeling tears rush to my eyes.  Why did