Free Love Me by Jillian Dodd

Because you’re mad at him most of the time. And I helped him. There. I said it.”
    “I assumed that you helped him. The bliss candy was a pretty big hint.”
    She sighs. “When you threw the star back, he looked hurt. So I asked him why he wanted to give the star to you. And he kind of spilled his guts. He told me about the stars, the candy, phone jail, the four-leaf clover. I would’ve totally swooned if a guy did all that for me. You just frustrate me.”
    “I apologized for throwing it at him. We went out for dinner last night.”
    “So, you’re done with Dawson?”
    “Um, not really.”
    “Are you serious? That’s never going to work. And why would want to keep dating Dawson? He’s an idiot.”
    “He is not. He needed closure with Whitney. I get that.”
    “So that’s it? You’re going to forgive him, just like that!?” She stops and looks around, sees people are staring at her. She lowers her voice, looks like she’s about to cry, and stomps away. “This is why I haven’t been talking to you.”
    Jake wanders up from behind me. “What was that all about?”
    “She’s mad at me. Thinks I shouldn’t be giving Dawson another chance.”
    “I can’t say that I disagree with her on that,” he says, surprisingly.
    “How was the library with Maggie?”
    “How was dinner with Aiden?” he sasses back as the first bell rings. 
     
    In history, Riley babbled on about how gorgeous Ariela is going to look in a toga and asks me if girls wear underwear with them. 
    My phone buzzes with a text.
     
    Braxton:  Hey, baby. What’s up? You got my Welcome to Eastbrooke, Bitches party planned?
     
    Me:  Yes. That’s what this weekend is. All about you.
     
    Braxton:  I love the place already. So there’s this girl. 
     
    Me:  Isn’t there always?
     
    Braxton:  She’s the one I told you about. She dates older guys. Thinks I’m immature.
     
    Me:  She the one with long dark hair and the longest eyelashes ever? 
     
    Braxton:  Yeah. Embry. She’s coming this weekend too.
     
    Me:  Let me guess. You want to impress her?
     
    Braxton:  Can’t decide. Part of me wants to kiss some hot older girl right in front of her. Make her see that I’m not immature.
     
    Me:  Um, trying to make someone jealous on purpose is sort of immature. I’m afraid she’d see right through it.
     
    Braxton:  Fine. Then I’ll forget about her and you can be my date.
     
    Me:  Me?
     
    Braxton:  Remember the beach this summer? How if I walk around with a hottie on my arm, all the girls will want me? Don’t you remember that? It was an important conversation!
     
    Me:  I remember the conversation. And I will be your date for the party. That will actually solve a tricky situation for me too.
     
    Braxton:  Heard you’re still fucking my brother while you’re dating someone else. Kinda slutty, if you ask me.
     
    Me:  I didn’t ask you. And I’m not doing that. I’m single. Dawson and I screwed up by taking things too fast sexually. That should be a lesson to you. 
     
    Braxton:  Dawson is brilliant if you ask me. Loved the video, by the way.
     
    Me:  Riley told me that you tried to recreate it.
     
    Braxton:  That didn’t go over too well with Mom.
     
    Me:  I heard that too. Got your toga ready?
     
    Braxton:  You know, in ancient Greece, they went commando. I am a Johnson. I’ve always been big for my age. Better watch out.
     
    Me:  So is the girl excited to come? 
     
    Braxton:  Isn’t it the girl gets excited, then she comes?
     
    Me:  Grow up. 
     
    Braxton:  Fine. Yes. I heard her talking about it. She saw the video you did. Wants to meet you. Wants to be on the dance team. Thought the guys playing soccer with no shirts on were hot. 
     
    Me:  I have a new line for you. Dallas told me yesterday during class. 
     
    Braxton: Hit me.
     
    Me:  Did you know that one minute of kissing burns 25 calories? We should work out together.
     
    Braxton:  I changed my mind. I want the