Free Going Under by Georgia Cates Page A

some things I didn’t know I liked.”
    “I hope you find some things tonight that you didn’t know you liked.”
    Of course, she would have plans with her boyfriend, but it didn’t stop me from feeling slightly spurned as I was forced to overhear their conversation about going out tonight. I stilled, waiting to hear her response to his comment, but she had none.
    Gretchen came in and took her seat next to me, looking especially slutty today in a short skirt and low cut shirt. She spoke, as she had everyday this week, and I decided to return her friendly affections in an attempt to fish for a reaction from Claire.
    I looked her up and down and spoke a little louder so my words would easily reach Claire’s ears. “Damn, Gretchen, you look smoking hot today and that shirt looks great on you. It accents your...eyes.”
    She smiled like the cat that ate the canary and leaned closer to stroke my arm as she said, “Thank you very much and I’m glad to know you’re finally noticing.”
    “Please don’t think I haven’t been noticing because I have,” I falsely reassured.
    I heard the slam of a binder against the table, then heard Henderson ask, “What’s up with you?”
    “Nothing, absolutely nothing,” she said.
    I knew better and just as I had hoped, flirting with Gretchen had gotten Claire’s attention. To test my theory, I decided to take my flirting a step further.
    “You got plans for tonight?”
    Gretchen leaned forward, allowing me a view of her cleavage and said, “I do, but nothing that can’t include you. I’m supposed to go to a bonfire at Harrison Cleveland’s. Half the school will be there; the cool half that is, and his older brother is buying some kegs. I told Ben Averitt I would go with him, but I can bail on him if you want to be my date.”
    I left my eyes on her cleavage and said, “I think you would have a better time with me than Ben. Don’t you think?”
    She smiled and said, “I completely agree.”
    I heard the slam of a textbook onto the floor, causing Gretchen to jump. She turned around, her eyes shooting daggers at Claire and said, “Clumsy much?”
    Claire glared at her and said, “Slutty much?” in retaliation.
    “News flash, Claire...a chastity belt is not a fashion statement,” she laughed.
    Claire narrowed her eyes and said, “At least my right leg doesn’t miss my left leg because they haven’t seen each other in so long.”
    Gretchen sneered as she said, “Contrary to what you may believe, Claire, being a prude is not a virtue.”
    “Gretchen, the smartest thing to ever come out of your mouth is a guy’s...”
    “Whoa, Claire!” Henderson interrupted, causing us all to realize the entire class was being entertained by their exchange of insults.
    Mrs. Bishop, oblivious to the free show in her class, began teaching and I tried to concentrate on her lecture, but I couldn’t stop analyzing the motive behind Claire’s verbal attack on Gretchen. Did she dislike her that much or was there more to it? Could she really be jealous?
    When class ended, Claire was the first one out the door, with Henderson closely behind her. In her absence, I was left with little reason to talk with Gretchen, except for the fact that I had made a date with her.
    “What time do you want to pick me up?” she asked.
    I quickly considered how I might get out of this being like a real date and said, “I have somewhere to be early Saturday morning, so I’ll probably have to leave early. Why don’t I meet you there?”
    She cozied up to me, rubbing her breasts against my arm as she explained, “I’m more than alright with leaving the party early.”
    “I might have to leave really early and I wouldn’t want to ruin your good time, so it’s probably best to meet there.”
    She frowned at that idea, obviously disappointed, but said, “Okay, I guess that will work.”
    As I walked away, she said, “Do you know how to get to Harrison’s place?”
    I pretended the detail slipped my mind