Free Double Time by Julie Prestsater Page A

him back a jumbo-sized Coca-Cola flavored one that matched mine. He drained the thing in record time, squashing his hand to his head every time he got a brain freeze. It was hysterical to watch. Our teacher wasn’t too pleased with me bringing a giant beverage into class, but she let it slide. Brody is the teacher’s pet. He can do no wrong in any teacher’s eyes. I’ll have to keep that in mind.
    Since we became partners, we’ve also gotten the chance to get to know each other. Unlike our other classes, we actually have a lot of time to talk in chemistry. This teacher doesn’t instruct much. We take notes for about ten minutes, and then work with our partners on answering questions and completing small labs. And we can chat all we want while we work. It’s a nice break after studying silently all morning.
    Brody and I have an understanding. We listen. We give each other opinions, from the outside. It’s nice to have someone to talk to who’s not part of the crew.
    I learned Brody recently got dumped by his first girlfriend. He still likes her a lot. I can tell, even though he says he’s over it. Whenever we talk about relationships he just grunts and shrugs it off. Usually he’s very serious, but when it comes to his ex, he gets all weird. Poor guy. I know how he feels. It took me a long time to get out of my sweats and comb my hair again after Alex and I broke up. Sometimes, I still feel like crawling under my covers and listening to Adele wail on my iPod because I still miss him. Just when I think I’m over him, something creeps up on me and I get all weepy. Again.
    On Monday, we were having our usual bonding moments over broken hearts. I don’t know what possessed me to tell him all about freshmen year. How I fell in love with Alex. How Amy took him from me and then started fucking Eric, who was my boyfriend at the time. I spilled my guts about going out with Alex all year till he dumped me because I’m just a little kid to a big bad college guy.
    And I told him about Travis, how he and I keep hooking up but we’re not a couple. Brody thinks I don’t want a real relationship with Travis because I’m still not over Alex. Maybe he’s right. Maybe not. I’ll probably always have feelings for Alex. He was the first guy I ever loved. I know he loved me too.
    I also shared how Alex was a complete jackass in the mountains. Brody reminded me I don’t have to worry about seeing Alex with other girls since he probably hooks up with people when he’s away at school. So I don’t know how I’d react in the same situation. But he sees me with guys every time he comes home to visit. I can totally see Brody’s point because I go mad when I see Travis with a chick near him. I’d probably start frothing at the mouth if Alex glanced at another girl in front of me. Okay, so maybe not frothing and not just a glance, but I suspect I’d cringe at the very least.
    But then again, it’s not my fault we run in to each other. Alex needs to learn to deal.
    When I told Brody he was probably right about me being jealous if I saw Alex with another girl, it’s like the lights went on in a dark room. His green eyes brightened and he got this wicked smile on his face.
    He put his hand over mine and got real quiet. “Be my date to homecoming, will ya?” he had asked. Not exactly the fireworks I was looking for in a proposal but I was curious. Me go with Brody. Really? He continued, “Help me make Caitlyn jealous. If she sees me with you, she’ll go crazy. You’re pretty and popular. It’ll work. Go with me.”
    How could I say no to that? Flattery will get you everywhere. And it’s not like I had an insane amount of offers dangling in front of me like a carrot. I didn’t have any. Steph was going with Ethan. Keesh was going with one of the twins from our history class. I was hoping to go with the other but no such luck. I had no choice but to say yes. It was either that or stay home. Plus, I didn’t want to leave Brody