Free Andrea and the 5-Day Challenge by Cindy K. Green

classrooms swifter when attempting to avoid certain people. I walked through the doorway and kept going as Luke joined me.
    “Man that was brutal.”
    “Yeah, brutal,” I agreed. Although, somehow, I didn’t believe we were speaking about the same thing.
    “Did you get all that? Because I know I’m going to need some serious study time before the test Monday. What do you think?”
    I peered up at him. Luke really was very tall (like six one or two) which was good because I was taller than the average girl at five nine. “What do I think about what?” I replied, my voice coming out all sing-songy. In fact, I sounded like an idiot—an idiot, as in someone with an IQ of less than twenty-five.
    “Maybe we could study for the test…together?” His dark eyes searched mine so earnestly.
    How could I tell him no? Seriously, I don’t think I could’ve refused him. We’d studied before without the world falling apart. “Sure.”
    “Great. I know you’re busy getting ready for the recital and all that, but maybe I could drive you home after school?”
    My heart raced into overdrive at his suggestion. “Why would you want to do that?” The question just popped out of my mouth. But really— why ?
    He laughed. “Why not? It’s better than the bus, right?”
    My parents would suffer severe major coronaries if they observed me turning up at home in the company of a strange boy whom they’d never had the pleasure of meeting. I had to find a way out of this.
    Undoing my combination after we arrived at my locker gave me something to do other than staring blankly into Luke’s eyes. I knew what I should say. I should tell him “no,” but he would get the wrong idea if I kept refusing him. I really did like having him as a friend.
    Even if he might move back to California or I might switch schools, I’d hate to lose that—especially now that we shared a similar interest. Despite that, I couldn’t let him drive me home.
    Everyone would see us and then they’d get the wrong idea. Yes, word would be all over school by tomorrow. Did Luke not realize this? I was only looking out for his reputation. I scrunched my eyes shut for a quick second, and my stomach clenched. If it were just me, it wouldn’t matter. But this was Luke.
    All the popular girls were keeping their eyes on him.
    I turned to him and braced my shoulders back, but I couldn’t get my mouth to open. The refusal lingered in the back of my throat. Then my head bobbed, moving up and down while I stared into his eyes. I didn’t utter a sound, and it was like I couldn’t control my bodily movements.
    Luke had looked a little concerned at my long bit of silence, but when I nodded in agreement his face broke out into one of his smiles that made me feel like butterflies swarmed around inside my chest—butterflies which had grown to prehistoric size.
    “Cool.” He leaned into the lockers.
    Oh, boy. I’d done it now. By accepting his offer, it was like I’d admitted something. Could Luke really like me? Like me—like me? It couldn’t be. It just couldn’t ! Not only because it was impossible, but also because there were too many factors to prevent it from happening.
    “Hey, Luke.”
    Luke and I tore our gazes away from each other.
    There stood Stephanie, still dressed in her cheerleading outfit. Here was one of those previously mentioned factors. Again, she only had eyes for Luke, as if I didn’t exist. She touched his arm. “Just making sure you’re planning to help with the decorating Friday afternoon.”
    “Definitely.” He slid his gaze back to me. “Are you going to be able to come, Andrea?”
    “I’ll have to check.” I focused on Steph. “I’m sure with these big, strong guys around you won’t even miss me.”
    “I guess.” She gave a smug shrug before waving her fingers in Luke’s face. “See ya later.”
    I slammed my locker and held my English books tight. I felt a bit of rage building beneath my t-shirt with the big S , and that